Summary
Date Posted: Wednesday, November 24, 2021 , Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Job title: Consultant, Evaluation of Ebola Response in DR Congo
Summary
The main purpose of this final evaluation is to assess IFRC, DRC Red Cross and other partner National Societies responses to curb the spread of Ebola virus disease (EVD) following the 9th outbreak in May 2018 until September 2021; and, the preparedness actions taken in Priority 1 countries, namely Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, and South Sudan, based on evaluation criteria defined in section 4 below.
After the 9th Ebola outbreak three other outbreaks occurred and response activities were finalized in September 30, 2021. The evaluation will analyse the response of the IFRC network in this operation in line with the EVD response pillars (RCCE, SDB, IPC, MHPSS), identify successes, gaps, lessons learnt and make recommendations on how to address future challenges and highlight processes for effective responses to future public health emergencies of such magnitude. In addition, the evaluation will also assess the relevance of the preparedness actions taken in support of National Societies in Priority-1 countries.
Audience: Democratic Republic of Congo Red Cross Society (DRC RC), IFRC, other Partner National Societies, Donors, Governments of DR Congo and of the other priority countries
Commissioners: This evaluation is commissioned by IFRC Africa Regional Director in compliance with its Evaluation Policy for final evaluations
Reports to: Head of Country Cluster Delegation for the DRC
Supported directly by: Regional Operations Manager and Head of Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (PMER) – IFRC Africa
Duration of the evaluation: 45 days
Timeframe: 15 December 2021 – 28 February 2022
Methodology summary: Participatory mixed methods approach is to be used.
Location:
In country: Democratic Republic of Congo: (North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, Equateur, Maniema, Tshopo, Haut-Uele) – field visits to Kinshasa, Equateur and Goma
Remote:
• Rwanda: Rusizi, Nyamasheke, Karongi, Rutsiro, Rubavu (bordering DRC), Musanze, Burera, Gicumbi Nyagatare and Nyabihu (bordering Uganda), Bugesera and Nyanza (both host a refugee transit centre), Kigali (comprised of 3 districts: Nyarugenge, Kicukiro and Gasabo,
• South Sudan: Nzara, Yambio, Maridi, Yei, Morobo; Magwi,
• Uganda: Kasese, Ntoroko, Bundibugyo, Kisoro and Kanungu and
• Burundi: Rugombo, Buganda, Bujumbura, Mutimbuzi, Mukaza, Kabezi, Muhuta, Rumonge, Nyanza-Lac.
Evaluation Purpose
1. Assess the performance of the EVD operation achievements against planned objectives per pillar, gaps and challenges, the degree to which various aspects of the operation strengthened (or weakened) the capacity of the host National Societies and where possible document interest stories. This should be based on the key phases of the operation – response, recovery and preparedness.
2. Assess “value for money” of how funding was spent in the operation and decisions as to the amounts, purposes and conditions imposed on funds channelled to various bodies.
3. Identify opportunities during the response that were either taken up or were not taken up during the response, lessons learned and recommendations for implementation in future public health emergencies of high epidemic potential.
4. Propose how challenges could be minimised to improve performance of future similar operations.

Job Duties and Responsibilities
Evaluation Scope
Geographic scope of the EVD Operation
• 2018-2020: 9th and 11th outbreak - DRC, Equateur Province,
• 2019-2021: 10th and 12th outbreak - DRC – North Kivu, South Kivu and Ituri Provinces (response), Maniema, Tchopo and Haut Ouélé (preparedness), P1 countries:
• Rwanda - Rusizi, Nyamasheke, Karongi, Rutsiro, Rubavu (bordering DRC), Musanze, Burera, Gicumbi Nyagatare and Nyabihu (bordering Uganda), Bugesera and Nyanza (both host a refugee transit centre), Kigali (comprised of 3 districts: Nyarugenge, Kicukiro and Gasabo
• Burundi - Rugombo, Buganda, Bujumbura, Mutimbuzi, Mukaza, Kabezi, Muhuta, Rumonge, Nyanza-Lac
• South Sudan - Nzara, Yambio, Maridi, Yei, Morobo; Magwi
• Uganda - Kasese, Ntoroko, Bundibugyo, Kisoro and Kanungu
• Stakeholders
• The stakeholders to this evaluation include but are not limited to the following:
• Key current and former staff of the IFRC, DRC RC, FRC and other stakeholders as necessary who have been involved in the operation including those in the P1 countries
• Volunteers involved in the operation
• Ministry of Health staff in the countries of operation
• Civil Protection of DRC
• Local administrators and leaders involved in the response
• Other external actors involved in the response e.g., WHO, UNICEF, NGOs etc
• Community representatives (leaders, beneficiaries)
• Ebola survivors

Evaluation Criteria & Questions
1. Relevance and appropriateness: These refer to the extent to which the RCRC EVD operation responded to the needs of the communities affected or at risk of being affected by the Ebola disease, during the emergency.
2. Effectiveness: The evaluation team will look at the extent to which the Ebola operation has achieved its objectives and results in the affected communities, DRC RC while also looking at preparedness in P1 countries.
3. Efficiency: The evaluation team will examine how well the resources available were used in the operation and can be justified by its results, including the agility of changing approaches and taking alternative actions into account. Operational efficiency will be a key aspect evaluated in this section as well as looking at efficiency versus impact.
4. Sustainability: This will involve an assessment of whether there will be continuation of benefits realised from the Ebola operation and if they will continue within the affected communities, the DRC RC and the NS in P1 countries.
5. Coherence: The evaluation will look into the extent to which policies of different concerned actors in the intervention context were complementary or contradictory and how they affected the implementation of the operation. This will also assess synergies and interlinkages between the RC Ebola operation and other interventions carried out by other actors to prevent duplication while promoting complementarity, harmonisation and co-ordination.
6. Coverage: The evaluation will examine the extent to which the EVD operation was able to reach major population groups affected by the Ebola outbreak.

Job Duties and Responsibilities (continued)
Deliverables
• Inception report detailing methodologies and detailed workplan
• Data collection plan
• Regular updates with the management team during the evaluation phase
• Debriefings – workshop/webinar on preliminary findings of the evaluation
• Draft report
• Final report
• Cleaned data (for data collected during this evaluation)
• Written or oral case studies
• Photographs/videos captured during field visits
Proposed Timeline
It is expected that the evaluation should take place between 15 December 2021 and 28 February 2022.
Evaluation Quality & Ethical Standards
The IFRC Evaluation Standards are:
1. Utility: Evaluations must be useful and used.
2. Feasibility: Evaluations must be realistic, diplomatic, and managed in a sensible, cost-effective manner.
3. Ethics & Legality: Evaluations must be conducted in an ethical and legal manner, with particular regard for the welfare of those involved in and affected by the evaluation.
4. Impartiality & Independence; Evaluations should be impartial, providing a comprehensive and unbiased assessment that takes into account the views of all stakeholders.
5. Transparency: Evaluation activities should reflect an attitude of openness and transparency.
6. Accuracy: Evaluations should be technical accurate, providing sufficient information about the data collection, analysis, and interpretation methods so that its worth or merit can be determined.
7. Participation: Stakeholders should be consulted and meaningfully involved in the evaluation process when feasible and appropriate.
8. Collaboration: Collaboration between key operating partners in the evaluation process improves the legitimacy and utility of the evaluation.
It is also expected that the evaluation will respect the seven Fundamental Principles of the Red Cross and Red Crescent: 1) humanity, 2) impartiality, 3) neutrality, 4) independence, 5) voluntary service, 6) unity, and 7) universality. Further information can be obtained about these principles at:
www.ifrc.org/what/values/principles/index.asp

Education
Relevant university degree, with emphasis on humanitarian or development issues
Experience
Experience
• Project management experience with proven experience and expertise in public health in emergencies programming and/or evaluation.
• Demonstrated experience in planning and implementing final project evaluations required especially experience working in insecure/conflict zones. Experience in humanitarian response essential.
• Minimum of 8 years of monitoring and evaluation experience required.
• Experience in qualitative data collection and data analysis techniques (especially in the design of coding schemes). Additional experience in quantitative data analysis for secondary data desired.
• Proven track record of conducting qualitative research including the development of interview schedules and qualitative data analysis required.
• Familiarity with pandemic response would be an added advantage.
• Familiarity with RC operating environment helpful; Experience in disaster relief, recovery or development work.
• Experience working with representatives of the Government e.g., from the Ministry of Health preferred
• Familiarity with trends and developments in Ebola response, preparedness and recovery (desired)
• Experience conducting Ebola evaluations a plus

Knowledge, Skills and Language
• Team members should include one or more of the following expertise – community engagement and accountability, safe and dignified burials, infection prevention and control, psychosocial support, organisational development and emergency preparedness.
• Should not have been involved or have a vested interest in the IFRC operation being reviewed.
• Knowledge of local context (desired)
• Demonstrated capacity to work both independently and as part of a team. (essential)
• Fluency in English and French (required)
• Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills
• Ability to work within tight deadlines and manage with available resources.
• Availability for the time period indicated

Competencies and Values
• Communication
• Collaboration and teamwork
• Creativity and innovation
• Building trust
• Integrity

Education Requirement: No Requirements

Job Experience: No Requirements

Work Hours: 8

Job application procedure
Application materials should include:
1. Curriculum Vitae (CV) for all members of the team applying for consideration.
2. Cover letter clearly summarizing your experience as it pertains to this assignment and three professional references.
3. A brief description of your firm or institution (for applicants other than individual consultants).
4. Technical proposal (when appropriate) not exceeding ten pages expressing an understanding and interpretation of the TOR, the proposed methodology, and a time and activity schedule.
5. Financial proposal itemizing estimated costs for services rendered (daily consultancy fees), accommodation and living costs, transport costs, stationery costs, and any other related supplies or services required for the evaluation.
6. Sample evaluation report most similar to that described in this TOR. Applicants are required to provide 2 examples of a previous evaluation reports authored – one in French, other in English.
7. All the above documents must be in English with the exception of the French report
We regret that we will not be able to return application materials and that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the next step in the application process.
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