Expression of Interest

TO CONDUCT AN ENDLINE EVALUATION OF THE ENHANCING LIVELIHOODS AND WELLBEING OF VULNERABLE FAMILIES (ELWVF) PROJECT.

1.0 BACKGROUND OF THE PROJECT

Caritas Zambia, in collaboration with the Zambia Association of Sisterhoods (ZAS), has been implementing a project focusing on Enhancing Livelihoods and Wellbeing of Vulnerable Families (ELWVF). The project has been running since December , and it will end in November . The project is being implemented in Southern Province, targeting Sinazongwe, Gwembe, and Mazabuka districts, and in Western Province, targeting Senanga, Limulunga, and Kaoma districts, respectively. The project has been working with at least a minimum of 3 communities, 3 schools per district. The following are the objectives of the project being evaluated :

The main objective is for Catholic Sisters to expand opportunities for improved lives and self-reliance, supporting disadvantaged children, youths, and families in the target dioceses of Monze and Mongu by .

Specific objectives;

i. Objective 1 : Targeted households have enough food and income through irrigation and the use of Agro-Ecology farming practices.

ii. Objective 2 : Children in the target communities are safe and enjoy their rights through functioning child protection systems and structures in communities and schools

Therefore, part of the closeout requirements for this project involves conducting an endline evaluation, which will include reviewing and documenting the project outcomes / impacts, and failures to inform future projects. It is against this background that Caritas Zambia invites potential and experienced individuals or firms who meet the requirements stipulated below to submit applications for conducting a project endline evaluation in the aforementioned project sites.

2.0 SCOPE / PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The endline evaluation will :

• Measure changes in food and income security among participating households.
• Assess improvements in livelihood activities, agricultural practices, and water access.
• Evaluate progress in child protection awareness, systems and structures, and enforcement of legal frameworks related to child protection.
• Examine the role and engagement of traditional leaders and other stakeholders in ending all harmful practices (social and traditional practices) and other forms of abuse / exploitation and violence against children.
• Assess the capacity built among religious sisters, CSOs, and government departments through transformative approaches.
• Identify and document best practices and draw lessons and recommendations for future projects.
• The Consultant will also be expected to review and document the project documents and other related materials and prepare an in-depth analysis of the key outcomes.
• The work may, in some instances, include the mobilisation of project team members and beneficiaries for purposes of gathering information, among other requirements.

3.0 KEY REQUIREMENTS AND EXPERIENCE :

The individuals or consultant firms must demonstrate the following key requirements in their application to be considered.

i. Must have a PhD degree in Development Studies, Sociology, Agriculture, Gender Studies, or any Social Science programme or Other Related Fields.

ii. Must demonstrate at least 5 years’ experience in conducting research, including endline evaluation studies related to Human Rights, Social Justice, Agriculture, Socio-Economic Empowerment of Vulnerable families, and supporting the well-being of children and youth.

iii. Must have strong and proven experience in collaborating with government, CSOs, Traditional leaders, Children, and other key stakeholders at the national and local level.

iv. Must demonstrate understanding of issues related to research ethics, safeguarding of children, and adult-at-risk groups.

v. Must have proven experience in community programming and the application of social research methodologies (both qualitative and quantitative).

vi. Must have excellent communication skills in both written and oral English, demonstrated in their ability to write comprehensive reports with in-depth analysis.

vii. Must have the ability to engage and interact with communities from work in multi-cultural and rural communities in parts of Zambia and

viii. Must be able to speak the local languages (preferably Tonga and Lozi, considering that the project is being implemented in rural parts of Western and Southern provinces, respectively.

4.0 TIMEFRAME

The total duration is 26 Days

5.0 APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Interested consultants should submit :

DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSION OF THE APPLICATIONS / PROPOSAL / CVs IS BY CLOSE OF BUSINESS, 8TH SEPTEMBER, .