1. Context

The East Africa region is host to some 4.97 million refugees and asylum seekers, the majority (2.29 million) from South Sudan. A further 12.64 million people are internally displaced in the region, as a result of conflict and natural disasters. The region is therefore at the epicenter of one of the world’s largest displacement crises following decades of conflict and recurrent climatic shocks leading to the protracted displacement. [1]Some 16,149 refugees returned to their countries of origin in March 2022.[2] Both internal displacement and refugee return is exacerbating demographic shift in the region with increased population movements from rural to urban centers. IDPs, refugees and vulnerable returnees that are unable to reintegrate tend to join existing, congested settlements or establish temporary sites in urban and peri-urban areas seeking safety and assistance. The large population movements put additional pressure on already scarce resources and limited services in urban areas. Rapidly growing cities in the region face enormous challenges in creating urban livelihood opportunities, providing safety, access to basic services, justice and securing housing, land and property rights. Minorities – particularly women and girls continue to be among the most vulnerable often living in precarious conditions, often facing exclusion and marginalisation and having limited social support networks, livelihood opportunities and coping mechanisms available.
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While the political and overall context in the region has shifted significantly recently, the humanitarian and development aspects have been subject to continuous and significant challenges. Protracted and new displacements continue to be a major issue— thus, solutions programming needs to identify the specific challenges and address these with suitable measures. Durable Solutions projects implemented at NRC have also acknowledged these linkages and look to address the root causes of displacement, yet displacement remains highly political. Several initiatives that aimed to provide durable solutions in supporting Displacement Affected Communities (DACs) in the region were launched in 2016 and have been implemented successfully. According to NRC’s global strategy 2022 – 2025, responses aim to help people permanently resolve their displacement situation, and have access to the resources they need to be self-reliant in the meantime. We engage with the three pathways to durable solutions: safe and dignified return and reintegration, local integration, and resettlement. The first two are a central focus in our response from the onset of a displacement crisis onwards, and particularly in situations of protracted displacement. Through our core competencies, policy and advocacy, we work to achieve a situation where people no longer have specific assistance and protection needs linked to their displacement and can enjoy their rights without discrimination.

Further to this, NRC’s durable solutions initiatives in East Africa are implemented in collaboration with actors, including local and national authorities. NRC is part of several regional coordination mechanisms and forums[3] working on durable solutions.

2. Purpose

The purpose of the assignment is to assess the relevance and appropriateness, effectiveness, and sustainability of NRC’s DS approach through an evaluation. In addition to this, lessons learnt of the DS projects implemented in East Africa and Yemen between 2016 and 2022 will be documented in order to influence future DS programming, advocacy and policy work in the region.

2.1 Evaluation

The evaluation will concentrate on the impact of the Durable Solutions projects[4] implemented by NRC in East Africa and Yemen, focusing on the concrete implementation on the ground. In recognition of the complex challenges of protracted displacement in the region and to promote a reduction in displacement, the NRC seeks to establish a framework of conditions at policy, normative, institutional and operational level for the realisation of long-term solutions for DACs (IDPs, refugees, returnees and their host communities).

In order to promote access to sustainable durable solutions and more concretely, to provide support and technical expertise on durable solutions approaches within and beyond the NRC, engage in advocacy towards all relevant stakeholders and support coordination and strategic partnerships with the DS community.

2.1.1 Key Evaluation Criteria

Relevance and Appropriateness:

• To what extent were the project activities responding to recipients/target beneficiaries and identified needs and priorities defined by national and international actors.
• Analyse whether and how the project activities responded to any changes that might have happened during the project duration
• How did the project activities complement and align to similar activities and influence efforts implemented by national and international actors?
• Analyze the relevance of the designed project activities to the project overall goal and specific goals. Furthermore, were they relevant to the project theory of change and the identified outcomes and outputs?
• How relevant was the geographic location to the project activities either at the beneficiary level or for influencing?
• Was the project design appropriate to the risks and challenges identified through the project design or might have emerged during the project duration[5].

Effectiveness:

• To what extent has the project achieved its objectives, and its results, including any differential results across different groups?
• What factors have contributed to achieving or not achieving intended project outcomes and set objectives?
• Have the M&E system delivered robust and useful information that could be used to assess progress towards outcomes and contribute to learning?
• Has the accountability system ensured participation, regular feedback/complaint from the community and provided a timely response?
• Assess how the partner portfolio and the mix of different types of partners have contributed to the objectives of the strategy.

*Sustainability:***

• To what extent are there financial, institutional, socio-economic, and/or environmental mechanisms built into the design of the project for sustaining project results after end of external support?
• To what extent can the activities of the project continue after donor funding ceased? Is there an exit/sustainability strategy in place or planned?
• Is it likely that the benefits of the project (capacities developed; linkages, mutual learning and knowledge and experiences shared) would be sustainable or is there any action required at the endpoint?
• To what extent do project recipients and/or partner country stakeholders have ownership, capacity and resources to maintain the activity results after external funding ceases?
• What were/are the major factors that influenced the achievement or non-achievement of sustainability of the project?

2.2. Documenting lessons learned

The objective of this part of the assignment is to document lessons learnt and emerging good practices on durable solutions through the NRC projects implemented in East Africa and Yemen. The consultant is expected to document four case studies of successful DS projects from selected country offices in the region. The documentation is intended to contribute to the harvesting of lessons learned from the project, and the final products will also be included in the documentation of DS in East Africa and Yemen. As a result, there needs to be a systematic review of durable solutions projects and documentation of lessons learned. To this end, NRC will work with a consultant to analyse[6] evidence and data generated through our programmes to meaningfully address displacement challenges in the region. Documenting lessons learned is therefore a vital step for improving DS programming and reducing displacement in the region.

These Terms of Reference (ToRs) provide the framework for the evaluation of the Durable Solutions programme at NRC in East Africa and Yemen and documentation of specific lessons learned. This assignment is therefore anchored within the NRC DS framework for East Africa and Yemen, the regional strategy for EAY and the DS roadmap.

3. Objectives

The following are the objectives of the assignment:

1. To assess the relevance and appropriateness, effectiveness and sustainability of NRC’s durable solutions programmes in East Africa and Yemen.
2. To identify and document lessons learned and best practices from NRC durable solutions programmes in East Africa and Yemen.

4. Evaluation Approach and Methodology

NRC recommends an inclusive mixed-methods approach, a combination of both quantitative and qualitative methods that are relevant to the nature of the project and the evaluation objective. Data should be disaggregated by sex and according to other relevant project-specific parameters.

Therefore, the data collection for this evaluation will contain various tools and methodologies (both quantitative and qualitative approaches). The consultant is expected to develop a detailed methodology for this evaluation. We anticipate that this evaluation will be a participatory review and learning exercise. Thus, it requires the consultant(s)/firms to be experienced in participatory approaches to learning and inquiry, and especially in seeking the views and perceptions of key stakeholders

The data collection tools expected to be used during the evaluation are:

• Desk review: The consultant(s) will also conduct a desk study/ literature review of all available documentation in preparation for the evaluation, including a review of different program documents, such as monitoring, quarterly, annual, and study reports, implementing partner advocacy action plans and reports, research, policy and influencing products, technical training reports, project proposals, M and E framework, etc. and analyzing secondary data. The evaluation methodology should make use of different data already generated by NRC and partners' programs and the M and E team. The information and findings of the desk review should be integrated with the data and findings from primary data collection and analysis, and not placed in a separate section.
• Interviews with Key Informants: The team are expected to conduct a range of interviews with key informants and stakeholders and will visit and interview relevant project staff, partner staff and research team, governmental actors who were included in the project activities. Meetings will need to be conducted with NRC teams in selected countries. The TRAC will guide the consultant to prepare the inception report and identity actors for the data collection.
• Focus group discussions: The team will conduct focus group discussions with direct and indirect beneficiaries of the project including partner staff, NRC project staff, NRC management and Displacement Affected Communities (DACs).

The evaluation will be conducted in close collaboration with relevant Country Offices[7] and programmes as well as the regional office. Key stakeholders, Regional partners and local authorities and beneficiaries will also be contacted.

Therefore, a Technical Review and Advisory Committee[8] (TRAC) for the evaluation will be established to provide technical guidance and ensure an impartial review of the process. This will have diversified representation from all relevant country offices and the regional office. The TRAC shall review the inception report, review the final report and facilitate a debriefing workshop. An inception report outlining the approach, based on the desk study and the list of relevant stakeholders, as well as a work plan for the assignment shall be developed and finalised before the assignment starts.

5. Deliverables

The following products are expected from the evaluation:

1. An inception report max. 10 pages, providing an overview of durable solutions programmes in NRC, detailing the approach including quality benchmarks, format and an annex of sample questions.
2. An evaluation report (max. 25 pages, including the executive summary and annexes) with an analytical review and recommendation part. The report should be produced according to the NRC style guide.
3. A lessons learned document with four case studies, good practices, gaps and recommendations.
4. To be agreed upon: a validation/dissemination workshop co-organised by the TRAC and the regional office.

8. Technical Review and Advisory Committee (TRAC)

This shall be comprised of four members; a representative from NRC Headquarters, the Regional M and E manager, Regional DS focal point and a Head of Programme from one of the selected countries.

9. Time Frame, Budget and Logistics

The maximum time frame for this evaluation by the consultant(s) is 55 working days. The allocation of working days to inception, desk review, key informant interviews, reporting etc. will be agreed on the basis of the inception report. The study is scheduled to take place from 5 July to 9 September 2022 along the following deliverables:

Timeframe (2022)

Deliverables

14 July 2022

Recruitment and contracting

15 – 23 July 2022

1. Prepare inception report
2. Develop the methodology and tools including list of literature to be reviewed and key informant interviews including names of people to be interviewed.

24 July – 10 August 2022

1. Conduct the desk review
2. Identify case studies
3. Map learning from ongoing projects

11 August - 2 September 2022

1. Conduct key informant interviews key staff of the relevant Country/Regional Office
2. Conduct Focus Group discussions with beneficiaries

5 – 15 September 2022

1. Report writing

19 September 2022

1. Submit first drafts; evaluation and lessons learned document to the TRAC

20 – 23 September 2022

1. TRAC to review drafts and provide feedback on both drafts

26 – 28 September 2022

1. Consultant to consolidate feedback, revise drafts and deliver the final products (evaluation and lessons learned report to NRC Regional Office.

29 September 2022

1. Consultant to submit final report (evaluation and lessons learned to NRC Regional Office.

October 2022

1. M and E and DS focal point at EAY regional Office to disseminate report.

10. Award criteria

Of the valid offers submitted, the contract will be awarded to the most highly rated bid, according to the criteria and weights below. Offers will be assessed according to the following award criteria and weighting:

Award criteria

Weighting

Sample of durable solutions reports, evaluations and products developed

30%

Knowledge of internal displacement and durable solutions in the region

10%

Experience in developing and implementing qualitative research protocols, including research methods, sampling, data analysis, and experience with reviews and assessments, particularly in East Africa and Yemen

30%

Cost of consultancy service offered

10%

Proven knowledge of the social and political context of the East Africa, Yemen and the Horn of Africa.

15%

Experience working with NRC

5%

Overall Total

100%

11. Application

Consultants invited to apply will provide a full application pack of 10 to 15 pages maximum.

Send the proposal by email to eayro.logistics@nrc.no

Ensure the subject is specifically headed “NRC Durable Solutions Evaluation and documentation of lessons learned” consultancy.

The technical proposal should include:

• Understanding of the Terms of Reference
• Technical Proposal (narrative) - approach developed and detailed methodology
• Composition of the team (if more than one person), division of responsibilities between its members, CVs submitted and availability of members
• Provisional timetable for the assignment and an estimate of cost per person per day including currency.
• References from similar and previous assignments

The financial proposal should include:

• Total budget including all taxes and incorporating a budget break-down (fees, etc.).

Final date for submission of applications: Thursday14 July 2022.

[1] East and Horn of Africa, and the Great Lakes Region Operational Update (January - March 2022), also found here.

[2] Ibid.

[3] Regional Durable Solutions Secretariat (ReDSS), the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) in Eastern Africa and the African Union.

[4] Examples include the 3R project, EU-Reintegration project and Danwadaag implemented in Somalia, the Voluntary Repatriation projects implemented in Kenya and Tanzania among others.

[5] An analysis of challenges and risks within the internal and external environment needs to be provided.

[6] This analysis will apply existing quality benchmarks.

[7] This includes eight (8) NRC Offices; Ethiopia, Somalia, Djibouti, South Sudan, Kenya, Tanzania, Sudan and Uganda

[8] The TRAC shall have four members. They include a representative from the NRC Head Quarters, Regional M and E manager, Regional Durable Solutions Focal Point and Head of Programme from a selected Country Office in the region.