Evaluation Expert

The Austrian Centre for Peace (ACP) seeks an Evaluation Expert on a consultancy basis for Phase IV of the Capacity Building for Humanitarian Assistance in West Africa project.

The Austrian Centre for Peace (ACP) is an independent, non-profit, and non-partisan organization. It is engaged in conflict resolution, capacity building and research. More information about the institute and its activities can be found on its website (www.ac4p.at).

The project Capacity Building for Humanitarian Assistance in West Africa – Phase IV (HAWA IV) aims at strengthening effective humanitarian crisis response in the ECOWAS region through research grounded gender responsive individual competency development for professionals from civil protection authorities, security forces, and NGOs; informed by the Humanitarian-Development-Peace Nexus approach, and to promote networking structures to enhance policy development, deployment capacities, (local) preparedness, and peace.

The project is being implemented in the form of training, which are oriented towards the ECOWAS Conflict Prevention Framework (ECPF) and plans of action. Additionally, Multiplier Modules Workshops are implemented in target countries hosted by a local organization.

The project is financed by the Austrian Development Cooperation and implemented by the ACP in Ghana, in cooperation with the Kofi Annan International Peacekeeping Training Centre (KAIPTC) and the Austrian Federal Ministry of Defense. The financial support (90%) for the whole project is provided by the Austrian Development Cooperation (ADC).

The current phase (phase IV) started in January 2022 and expected to end in June 2023.

The purpose of the evaluation is to use evidence-based approach and consultative reflection on the progress of implementation of the phase IV of the HAWA project to enable the implementing partners learn and improve subsequently.

According to the ADA Guidelines for Programme and Project Evaluation (2020: 11) this evaluation is a partner-led evaluation, managed by ACP and conducted by (an) external, independent evaluator(s). The project and evaluation results will be disseminated among stakeholders at the strategic level.

The evaluator will conduct the evaluation in accordance with the Terms of Reference. Documents will be reviewed as well as collect primary data from key project participants (ink. semi-structured and structured interviews) in Austria, Ghana and the project target countries. The ADC principles such as human rights-based approach, the cross-cutting issues (gender, environment and social standards) and conflict sensitive approach must be applied in the evaluation.

The analyses and reporting shall focus on measuring the change which has occurred and has considerably impacted on the direct beneficiaries of the project. ACP suggests that data collection shall mainly focus on a qualitative approach. Furthermore, all data collected must be disaggregated. The evaluator shall propose an outline of methodology as part of their offer, and a detailed methodology as part of the Evaluation Inception Report.

The evaluator shall deliver the following reports in line with the requirements of the ADA Guidelines for Programme and Project Evaluations (2020): Evaluation Inception Report, Results Assessment Form and Final Evaluation Report.

The executive summary shall be presented as a stand-alone document which reproduces the structure of the evaluation report.

All deliverables must meet the Quality Assurance standards as per the ADA guidelines on Programme and Project Evaluation and shall submitted in English and reader-friendly.

Requirements for Experience and Qualifications of the Evaluation Consultant

• Advanced university degree in a relevant field (social sciences, e.g. sociology, political science, international relations, legal studies, public policy, international development) field
• Experience:
  • At least 7 years of demonstrated experience
  • Conducted at least three evaluations in the last five years
  • Experience with projects focusing on capacity development and peace and security
  • Experience in/with Africa, preferably West Africa/ECOWAS region
  • Knowledge of feminist / gender theory and practice, conflict sensitive approaches
  • Substantial experience in project cycle management
  • Familiarity with donor funded projects, preferably with ADA
  • Experience in social science methods and in applied research
  • Sound MS Office and IT skills
• Competencies
  • Excellent interpersonal, communication and interview skills and cultural sensitivity
  • Proficiency in English & French. Ability to review information in German is an asset

Click here for ToRs.

Starting date: 6 March 2024

Deadline for Submission of Final Report (end of Contract): 28 June 2024