World Wildlife Fund, Inc. (WWF) and GEF require a terminal evaluation (TE) for all full and medium-sized projects. The following terms of reference (TOR) set out the expectations for the TE for the project, “Land Degradation Neutrality Fund Technical Assistance Facility” hereafter referred to as the “Project”. The technical consultant(s) selected to conduct this evaluation will be referred to as “evaluator” throughout this TOR.
The Project seeks to provide project preparation and technical assistance (TA) services to project developers to build a balanced portfolio of effective projects for the LDN Fund, , and increase knowledge and awareness of models for LDN investment across the investor and project developer community. Technical assistance for pre-investment projects focuses on enhancing technical, operational and financial design and structures of projects to avoid or reduce new degradation via sustainable land management practices, restoration and rehabilitation in line with the LDN Scientific Framework. Post-investment support focuses on E&S impact maximalization, capacity building (reducing the risk of the investment) and baseline and impact measurement systems, especially on measuring LDN impacts. At the time of the evaluation the TA portfolio is expected to include 21 pre-investment projects and 13 post-investment projects in Africa, Asia and Central and South America. The Project was organized into the following components and outcomes:
Component 1: Improving technical, operational and financial processes and the SLM and land restoration impact of (potential) LDN Fund projects
Component 2: Effective knowledge management and project monitoring and evaluation (M&E)
2.2: Awareness and knowledge of successful models for SLM and land restoration investment and LDN impact are made available across the wider project developer and investor community
See the WWF GEF project website https://www.worldwildlife.org/projects/land-degradation-neutrality-fund-technical-assistance-facility for additional details and project documents.
SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES OF THE EVALUATION
The TAF donors are seeking an independent consultant to undertake a Terminal Evaluation of the GEF and Agence Française de Développement (AFD) financed Project. Only the materialization of the TA support co-financed by AFD and GEF will be assessed. Please note, that this is not an evaluation of the LDN Fund or the investment portfolio.
The objectives of this evaluation are to examine the extent, magnitude and sustainability of any TAF project impacts ; identify concerns as well as best practices; assess whether project outcomes and outputs were achieved; and draw lessons learned that can both improve the sustainability of benefits from this project and aid in the enhancement of future related projects, particularly in regard to how it enables investment readiness for the LDN Fund. The evaluator is expected to frame the evaluation effort using the seven (7) core criteria of relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, results/impact, sustainability and adaptive capacity. Particular emphasis will be placed on effectiveness, efficiency, results/impact and sustainability. Definitions of these criteria will be provided as well as summary table templates, rating scales, and a sample report outline (See annexes A – D).
POSITION DETAILS
PROJECT INFORMATION
RELEVANT DATES
*Agency official approval date was given following CEO Approval, however, due to an oversight, the official date in the GEF System came later.
Evaluation approach and method
The evaluation will adhere to the guidance, rules and procedures established by WWF[1] and the GEF Terminal 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 the LDN Fund, as the counterpart of the LDN TAF, the UNCCD and selected UNCCD in-country focal points, project beneficiaries, the Executing Agency project management unit (PMU), WWF and AFD, partners and other key stakeholders. Contact information will be provided.
The Evaluation process will include the following, with deliverables marked by “*”[4]:
EXPECTED CONTENT OF THE EVALUATION REPORT
The Terminal Evaluation report should include:
[1] For additional information on evaluation methods adopted by WWF, see the WWF Evaluation Guidelines , published on our WWF Program Standards public website.
[2] For additional information on the GEF Terminal Evaluation Guidelines, see the GEF Terminal Evaluation Guidelines , published on the GEF Evaluation Office website.
[3] Please see the GEF Ethical Guidelines as published on GEF website.
[4] All deliverables and subsequent revisions should be sent directly to the Technical Director of the agreement who will determine whether the deliverable is satisfactory and ready for circulation.
Required Qualifications and Experience
Preferred Qualifications and Experience
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 $39,000. 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 [email protected] by August 30th, 2024. All questions about the requirements or process should be submitted to this e-mail address by August 23rd. Responses to frequent and submitted questions will be available to all interested consultants until the application deadline at this Web address: https://docs.google.com/document/d/127gXx-NfVZKCvQRzMO0t5Ya_UAeE0j38/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=101431196757707270045&rtpof=true&sd=true
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: http://wwfus.ethicspoint.com.
To see the complete Terms of Reference for this call for proposals, including Annexes, please go here: https://docs.google.com/document/d/127gXx-NfVZKCvQRzMO0t5Ya_UAeE0j38/edit?usp=sharing&ouid=101431196757707270045&rtpof=true&sd=true