MIDLINE EVALUATION:  BEYOND THE NUMBERS: MAKING THE BUDGET WORK FOR THE PEOPLE(Ref: EuropeAid/170415/DD/ACT/ZM)

1.0 BACKGROUND

Oxfam is a global movement of people who are fighting inequality to end poverty and injustice. Across regions, from the local to the global, we work with people to bring change that lasts. Our work is grounded in the commitment to the universality of human rights. Driven by diversity and founding our asks in evidence and experience, we take sides against poverty and injustice everywhere. Feminist approaches guide all.

Oxfam and partners (Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD) and Non-governmental Gender Organization’s Coordinating Council (NGOCC) with support from the EU Delegation have been implementing a project entitled, “Beyond the numbers: Making the budget work for the people”.  The project aims to promote active citizen engagement and the involvement of non-state actors in the national planning and budgeting processes as well as promotion of accountability in the implementation of the national budget by building their capacity and facilitating opportunities for them. The project contributes to the EU’s Support to Effectiveness and Transparency in Management of Public resources (EFFECT) Programme. The overall objective of the EFFECT Programme is to contribute to the sustainable and inclusive economic growth through increased mobilization and effective use of domestic resources. The specific objective is to improve accountability, transparency and effectiveness in the management of public resources and increase domestic revenue mobilization.

Overall Objective of the Project: The Overall Objective of the action is to promote greater accountability and better public service delivery through increased capacity and engagement of citizens and civil society in the formulation, enactment, implementation, and oversight of Zambia’s national budget.

The Specific Objectives of the action:

Specific objective 1: Generate interest and increased access and understanding of citizens and citizen groups on the significance of budget formulation and implementation for local development.

Specific objective 2: Increased influence of CSOs in budget analysis, tracking and oversight.

Specific objective 3: The needs and feedback of Civil Society Actors (including citizen groups and CSOs) is accepted by duty bearers.

Oxfam, therefore, calls for applications from experienced and qualified individuals or consulting firms to conduct a Mid-term evaluation of the project.

2.0 OBJECTIVE OF THE MID-TERM EVALUATION

The overall purpose of the assignment is to provide information to ascertain whether the project is on track to meeting its objectives, identifying areas for improvement, and enhancing accountability and learning.

Specific Objectives

1. Evaluate the extent to which the project has achieved its stated milestones, targets, and deliverables up to the mid-point.
2. Determine how well the project’s activities and outputs are contributing to the achievement of its overarching objectives and goals
3. Examine the quality and effectiveness of project outputs and outcomes, considering whether they are on track, meeting the intended standards and expectations
4. Identify and assess any new or emerging risks or challenges that have arisen during the first half of the project’s implementation and propose mitigation strategies.
5. Identify and assess any new or emerging risks or challenges that have arisen during the first half of the project’s implementation and propose mitigation strategies.

3.0 METHODOLOGY

The methodology to be used by the consultant(s) should be a participatory, gender-sensitive approach which includes both qualitative and quantitative study. Below are some of the processes to be done by the consultant:

1. Document Review: Review of the project proposal, log frame, narratives, and any other relevant project documents.
2. Inception Phase: The key output is the inception report which will include a detailed approach to the mid-line, including the data collection tools. The inception report will be discussed and approved before the commencement of data collection.
3. Data Collection: Consultant(s) will also collect primary quantitative and qualitative data relevant to the project based on approved tools ensuring that they are adequate to collect midline data based on the results framework (any changes to the data collection process in the field must be approved by Oxfam before effecting it)

• • Proposed Sample Design: The sample for the project should be cross-sectional starting from the Macro to the Meso being the targeted districts. The sampling frame ought to be done in consultation with Oxfam.
  • Implementing the survey: Based on the sample frame, the consultant will develop plans for implementing the survey. The consultant will be accountable for all field operations.

4. Data analysis/reporting: based on primary data and secondary data collected, the Consultant(s) will analyze data and come up with a draft report based on the agreed template. The consultant is expected to submit cleaned data together with the final report.
5. Finalization: Presentation of mid-line report findings. After addressing the first comments, the consultant is expected to present the report to a team of reviewers who will certify the final report.

4.0 RESPONSIBILITIES OF CONSULTANTS

The consultants will be primarily responsible for:

• Development/design of the study including tools and methodology
• Share study design including process, methodology, and tools with Oxfam
• Get feedback and finalize the study design.
• Pre-test tools, orient, train and lead study team
• Clean data set and ensure that they are interactive for use.
• Analyze data and prepare draft report.
• Update mid-line values for the project indicators in the log frame.
• Present mid-line findings and then submit final report.
• Ensure the safeguarding policy is adhered to by his/her team throughout the contract period.
• And any other duties relevant to the study

5.0 RESPONSIBILITIES OF OXFAM

Within its policies and practices, Oxfam’s primary responsibility is to help the consultants achieve the objective of the TOR. Specifically, Oxfam, will be responsible for:-

• Preparing detailed TOR and hire consultant
• Highlighting core inputs to study design and design of the tools
• Monitoring, and evaluating the study through providing feedbacks and ensure effectiveness of the study
• Coordinating with partner NGOs to ensure adequate support is provided at national and district level
• Giving inputs/feedback to draft and final report
• Releasing budget as per the agreed budget disbursement schedule.
• Orient consultant on safeguarding policy

6.0 DELIVERABLES

The following deliverables are expected under this TOR:

• Inception report (Detailed mid-line framework detailing design and implementation plan that is agreeable with Oxfam and partners in Zambia)
• Data collection tools developed/used by consultants made available to Oxfam for future use.
• Mid-line final report in both three hard copies and e-copy(not more than 50 pages excluding annexes)
• Complete cleaned dataset that supported both quantitative and qualitative study on Flash Drive and or as email attachment.
• PowerPoint presentation summarising the mid-line study
• Updated project log frame based on the Mid-line findings(annexed).

7.0 ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The consultant/team should have experience in qualitative and quantitative research, clear understanding of Public finance management/governance/budgeting/ research approaches, technical expertise in using complex data design to support mixed methods analysis and ability to use survey software such as STATA and Sampling approaches for better requirement capture of the study. The consultant must have a minimum of a master’s degree in in Social Sciences from an accredited institution in any of the field of pure or applied Economics, Accounting and Finance, Public Administration, Education, Gender and Law with a minimum of 5 years’ proven experience of conducting similar assignments in Zambia or SADC.

8.0 WORK SCHEDULE

Oxfam expects the consultant to finish within 30 working days from the day of signing the contract (Specific dates to be agreed with the successful consultant). Failure to adhere to timelines is a violation of a contract and it may lead to termination of contract.

9.0 SUPERVISION AND MANAGEMENT

Oxfam will supervise the process, specifically the Monitoring, Evaluation and Accountability and Learning (MEAL)/ Program Quality team. The consultant is expected to work and interact with PQ/MEAL on a continuous basis.

10.0 ETHICS AND SAFEGUARDING

Oxfam has a zero-tolerance policy towards inaction against sexual harassment, exploitation, and abuse.  Oxfam’s ethics for safeguarding will be emphasized and remain mandatory throughout the process of the undertaking of the mapping study. Engagements and support will aim to create and maintain safe, equitable, and inclusive culture where all those who work for and with Oxfam as well as those in the communities where Oxfam operates are treated with dignity and their rights and voices are heard and respected.

Selected consultants will be expected to read, sign, and adhere to the Oxfam Code of Conduct for no Oxfam staff and follow Oxfam’s Ethical Content Guidelines.

11.0 SUBMISSION OF PROPOSALS

Interested consultant (s) should submit technical and financial proposal (not more than 20 pages excluding annexes-failure to adhere to this may lead to disqualification), detailing how they will undertake the assignment. Attach up-to-date CVs of the core team as annexes. Proposals should be submitted to the address below in electronic form ONLY and must be clearly indicated ‘MID-LINE SURVEY FOR:  BEYOND THE NUMBERS: MAKING THE BUDGET WORK FOR THE PEOPLE(Ref: EuropeAid/170415/DD/ACT/ZM)’

by 17:00 hours local time on 8^th March 2024.

All correspondence for the consultancy should be addressed to:

  Email: Zambialogistics@oxfam.org.uk