TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) FOR ENDLINE EVALUATION CONSULTANCY 97 views0 applications

Project: Reigniting dreams through economic empowerment and rights for children and youth

Intervention/Project Details

Title: Reigniting dreams through economic empowerment and rights for children and youth

Goal: To contribute to the reduction of sexual exploitation of children and youth (SEC/Y) in Mlolongo, Kenya.

Project Objectives/ Outcomes

The project hinges on two outcomes:

1. Youth and children at risk/survivors of SEC/Y have expanded economic opportunities (through the acquisition of relevant vocational/technical, entrepreneurial, life skills, and employability skills), and are more aware of their rights.
2. Local community, private sector, and other key state and non-state actors have adequate capacity and better coordination to collaborate in active prevention, reporting and response to sexual exploitation of children and youth.

Location: Mlolongo, Machakos County- Kenya

Project Duration: 19th December 2023-28th February 2025

Project partners : Volkswagen Employees Foundation (VWEF), Terre des Hommes Germany, Terre des Hommes Netherlands , and Jitegemee Children’s Program (JCP)

1. Introduction

Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH NL) is an international non-governmental organisation committed to stopping child exploitation. Our mission is to protect children by preventing and stopping child exploitation, and by empowering children to make their voices count. Our vision is that children can flourish in a world free of all forms of exploitation.

Our vision and mission are inspired and guided by international human rights instruments and standards, in particular the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child, the Council of Europe’s Lanzarote Convention, the International Labour Organisation Conventions and aligned with achievement of the SDGs, in particular Goals 5, 8 and 16.

Terre des Hommes Netherlands launched its 2023-2030 Listen up! Strategy with the aim of creating systemic change that addresses the root causes of child exploitation. We will achieve this by empowering children and their communities, connecting them with those who have power to enact change, engaging in lobby & advocacy campaigns, working with partners to build resilience of children, families and communities and utilising our knowledge and expertise to co-create sustainable, evidence-based solutions.

On the African continent, TdH NL works in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Madagascar. In these countries, TdH NL develops and implements programs in close collaboration with local partner organisations. In Kenya, TdH NL programmes are implemented in Central, Rift Valley, Coastal, Western and Northern regions of Kenya where we work with communities, government, private sector, civil society organisations and children themselves, at the centre, to address systemic and structural drivers that expose children to exploitation.

The project for evaluation is realised through cooperation with Terre des Hommes Germany, and funding from Volkswagen Employees Foundation (VWEF).

2. Background

Jitegemee Children’s Program is a non-governmental organisation based in Machakos, Kenya, that provides educational and other support services to vulnerable children and youth in the community.

Jitegemee’s vision is**,** “ All destitute children and youth in Machakos , Kenya have access to educational opportunities , and become self-sustaining” while its mission is to provide educational and integrated support services for children and youth living in poverty in Machakos, Kenya. We work to remove the obstacles of poverty that prevent children from attaining their educational goals. Our child-centred holistic programming includes school support, vocational and livelihood training for youth and their caregivers, healthcare and education, and psycho-social support. We are committed to helping our young people gain decent employment, live dignified lives, and contribute to their community.

Jitegemee, in partnership with Terre des Hommes Netherlands and Terre des Hommes Germany, is implementing a project aimed at preventing and responding to sexual exploitation of children (SEC) through vocational skills development, expansion of decent work, and income-earning opportunities for Sexual Exploitation victims (girls and boys) and vulnerable children at risk of sexual exploitation.

The project directly targets 50 children and youth, 400 community members and 300 transport actors engaged in awareness creation, 32 private sector businesses, 10 police officers and 500 children ( aged 11-17 years) in Mlolongo area, Mavoko sub-county.

3. Evaluation Purpose

This evaluation is designed to provide documented evidence of changes brought about by the project, extract key lessons and promising practices which can be adopted for programming in SEC prevention and youth skills-building and employment. It will serve as an important accountability purpose for all involved partners by identifying the extent to which the project objectives were achieved. It will further serve to document what worked and what did not work in regard to efforts to enhance children and youth skills building and employability while preventing sexual exploitation of children and youth. It will also provide a deeper understanding of the quality of the training and services that were offered to the children and youth during the project period.

Both TdH NL and its implementing partner JCP, will be the prime users of the evaluation to inform contextual programming and delivery. Moreover, the key learning/findings will be used by other CSOs, the Government, both national and County, and development partners in designing similar interventions.

4. Evaluation Objectives

The main objective of the evaluation is to examine the extent to which the project has delivered meaningful results for project participants and identify key areas that can be replicated in similar interventions. It will assess the level of achievement against the set objectives, and also document what worked and what did not work in tackling sexual exploitation of children and youth. In addition, it will provide recommendations on best practices in the prevention of sexual exploitation of children and youth through skills development and employment as well as strengthened capacity and coordination of local actors. Further, the evaluation will also focus on the project design, implementation process, performance of the project, organisational management systems, and how these have impacted the implementation of the project.

5. The Specific Objectives

1. To examine the extent to which the project objectives have been achieved. Assess how the project contributed to the impact including key enabling and/or constraining factors that led to project achievements. Also assess the unintended/unplanned effects of the project among the project participants, local communities, and wider context.
2. To determine how the project benefited the project participants . (include the two most significant change stories/case studies) Assess how it (project) addressed barriers in the prevention of sexual exploitation of children and youth and integration into the world of work
3. To examine the quality and efficacy of the technical skills training with regard to expanding economic opportunities for youth and making them employable. What is working and what needs improvement to enhance youth employability (formal and business)
4. To document what worked, what did not work, key lessons learned, and recommendations for future implementation on youths skills development and employment, as well as sexual exploitation of children and youth prevention programming in Kenya and in other projects designed under similar contexts
5. Evaluate relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability of the project
6. Evaluation Scope and Duration

The scope of the evaluation includes a review and assessment of all activities carried out under the TdH NL and its partner’s agreement from inception until the end of the project period. The evaluation should assess the project’s achievements in reaching its targets and objectives outlined in the relevant project documents as will be provided by TdH NL. It should assess project design, implementation, effectiveness, lessons learned, replicability, and provide recommendations for future projects. The proposed evaluation timeframe is 35 working days between 09/12/2024 and 31/01/2025. This will be done per the OECD Development Assistance Committee (OECD – DAC) evaluation criteria with an intersectionality approach including but not limited to child participation and gender

7. Evaluation Methodology and Approach

a) Methodology and Approach

The evaluation should adopt a mixed method approach, striking a balance in quantitative and qualitative methods.

It is expected the consultant will employ a variety of data collection and analysis techniques for both quantitative and qualitative data to ensure a comprehensive evaluation exercise.

To sufficiently address the specific objectives, it is proposed that the methodology to be used should allow the involvement of children, youth, local communities, families, law enforcement, CSOs, government (local and national), private sector, and project implementers in key evaluation tasks. Existing project documents, progress reports, and other relevant documents will be shared by the teams of TdH NL and Partner JCP. The evaluator is expected to conduct the evaluation in a rigorous manner to produce information that is valid and reliable based on quality data and analysis. As a result during the inception phase, the evaluator will produce an agreed-upon detailed action plan and elucidate the data collection, process, and analysis methods for the evaluation as well as data dissemination plans.

b) Deliverables and Key Responsibilities

In accordance with the timetable, the evaluator (s) will produce:

• A draft inception report which responds to the scope of work with a methodology, survey instruments, detailed work plan, and budget.
• **A field work implementation plan (**to be submitted before field work begins). This field work plan should be presented to TdH NL for comments and revised as necessary prior to commencing field work.
• A final End-Term Evaluation report incorporating feedback from TdH NL and JCP. The Revised Report will synthesise all data, MsC stories, identify conclusions, and make recommendations (Taking into account ALL comments and additions from TdH NL and JCP following submission of the Draft Report).
• Oral Presentation/Meeting and debrief with project staff: The consultant will make a presentation to TdH NL and JCPs of the findings of the evaluation, including lessons for project improvement. The debriefing meeting will be an opportunity to clarify outstanding aspects of the evaluation before the finalisation of the end line report.
• The Final Report: The consultant will be expected to produce a final report, with comments from the debriefing taken into account. While the substantive content of the findings, conclusions, and recommendations of the report shall be determined by the evaluator, the report is subject to final approval by TdH NL in terms of whether or not the report meets the conditions of the ToR and expected standards.
• The consultant will be required to submit all data sets used for the evaluation, any scripts or instructions on data management as well as transcripts of all qualitative information gathered during data collection, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and a list of people interviewed /met as appendices to the final report.
• Validation Workshop: After the evaluation report is finalised, TdH NL and JCP will organise a validation workshop with its key stakeholders(both internal and external). The consultant is expected to co-facilitate the workshop and present the results of the evaluation. The consultant is expected to incorporate feedback from the workshops into the final report.

8. Terre des Hommes Netherlands

Terre des Hommes Netherlands will provide :

• Relevant project documents guidance and technical support as required throughout the evaluation;
• Safeguarding session with the evaluation team prior to data collection.
• Copies of all key background resources identified;
• Comments and feedback on, and approval of, all deliverables within agreed timeline
• Coordinate with the partner to organise meetings and mobilise participants for the assessment.

9. Evaluator(s) Competencies, Experience, and Skill requirements

The evaluator(s) engaged to undertake the assignment must fulfil the following requirements:

The team for this assignment will consist of the consultant(s) who will have the overall responsibility for designing, implementing, and coordinating the entire endline evaluation process guided by the ToR.

The knowledge, skills, and expertise required areas are as outlined below:

• The lead consultant or coordinator is required to have a Master’s Degree in Social Sciences, Community Development, or other related fields.
• Sound understanding of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, Code of Conduct, and UN Global Compact.
• A minimum of five years of experience working in the field on children’s issues and child protection programmes.
• Extensive knowledge/experience in conducting evaluations focusing on CP, education, skills development, and job placement of children and youth
• A strong commitment to and proven experience in utilising child/youth participatory methodologies.
• Has skills, knowledge on vocational skills, and youth development and employment surveys.
• Knowledgeable in and committed to a Rights-Based Approach to development.
• Has proven experience in conducting evaluations and research using various methodologies such as in-depth interviews, Focus Group Discussions, etc.
• Experience in working with NGOs, CBOs, and beneficiary communities.
• Has excellent communication skills in writing and spoken English and Kiswahili.
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills.
• Excellent analytical and report writing skills.
• Is familiar with social and cultural norms, and attitudes especially in relation to child trafficking, sexual exploitation, and abuse, child labour.

10. Child Safeguarding Measures

In line with the UNCRC, Terre des Hommes Netherlands strives to keep children safe in all its undertakings. A screening and reference check of the successful candidate will be conducted during the selection process to confirm the suitability of working with children. The successful applicant will be required to read, understand, and commit to abide by TdH NL’s Child Safeguarding Policies and Guidelines. The institution/firm or individual consultant will sign the policies to indicate an understanding of, and commitment to follow the policy requirements. The methodologies used in this study must abide by the universally accepted standards for involving children in research. Special considerations will have to be taken in involving children who are survivors of sexual exploitation, ensuring the risk of retraumatization is sufficiently mitigated.

11. Ethical Considerations

Terre des Hommes treats this assessment with a high level of ethical considerations. All participants (interviewers and interviewees) in this assessment are expected to be treated with the utmost respect and designer dignity. Participation is voluntary (even when the person has confirmed to participate they are at liberty to opt-out of the assessment if they feel uncomfortable). Confidentiality and the rights to privacy of the participants and the data obtained should be respected. Consent and assent will be obtained from the parents/caregivers and the child respectively prior to their participation. As an organization, we conform to the Do No Harm principle where our actions and those of our associates at no time should directly or indirectly harm the people we work with.

The consultant will be required to get ethical approval from a recognised body before data collection in the field. Terre des Hommes Netherlands will coordinate with the consultant to ensure this approval is provided prior to field activities.