Consultant - project endline Evaluation
Nonviolent Peaceforce
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Posted on Mar 3, 2025
Nonviolent Peaceforce (NP), an International NGO founded in 2002, recruits, trains and deploys unarmed civilians to reduce violence and protect vulnerable populations in conflict-affected areas. Unarmed civilian protection (UCP) is NP’s global core methodology. UCP refers to the engagement of unarmed civilians working to reduce cycles of violence and increase the safety and security of civilians impacted by violent conflict. UCP prioritizes direct physical protection to immediate threats of violence, even as we work to interrupt systemic violence. The success of UCP methodology is based on relationship building, acceptance and trust by the community that utilizes a mix of strategies to prevent violence, enhance the safety and security of civilians, build and strengthen local peace infrastructures, and create an enabling environment for communities to devise and implement locally led peace and protection strategies. UCP is guided by principles of nonviolence, non-partisanship, the primacy of local actors, and civilian-to-civilian action.
NP has had extensive experience and presence across South Sudan since 2010. Currently, programming in South Sudan comprises eight field teams operating across five states and one administrative area: Upper Nile, Jonglei, Greater Pibor Administrative Area, Central Equatoria, Western Equatoria and Unity. NP’s programming in South Sudan includes peacebuilding, social cohesion, protection, gender-based violence prevention and response, child protection, youth engagement, as well as reconciliation with a particular emphasis on the prevention of violence.
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
With joint funding from the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC), NP South Sudan has been implementing a two-year project entitled: “Fostering a safe and enabling environment for inclusive and sustainable peacebuilding.” The current project began on 1 November 2022 and is due to end on 31 January 2025. It has been implemented in the following four locations: 1) Juba County, Central Equatoria State 2) Rubkona County, Unity State, 3) Mundri West County, Western Equatoria State, and 4) Ulang County, Upper Nile State. The project is an amalgamation of two earlier separately funded project intervention: 1) by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Juba PoC, Bentiu PoC, Aburoc, and Rumbek, implemented between 1 October 2020 and 30 October 2022; and 2) by SDC in Ulang and Mundri West counties implementies between 1 June 2021 and 30 September 2022.
The project locations were characterized by diverse socio-political and environmental challenges, necessitating adaptive and context-specific implementation strategies. The project focused on protection and peacebuilding, addressing the immediate and long-term needs of communities affected by conflict, displacement, and resource scarcity. Through consistent monitoring and analysis, the project teams responded to evolving dynamics with tailored interventions, ensuring that activities remained impactful and aligned with community priorities.
Each project site presented a unique operational context shaped by local conflict dynamics, displacement trends, and resource challenges. In Juba IDP Camp, rising violence, food insecurity, and returnee influxes had compounded pre-existing vulnerabilities, while intergroup mistrust and gang-related crimes further destabilized the community. In Bentiu, similar patterns emerged, with escalating criminal activities, resource-based conflicts, and child protection concerns exacerbated by the cessation of food distributions and environmental challenges. Mundri’s context was defined by land disputes, inter-communal violence, and strained civilian-military relationships, while in Ulang, revenge killings, the influx of returnees, and gender-based violence persisted as critical challenges.
In line with the Theory of Change (Annexed), each of these objectives builds sequentially on the others. Reducing imminent violence (Objective 1) is a precondition for further engagement with Community Protection Teams (Objective 2), which are central to promoting inclusive decision-making (Objective 3) and nurturing social cohesion (Objective 4).
Under Objective 1, direct protection activities such as proactive patrolling and protective accompaniment mitigate imminent violence, whilst training on UCP skills and early warning early response (EWER) activities support community capacities to prevent violence. Similarly, training sessions and coordination meetings with humanitarian actors enable protection integration into other humanitarian responses. Under Objective 2, the Community Protection Teams' establishment, training, and mentorship enable them to undertake protection activities independently and embed them as integral structures for community protection. Under Objective 3, activities focus on training local authorities and state structures on UCP and SGBV and linking these actors with Community Protection Teams and marginalized groups, such as persons with disabilities, youth and women. Under Objective 4, in-depth conflict analysis, community dialogue sessions, and awareness-raising conferences create space for women and youth to support social cohesion. Collectively, the activities within these objectives aim to contribute to a safe, secure and enabling environment for inclusive and sustainable peacebuilding because the action addresses personal, social, and cultural behaviours from a grassroots approach and stimulates the agency and ownership of the local communities to take the initiative and influence the peace process from the bottom-up.
The overall goal of the current project is to foster a safe and enabling environment for inclusive and sustainable peacebuilding. This is supported by four objectives:
Objective 1: Violence and its effect on civilians, chiefly women and children, is reduced and responded to
Objective 2: Community Protection Teams are strengthened and entrenched as integral structures in their communities
Objective 3: Communities are better positioned to influence local authorities and state mechanisms on civic decision-making processes and peace processes
Objective 4: Social cohesion is increased within and between communities
PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE ENDLINE EVALUATION
The overall purpose of the end-line evaluation is to assess the cumulative project performance and identify lessons learnt and good practices that can inform future program design and adaptation, maximize the benefits experienced by local communities and ensure meaningful investment of resources by NP and donor agencies in future interventions. The evaluation is intended to support collective accountability – to donors and communities – by rigorously documenting institutional learning about project management and delivery approaches. The end-line evaluation may be used as a baseline for any next phase of the project.
This will be achieved by:
Assessing the performance of the project according to its Relevance, Effectiveness, Impact, and Sustainability, in alignment with four of the standard OECD/DAC criteria (See: https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/development/better-criteria-for-better-evaluation_15a9c26b-en). Through these criteria, the evaluation will seek to measure progress towards expected results, assess programmatic approaches, and document challenges and opportunities experienced throughout the project implementation. This should also include a meta-evaluation of the project midterm evaluation, along with a meta-evaluation of the previous Phase 1 projects.
Documenting case studies (minimum two) that illustrate project delivery approaches and impacts across diverse contexts in the targeted project locations. These case studies will seek to complement findings across the OECD/DAC criteria.
Identifying best practices and lessons learned from the project implementation to inform ongoing and future programming. The evaluation will synthesize critical opportunities for applying these best practices and lessons learned and provide actionable recommendations on how to harness them.
The scope of the end-line evaluation will focus on the entire project period of 1 November 2022 to 31 January 2025, along with a meta-evaluation of the previous Phase 1 project. It will cover all of the project’s four target locations: 1) Juba County, Central Equatoria State 2) Rubkona County, Unity State, 3) Mundri West County, Western Equatoria State, and 4) Ulang County, Upper Nile State.
Critically, the evaluation will adopt a gender and human rights lens throughout all elements of the evaluation methodology (for more guidance, see: https://www.oecd.org/en/publications/applying-a-human-rights-and-gender-equality-lens-to-the-oecd-evaluation-criteria_9aaf2f98-en.html). It will engage with and inform diverse project stakeholders, including project donors, NP senior management, NP field teams, relevant government departments, and the affected communities engaged by the project about the project approaches, results, achievements, challenges, best practices and lessons learned.
EVALUATION QUESTIONS
The proposed evaluation questions align with the four selected OECD/DAC criteria to be addressed as a part of this evaluation, in accordance with the purpose and scope specified above. These are indicative questions that the selected consultant is expected to expand, adapt, or refine during the preparation of the inception report to enrich the evaluation process and findings.
Relevance
- To what extent are the project objectives still relevant to the local context dynamics?
- To what extent did the implementation approach and activities respond to the specific rights, needs, and priorities of different rights-holders, including women and girls and people representing relevant marginalised groups?
- To what extent are project participants satisfied with benefits generated by the project?
Effectiveness
- To what extent did the project make progress towards intended objectives/outcomes?
- How did changes in the operating context affect project progress?
- How well did the project adapt to contextual changes?
- To what extent did the project utilize previous evaluation findings to adapt its implementation approaches and improve progress towards intended results?
- In what ways has engaging males and gender champions in the project affected perceptions of gender equality and the overall protective environment?
Impact
- What wider behavioral, relational, normative, or structural effects did the project contribute towards for individuals, communities, and institutions?
- What unintended consequences has the project had?
Sustainability
- Which structures or activities are likely to continue following the end of the project?
- What factors influenced or are likely to influence the sustainability of the project results?
- To what extent has the project created an enabling environment for the continuing promotion and realisation of gender equality?
Lessons Learned and Best Practices
- What best practices, lessons learned, and recommendations can be identified to inform future programmatic approaches and strategies?
METHODOLOGY
The evaluation should apply a cross-sectional mixed-method design that harnesses both quantitative and qualitative methods, including the following:
Desk Review: This will involve the review of relevant project documentation including the proposal, logframe, annual reports, and previous evaluations, as well as relevant materials from secondary sources, such as new media, gender and context analysis reports, research on similar women peace and security programming, and donor strategy documents. This review should inform the development of an evaluation inception report that presents revised evaluation questions and an expanded methodological approach, and the design of draft data collection tools.
Survey: Survey tools will be used to measure the endline values for project objective/outcome-level indicators, which will be used to support the assessment of the project against the OECD/DAC criteria. All tools and methods for administering the survey(s) should be conflict and gender sensitive and adhere to the highest standards of data protection and safety.
Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): KIIs will be employed to glean insights from individuals with relevant and specialised expertise or insights, who are well-positioned to comment on the program context, strategy, and performance. These individuals may include local leaders, civilian authorities, partner organizations, or NP staff. Interviews should be semi-structured to enable the exploration of new ideas and topics not anticipated during the methodological design and to ensure documentation of rich local perspectives.
Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): FGDs should be used to engage project participants – especially members of Community Protection Teams – to generate diverse on relevant topics and determine the extent to which there is consensus on particular issues. FGDs will be structured to promote robust interaction among participants and discussion of participant experiences within the program. The FGDs may also be used to help triangulate emergent findings from the survey. Integrating the gender and human rights approach, the consultant should strive to disaggregate participants by gender and age, where appropriate, to encourage safe spaces for discussion.
A gender and human rights lens should be applied throughout all elements of the data collection, analysis, and interpretation of findings. Any other key cross-cutting themes identified during the evaluation process should also be reflected on and documented in the final evaluation report. The consultant will also ensure that ethical standards are consistently maintained by employing an ethics and safeguarding approach throughout the evaluation process. This should be outlined in the inception report. For guidance on ethical considerations for evaluation purposes, see the UNEG Code of Conduct for Evaluation 12F 13.
Effective relationship management is vital to this evaluation. The consultant must engage stakeholders with cultural sensitivity and build trust to foster collaboration with local communities, government representatives, and other key actors. Strong relationships are essential for accurate data collection and stakeholder support, ensuring the success of the end-line study and the project. The consultant should navigate complex, dynamic contexts while maintaining open communication and respecting the perspectives and needs of all parties involved.
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
In line with the evaluation scope and proposed methodology, the consultant will be expected to complete the following activities, to be finalized at the stage of the inception report:
- Conduct a desk review of project documentation and secondary source literature.
- Refine the proposed evaluation questions and methodology for the collection, analysis, and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative data.
- Develop, pilot test, and refine data collection tools for each method and tailored to each target respondent profile.
- Develop a detailed work plan.
- Develop enumerator training material e.g. a training guide, and facilitate enumerator training workshops. (Enumerators will be selected and hired directly by NP.)
- Coordinate all necessary logistics with NP.
- Conduct and/or oversee data collection at project locations.
- Develop data entry templates and ensure accurate and secure data management.
- Clean and analyse all quantitative and qualitative data.
- Conduct a comparative analysis of the final evaluation data with previous evaluation findings from the current (and previous Phase 1) project.
- Develop a comprehensive evaluation report responding to all agreed evaluation questions.
- Identify and produce case studies on agreed themes and locations.
- Present preliminary evaluation findings and insights with relevant stakeholders through briefings and internal validation workshops, and integrate feedback into the final report.
- Behave in line with the ethical standards, principles, and values of NP throughout the consultancy.
DELIVERABLES
The following are the key deliverables, to be approved by NP, required for the completion of this consultancy:
- Inception Report: In line with this Terms of Reference and informed by the desk review, the Inception Report should present revised evaluation questions and an expanded methodology outlining the full process for collection, analysis, and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative data. The Inception Report should mention proposed sampling methods, respondents, data management and security measures, and ethics and safeguarding approaches.
- Work Plan: Specify planning for the entire evaluation process, including dates and locations for completion of key deliverables.
- Enumerator training materials eg. a training guides
- Data Collection Instruments: These should include survey tools, KII guides, FGD guides, and relevant data entry templates, all tailored to target respondent profiles.
- Cleaned data sets in CSV and/or Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) format, with data correctly organized, and variables named and labelled.
- Cleaned KII and FGDs transcripts and/or reports.
- At least two case studies representing diverse contexts, with themes and locations to be decided during the inception phase
- A comprehensive final evaluation report that meets agreed formats.
TIMEFRAME
The evaluation is anticipated to last between 5 to 6 weeks with 35 days level of effort. The consultant will be expected to start working by 10th March 2025 and complete all activity deliverables outlined in the Scope of Work by 11th April 2025.
Note: These dates and other activities detailed in the eventual consultant work plan may be change due to international and domestic travel restrictions or other operational considerations.
RESOURCES
NP will facilitate and directly cover expenses for visa, travel to South Sudan, and transport to and within all field sites. NP will also provide accommodation while in the country. NP will not provide personal computers or any other personal equipment. The consultant is expected to provide their own equipment and software for data collection and analysis, as well as pay for their own insurance including during travel. All necessary logistical arrangements for the assessment will be coordinated through the NP South Sudan logistics department. The selected individual consultant will coordinate with the Research Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor, Monitoring and Evaluation Officer, Program Development personnel, Program Manager, and field staff in the planning and implementation of the evaluation.
QUALIFICATION AND COMPETENCIES
Education, knowledge and experience
- Master’s degree in International and Political Affairs, Law, Development Studies, Social Sciences or related field.
- At least 5-7 years’ experience in the design and implementation of evaluations, assessments or endline surveys including qualitative and quantitative data collection
- Previous experience in the area of civilian protection, human rights and/or civic engagement
- Knowledge of international normative standards on women’s rights and gender mainstreaming processes
- Excellent knowledge and understanding of evaluation methodologies and processes
- Extensive experience working with Monitoring and Evaluation frameworks and logframes
- Experience gathering, systematizing, and analysing quantitative and qualitative of data
- Experience developing protection projects in war and/or emergency settings
- Proven ability to manage highly confidential and sensitive information through a protection lens
- Experience managing projects in complex dynamic and volatile environments, where security and political situations are very fluid
- Excellent ability to communicate with stakeholders including process management and facilitation skills
SKILLS AND COMPETENCIES
- Demonstrated experience in UCP, peacebuilding
- Experience working in South Sudan
- Excellent interpersonal and team skills
- Fluency in spoken and written English, including excellent writing skills, particularly in drafting reports in a concise manner
- Strong organizational skills
PREFERED QUALIFICATIONS
- Proven ability to manage highly confidential and sensitive information through a protection lens
- Experience in conducting research and M&E in violence prevention, social cohesion, and/or related fields
- Excellent knowledge and understanding of evaluation methodologies and processes
SUBMISSION OF PROPOSAL
The proposal shall include technical and financial sections. The financial section needs to describe only the consultant’s professional fee and other expenses that will incurred during the evaluation process excluding expenses like visa, transport, accommodation and small per diem while in country as this will be handled by NP. The proposal should include:
- Consultant profile including past achievements
- Introduction: A brief overview of the assignment as understood by the bidder
- Detail methodology and approach including work plan (i.e. research techniques to be used, sampling, field operation plan, quality assurance and time frame)
- Current CV of the consultant
- Detail itemized work plan
- Detailed itemized budget and price justification by unit cost per activity being proposed under the financial proposal.
- Three references from organizations that proves the capacity of the consultant to carry out an assessment/evaluation
- Annexes: Any documents, which the consultant feels will assist proposal review team in evaluating the proposal
APPLICATION PROCESS
Prospective individual consultants should submit a written proposal including other details listed above and submit their application by midnight Central African Time on Saturday 8th March 2025. Candidates will be assessed based on the quality of their technical evaluation proposal, skills and experience, as well as financial proposal. Please note that only short-listed candidates will be invited for an interview.
For more information about NP and its work, please visit our website: www.nonviolentpeaceforce.org.
SPECIAL NOTICE
Nonviolent Peaceforce is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, or protected veteran status and will not be discriminated against based on disability.
Nonviolent Peaceforce acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard and promote the welfare of employees, contractors, volunteers, interns, communities we work with, and other stakeholders and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities and government guidance and complies with best practices in the Humanitarian and Development sector.NP expects all staff and volunteers to share this commitment through our code of conduct. We prioritize ensuring that only those who share and demonstrate our values are recruited to work for us.
The post holder will undertake the appropriate level of training and is responsible for ensuring that they understand and work within the safeguarding policies of the organization.
All offers of employment will be subject to satisfactory references and appropriate screening checks,
which can include criminal records and terrorism finance checks. NP also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this Scheme, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment or incidents under investigation when the applicant left
employment. By applying, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.
NO FEE
We never ask for payment as part of our selection process, and we always contact candidates via our corporate accounts and platforms. If you are approached for payment, this is likely to be fraudulent. Please check whether the role you are interested in is posted here on our website.
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