Job Description

Introduction and background
Zimbabwe Environmental Law Association (ZELA), a public interest environmental law organisation that seeks to promote environmental justice, sustainable and equitable use of natural resources, democracy and good governance in the natural resources and environment sector, is seeking the services of Consultants, that will help the organisation review its strategic programmes and produce strategic reports, as well an achievements paper, through funding support from the Embassy of Sweden (Sida). The period under review for the Strategic programmes is 2023 to 2024. In addition, the Consultants will be required to evaluate the primary project that was funded by (Sida) and produce an end of project evaluation report. The project`s goal was to strengthen community-level governance frameworks for improved food security, climate resilience and environmental sustainability in Binga, Gutu, and Gwanda districts in Zimbabwe, with two specific programming themes, Climate Change and Wildlife. The consultant(s) will work closely with the Organization`s Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) department in executing the assignment.

Objectives
● To establish the impact made by ZELA across its 5 Strategic objectives, for the 2020 to 2024 period, and key achievements of the organisation, including knowledge management, visibility and resource mobilisation strides, in line with its strategic plan.
● To gather key stakeholders’ feedback (including marginalised communities’ representatives, partners, duty bearers and staff), on the impact of the Sida funded project that was implemented by ZELA in Gutu district, Binga district and Gwanda district.
● To establish recommendations for sustaining the impact generated by ZELA under the 2020 and 2024 Strategic plan to strategically position for future work.

Duties and Responsibilities

Evaluation Criteria and Questions
Using the OECD/DAC evaluation criterion the objectives of the evaluation are to generate information on how effective and efficient the Project has been during the period of the evaluation, as well as on the relevance and sustainability of results achieved.
With regard to effectiveness, the evaluation shall address the following questions:
1. To what extent has the Programme achieved its expected results at output and outcome levels?
2. Which are the main factors that have affected positive results achievement and which have affected non-achievement of results?
3. Have there been any unexpected results, either positive or negative, and what have been the factors behind these?
With regard to relevance, the following questions shall be addressed:
1. Are the results the Programme has achieved consistent with its objectives and the attainment of these objectives?
2. Has the selection of partners been relevant to the Programme objectives and planned results?
3. Are the results the Programme has achieved relevant to the needs and situation of the intended beneficiaries as well as Programme partners?
With regard to efficiency, the evaluation shall address the following questions:
1. Have results been achieved to an extent reasonably proportionate to the amount of funding available and used?
2. Could funds available have been used in alternative ways to achieve expected results to a greater extent?
3. Has the Programme been managed with reasonable regard for efficiency; what measures have been taken during planning and implementation to ensure that resources are efficiently used to achieve expected results?
With regard to sustainability, the evaluation shall address the following questions:
1. To what extent have partners taken demonstrable ownership in the initiative and creating systemic changes as a result of the Programme?
2. To what extent is it likely that the results and benefits of the Programme will be maintained at an appropriate level for a reasonably long period of time after the end of the Programme?
3. What are the lessons learned as to how Programme working methodologies and partnership strategies have been applied to contribute to sustainability?
With regards to impact, the evaluation shall address the following questions:
1. Which activities contributed to highest and lowest impact?
2. What has changed in the lives of the beneficiaries through participating in this project? - How was your /their life before and how is it now?
3. Which one is the most significant change and why?
And the following additional cross cutting questions shall be addressed:
1. Has the project had any positive or negative effects on gender equality and environmental integration?
2. How has gender equality and environmental integration been implemented and followed up?
With regards to the Challenges and Lessons Learnt, the evaluation shall address the following questions:
1. What was the biggest impediment? What was unexpected?
2. Which of our methods or processes were difficult or frustrating to use?
3. What lessons were learnt during project implementation and how did the project took these lessons into account?

With regards to Conclusion and Recommendations the evaluation shall address the following questions:
1. What conclusion is drawn for this project?
2. What recommendations can be proffered for further programming?
Key deliverables

1. An End of Term report on the Strategic performance of ZELA for the 2020-2024 Strategic period (including an updated summary 4 pager on opportunities for ZELA going forward).
2. An Evaluation report on progress in implementing Sida project in Gutu district, Binga district and Gwanda district (not more than 30 pages)
• Anexes to the report to include Data gathering instruments (observation guides, interview questionnaires, etc.); Details of documentation reviewed and other data gathered; Names and contact information of stakeholders met/interviewed (to the extent it does not violate considerations of confidentiality).
3. Case study booklet on the 5 Strategic programme areas of ZELA.

Qualifications and Experience

● More than 5 years of experience in carrying out research and evaluation work on environmental issues,
● Experience in production of research reports and knowledge products.
● Knowledge of M&E methodologies such as Outcome mapping, Strategy testing and Outcome harvesting
● Ability to gather data using mobile software packages such as ODK, Kobo toolkit etc.
● Good knowledge and practical experience of gender equality and environmental analysis and integration
● Cultural sensitivity and strong communication and interpersonal skills; and
● Excellent command of written and spoken English.
● The evaluators shall exercise reasonable skill, care and diligence in the performance of services and shall carry out responsibilities in accordance with recognised professional standards.
● The evaluators must be fully independent of the reviewed activities and have no stake in the outcome of the evaluation. Further eligibility criteria are detailed in the call for proposals to conduct the evaluation

How to Apply

Interested and qualified Consultants who meet the above requirements should send their application clearly stating how they meet the requirements, methodology to be used and cost of the consultancy to: [email protected] by 04 October 2024. The title of the consultancy should be clearly stated in the subject line.