Terms of Reference for Evaluation of Comprehensive RBM Capacity
Building for HIV AIDS Service Organizations (RECABASO) project
1. Background
The Regional AIDS Training Network (RATN), based in Nairobi
Kenya, is a regional NGO with presence in eleven countries across Eastern and
Southern Africa. RATN’s mission is to strengthen the capacity of individuals
and organizations to respond to HIV and AIDS. Currently RATN has 35 member
institutions In 11 countries.
The RECABASO project strives to reinforce the role played by
Results Based Management in improving the effectiveness of HIV and AIDS
programmes.
The project approach stresses that adequate capacity building
and technical support is necessary in helping many AIDS Service Organizations
(ASOs0 realize their potential.
In this context RATN with funding from Sida launched the RECABASO
initiative aimed at building RBM capacity for AIDS service organizations and
community institutions implementing programmes towards achieving the public
health Millennium Development Goals 4, 5, and 6 which are; to reduce child
mortality rate; improve maternal health and combat HIV and AIDS, malaria, and
other diseases
In Eastern Africa, the project is implemented by Regional AIDS
Training Network in partnership with Eastern Africa Networks of AIDS Service
Organizations (EANNASO), based in Arusha, Tanzania.
The project involves AIDS service organizations and community
institutions indicating specific RBM areas in which they need capacity building
and how the need is linked to improved HIV services delivery.
RECABASO teams of RBM experts then follow up with detailed
diagnosis of applicant organizations to line up with the best solutions that
include experiential learning, internships, on-site mentoring and technical
support and follow-ups.
Purpose of the evaluation
RATN is seeking a competent and experienced consultant for
evaluation of RECABASO project.
The overall purpose of this consultancy is to assess the
implementation and outcomes of the pilot phase of RECABASO that run from
January 2011 to April 30, 2012.
The specific objectives of the assessment are to:
a) Assess the extent to which the project objectives have been
achieved
b) Review the current status of the beneficiary institutions
including any follow up plans;
c) Document successes, challenges and lessons learnt during the
course of implementation and
d) Make recommendations on how best to enhance and implement the
next phase of RECABASO
2. Scope of Work for the Assignment
In undertaking the evaluation the consultant will focus on the
following aspects but not limited to:
Programme Conceptualization/Design:
i. Assess whether the problems the project was addressing were
clearly identified and the approach soundly conceived;
ii. Assess whether the target beneficiaries and end-users of the
results of the project were clearly identified;
Programme Relevance:
i. Assess whether the project was relevant to the development
priorities of the country and;
ii. Given the objectives of the project, whether appropriate
institutions have been assisted.
Programme Implementation:
The consultant shall examine the quality and/or timeliness in
regard to:
i. The delivery of inputs specified in the project document,
including institutional arrangements, interest of beneficiaries, the scheduling
and actual implementation
ii. Assess whether the management arrangements of the project
were appropriate and adequate;
iii. The responsiveness of the project management to significant
changes in the environment in which the project functioned (both facilitating
or impeding project implementation);
Programme Performance:
i. Assess whether the project resources (financial, physical and
manpower) were adequate in terms of both quantity and quality;
ii. Assess whether the project resources were used effectively
to produce planned results Assess whether the project is cost-effective
compared to similar interventions;
iii. The role of the project Steering Team (RATN and EANNASO)
and its impact (positive and negative) on the functioning of the programme.
Results/Success of the programme:
The overall outputs and their meaning are as defined in project
documents that should form the main basis for this evaluation.
In addition to the targets in the logical framework, the details
of the specific project outcomes to be provided are:
i. What are the major achievements of the project vis-à-vis its
objectives.
ii. What are the potential areas for programme success? Please
explain in detail in terms of impact, sustainability of results and
contribution to capacity development.
iii. What major issues and problems affected the implementation
of the project and what factors could have resolved them.
iv. Given an opportunity, what actions the consultant would have
recommended to ensure that this potential for success translated into actual
success.
v. Level of institutional networking achieved and capacity
development of key partners, if done in a structured manner at different stages
– from inception to programme operations.
vi. Any underlying factors, beyond control, that influenced the
outcome of the programme.
vii. Have there been any unplanned effects
Summary of recommendations and lessons learnt
i. Provide detailed recommendations on main issues associated
with the design, planning, results, outcomes, management and implementation of
the RECABASO project. The information provided should enable the RATN
management to determine what needs to be improved to ensure that the project
achieves its intended purpose and impact.
ii. The Review Report shall also include recommendations, if
necessary, for the implementing ASOs to improve the quality of similar projects
with an understanding that the feedback of these recommendations to the ASOs
will assist them to improve the subsequent RECABASO project
3. Expected Deliverables and Schedule
To complete the assignment the consultant shall submit on the following deliverables:
- Draft evaluation
report: In line with the purpose of the consultancy above, the consultant
shall be responsible for producing a report covering in detail each of the
specific objectives above. The Consultant will present a draft report 15
work-days after commencement of the contract.
- Final evaluation
Report: The final evaluation report will be submitted five (5) days after
receiving written feedback from the RATN Management and stakeholders.
Competences and Experience
The eligible consultant should demonstrate the following:
- Proven
experience in evaluating similar programmes
- Good conceptual
understanding of RBM and institutional capacity building issues relating
to HIV and AIDS
- A proven record
of accomplishing tasks such as this on time
- Fluency in
English
- Excellent soft
skills
Duration of the Assignment
A total of 20 days will be assigned to the consultant. It is
estimated that 3 days will be used for preparing for the assignment and
inception report, 12 days data collection and 5 days for preparing the
evaluation report and subsequent revisions.
How to Apply
Those wishing to be considered for this consultancy should
submit the following documents in English to RECABASO Coordinator by email:
RECABASO@ratn.org with a copy to ratn@ratn.org, not later than July 16, 2012.
1. A letter of motivation
2. A brief description of the methods that will be used conduct
the evaluation
3. Financial Offer
4. Three references of previous evaluation work
Email subject line should be: RECABASO Evaluation
For more information on RECABASO, please visithttp://www.ratn.org/recabaso
