Strengthening Grassroots Democracy Project 2016 – 2018
TERMS OF REFERENCE for a Mid-Term Project Review
1. Project background
The “Strengthening Grassroots Democracy” (SGD) supported by Bread for the World (BftW) (previously EED) is about exploring and modelling effective approaches that promote participation and empower citizens to take charge of development initiatives in their communities. The project builds on previous work of a similar nature conducted by VBNK with Cambodian NGOs (CNGOs) and supported by BftW; now giving greater emphasis to promoting the participation and empowerment of the communities with whom the CNGOs work. In so doing, it more clearly distinguishes the role of communities as "rights holders" and of CNGOs as "rights enablers".
DespiteCambodia'simpressivetransformation,multipleandinterconnectedpolitical, economic and social barriersare restricting achievementof inclusive and equitablegrowth and greater poverty reduction. Further it is recognized that these barriers could constrain the positive impacts of growth, as well as the sustainability of growth itself.Poverty reduction has been uneven, and inequality and income disparities have increased. Access to health care services varies significantly across a range of populations, and other forms of social protection mechanisms are weak. There is also lack of law enforcement and access to justice to address human rights abuses, along with widespread impunity, limited accountability and extensive corruption.In recent years, development partners(DPs) have been directly funding the government for programme delivery, in line with the Paris Declaration on Aid Effectiveness. This has allowed the Government to increase its role in the delivery of poverty reduction strategies, including the provision of social and economic services. At the same time the DPs continue to express concerns about good governance, transparencyand accountability for results.
Within this context CNGOs are now being expected to move beyond service delivery in order to focus on community empowerment for constructive engagement in democratic processes; on facilitating linkages betweencitizens and public services; and, on promoting human rights based approaches, particularly in supportof the moremarginalisedand at-riskpopulations,whooftenhave notbenefitedfromthehigh economic growthin Cambodia and are without adequate social protection. For many NGOs this has not been an easy transition, and they tend to avoid any action that would bring them into contact with government authorities in ways that they perceive as a risk. This means that communities can find themselves unsupported on critical issues and the barriers to social change continue to exist. The NGOs need support to strengthen their capacity and change their approach to their work and become truly responsive to the needs of the beneficiaries in their target areas.
A particular feature of the problem is the situation of women in society. Despite a strong legal framework being in place to protect women, they are frequently subjected to violence and other forms of abuse, and their rights are routinely infringed. It is therefore a particular concern that women are under-represented in public decision-making positions and processes.
2. Project description, goals and objective
VBNK believes in the potential of communities to define and shape their own direction. VBNK works with communities through 8 CNGO partners based in Banteay Meanchey, Battambang, Kampong Thom, Kampong Cham and Thboung Khmum provinces, to strengthen their ability to influence the delivery of social services and robust infrastructure projects that are linked to the issues they prioritise in their communities.
The primary project participants are villagers, with women and representatives of marginalised groups forming the majority of community participants. The aim of the project is to identify and address issues related to women and children; youth; primary health care and livelihood enhancement. The CNGOs selected to participate in the project were chosen because they already had some experience of working with these issues.
VBNK interacts with each CNGO for up to 2 years and during that time develops the capacity of the CNGO partners, along with the relevant Commune Councillors and representatives from the Commune Committee for Women and Children to introduce the concept of social accountability and to train them to facilitate community conversations and outreach activities to ensure that citizens are consulted and included in development initiatives in their communities. Throughout the project, VBNK staff provide on-going coaching and support with the delivery of activities and monitoring and evaluating the progress and changes occurring within the target communities.
The impact level goal of the project is:
More informed, equal and participatory communications between citizens, civil society and sub-national government agencies to define and act on local development issues.
The project objective atoutcomelevel is:
Commune and District Council and Line Agencies (the duty bearers) respond positively to the issues raised by citizens’ groups.
The indicators for the outcome level are:
1: At least 14[1]communes (75%) revised planning and reallocation of resources or changes in service delivery according to issues raised by community.
2: Increase by 50% (half of them are women), over the baseline in targeted community members, monitoring of uptake of issues by local governments and line agencies which they have voiced before.
3: 60% of cases where commune councillors do not respond to community concerns, CNGO get a positive action from local governments and line agencies.
3. The purpose of the mid-term review
The primary purpose of the mid-term review is to generate learning that can help to improve implementation, and therefore results, during the remaining period of the project. In order to generate that learning the mid-term review will conduct an assessment of the following aspects of the implementation of the SGD project:
- Effectiveness:Is the project effective in achieving the intended objective at the outcome level? What are the strengths and weaknesses of the project design and delivery? What evidence is there to support the assessment?
- Impact: What impact is the project’s work having, or likely to have, on direct and indirect beneficiaries? Is there any evidence of impact beyond the outcome level indicators?
- Relevance: How relevant is the project to the development priorities and needs of the partner organisations and their target communities? How relevant is the project to other key stakeholders such as the Commune Councils?
- Efficiency:How efficient is the project in terms of achieving the intended outcomes and objectives with the resources available? How cost effective are the delivery methodologies?
- Sustainability:What evidence is there to indicate that thebenefits of the projectwill be sustained in the longer term, and if so, how?
- Learning:What are the indicators that VBNK is actively and continually learning from project implementation?How is that learning being used, and with whom? What are any additional points that VBNK should learn from implementation of the project? What learning can benefit other stakeholders?
- Recommendations:What changes are recommended for the final year of implementation?
4. Expected deliverables
- A planning schedule detailing the list of activities and expected timetable for completion.
- Data collection and analysis tools including questionnaires for key informant interviews and focus group discussions.
- A draft report in English for review and feedback.
- A final report in English that addresses all the relevant evaluation questions, and VBNK’s feedback comments after no more than two rounds of review.
5. Methodology of the mid-term review
-Conduct desk review of relevant documentation, including the original proposal, progress reports and M&E tools;
-Developquestionnaires for key informant interviews and focus group discussions;
-Coordinate with VBNK and CNGO partners to organise data collection;
-Conduct field visits, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and other assessments with relevant stakeholders including: VBNK SGD team; CNGO partners, CC/CCWCs and villagers in target areas;
-Analyse data and develop the draft Mid-Term Review report;
-Consult with relevant VBNK staff on the draft report and make any amendments/additions to the report to reflect that feedback;
-Produce final Mid-Term Review report and present findings to the VBNK SGD team.
6. Key tasks and time line
No. / Activities / #days / Indicative dates1 / Document review, development of action plan, KII and FGD questionnaires / 1.5 / Early October
2 / Orientation workshop with team / 0.5 / Early October
3 / Field trip 1 / 6 / Third week October
4 / Field trip 2 / 5 / Last week October
5 / Review of findings, first draft of report / 2 / End of first week November
6 / Learning workshop with team / 1 / Second week November
7 / Finalise report in response to feedback / 1 / Second week November
Total days / 17
7. Arrangements & resources
The Consultant:
-Will work in close and regular liaison with the SGD Team Leader, the Technical Advisor and the SGD team at VBNK during all phases of the consultancy. The process will be participatory to ensure cross learning by the project team;
-Will work from the VBNK office for the duration of the assignment;
-Will provide their own laptop computer;
-Be available to work in Phnom Penh with travel to the provinces;
-Identify a suitable Khmer/English translator, if not able to work in Khmer; and,
-Will be provided with logistical support and transportation for field trips.
8. Requirements
Interested candidates should possess:
-A Master degree in social science or other relevant field, or equivalent work experience
-Advanced research experience in designing and conducting external, baseline and other evaluations using both quantitative and qualitative methods and non-traditional and innovative evaluation methods
-Experience in collecting and analysing quantitative and qualitative data
-A working knowledge of gender equality and women’s empowerment in the Cambodian context;
-A strong commitment to delivering timely and high-quality results, i.e. credible evaluation and a report that can be used
-Interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate with various stakeholders and to express concisely and clearly ideas and concepts
-Excellent report writing skills
-Excellent language proficiency in English and Khmer (or collaboration with a Khmer/English translator identified by the consultant)
Consultants are requested to submit 2-3 samples of similar previous work with their application which show their writing style and experience with external evaluations.
9. Payment
The gross fee for the consultancy will be agreed with the Consultant. The amount quoted should include withholding tax. The consultantwill be paid according to the following schedule, on completion of the deliverables noted above.
Transportation expenses will be covered directly by VBNK. Accommodation expenses will be paid against receipt, and the per diem will be paid according to VBNK’s policy.
Total package:
Output & Date / Fee payable1st instalment: upon completion of the desk review and the development of the data collection tools,and having submitted a schedule for the evaluation that has been approved. / 30% of total budget
2nd instalment: upon submission of the final report and invoice for reimbursement of expenses / 70% of total budget + reimbursement of expenses
10. Application Information:
Interested candidates are requested to send their CV and cover letter by email to by 4thSeptember 2017.Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted. Submitted documents will not be returned. VBNK is an equal opportunity employer committed to a diverse workforce; so women, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
[1]Reduced, by agreement with BftW, from 18 communes in a project & budget revision exercise in July 2017