CONSULTANCY DETAILS

Location: Flexible

Preferred time frame for completing review: October– December 2023

Deadline for proposals: September 12th, 2023

Potential sites to visit: Menarbu in Roon Island, Watkidat in Kei Besar Island and Kilitay in East Seram Island

Maximum budget: $30,000

PROJECT DATA

Project/Program Title: Eco-system Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in Eastern Indonesia (Fisheries Management Area (FMA)- 715, 717 & 718)

GEF Project ID: 9129 (project), 9060 (program)

WWF (Agency) Project ID: G0009

Implementing Agency(s): World Wildlife Fund (WWF) GEF, Conservation International (CI) GEF

Executing Agency: Ministry of Marine Affairs and Fisheries

Executing Partners: Yayasan Keanekaragaman Hayati Indonesia (KEHATI) – Blue Abadi Fund

Countries: Indonesia

Focal Area(s): Biodiversity and International Waters

GEF Operational Program: GEF-6

Total GEF Approved Budget: $10,183,486

Total Co-financing Approved: $52,071,783

RELEVANT DATES

CEO Endorsement/Approval: 5/9/2017

Agency Approval Date: WWF: 12/20/2019 CI: 05/09/2017

Implementation Soft Start Date: WWF: 12/23/2020 CI: 05/15/2018

Implementation Start of Activities: WWF: 05/04/2021 CI: 03/15/2018

Project Completion Date (proposed or actual): WWF: 12/31/26 CI: 03/14/2023

Period to Be Evaluated: May 9, 2017 through time of review

World Wildlife Fund, Inc. (WWF) policies and procedures for all GEF financed full-sized projects require a midterm review (MTR). The following terms of reference (TOR) sets out the expectations for the MTR for the project: Eco-system Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in Eastern Indonesia: hereafter referred to as the “Project.” The technical consultant selected to conduct this evaluation will hereafter be referred to as “evaluator.”

The Project Objective is to contribute to coastal fisheries in Indonesian FMAs 715, 717 and 718 by delivering sustainable environmental, social and economic benefits and demonstrating effective, integrated, sustainable and replicable models of coastal fisheries management characterized by good governance and effective incentives. The Project was organized into four components, with Component C implemented by CI-GEF and executed by KEHATI, and Components A, B and D implemented by WWF-GEF and executed by MMAF:

• Component A: Implementing Enabling Conditions for EAFM in FMA 715, 717 & 718.
• Component B: Implementing EAFM Tools to support EAFM in FMA 715, 717 and 718.
• Component C: Sustainably Financing the Protection of Coastal Ecosystems and EAFM Activities in FMA 715 and 717. (Implemented by CI-GEF)
• Component D: Implementing Knowledge Management, Monitoring and Evaluation for Sustainable Coastal Fisheries in FMA 715, 717 and 718.

For more details on the project please see the WWF-GEF project website: https://www.worldwildlife.org/projects/eco-system-approach-to-fisheries-management-in-eastern-indonesia-fisheries-management-area-fma-715-717-718

SCOPE AND OBJECTIVE FOR THE EVALUATION

WWF is seeking an independent consultant or team to undertake a midterm review (MTR) of the Project. The scope of the MTR will cover the WWF GEF financed components and no activities under co-financing. The CI-GEF implemented portion of the project will be operationally complete at the time of the midterm review due to a different start date for WWF-GEF implemented portion. That said, all activities to date should be included in the analysis.

The objective of this evaluation 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.

EVALUATION APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY

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 point, 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 marked by “*” :

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

• Project governance documents (e.g. agreements);
• Project Document and CEO Endorsement Letter;
• Relevant safeguards documents, including WWF GEF Agency Categorization and Compliance memos, Environmental and Social Management Framework, Resettlement Policy and Process Framework, Indigenous Peoples Planning 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 Support Mission (PrISM) reports;
• Tracking Tool reports, if applicable;
• 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 and CI-GEF Agencies and support team; and
• Other relevant documents provided by the Executing Agency and partners.

1. Inception draft* and final report* that outlines evaluation methodology and approach;
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. Site visit debrief (if applicable) / 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 and CI Agencies and PMU for review, feedback and approval. A sample outline is provided; and
6. Final approved MTR report* that has incorporated feedback and corrections, feedback log and documentation from the review.

EXPECTED CONTENT OF THE EVALUATION REPORT

The Midterm review 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;
• 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.

[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 Policy and Monitoring Policy. Please reference GEF Terminal Evaluation Guidelines, which may be adjusted for midterm reviews.

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

[4] See annex A

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Environmental or Social Sciences or related field
• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience (e.g. monitoring and evaluation)
• Noted experience with evaluation methodologies
• Excellent written and oral communication in English

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• Recent experience conducting evaluations (for GEF financed projects is an advantage);
• Technical knowledge relating to project (e.g. marine fisheries management, conservation finance and/or governance, etc.);
• Knowledge of GEF Monitoring and Evaluation Policies;
• 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 Bahasa for local consultations and interviews;
• Understanding of local context in Indonesia including familiarity with project area and experience working with relevant stakeholders and institutions; and
• Understanding of the scheme and mechanism of Trust Funds.

PAYMENT MODALITIES AND SPECIFICATIONS

Payment, expense reimbursement, and other contractual terms and conditions will be outlined in the consultant agreement made between WWF and the evaluator(s). Payments will be made following submitted and approved deliverables. Twenty-five percent of payment will correspond with completion and approval of the Inception Report. Fifty percent of the payment will correspond with submission and approval of the debrief presentation and the Draft Report. The final twenty-five percent will be delivered with the submission and approval of the Final Report and related materials.

PROPOSAL PROCESS

Interested consultants are invited to submit a technical and financial proposal with their curriculum vitae, a relevant writing sample and three professional references. Only complete proposals will be accepted. The financial proposal should include fee and reimbursable expenses, if applicable. The total budget shall not exceed USD $30,000. Individual, team or consulting firm proposals are welcome. Women and members of social minorities are encouraged to apply.

Interested consultants are requested to send their proposals to EvaluationsWWFGEF@wwfus.org by September 12th, 2023. All questions about the requirements or process should be submitted to this e-mail address by September 6th, 2023. Responses to frequent and submitted questions will be available to all interested consultants in Annex E of this live document until the application deadline: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1HGwS-Rj1NGxEFZI_yV10-HHtzX58v1VN?usp=sharing

The technical proposal and qualifications/experience of the individual or team will account for 90% of the weighted score of the proposal. The technical score will be based on how the proposal reflects an understanding of the work and adherence to the TOR and quality of the proposal (readability, depth/breadth and suitability of the methodology), as well as the degree to which the candidate meets desired and required qualifications/experience mentioned in the terms of reference above. The financial elements of the proposal will account for 10% of the weighted score of the application.

Once all proposals have been scored by the review committee, a shortlist of proposals will be determined, and the candidates notified. Shortlisted candidates will have their references contacted, proposal reviewed by project stakeholders and will participate in an interview. Shortlisted candidates who are not selected will be provided with information on relative strengths and weaknesses of their proposal, but specific scores and the identity of other candidates will not be shared.

The selection process will be in compliance with WWF and GEF requirements. Any questions or concerns about non-compliance or irregularities in the process can be raised through WWF’s mechanism for reporting concerns available here: https://wwfus.ethicspoint.com.

To see the full list of annexes including a document with questions and responses to frequent and submitted questions, please see this live link: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1HGwS-Rj1NGxEFZI_yV10-HHtzX58v1VN?usp=sharing