Closing date: 28 Nov 2014
Introduction
The Special Programme on Africa of Amnesty International Netherlands (AI/SPA) runs long- and short-term capacity building programmes with African human rights organisations.
AI/SPA’s short-term programmes aim to strengthen the capacity of selected human rights organisations in the field of Monitoring, Documenting, and Reporting human rights violations (MDR), as well as in Economic, Social and Cultural (ESC) rights. Short-term programmes run for a period of one to three years.
Our long-term programmes (currently Uganda, Burundi, Sierra Leone), aim to strengthen human rights activism at the community level, specifically in rural communities. Within these programmes we work in coalitions of different local civil society organisations over a minimum period of five years, in which AI/SPA supports partner organisations to effectively address locally relevant human rights issues, provides training and technical support. Partner organisations adopt different approaches in making human rights meaningful at the rural community level; e.g. through community dialogue; training of local and traditional leaders; paralegal services; facilitation of community led processes in changing local (bye)laws and in facilitating access to fair and equal justice within formal and informal justice systems. Each long-term programme is unique and tailored to local needs and context. There are however some common activities, including building or strengthening networks of human rights volunteers or activist groups in rural communities.
AI/SPA intends to phase out the long term country programmes and will primarily focus on shorter-term capacity building programmes in the future. Additionally, external funding for the three programmes in Uganda, Burundi and Sierra Leone will end as of January 2016. Through this consultancy therefore, AI/SPA aims to identify effective exit strategies and key lessons learned from the three programmes, which could be of use within our new capacity building strategy. In support of the overall exit-planning process, AI/SPA seeks (an) experienced consultant(s) to carry out an assessment of the long-term programmes within each of the three programme countries.
General objective of the Assessment
To provide an overall evaluation or in-depth assessment of the extent to which AI/SPA long-term programmes in Uganda, Burundi and Sierra Leone have realised their objectives or are under way to realise their objectives by the end of 2015.
The assessment aims to help AI/SPA to (1) assess its contribution to human rights activism in the respective programme areas, (2) take up certain effective elements of the long-term country programmes into its new strategy, (3) exit from the long-term country programmes in a way that ensures continuation of successful activities and sustainable results, (4) obtain recommendations to inform the end-of-project evaluations of the Uganda and Burundi programmes planned for mid 2015.
Specific objectives:
To assess:
1.To what extent the country programmes have reached their overall objectives (generally: “creating a human rights culture”), and more specifically the following levels in AI’s Impact Monitoring Framework:
- Public and civil society engagement with local human rights issues;
- Changes in law, policy and standards (incl. local, customary laws and policies);
- Changes in practice and accountability of duty bearers;
- Changes in people’s lives (ability to claim and enjoy rights) – if this cannot be assessed or only in a limited form, the consultant will provide recommendations for the follow-up evaluations planned for mid 2015 for the Uganda and Burundi programmes -.
2.The extent to which partner organisations are strengthened strategically and organisationally, and in a position to continue working on qualitative human rights education and access to justice activities.
3.The extent to which partner organisations are committed to continue to work as human rights coalitions or as separate organisations, and how they intend to continue with similar programme activities.
4.The extent to which communities (including non project participants) value programme activities and see concrete results from programme interventions.
5.The community’s sense of ownership and/or commitment to continue talking about and advocating for human rights and access to justice.
6.What the AI/SPA´s contribution has been towards the above; in which roles and strategies it has been most relevant or successful and in which roles or strategies AI/SPA has been less successful or unsuccessful.
7.What key lessons learned should be adopted in AI/SPA’s new strategy of focusing on shorter term capacity building programmes.
8.The effectiveness of how the different coalitions of organisations are structured and responsibilities divided. (Taking into account the differences in set-up and structures within the three programmes).
In support of developing effective Exit Strategies the consultant’s assessment also needs to answer the following questions:
- What strategy should AI/SPA follow to enable the above changes to be sustained after AI/SPA support has been phased out?
- What concrete activities should be undertaken to reach this goal?
Suggested Methodology
The assessment will be a combination of a desk study and qualitative field research in Uganda, Burundi and Sierra Leone. The consultant will have access to all programme and project documents, as well as other relevant materials at AI/SPA and partner organisations. A selection of stakeholders at all levels (AI/SPA staff, programme coordinators, partner organisations, community human rights volunteers and community groups, formal and traditional local authorities, other civil society organisations) will be interviewed. The consultant may also need to review secondary data, such as records of partner organisations, of police stations or local courts.
For this assignment the following methods will be employed:
a) Desk study of Strategic Frameworks, project proposals, narrative reports, MFS annual plans and reports, Mission reports, etc.
b) Meetings with partners in collecting information and views.
c) Visit project areas and communities for field study; conducting focus groups discussions and individual interviews. It is anticipated that the bulk of the study should be dedicated to the actual field work. Employing local research staff on the ground may be necessary.
d) Meet with other NGOs/CBOs (non-AI/SPA partners) operating in the operational areas to understand their roles and activities and the level of collaboration.
e) Give feedback to all AI/SPA partners on field study outcomes prior to departure.
Specific tasks of the consultant
- Submit a concept paper on how he/she is going to conduct the Evaluation/Assessment (see deliverables), based on initial discussions with AI/SPA and partner organisations.
- Develop the evaluation tools (indicators, interview checklists, etc.), in consultation with AI/SPA.
- Conduct the evaluation/assessment: desk research, field visits to Uganda, Burundi and Sierra Leone, where data will be collected through (key) informant interviews and focus group discussions.
- Analyse and review the collected information and possibly collect more information remotely.
- Write a draft report, and share it with AI/SPA for comments; AI/SPA may ask partners to comment.
- Incorporate AI/SPA comments into the final report.
- Finalise and submit the report.
Deliverables (to be delivered by the consultant)
Based on initial discussions with AI/SPA, the consultant will deliver a concept paper (approx. 3-5 pages).
The concept paper will at least include the following:
- An interpretation of these ToR tailored to each country programme;
- A description of the proposed methodology (a.o. elaboration of elements and indicators to consider, methods, number/scope of interviews and data collection, need for local assistance);
- A description of the proposed process and timeline: steps/phases, timeline, indicative planning.
After submitting the concept paper, AI/SPA and the consultant should come to an agreement as to how to conduct the assessment. If no agreement is reached, the contract of the consultant could be terminated and a proportionate fee for the days worked will be paid.
The final report (50-70 pages) will be provided in both soft copy and hard copy and should at least include the following chapters:
- Executive summary
- Background/introduction
- Methodology
- Findings and analysis per country programme and impact level (an appropriate division of subsections to be made here)
- Conclusions
- Recommendations (for AI/SPA, for partners, for others)
- Annexes (a.o. ToR and tools used)
Tentative time schedule
Nov Initial discussions with AI/SPA and partner organisations, write concept paper, develop tools. (5 days)
December Conduct research in country 1 (1 week desk research, 2 weeks in country, 1 week analysing data and report writing – 24 consultancy days in total, 4 weekend days, 2 travel days)
January Conduct research in country 2 (1 week desk research, 2 weeks in country, 1 week analysing data and report writing – 24 consultancy days in total, 4 weekend days, 2 travel days)
February Conduct research in country 3 (1 week desk research, 2 weeks in country, 1 week analysing data and report writing – 24 consultancy days in total, 4 weekend days, 2 travel days)
March Analyse data and write draft and final report (10 days)
Required qualifications of the consultant
• A Master’s or Doctoral degree in human rights law, social sciences or a related field
• Proven experience in practical research, incl. in carrying out evaluations of NGO programmes in Africa.
· Extensive field experience in Africa, preferably with a range of NGOs based in rural areas
· A sound knowledge of human rights and human rights programming
· A demonstrated understanding of processes of social change, preferably in a rural context
• Strong analytical skills
• Excellent report writing skills
· Fluent in English and French
• Cooperative spirit, ability to work with a variety of partner organisations and project staff
Contract conditions
A budget will be available for 24 days consultancy fee per country programme, excl. 4 weekend days and 2 travel days for which a lower remuneration will be paid. In addition, the budget will cover 10 days for writing the report. Travel costs and accommodation will be paid for by AI/SPA. Together with the concept paper, a more detailed budget needs to be submitted. The consultant will be paid 30% after approval of the concept paper, 30% after the research in country 2 and the remaining 40% after acceptance of the final report.
How to apply:
Candidate consultants are invited to submit motivation letter, CV, one or more sample reports of earlier assignments, and their preferred daily consultancy rate.
Send your application letters and supporting documents to: Chantal Goor, administration and finance officer AI/SPA at c.goor@amnesty.nl
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