ThaiNGO

Open to External Candidates

Position Title               :           Consultant (External Evaluator)

Duty Station                :           Bangkok, Thailand

Classification               :           Consultancy (All-inclusive fees of USD 20,000)

Type of Appointment   :           Consultancy Contract, 4.5 months

Desired Start Date      :           As soon as possible

Closing Date               :           6 December 2019

Reference Code          :           CFCV058/2019 (EXT)

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration and works closely with governmental, intergovernmental and non-governmental partners. IOM is dedicated to promoting humane and orderly migration for the benefit of all. It does so by providing services and advice to governments and migrants.

1. Organizational Context And Scope:

The project “Promoting Stability, Well-Being and Harmony for Myanmar Muslim and Host

Communities In Thailand”, hereinafter referred to as AUP-II  , is a four-year project (2016-2020), funded by the EU Action Programme ‘Aid To Uprooted People’ and, implemented in three Provinces in Thailand (Tak, Phang Nga and Ranong). The AUP-II project aims to create stability and harmony by improving living conditions and access to services; standardizing response and care; and, creating coherence and predictability in policy, practice and programming that contribute to the overall wellbeing of marginalized Myanmar Muslims (including Rohingyas) and their host community as well as disadvantaged Thais in the three provinces along the Thai-Myanmar border.

The majority of these individuals are exposed to serious vulnerabilities due to their lack of regular documentation to legally reside and work in the country, which in turn, it leads to limited opportunities in accessing basic services and employment. To this end, the AUP-II project aims to create stability and harmony by improving living conditions and access to services; standardizing response and care; and, creating coherence and predictability in policy, practice and programming that contribute to the overall wellbeing of these vulnerable groups and their host community. 

2. Evaluation purpose

The AUP-II project is approaching its last year of implementation. As part of project

planning, final evaluation will be conduct at the last year. This evaluation will serve the dual purpose of accountability and learning. It aims to provide evidence-based information on the performance AUP II Project, the results achieved, the impact of project activity, the sustainability and lessons learnt in project implementation which will help IOM to improve designing in future projects.

As such, the main objective of the Final evaluation is: To examine the level of relevance/appropriateness, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, sustainability, gender and human rights of the interventions to asses relevance and accountability of the project to intended beneficiaries, document lesson learned and best practices as well as determine project achievements. Moreover, the final report and the results of the final evaluation will be also shared with Project Steering Committee members which include: (1) EU Delegation in Thailand; (2) IOM Country Office Thailand; (3) local authorities at the provincial level; (4) representatives from the key associate partners, relevant non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations (CBOs); (5) community and religious leaders. Therefore, beyond assisting the IOM management team in project implementation, the evaluation will also be relevant for several stakeholders to assess the relevance and the accountability of the project, as well as for their learning and potential replicability.

3. Evaluation scope

The scope of the evaluation will cover the period of project implementation from 1 February 2016 to 31 July 2020. It will cover several aspects of the implementation strategy, ranging from implementation modalities, coordination, institutional strengthening and partnership as well as participation and sustainability.

The evaluation will include review of the project design and assumptions made at the beginning of the project development process, activity implementation during project period and project management focusing on collecting result, lessons learnt and provide recommended for future project design. Geographically, it will cover the three provinces (Tak, Ranong and Phang Nga) where the project implementation takes place.

IOM will commission an external entity to conduct the AUPII endline survey in conjunction with the final evaluation. The evaluation team are expected to review the endline survey result by assessing collected data and preliminary results and incorporate final key finding into the evaluation report.

4. Evaluation criteria and Evaluation questions

The following key criteria and questions will guide the evaluation:

Relevance and Appropriateness

• Has the programme’s theory of change stayed valid throughout the programme’s period?
• To what extent the project design and implementation modality aligned to local setting and cultural practices and believes of a variety of stakeholders and beneficiaries, including the local authorities, religious leaders, and particularly, the Myanmar Muslim Communities?
• To what extent were local stakeholders and beneficiaries consulted and involved in the implementation of activities, thereby improving ownership, accountability and effectiveness?

Effectiveness

The final report should show to what extent project outputs, outcomes and objectives have been achieved or are expected to be achieved in a specific time period and whether the output contribute to outcome and objectives.

• Have the project outputs and outcomes been achieved, including third parties project implemented by CBOs and local NGOs who received fund from AUP II, in accordance with the stated plans?
• Are the target beneficiaries satisfied with the services provided?
• What are the major factors influencing the achievement of the project’s expected outcomes?
• Are there any factors that prevent beneficiaries and project partners from accessing the results/services/products?
• What were the lessons learned and good practices in maximizing the project’s achieved results?

Efficiency

Assess the extent to which the outputs and/or desired effects have been achieved with the lowest possible use of resources/inputs (fund, expertise, time, administrative costs, etc.)

• Was the project implemented in the most efficient way compared to alternative means of implementation?
• How well are the resources (funds, expertise and time) being converted into results?
• What are potential design or implementation modality should had been implemented in given conditions of the programme in order to increase the programme’s efficiency?

Impact

Assess the extent to which the positive and negative, primary and secondary and secondary long-term effects produced by the project, directly or indirectly, intentionally or unintentionally.

• Which positive/negative and intended/unintended effects on the beneficiaries and stakeholders are being produced by the project?
• Does the impact come from the project activities, from external factors or from both?
• Did the project take timely measures for mitigating any unplanned negative impacts?

Sustainability

Assess the extent to which the benefits from the interventions would continue upon completion of interventions (i.e. in term of knowledge, institutionalization of networking groups under SOPs activities) or the probability that they would continue in the long term in a way that is resilient to risks.  

• Are structures, resources and processes in place to ensure that benefits generated by the project continue once external support ceases?
• Is the project supported by local institutions and well-integrated into local social and cultural structures?
• Do the project partners have the financial capacity and are they committed to maintaining the benefits of the project in the long run?

Gender and inclusiveness (Human Rights)

Assess the extent to which the project address gender issues such as whether women/men/boy/girl/vulnerable minority groups have equal access to information, resources and services.

• Have practical gender needs, strategic gender interests and other gender-related issues been adequately considered in the project design and implementation?
• Does the project actively contribute to the promotion of rights of migrants and accountability to affected populations?
• Are all groups (both in terms of gender and ethnic group) being appropriately involved in project activities implementation, and equally benefited?

5. Evaluation methodology

Non-experimentation design is employed for this evaluation assignment, and the selected consultant is expected to use both qualitative and quantitative methods to collect relevant data to serve the evaluation’s purpose and objectives. The data collection methods could be; firstly, desk review of the existing materials, including to project proposal, project reports, monitoring reports, baseline report, mid-term evaluation report, and other related publications which will be supplied by the project team. In addition, the consultant may explore and use any other sources of information that relate to the project and beneficial for the evaluation.

Secondly, the selected evaluation consultant is expected to work closely with a survey firm which will be separately contracted to collect more quantitative data against which was collected during the baseline phase which will be one of the key data for this evaluation. To complement this quantitative data, the selected evaluation consultant is required to carry out qualitative data through in-dept interviews and focus group discussions with relevant stakeholders at national, provincial and community level related to their involvement, perception and benefits from the project.

However, these proposed methodology and data collection methods will be further discussed and fine-tuned during the inception phase. 

Sampling methods:

The evaluation team shall propose sampling method and sample size (NOT for the survey) in accordance to the budget proposal. The sample size should be sufficient to support evidence of this evaluation.

The evaluation must follow the IOM Data Protection Principles, UNEG norms and standards for evaluations, and relevant ethical guidelines.

6. Evaluation deliverables

• An inception report including, at a minimum, the following section: (i) Introduction; (ii) Evaluation context; (iii) Evaluation purpose; (iv) Methodology (data collection and analysis methods, samplings, limitations and mitigation strategies); (v) Workplan; (vi) Evaluation matrix (annex); (vii) Data collection instruments (annex).
• An evaluation report in English language that include: (i) Executive summary; (ii) Context and purpose of the evaluation (evaluation scope, evaluation criteria); (iii) Evaluation framework and methodologies; (iv) Findings; (v) Conclusions and recommendations for future actions. The report should not exceed 30 pages, excluding annexes.
• A 2-pager Evaluation Brief
• A PowerPoint and verbal presentation and explanation of the main results and findings.
• Interview summary and raw data to be submitted as report annex.

Evaluation Workplan

Evaluation Budget

The maximum available budget to conduct the evaluation is 20,000 USD (including international flight cost for selected candidates who are based outside Thailand). IOM will be responsible for VISA processing of international consultant. Budget proposal by evaluator will be one of selection criteria.

7. DESIRABLE COMPETENCIES:

• Values
  • Inclusion and respect for diversity: respects and promotes individual and cultural differences; encourages diversity and inclusion wherever possible.
  • Integrity and transparency: maintains high ethical standards and acts in a manner consistent with organizational principles/rules and standards of conduct.
  • Professionalism: demonstrates ability to work in a composed, competent and committed manner and exercises careful judgment in meeting day-to-day challenges.

• Core Competencies
  • Teamwork: develops and promotes effective collaboration within and across units to achieve shared goals and optimize results.
  • Delivering results: produces and delivers quality results in a service-oriented and timely manner; is action oriented and committed to achieving agreed outcomes.
  • Managing and sharing knowledge: continuously seeks to learn, share knowledge and innovate.
  • Accountability: takes ownership for achieving the Organization’s priorities and assumes responsibility for own action and delegated work.
  • Communication: encourages and contributes to clear and open communication; explains complex matters in an informative, inspiring and motivational way.

8. EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

Eligibility criteria

Applicants

• Individual consultant.  

Education

• Master’s degree in development, Political or Social Sciences, Law or a related field from an accredited academic institution with 5 (five) years of relevant professional experience; or
• University degree in the above fields with 10 (ten) years of relevant professional experience

Experience

• A minimum of abovementioned years professional experience in conducing final and mid-term project evaluation and monitoring;
• Experience in evaluation design, data collection, data analysis (qualitative and/or qualitative), report drafting and editing, computer skills (including, software like SPSS, STATA, etc.), communication skills, time management skills and cultural sensitivity;
• Experience working in Thailand and/or experience in migration-related projects is an asset;

Applications will be assessed against the following criteria:

• Relevance and clarity of the methodology proposed (40%);
• Relevance of the applicant’s experience (25%);
• Records of previous similar work and research (15%);
• Financial offer (20%).

Other requirements

• The evaluator must adhere to the IOM Data Protection Principles (IN/138) and maintain confidentiality.

Budget and Payment Method

The fee will be paid to the consultant upon delivery of the services described in this Terms of Reference. This fee shall be paid in instalments as follows:

• First instalment of 40% of total fee will be paid upon IOM’s approval of the inception report.
• Second instalment of 30% of total fee will be paid after IOM’s verification of successful completion of the field work
• Third instalment of 30% of total fee will be paid after IOM’s receipt and approval of the final report and the 2-pager evaluation brief (templates will be provided).

IOM will be responsible for the costs listed as follows:

• Provision of Thai-Burmese/Thai-English interpretation for relevant itinerary including field interviews, focus group discussions, and observation of the project activities upon request during the consultancy period.
• Office space in IOM Bangkok, Mae Sot and Ranong available upon request during the consultancy period.

9. LANGUAGES:

Professional knowledge of English language; knowledge of Thai language is an asset

Other:

Any offer made to the candidate in relation to this vacancy notice is subject to funding confirmation.

Appointment will be subject to certification that the candidate is medically fit for appointment and verification of residency, visa and authorizations by the concerned Government, where applicable.

Only candidates residing in either the country of the duty station or from a location in a neighboring country that is within commuting distance of the duty station will be considered. In all cases, a prerequisite for taking up the position is legal residency in the country of the duty station, or in the neighboring country located within commuting distance, and work permit, as applicable.

How to apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications along with the following documents to to the IOM Bangkok Human Resources Unit at e-mail bkkrecruitment@iom.int by November 22, 2019 at the latest. :

• A duly completed IOM Personal History Form The form can be downloaded from http://thailand.iom.int/sites/default/files/Recruitment/IOM%20Personal%20History%20Form%20with%20Declaration.xls
• Resume/CV of the lead consultant and team members (if any).
• A cover letter outlining the relevant experience and expertise of the consultant (optional, max 1 page).
• A technical proposal of the research scope, design, methods, and field implementation approach (max 5 pages).
• A financial proposal either in US Dollar (USD) or in Thai Bath (THB) outlining all expenses (Consultancy fee, Air fare, local transportation, accommodation, translation/translator etc.).  Please note that IOM will not provide IT and software equipment, nor transportation for the consultant during the consultancy work.
• The maximum available budget to conduct the evaluation is 20,000 USD.  For the selected evaluator who are not based in Thailand, international flight ticket cost shall be included to the amount above.
• Examples of past evaluation reports conducted by the applicant (If applicable).

Kindly indicate the reference code CFCV058/2019 (EXT) followed by your full name in the subject line.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Posting period:

From 08.11.2019 to 22.11.2019

Closing Date               :      19 April 2026 (11:59 PM, Bangkok Time)