International Consultant Evaluation of the Rapid Response Mechanism

1. Evaluation Context and Object of the Evaluation

The Central African Republic (CAR) continues to face significant humanitarian challenges. While conflict-related shocks have slightly decreased, poverty, effects of climate change, limited access to basic services, and low socio-economic opportunities remain pervasive. The CAR is the third poorest country in the world, and third among the countries with the highest risk index in 2025 in accordance with the INFORM assessment.

Insecurity persists, driven by armed conflicts, military operations, and community clashes. This contributes to displacement, with 469 342 internally displaced persons (IDPs) as of December 2024, a slight decrease from the previous year. Between October 2023 and September 2024, 115 shocks affected 241,450 people. While the number of shocks remains similar to the previous year, their intensity has decreased. The most common triggers of shocks include conflict, natural disasters, and the return of displaced populations. Ouham, Ouham-Pendé, Mbomou, Ouaka, and Bamingui-Bangoran prefectures with the highest number of shocks.

The HNRP 2025 estimates that 2.4 million people (38% of the population) are extremely vulnerable. Poverty is widespread, with nearly 68.8% of the population living below the poverty line. In 2024, 465,000 Centre Africans were internally displaced and 675,000 were refugees, i.e. around one in six Central Africans have fled the conflict outside their country. Following the conflict that has broken out in Sudan since April 2023, CAR hosts 35,570 people, including 6,158 spontaneous returnees and 29,415 refugees, the majority of whom are women and children (83%).

The MSNA identified key needs as water, sanitation, hygiene (WASH), food security, and health. The humanitarian community aims to reach 1.8 million people with multisectoral interventions, prioritizing cash-based modalities and localizing the response. The RRM will target 180,000 people, focusing on WASH, non-food items, and protection, while ensuring that assistance meets the specific needs and preferences of affected populations.

The Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM) plays a vital role in addressing humanitarian needs. Through early warning system, rapid assessments, flexible stocks, and coordination, the RRM provides critical support to humanitarian actors, aligning with the objectives of the 2025 Humanitarian Needs and Response Plan (HNRP). In 2024, RRM in CAR maintained its monitoring, analytical and operational modality around three interlinked pillars, namely humanitarian monitoring, rapid response and coordination and complementarity.

The evaluation will be carried out by an independent evaluation team comprising an international consultant (team leader) and a national expert. The team leader will be recruited by UNICEF CAR. He/She will be responsible and accountable for all the deliverables. He/She will have to propose a national consultant who will work under his/her direct supervision.

2- Evaluation Objectives

The objectives of the evaluation are:

1. To determine the relevance/appropriateness, effectiveness, efficiency, coverage (reach of assistance) and connectedness (linkages with Disaster Preparedness and Disaster Risk Reduction) of RRM as a disaster preparedness mechanism for humanitarian alerts, assessments, rapid response and coordination.
2. To identify lessons learned about what worked and did not work about the RRM over the last five years, including unexpected outcomes (positive and negative), regarding the timeliness and relevance of the response, and the complementarity with other key humanitarian actors.
3. Identify lessons learned and emerging good practices in the preparedness and response, and connectedness with other approaches, in particular disaster preparedness and DRR.
4. To assess the effectiveness of the RRM in contributing to humanitarian/shock monitoring, assessment and response in CAR as part of the broader humanitarian system in CAR. To formulate key recommendations on how to improve both the implementation processes (operational recommendations) and strengthen the corresponding strategies (strategic recommendations).
5. To examine the integration of cross-cutting issues in RRM including Gender, Equity and AAP, PSEA, disability, do-no harm.

3- Evaluation Scope

Programmatic Scope

Geographical Scope

Chronological Scope  

The evaluation will make sure to capture the essence of the activities implemented between February 2020 and December 2024.

4- Evaluation Criteria and questions

This evaluation will be guided by OECD-DAC and ALNAP[1] evaluation criteria: appropriateness, effectiveness, efficiency, and coverage (reach of assistance) and connectedness (with disaster preparedness and DRR, as key elements of the Nexus approach).  The Gender, Equity and Inclusions, and AAP and PSEA, disability, do-no-harm) will be analysed across the evaluation questions.

The evaluation team will answer the following questions in order to achieve the purpose and objectives of this evaluation. The questions (grouped by criteria) are questions suggested by the UNICEF Country Office. However, the evaluation team may adjust the questions in the technical proposal and, if hired for the mandate, finalize them in collaboration with UNICEF staff and possibly other evaluation stakeholders.

5- Evaluation Methodology

Evaluation Approach

The RRM evaluation is intended to be utilization-focused, and its results and recommendations are expected to be produced and disseminated on a timely basis. In terms of intended use, the expected result of the evaluation is a high-quality set of actionable. It will employ a participatory and inclusive approach to evaluate this program. The specific evaluation approach and theoretical framework will be detailed in the technical proposal. This approach must ensure engagement of the categories of rights holders, including people with disability, children (in accordance with the Convention on the Rights of the Child and adolescents throughout the evaluation process.

Evaluation Methods

A mixed methods approach will be used to collect and analyze data from various sources, including boy/girls/caregivers who are expected to benefit from the program. This triangulation of data will enhance the findings’ credibility and address the evaluation questions comprehensively. To ensure rigor, the evaluation team will develop rubrics during the inception phase. Each indicator in the evaluation matrix will require data from at least three different methods.

The consultant/s will develop a detailed evaluation methodology based on the chosen approach. This methodology will include a data collection and analysis strategy, specially designed tools, an evaluation matrix, and a detailed work plan. It will ensure stakeholder involvement throughout the process. A purposeful sampling approach will be used to identify data collection respondents.

The consultant team is encouraged to propose innovative methodologies in their technical proposal.

Evaluation Deliverables

UNICEF staff will provide existing data and documents to the evaluation team at least one week before the start of the consultation. The consultant/s will submit an inception report with a detailed methodology, including both quantitative and qualitative elements, designed to answer the evaluation questions accurately.

The report will also propose specific measures to ensure the evaluation complies with ethical standards, including confidentiality and respect for dignity. The evaluation must provide evidence‐based information that is credible, reliable, and useful. The findings of the evaluation should lead to the elaboration of specific, practical, achievable recommendations that should be directed to the intended users.

Evaluation Standards

The evaluation will be conducted according to the standards of the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) 2 and the UNEG Code of Conduct 3. A transversal analysis of human rights, gender, and equity aspects will be conducted following the Guidelines on the Integration of Human Rights and Gender Equality in Evaluations 4.

Dissemination and Utilization of Results

To increase usability, the main conclusions and recommendations of the evaluation will be disseminated in briefing notes or policy briefs. The evaluation validation workshop will serve as a platform to develop an action plan for implementing the main recommendations, in a participatory manner.

6- Deliverables, timelines and payment schedule

Expected Evaluation Deliverables:

1. Inception Report:
2. Initial Findings Report:
3. Evaluation Report:
4. Dissemination Presentation:
5. Evaluation Brief:

Evaluation Timeline & Approach:

• The evaluation will be conducted over 4 months (March to June 30th, 2025), divided into three main phases (detailed in Table 2).
• The evaluation team will submit a detailed work plan with clear roles and responsibilities for each team member in the technical proposal.
• The evaluation team will dedicate approximately 90 working days to the evaluation.
• The specific milestones and work plan will be reviewed and confirmed during the inception phase.
• Most activities will be conducted remotely, with a visit to Bangui and two areas outside Bangui, to collect primary data from rights holders at the community level.

Note: The evaluation team should allocate adequate time for data collection, analysis, report writing, and review by the Evaluation Reference Group to ensure timely submission of all deliverables.

7- Governance of the evaluation

The consultants team will operate under the supervision of the Evaluation Reference Group (ERG). Chaired by UNICEF, the ERG will include key stakeholders of the RRM in CAR. 

8- Quality assurance

Quality assurance is vital for a credible and useful evaluation and consists of a multilevel approach that evaluation teams need to integrate in the evaluation process and workplan. The team leader needs to assure that evaluation processes and products meet quality standards and the requirements established in the Terms of Reference. Each deliverable will be reviewed by UNICEF Country Office and counterparts (the evaluation manager and the ERG), as well as by UNICEF’s Regional Office evaluation section.

The evaluation team should integrate and respond to comments received and submit a revised version of each deliverable. The payment of each deliverable will only be made when the revised version of the report is received and approved, incorporating the received comments in a satisfactory manner as assessed by the evaluation manager. The evaluation team must respond to all comments transparently through a record of comments and responses that is shared with the evaluation manager. If the evaluation team judges it is not appropriate to make adjustments to reports/deliverables based on certain comments it must provide justification in the record of comments.

The final evaluation report will be ex-post reviewed and assessed by the UNICEF quality assessment mechanism, known as the Global Evaluation Report Oversight System (GEROS). While the review takes place after the finalization and publication of the report, the report is expected to meet the GEROS benchmarks which are based on UNICEF’s reporting standards.

9- Ethical Principles in Evaluation

• Anonymity and confidentiality: The evaluation must respect the rights of the people who provide information, guaranteeing their anonymity and confidentiality.
• Responsibility: The entire evaluation team must confirm the results presented in the report, any disagreements are to be mentioned. The report should inform about any conflicts or differences of opinion that may have arisen between the consultants or between the consultant and the RRM managers regarding the conclusions and / or recommendations of the evaluation.
• Integrity: The evaluators will need to highlight issues that are not specifically mentioned in the ToR, in order to carry out a complete analysis of the RRM.
• Independence: The consultants must ensure that he/she remains independent in respect to the RRM under review, and he/she should not be involved in its implementation or any other phase.
• Incidents: If problems arise during fieldwork, or at any other point of the evaluation, the consultants should be reported immediately to the Evaluation Manager. If this is not done, the existence of such problems can in no way be used to justify the failure to achieve the results expected by UNICEF in these terms of reference.
• Validation of information: The consultants must ensure the accuracy of the information gathered during the preparation of the reports and will be responsible for the information presented in the final report.
• Intellectual property: Using the different sources of information, the consultants must respect the intellectual property rights of the institutions and communities involved in the evaluation.
• Submission of reports: If the reports are submitted after agreed deadlines, or if the quality of the submitted reports is significantly lower than agreed, the sanctions provided in these terms of reference will apply.

10- Remuneration & other Terms and Conditions

The contractor will be engaged under short-term individual contract after the completion of the contracting procedure.

The contract is expected to last for a duration of 90 days. The consultant will be home-based, using her/his own office equipment and resources. 20 days of field visits are planned. Periodic discussions with the UNICEF Country Office will take place and comments from the Country Office and the UNICEF Regional Office will be incorporated into the final outputs of the consultant. The products will be submitted electronically and according to the indicative schedule above.

Air ticket to and from home base using the most direct and economical routes will be provided according to the UNICEF policy and procedures. UNICEF does not provide or arrange health insurance coverage for the consultant. DSA will be paid as per the standard UNICEF rates.

The contract will be governed by and subject to the UNICEF Terms and Conditions for Individual Contracts. The consultant will be paid 30% upon validation by the ERG of the delivery of the inception report, 30 % upon delivery of the draft report (draft zero of the evaluation) and 40% upon validation of the final deliverables. No advance payment is allowed.

Amounts and terms of payment are subject for negotiations but should comply with the UN standards. A detailed budget breakdown (budget proposal) shall be submitted together with the technical offer.

UNICEF reserves the right to withhold all or a portion of payment if performance is unsatisfactory, if work/outputs: i)is incomplete, ii) does not meet the quality standards of UNICEF or is not delivered or has failed to meet deadlines.

11- Qualifications & Experience required

The evaluation will be carried out by a team of consultants (one international evaluation expert and one national consultant). He/She will have to seek for a national consultant who will work under his/her direct supervision.

The international consultant will  should have the following competences and qualifications: 

• Master’s degree in social or political science, economics, international development or other related fields related fields, such as conflict studies, peace building, human rights, etc.
• Having extensive evaluation experience (at least 10 years) with an excellent understanding of evaluation principles and methodologies, including evaluability, capacity in an array of qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods, and UNEG Norms and Standards.
• Having extensive experience on humanitarian interventions – preparedness, response, managing or M&E.
• Holding an advanced university degree (Master or higher) in economics, social policy, international development, public policy, public administration, or similar, including sound knowledge of social protection; familiarity with human rights.
• Proven experience in conducting evaluations and in using a mix of evaluations tools and in applying a variety of mixed-methods evaluation approaches (including the theory of change-based, utilization-focused, participatory, and Gender and Equity-based evaluations).
• Bringing a strong commitment to delivering timely and high-quality results, i.e., credible evaluations that are used for improving strategic decisions.
• Having in-depth knowledge of the UN’s human rights, gender equality and equity agendas.
• Having a strong team leadership and management track record, as well as excellent interpersonal and communication skills to help ensure that the evaluation is understood and used.
• Specific humanitarian evaluation experience is an asset, as well as a strong mixed-method evaluation background; previous experience in conducting developmental evaluation is considered an asset.
• Previous work experience in developing country contexts is desirable, together with an understanding of the West and Central Africa region and CAR context and cultural dynamics.
• The Team Leader must be committed and willing to work independently, with limited regular supervision; s/he must demonstrate adaptability and flexibility, client orientation, proven ethical practice, initiative, concern for accuracy and quality.
• Fluency in French and English.

The Team Leader will be responsible for undertaking the independent evaluation from start to finish, for managing the evaluation, for the bulk of data collection, analysis and consultations, as well as for report drafting in English and communication of the evaluation results.

National consultant should have the following competences and qualifications:

• Holding advanced university degrees (Masters-level) in statistics, economics, international development, public policy, public administration, or similar coursework.
• Strong training and experience in humanitarian evaluation
• Hands-on experience in collecting and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, especially in relation to socio-economic interventions.
• Strong expertise in equity, gender equality and human rights-based approaches to evaluation and expertise in data presentation and visualization.
• Be committed and willing to work in a complex environment and able to produce quality work under limited guidance and supervision.
• Having good communication, advocacy and people skills and the ability to communicate with various stakeholders and to express concisely and clearly ideas and concepts in written and oral form.
• Good command of English and fluent in french.
• Good Knowledge of local languages will be an asset.

Under the guidance of the international consultant, the national consultant will play a key role in data collection, analysis and presentation, and preparation of the debriefings, and will make significant contributions to the writing of the main evaluation report.

If necessary, the offer should also include the recruitment of local interpreters who can assist the evaluators in collecting data in the field. The cost of this additional resource must be clearly indicated in the technical offer and the financial offer.

It is vital that the same individuals that develop the methodology for the request for proposals for services will be involved in conducting the evaluation. In the review of the proposals, while adequate consideration will be given to the technical methodology, significant weighting will be given to the quality, experience (including CVs, three referees and written samples of previous evaluations, especially in humanitarian settings) and relevance of individuals who will be involved in the evaluation.

12- How to apply and selection process

UNICEF accepts applications from individual contractors. The international consultant must submit his technical and financial proposal including the cost of the national consultant.

All applications should contain the following documents:

1. Technical Proposal which would include at least the following:

• Candidate’s CVs
• Methodology note (max 5 pages), which shall cover the following:

• Understanding of the terms of reference (not only objectives and purposes but also UNICEF expectations in terms of the timing needed for the completion of the assignment as well as the quality and use of the evaluation)
• Evaluation methodological approach and theoretical framework to address evaluation questions including estimative sample size and sampling strategies
• Data collection and analysis methods

• A clear definition of the roles and responsibilities that the consultant will play within the team and in relation to the UNICEF Country Office.
• The methodological note should not replicate the content of any section of the ToR.

2. Three references (employers/supervisors) including email and phone number.
3. A copy of two evaluation reports produced by the Principal Consultant (Team Leader) during the last 5 years should be attached to the application.

The technical proposal shall be submitted in a separate file or envelop, clearly named/marked: “Technical Proposal.” No financial information should be included in the Technical Proposal. The technical offers will be noted according to the assessment grid provided in Table 3.

The financial proposal shall contain the Offer with cost breakdown and must cover all expenses related to the evaluation including the desired remuneration, accommodation costs, travel costs (economy class), travel insurance and others. The IT and communication equipment necessary for the proper implementation of the evaluation will be the responsibility of the consultant. It should be noted that the costs of organizing meetings or technical workshops will be borne by UNICEF. The financial offer shall be presented separately from the technical offer and clearly named/marked “Financial Proposal”. It will only be examined for offers that are considered technically valid (minimum score of 50 points in the technical assessment).

Deadline for applications:  February 14^th, 2025