Consultancy to Conduct Project Evaluation Community-Based Conservation

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PURPOSE OF THIS ASSIGNMENT  

The purpose of this assignment is to design the methodologies and lead the process of end of project evaluation. The following key questions will be used to guide the evaluation process.

1. To evaluate to what extent the project has made progresses against the intended outcomes (short-term impacts)?
2. To evaluate of there are any unintended consequences or emerging challenges that affect the project deliverables, activities and impacts?
3. To evaluate the extent to which the project’s approaches and strategies have contributed to the project’s impacts.
4. To what extent the interventions are suited to the needs and priorities of the marginalized groups especially women and indigenous people?
5. To make recommendations for project implementation team and key stakeholders for future project design and improve intervention strategies.

BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

The project "Community-Based Conservation for Fisheries Management in Sesan and Srepok Rivers" is a two-year initiative funded by the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund (CEPF) and implemented by Oxfam and 3SPN in collaboration with Fisheries Administration of Cambodia. The project implementation commenced on April 1, 2023, and will end on Marck 31, 2025. The project aims to promote governance and co-management of the ecosystems and aquatic resources in the region by increasing community participation in local dialogues and planning processes. The project strengthens 14 community fisheries in Ratanakiri along Sesan and Srepok rivers through building the leadership of community fishery committees to implement conservation activities outlined in the 14 community fishery management plans. Additionally, the project will facilitate a community planning process to integrate livelihood initiatives into conservation activities to improve the local community's wellbeing. The project also aims to create eight new fish conservation areas (sanctuaries) and in addition to protect the 34 deep pools with biodiversity conservation significance along the Sesan and Srepok rivers. The project also facilitated with relevant stakeholders including conservation NGOs, CEPF grantees and government authorities and fisheries administration at all levels for sharing lesson learned and good practice of co-management and sustainable financing. The project also deepens collaboration with local authorities to support patrolling and other enforcement activities. The details about the project logical framework will be provided.

Short-term impacts:

• By 2025, 42 (34 existing and 8 new) deep pools along Sesan and Srepok Rivers are formally recognized by communities and local authorities as conservation zones of 14 Cfis.
• By 2025, populations of endangered fish species in Sesan and Srepok Rivers are stable compared to April 2023 baseline as demonstrated by fish-catch monitoring data.
• By 2025, 14 plans are submitted by Cfi Management Committee to commune and district council to take joint initiatives to conserve aquatic resources, river eco-systems.
• By 2025, at least 28 women in 14 CFi committees have improved leadership skills to mainstream gender into community plans.
• By 2025, at least 35 households living along Sesan and Srepok Rivers have increased income from climate smart fishery management compared to 2023 baseline.
• By 2025, at least 4 hectares of flooded forests in the conservation area in Sesan and Srepok Rivers are reforested compared to 2023 baseline.
• By 2025, co-management model of community-based fish monitoring supported by the project adopted by at least two other CSOs.

SCOPE OF WORK AND KEY DELIVERABLES

1. Developed an inception report outlining the detailed methodologies, tools, questions in consultation with Oxfam and stakeholders.
2. Self-manage and coordinate with key informants in data collection both field and key stakeholders (NGOs and Fisheries Administration) in collaboration with Oxfam and local partner (3SPN).
3. Prepared a power-point presentation on summarise key comments and findings during report drafting stage to Oxfam and partners for comments and inputs.
4. Make presentation of the findings to project partners, Oxfam and relevant stakeholders in Cambodia.
5. Produced evaluation report (in English) that aligns with agreed template. The report should analyse key findings (no more than 20 pages -excluding annexes- responding to key questions). Structure of the report will be discussed and agreed with Oxfam and 3SPN. See the outline of the report as in the annex1 of these terms of reference.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

Actual remuneration is based on submissions of deliverables according to the agreed schedule. The budget for the assignments will be proposed by service provider(s), and a competitive financial proposal with an appropriate approach and workplan will be considered. Oxfam in Cambodia will pay 15% withholding tax for resident taxpayer or 14% withholding tax for non-resident taxpayer to the Cambodian Government from the respective net fee. Payment will be made upon completion of the workshop and submission of the agreed deliverables to Oxfam in Cambodia.

REQUIREMENTS

The qualified consultant (s) should have the following competencies:

• Master’s degree in agriculture, fisheries, development studies or community development.
• Demonstrates at least eight (8) year-experiences in program design and impact and outcome evaluations.
• Has at least 10 year working experience in development works preferably related to sectors such natural resources management, community fisheries, biodiversity conservation; environment and ecosystem protection and gender in Cambodia and lower Mekong region.
• Demonstrates a strong analytical and communication skills.
• Demonstrates high level proficiency in writing (English) with clear and concise analysis and in developing reports that include visual representation of data. 
• Understands the principles and practices of right based development approaches.
• Demonstrates understanding and experience on the roles and ways of working of Fisheries Administration (FiA), CSOs and community-based organizations. 
• Understand social and political context of Cambodia and the lower Mekong context.

Key Attributes:

• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences and gender issues, as well as the commitment to equal opportunities.
• Ability to demonstrate an openness and willingness to learn about the application of gender/gender mainstreaming, women’s rights, and diversity for all aspects of development work.
• Commitment to Oxfam’s safeguarding policies to ensure all people who come into contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible.

Organisational Values:

• Accountability – Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions.
• Empowerment – Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can make change happen.
• Inclusiveness – We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences.

Others:

• Eager and required to adhere to Oxfam’s principles and values as well as the promotion of gender justice and women's rights. 
• Understanding of and commitment to adhere to equity, diversity, gender, child safety, and staff health and wellbeing principles.

APPLICATION PROCESS

Submission deadline

** Quotations and applications must reach Oxfam no later than
December 04, 2024, 23:59 (GMT+7).

Clarifications

** Any questions, remarks or requests for clarification can be sent to soknak.por@oxfam.org, up to 5 days before the submission deadline in writing. The questions will be answered to all applicants.

The full ToR could be downloaded from here:
https://shorturl.at/v5LwA