WWF GEF Project Mid-Term Review Consultant: Madagascar

WWF is seeking an independent consultant to undertake a Midterm Review (MTR) of the Project. The scope of the MTR will cover the WWF GEF financed components.

The objective of this review is to examine the extent, magnitude, sustainability and potential for project impacts to date; identify any project design or management issues; assess progress towards project outcomes and outputs; and draw lessons learned that can improve the project effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of project benefits. Based on this assessment, it is expected that the evaluator will provide feasible recommendations that could be applied for the remaining duration of the project.

Responsibilities

Evaluation Approach and Method

The evaluation will adhere to the relevant guidance, rules and procedures established by WWF[1] and align with guidance from the GEF Evaluation[2] and Ethical Guidelines.[3] The evaluation must provide evidence‐based information that is independent, participatory, transparent, and ethical. The evaluator must be unbiased and free of any conflicts of interest with the project. The evaluator is expected to reflect all stakeholder views and follow a participatory and consultative approach. There should be close engagement with government counterparts, the GEF operational focal points in each country, the Executing Agency project management unit (PMU), partners and key stakeholders. Contact information will be provided.

The Evaluation process will include the following, with deliverables (submitted in French and English) marked by “*” :

1. Inception meeting.
2. Desk review consisting of, but not limited to:

• Project governance documents (agreements between WWF-US and FABM, WWF MD and MEDD, and between the PMU and FABM, etc.);
• Project Document and CEO Endorsement Letter;
• Relevant safeguards documents, including WWF GEF Agency Categorization and Compliance memo, Environmental and Social Management Framework, Process Framework, Grievance Redress Mechanism, sub-project safeguards screens, if applicable;
• Gender mainstreaming strategy;
• Annual Work Plans and Budgets (AWPBs);
• Project Progress Reports (PPR) including Results Framework (RF) and AWPB Tracking;
• GEF Agency reports, including Project Implementation Reports (PIRs) and Project Implementation Supervision Mission (PrISM) reports;
• Management Effectiveness Tracking Tool (METT) reports, if available;
• Relevant financial documents, including financial progress reports; co-financing monitoring tables and co-financing letters, and audits;
• Meeting minutes for Project Steering Committee (PSC) and relevant virtual meetings with the WWF- GEF Agency and support team; and
• Other relevant documents provided by the Executing Agency and partners.

1. Inception report that outlines evaluation methodology; *
2. Field visits with PMU and project partners, as necessary and feasible;
3. Interviews, discussions and consultations with executing partners, GEF Operational Focal Points (OFP), Project Steering Committee (PSC) members, beneficiaries, WWF-GEF Agency and support team; Project Management Unit, and others;
4. Debrief and presentation* of initial findings to project management team and other partners as feasible;
5. Draft report* not to exceed 50 pages (excluding annexes) shared with GEF AMU and PMU for review, feedback and approval. A sample outline is provided; and
6. Final approved MTE report* that has incorporated feedback and corrections.

Expected Content of Evaluation Report

The Midterm Evaluation report will include the following (see Annexes for details):

• Information on the evaluation process, including when the evaluation took place, sites visited, participants, key questions, summary of methodology and rating rubric, and feedback log showing how comments on draft were incorporated;
• Assessment of Relevance (project design , theory of change) and Coherence
• Assessment of project Results Framework plus rating of project objective and outcomes (individual and overall);
• Assessment of Effectiveness and ratings of Implementation and Execution;
• Assessment and rating of Risks to the Sustainability of project outcomes;
• Assessment and rating of Monitoring and Evaluation Design and Implementation;
• Assessment of knowledge management approach, including activities and products;
• Assessment of replication and catalytic effects of the project;
• Assessment of stakeholder engagement, gender strategy and gender-responsive measures;
• Assessment of any environmental and social impacts and safeguards used for the project. A review of risk category classification and mitigation measures;
• Evaluation of rules of conduct in social matters, fraud and corruption according to WWF policies and in accordance with the contract between WWF-US and FAPBM;
• Assessment of Efficiency, financial management and summary of co-financing delivered;
• Summary table of key findings by core criteria[4] and GEF ratings, including justification and/or indicators for their determination;
• Key lessons tied to identified strengths or issues;
• Recommendations that include: practical and short-term corrective actions by evaluation criteria to address issues and findings; and reflect best practices towards achieving project outcomes and knowledge sharing / replication for other projects of similar scope.

Qualifications

Evaluation Team Qualifications

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience
• Noted experience with evaluation methodologies
• Excellent written and oral communication in English and French.

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• Recent experience conducting evaluations (for GEF financed projects is an advantage);
• Technical knowledge in marine management and biodiversity, including MPAs, other effective area-based conservation measures (OECMs), etc.;
• Knowledge of GEF Monitoring and Evaluation Policy;
• Experience with WWF Project and Program Management Standards or Conservation Standards;
• Experience with social assessments, participatory techniques, and gender mainstreaming;
• Knowledge and experience in implementing or reviewing application of social and environmental safeguards policies in GEF (or similar) projects;
• Fluency in Malagasy;
• Experience in Madagascar; and
• Knowledge of the Malagasy context in terms of sustainable management and conservation of marine resources and biodiversity.

[1] For additional information on evaluation methods adopted by WWF, see the WWF Evaluation Guidelines , published on our WWF Program Standards public website.

[2] Please see Evaluation Guidelines. For additional information, you may refer to GEF Terminal Evaluation Guidelines, which may be adjusted for midterm evaluations.

[3] Please see the GEF Ethical Guidelines as published on GEF website.

[4] See annex A

How to apply

Application process

Interested consultants are invited to submit a technical and financial proposal with their curriculum vitae, a writing sample and references. The financial proposal should include fees and reimbursable expenses, such as travel costs, if applicable. The budget shall not exceed $35,000. Individual or team applications are welcome.

Applicants are requested to apply by sending their applications to amelia.kissick@wwfus.org by January 31, 2023. Preferably applications will be submitted in English.

The selection of candidates and contractual agreements will be in compliance with WWF procurement policies[1] and subject to GEF requirements. WWF applies a fair and transparent selection process that will take into account the competencies/skills of the applicants as well as their financial proposals. Women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply.

Please Find the Relevant Annexes for the position here.

[1] WWF Procurement Policy