MID-TERM EVALUATION OF LEADING THE CHANGE PROGRAMME:

AFRICA YOUTH THEMATIC HUB

TERMS OF REFERENCE

A. Intervention Background and Scope of the Review

Since 2018, WWF Cameroon has been coordinating the implementation of the Africa Youth Transformational Leadership Programme (AYTLP) dubbed the Africa Youth Thematic Hub under the Leading the Change; Civil Society, Rights and Environment Programme (LtC). The AYTLP under the Africa Youth Thematic Hub brings together a coalition of diverse youth interventions through the Leading the Change Programme from the different countries in Africa both at national and regional levels.

The overall goal of the Africa Youth Transformational Leadership Programme (AYTLP) is that:

By 2025, innovative youth-led actions drive policies and sustainable practices that enhance the integrity and ecological functionality of critical ecosystems and wildlife, address climate change and improve food, water and energy security in targeted countries.

The AYTLP seeks to empower youth and transform them into leaders that bring about transformational change. It is anchored on the Leading the Change Programme’s overall ultimate desired outcome People and communities in programme areas are effectively exercising their rights, controlling decisions and equitably receiving benefits from natural resources, and contributing to the sustainable management of key ecosystems and habitats. The AYTLP seeks to deliver the following under the LtC:

1. Medium Term Outcome 1: Civil society are key actors in influencing planning, decision-making, and good governance of natural resources (NRs);

            Under this Outcome, the programme is seeking to deliver the following Short Term Outcomes:

1. 1. The capacity of partner CSOs and coalitions/fora/platform (CFP) has been strengthened
   2. Civil society is engaging more effectively in policy dialogues regarding the management of natural resources; and
2. Medium Term Outcome 2: Communities influence policy and decision-making processes for improved rights to and management of NRs and optimize the benefits that derive from those resources in a sustainable way.

            Under this outcome the programme seeks to deliver the following short term outcome;

1. 1. Communities have increased and equitably distributed benefits from sustainable management/use of NR

The AYTLP programme is designed to achieve the above outcomes through 4 key strategies that include:

1. Advancing Policy which seeks to promote the adoption of policies that mainstream sustainability, and youth participation in decision-making related to  conservation and green growth;  
2. Capacity Building is seeking to ensure a critical mass of youth is using their technical and leadership skills to drive sustainable transformational change;
3. Green Entrepreneurship Development component is seeking to ensure that youths in Africa are able to act as green entrepreneurs and create, innovate and develop solutions for sustainable livelihoods and economies; and the
4. Networking Platforms component is seeking to ensure that a vibrant coalition of Pan African youth networks are bringing transformational change towards sustainability.

The AYTLP is currently being implemented through the LtC programme in six WWF Offices in Africa to include Cameroon, DRC, Kenya, Madagascar, Namibia, Tanzania and Uganda. At regional level five Pan African Youth Networks operating in a scope of 34 countries in Africa are being mobilised and empowered to take action to promote conservation and sustainable development in Africa linking to the national interventions.

B. Objectives of the Review

The main objective of the midterm evaluation is to review implementation progress of the Africa Youth Thematic Hub in relation to the desired outcomes of the LtC programme as guided by the project document. More specifically the evaluation seeks to;

1. Assess the progress made by the project in achieving the Short term Outcomes of the LtC.
2. Assess the level of extent the programme is already contributing to WWF’s Practices outlined in the project document to include climate and energy, food, forests, fresh water and wildlife.
3. Review the progress made in mainstreaming key pertinent issues in the LtC programme to include a human rights based approach and  gender in the course of implementation.
4. Assess strengths of the programme and challenges experienced in delivering the key outcomes of the programme
5. Come up with the key learnings that can help to inform the remaining phase of the programme.

C. Review Areas

This being a midterm review, it will be critical to assess the relevance effectiveness, efficiency, compliance and learnings so far from the programme to help inform the remaining phase of the programme.

1. Relevance: The extent to which the objectives of the programme are consistent with beneficiaries’ requirements, country/regional needs, global priorities and partners’ and primary donor country development cooperation priorities.

2. Effectiveness: The effectiveness criterion concerns how far the programme’s results have been attained and the specific objectives achieved, or expected to be achieved with a focus on the Short term Outcomes.

3. Efficiency (sound management and value for money): The efficiency criterion concerns how well the various activities transformed the available resources into the intended results (sometimes referred to as outputs), in terms quantity, quality and timeliness. Comparison should be made against what was planned.

4. Compliance: Assessment of how the activities implemented have been in line with plans and strategies as stated in the project document / strategic plan.

5. Lessons learned: Draw some lessons with respect to organisational and operational aspects; and pre-conditions, if any, for continued support.

Additionally the effectiveness of the organization will be done by seeking perceptions of respondents on behaviours, systems and processes that should enable this organization to contribute to the achievement of results. Under these criteria, a more systematic look at the organizational effectiveness can be organized around the widely recognized balanced scorecard approach that examines four dimensions of organizational effectiveness:

1. Strategic management – focus on results, strategic direction, thematic priorities
2. Operational management – decision making, financial management including internal systems and controls, human resource management, performance management, portfolio management
3. Relationship management – policy dialogue, alignment with regional / national plans, harmonization of policies and procedures
4. Knowledge management – monitoring results, reporting results, disseminating lessons

The consultant will be expected to characterize the institutional capacity using these or any other criteria.

The consultant is expected to verify, analyse and assess the integration and impact of cross cutting issues (environmental, gender, good governance, human rights) in the programme. The consultant is expected to use their professional judgement and experience to review all relevant factors and to bring these to the attention of WWF, Sida and other stakeholders.

D. Recommendations and Lessons

The evaluation shall give recommendations to WWF and Sida on appropriate revisions of programme design, methodology (including approaches and monitoring) in order to achieve set goals. Recommendations on how the support can effectively be utilized by the programme. 

The evaluation should also draw lessons from the experiences gained, which could be useful for future intervention formulations; especially areas where reorientation or change of approaches is required or for recommending for adoption in other programmes or scaling up in the region.

E. Methodology

The evaluation findings shall be based on discussions with stakeholders and studying various documents prepared before and during the project implementation period. It is expected that the consultant shall undertake the following:

1. Briefing by WWF Cameroon Africa Youth Thematic Hub
2. Briefing and discussions with WWF Country Youth Focal Points in the countries covered by the programme including Pan African Youth Networks focal persons and field visits were feasible.
3. Review of different literature such as Project Documents; Annual Work plans, audit reports;  Annual and Semi-annual reports; Minutes from AYTLP meetings meetings; baseline data records; Consultancy reports, workshop minutes; Operational procedures/implementation guidelines, training materials etc.

F. Work plan and Schedule

The evaluation will take a maximum of five weeks from the time the Contract is signed.

The details of the programme should be discussed with WWF Cameroon Africa Youth Thematic Hub.

G. Reporting Requirements (Deliverables / Outputs)

1. An Inception report signed off by WWF Cameroon, explaining the scope of work, travel plans, methodology to be followed and results to be achieved;
2. A draft evaluation report of the implementation of the LtC Africa Youth Thematic Hub Agreement to be presented to WWF Cameroon and WWF Sweden.
3. Final evaluation report, inclusive of lessons and recommendations.

H. The Evaluation Process

1. Desk Phase – Inception
2. Field Phase – upon the approval of inception report by WWF Cameroon.
3. Desk Phase – Finalization (final review and an indicative methodology for the overall assessment
4. Synthesis Phase – devoted to the preparation of draft final report, making sure that the assessments are objective and balanced, affirmations accurate and verifiable, and recommendations realistic
5. Quality of the report – to be assessed by WWF Cameroon and WWF Sweden.

I. Profile and Expertise Required

1. A minimum of Masters degree in Environment, Development, Sustainability, Management or any other related discipline.
2. A solid and diversified experience in evaluation of programmes at regional and/or international level
3. Good understanding of natural resource management and civil society capacity development
4. Understanding of the human rights-based approaches to programme work, conflict sensitivity, gender, capacity building and the social dimension of conservation work;
5. Fully conversant with the principles and working methods of project cycle management and results based management.
6. Knowledgeable in financial and administrative management of regional programmes
7. Excellent communication in English and a working knowledge of the French language
8. Special emphasis is put on the seniority and the experience of the team leader.

Special features will include:

• competence in Organizational Development
• hands-on experience with institution capacity building

J. Proposal Details from Prospective Bidders

Interested consultants / firms are invited to submit a proposal outlining the approach to be used in carrying out the assignment and provide a quotation of professional fees for the entire assignment in US Dollars. The proposal should include the following:

1. Profile or details of the firm or individual including experience relevant to this assignment;
2. Stakeholders to be interviewed
3. A detailed Work Plan and the proposed Methodology, which shall include full justification for procedures to be adopted;
4. Financial Proposal (professional fees and reimbursables) ; and
5. Three References on recent relevant work by the firm or individual

K. Submissions

All interested parties should submit their technical and financial proposals by close of business on February 28, 2020