Terms of reference (TORs) for the End of Project Evaluation of the Rise Again Project
1. Background and Objectives of the Evaluation
1.1 Background
The UN standard minimum rules for the treatment of prisoners (Mandela Rules) emphasises that a core part of imprisonment must be the reform and rehabilitation of prisoners in order to protect society. A key element of this is to support prisoners so that they can ‘lead a law abiding and self-supporting life’. Juveniles in Zambia are particularly a vulnerable group of the inmate population. Without support and intervention these youths are highly likely to become adult offenders. The Rise Again project aims at reintegration into society of juveniles in conflict with the law through skills training, counseling and wellness interventions. The project is funded by the European Union to be implemented for 42 months from 15th January 2019 to 31st July 2022.
The overall goal of the project is to ensure that Zambian juveniles in conflict with the law have the skills and support they need to successfully reintegrate into Zambian society upon release.
The project has three specific objectives as follows;
1. Juveniles aged between 8 and 25 in conflict with the law in Lusaka and Katombora Reformatory School have access to vocational wellness programmes for rehabilitation, reintegration, employment and economic empowerment.
2. Correctional officers within Lusaka province and at Katombora Reformatory School are sensitised in the delivery of key services to support rehabilitation and reintegration.
3. Zambian communities change negative attitudes about juveniles in conflict with the law and reduce stigma to support reintegration and employment.
The project implementing partners are Undikumbukire Project Zambia (UP Zambia) and Build It International (BII).
Undikumbukire Project Zambia (UP) is a Zambian human rights organization focused on juveniles in conflict with the law. The aim of the organization is to help imprisoned juveniles obtain legal representation and social support and advocating for a more restorative justice system.
Build It International Zambia creates opportunities for young people and their communities through skills training, work experience and essential community building projects.
1.2 Objectives of the End of Project Evaluation
The end of project evaluation will cover the period of implementation from January 2019 to July 2022.
The evaluation will be guided by the following main objectives;
1. To identify which of the project results have been achieved
2. To review the project design and assumptions made during the project development process
3. To assess the extent to which the project strategies were implemented
4. To assess the extent to which the benefits are likely to continue at the end of project
1.3 Objectives of Impact Analysis
The Impact analysis will assess the performance of the Rise Again project against the expected outputs and outcomes as guided by the log frame and project proposal.
The impact analysis will be guided by the following main objectives:
1. Propose an appropriate methodology to assess impact against expected outputs and relevant outcomes as guided by the log frame
2. For those trainees who underwent the BII training programme, report on graduate success. These are traditionally measured by indicators such as, monthly income, active days in construction, acquisition of assets, improvements in living conditions. If the use of the usual BII indicators is not possible, use the next nearest appropriate indicators of graduate success with regards to skills training.
3. For those juveniles and families that received services such as family therapy, psychosocial counselling, life skills and educational support from UP Zambia, report on the impact of the services in the lives of the clients. Indicators can include recidivism and other appropriate measures.
4. Collection of most significant change stories across the project
2. Evaluation Questions
Design and strategic focus (Relevance)
What is the overall achievement of the various Rise Again project components against the expected outputs and outcomes?
What project strategies were most effective in attaining expected results?
What strategies should be improved in to enhance future project performance?
What factors have contributed to achieving or hindering achievement of set outputs and outcomes?
Were the assumptions made appropriate and relevant?
Implementation (Effectiveness)
Were the project strategies and tools effective in achieving intended results?
Was the project effective in responding to the needs of the beneficiaries?
To what extent can we show preliminary results achieved towards overall project objective?
What are the lessons learned that can be used to adjust strategies for future project success?
Was the M and E framework suitable to monitor implementation and achievement of the expected results?
Sustainability (Capacity building)
To what extent have the capacities of Correctional Officers been built to offer effective rehabilitation to juveniles?
Will benefits of the project sustain once project is completed?
To what extent is the project changing negative perceptions of juveniles in the community and among contractors?
What are the recommendations for sustainability and exit strategy?
Partnership
Has the partnership strategy been effective among the key implementing partners?
3. Methodology
3.1 Evaluation criteria
The end of project evaluation of the Rise Again project will use both qualitative and quantitative approaches to review project performance and make recommendations for improvement in the remaining period of implementation. The evaluation will be undertaken between June and July 2022 and will follow through four phases as outlined below;
Phase one -Desk Review;
The consultant will use official project documents to analyze the logic of the project, develop a plan for data collection and analysis of the evaluation.
Phase two – Field implementation
The consultant will implement the data collection plan using key informant interviews, questionnaires, focus group discussions and observation.
Phase three – Synthesis
The consultant will synthesize all the data collected into a final report which should include findings, conclusions, and recommendations for improvement of the project performance.
Phase four -Dissemination
The final report will be shared with all implementing partners.
3.2 Information sources
The information sources for the evaluation will include but not limited to:
Field visits to the project sites (Correctional Facilities, Communities, Contractor sites, Court etc)
Interviews with key stakeholders including beneficiaries of the project
Observations of project activities
Project documents such as reports, contact and assessment forms etc
4. Proposed Timeline
The evaluation will be undertaken between June to July 2022 and will cover the period of implementation from January 2019 to July 2022. Proposals must include a timeline for the evaluation:
ACTIVITY
TIME ALLOCATED (# OF DAYS)
Desk review
Development of evaluation design and implementation plan
Review of documents and scheduling of stakeholder meetings
Field Visits (Lusaka Central, Lusaka Remand, Community, Court, Contractor Sites, Katombora)
Data Analysis and presentation of first draft report
Feedback /Comments on report
Finalization of Report to include all feedback and comments
Interested applicants should provide a proposal covering the following aspects:
– Proposed methodology
– Proposed timeline
– CVs
– Example of previous work
– Detailed budget, including daily fee rates, expenses, taxes etc
– Police Certificates of Good conduct – especially where there is primary data collection.
Please send your application to [email protected] by 15th June, 2022 by 17:00 local time. Any bids received after this time and date will not be accepted.