Description

Background

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

Since establishing operations in Timor-Leste in 2007, we have earned a reputation for innovative and high-quality programming. We promote a community-led, market-based approach to addressing key challenges to improved wellbeing through greater resilience, resolved root causes of poverty, and inclusive economic growth so that Timor-Leste is able to thrive beyond oil.

Project Description

Like many countries around the world, Timor-Leste faces the urgent challenge of finding waste management solutions for plastic. Currently, plastic is burned in trash piles, clogs critical drainage infrastructure or washes up on the country’s once pristine beaches, which causes risks to human health and jeopardizes the potential of the nascent, but promising, tourism industry.

Since 2019, the Hamenus Lixu Plastiku (HLP) a four-year program implemented by Mercy Corps with support from the European Union (EU), which aimed to limit the generation of plastic waste and support a Civil Society Organization (CSO)-inclusive circular economy for plastic waste resulting in a cleaner, healthier, and more prosperous Timor-Leste and Enhanced CSO and local business capacity to participate in climate change mitigation initiatives through increased participation in political, social and economic initiatives to improve the plastic circular economy in urban Timor-Leste.

Utilizing awareness raising and behavior change approach, the program seeks to increase the demand for plastic recycle products for Timor-Leste small recycling manufacture and create a market for recycled products and expand the employment and entrepreneur opportunities.

HLP’s two parallel and linked interventions include:

• increase awareness of climate change and the environment, and support the circular economy of waste management through CSO supported initiatives and
• establish the plastic waste circular economy through the support of CSOs and local businesses.

Key activities that fall under this outcome of the program are:

• Improving coordination between stakeholders in the plastics circular economy with a focus on promoting dialogue between SSE and CSOs.
• Disseminating information through CSO-inclusive campaigns that increase awareness of climate change and the environment and support the circular economy for plastic waste management.

Endline Objective:

As part of HLPs documentation, communication and dissemination efforts, Mercy Corps is looking for a qualified consultant to conduct end line survey for the impact of HLP program intervention in Dili, Timor-Leste. Endline results will also improve its future programming through lessons learned and best practices generated through the program.

The endline will focus on four core objectives of relevance, effectiveness, impact and sustainability, and will include assessment of the market for expansion of the plastic circular economy, gender analysis and impact of HLP program intervention in Dili, Timor-Leste. Endline results will also capture learning and sharing of community practices based on the findings.

Methods

Literature review

The consultancy will begin with a literature review of existing documentation produced by HLP. This will include reviewing relevant program documents and any literature from the previous baseline report. This will also include an analysis that will help to structure both quantitative and qualitative research by determining the key questions, scope, audience, and information needed for the assessments. This analysis will result in an inception report (no more than 4-5 pages).

The aim of this endline collection is to assess and understand ongoing knowledge, attitudes, and practices of the project’s target population in relation to the program’s performance indicators. Endline assessment will be developed and led the consultant in close coordination with Mercy Corps Timor Leste’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) team and is expected to include a mix of quantitative measures and open-ended qualitative tools designed to capture project impact.

Note:

• The methodology for the review is to be developed through consultation with the Mercy Corps team. The methodology adopted should update the preliminary issues and questions outlined within this SoW, specifying the specific review issues, questions, methods of data collection and analysis that the consultant will undertake.
• Mercy Corps Timor Leste Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) team will lead the field data collection for quantitative data under the supervision of the consultant.

Data sources

The study will utilize both primary and secondary data. The survey will rely on data collection from primary sampling units at the household level and school level from the population within the program targeted areas.

Analysis plan

A detailed analysis plan will be developed during the inception report, using indicator definitions and data collection tools.

Scope of Work for Consultancy

The consultant will be responsible for ensuring the endline study utilizes methodologies that meet quantitative and qualitative research standards. The scope of work must include the following:

• Review of secondary sources of information
  • Collect and review relevant data, reports and publications, as part of the overall analysis and reporting
• Data Collection Tools finalization (in close consultation with Mercy Corps
  • Provide technical support in developing/finalizing questionnaire(s)
  • Assist MERL Team to transfer questionnaire(s) into relevant technological platforms to enable mobile data
  • Assist translation of data collection tools into local language(s) where relevant.
• Conduct endline surveys
  • Provide ToT to MERL team to train data collectors/enumerators for quantitative data collection
  • Conduct qualitative data gathering
  • Establish mechanisms to ensure data quality
• Data management, analysis, and reporting
  • Assist MERL team for data cleaning and consolidate findings from the surveys and assessments.
  • Perform data analysis
  • Prepare the Endline report
  • Present Endline results

Mercy Corps MERL Team Support:

• Assist determining the sample size and prepare the list of the place where the data collection will take place including list of the stakeholders
• Assist to develop key research questions
• Provide relevant data and documents to the Consultant (for a targeted document review)
• Review and translate interview guides
• Host presentation and discussion on the study findings
• Provide data collection training to enumerators
• Support on the logistic for the data collection
• Facilitate and Support enumerators for data collection
• Review the data submission and provide feedback to enumerators
• Cleaning of the data

Logistic and Administrative Support

Mercy Corps will assist the consultant for travel (international and local) and accommodation arrangements.

Expected Deliverables and Duration of Consultancy

• Expected deliverables: Deliverables should be in English. Expected deliverables for the

Endline study is as follows:

1. Inception Report (study design and data analysis plan)
2. ToT for quantitative data collection
3. Submission of report with preliminary study results
4. Submission of draft report (based on feedback provided from initial version with preliminary results)
5. Submission of final report and supporting slide deck -The contents, structure and format of the report should be finalized in close consultation with Mercy Corps

• Duration of the consultancy: The consultancy will be provided for the duration of 17 working days – Starting from 10 October

Timeframe / Schedule:

The endline is scheduled to take place in the month of October 2023 for an estimated 17 working days broken down as follows:

1. Review of background documentation and preparation of methodology – 2 days
2. Discussion and agreement on proposed methodology with Mercy Corps – 1 day
3. Assessment of project progress and performance – including field visits and interviews with project partners and key stakeholders – 7 days
4. Analysis of findings and production of draft report – 4 days
5. Debriefing – presentation and discussion of findings to project partners – 1 day
6. Finalization/revisions of the report and submission – 2 days

The Consultant will work closely with

Director of Programs, MERL Manager and Program Manager

Application Procedure

Interested experts are invited to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) as a team for delivery of the assignment. The EOI should include:

• Detailed CV with a full description of the profile and experience, including a list of previous work.
• Sample of previous relevant consultancy deliverable, such as a final evaluation report.
• A financial proposal detailing the proposed anticipated costs in undertaking the assignment.

The application, written in English, should be submitted to Mercy Corps before 5:00 PM September 29, 2023

Required Experience & Skills:

• Five to seven years of experience conducting and leading survey research and assessments, both quantitative and qualitative
• Graduate degree, from a recognized institution
• Demonstrated experience in questionnaire development and testing
• Demonstrated experience in training and managing data collectors/enumerators
• Experience in Monitoring and Evaluation
• Excellent knowledge and skills in research methodology and statistical analysis
• Advanced computer skills
• Excellent communication skills for training and facilitation,
• Ability to work independently
• Familiarity with European Union requirements is a plus
• Fluency in English required, with fluency in Tetun preferred
• Demonstrated ability to conduct quantitative analysis
• Prior experience evaluating programs in South East Asia, with prior experience in Timor Leste is a plus

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC’s policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.