Consultant for Terminal Evaluation of WWF GEF LDNTAF Project

POSITION DETAILS

• Location of Consultant: Flexible
• Reporting To: Amelia Kissick, WWF-US & Claude Torre, AFD Project Manager
• Preferred Timeframe of Consultancy: January – March 2025
• Period To Be Evaluated: 1/11/2019 – Time of evaluation
• Site Visits:
  • To be confirmed, but suggested site visit to 2 projects in Kenya.
  • Project 1: office in Nairobi and project location in Turkana County.
  • Project 2: office in Nairobi and project location in Kilifi, Kwale, and Nyandarua counties.
  • To be confirmed, alternative site visit to 2 projects in Ghana.
  • Project 1: office nearby Accra, project operations in different regions including the Volta, Greater Accra, Central, Eastern, Ashanti, Western, Western North, and Ahafo Regions. Project 2: office and project operations in Ashanti region.
• Maximum Budget Available: $39,000

PROJECT INFORMATION

• Project/Program Title: Land Degradation Neutrality Fund Technical Assistance Facility
• GEF Project ID: 9900
• Implementing Agency: WWF-GEF
• Executing Agency: IDH
• Executing Partners: Mirova, UNCCD, AFD
• Countries: Global
• Focal Area: Land Degradation
• GEF Operational Program GEF 6
• Total GEF Approved Budget $2,000,000.00
• Total Co-financing Committed $ 4,900,000.00 (EUR 3,000,000.00 from AFD)

RELEVANT DATES

• CEO Endorsement/Approval: 1/11/2019
• Agency Approval Date 3/3/2021*
• Implementation Start 1/15/2019
• Project Completion Date: 4/30/25

*Agency official approval date was given following CEO Approval, however, due to an oversight, the official date in the GEF System came later.

INTRODUCTION

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

• 1.1: Project proposals of a higher technical quality are submitted to the LDN Fund
• 1.2: Project developers have greater capacity to implement projects to a higher technical standard
• 1.3: Project developers have greater ability to monitor their performance against LDN indicators, social and environmental impacts and report this to the LDN Fund which is used by both to practice adaptive management

Component 2: Effective knowledge management and project monitoring and evaluation (M&E)

• 2.1: M&E across TAF is carried out effectively and is used for adaptive management

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).

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]:

1. Kickoff meeting with WWF, AFD and PMU, including discussion on the Project’s Theory of Change.
2. Inception meeting to gather input from select project stakeholders on evaluation approach, priorities, to agree on methodology, and to inform the inception report;
3. Desk review including, but not limited to:
   • Project Document and CEO Endorsement Letter;
   • Project governance documents;
   • Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP&B) documents;
   • Project Progress Reports (PPR) including annual Results Framework and AWP reports ;
   • (draft) Project Closure Report (PCR) if available;
   • Representative selection of LDN TAF funded project documents, including project selection notes (contracts include project proposals and budgets)
   • GEF Agency reports, including Project Implementation Reports (PIRs), Back to the Office Reports (BTORs) and Support Mission Reports;
   • Relevant financial documents, including financial progress reports of TA projects; co-financing monitoring tables and letters, PMU financial progress reports on the TAF; and audits;
   • Relevant safeguards documents, including WWF GEF Agency Categorization and Compliance memo and communications;
   • Meeting minutes from and Donor Committee meetings;
   • Other relevant documents provided by the Executing Agency and partners.
4. Inception report (Draft and Final)* that outlines evaluation methodology, including how ratings/findings will be assessed (indicators to be used, key questions), sample questionnaires, stakeholders, workplan, etc.;
5. Virtual interviews, focus groups and/or consultations at local levels, national and international levels, including executing partners (LDN TAF project developers and/or consultants), Project Selection Committee (PSC) members and beneficiaries. Together with the desk review, the virtual interviews are expected to form the core of the evaluation process;
6. In-person visit of a LDN TAF funded project with field-level activities (Ghana, Kenya);
7. Debrief and presentation* of initial findings to executing partners and WWF-GEF extended team for feedback and final data collection. Feedback log requested to record responses to comments received;
8. Draft report* (60-page suggested limit excluding annexes) shared with WWF-GEF, PMU, and others indicated for review and approval. Draft report shall include both a tracked changes and clean version of the report in English. A sample outline will be provided; and
9. Final TE report* (60-page suggested limit excluding annexes) that has addressed any inaccuracies, responded to requests for additional means of verification, addressed any requirement regarding confidentiality of project partners and the LDN Fund and taken into consideration any feedback. Report should be in English. Final deliverable package shall include a tracked changes and clean version of the report, should annex a feedback log showing actions taken/responses to all reviewer comments, and include all data collected from the evaluation.

EXPECTED CONTENT OF THE EVALUATION REPORT

The Terminal Evaluation report should include:

• 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 Effectiveness, including review of project Results Framework and rating of project objective and outcomes (individual and overall);
• Assessment and ratings for Implementation and Execution, including assessment of governance structure coordination and relations between the TAF and the Fund;
• Assessment and rating of Risks to the Sustainability of project outcomes;
• Assessment and ratings for Monitoring and Evaluation Design and Implementation;
• Assessment of knowledge management approach, activities and products, including list of key products;
• Assessment of replication, additionality and catalytic effects of the project;
• Assessment of TAF and TA projects’ stakeholder engagement;
  • Assessment of gender-responsive measures and whether, where relevant, gender analysis/action plans are incorporated in TA project design;
• For TA projects where environmental and social impact was an objective, assessment of how safeguards were considered, stipulations, which includes (a) a review of the assigned environmental and social risk category classification; and (b) a review of the progress made in the implementation of the mitigation measures outlined in the project’s relevant documents or otherwise utilized to manage risks;
• Assessment of the sustainability of the TA support provided to investees;
• Assessment of the alignment between the E&S impacts sought (projects’ investment thesis) and the TA support identified;
• Assessment of any other key outcomes and impacts achieved through delivery of TA by the Project according to the Project’s Theory of Change, such as investment-readiness, improved operational and financial management, etc.;
• Assessment of Efficiency, financial management and summary of co-financing materialized;
• Summary table of key findings by core criteria and GEF ratings, including justification and/or indicators for their determination;
• Key lessons tied to identified strengths, best practices or issues;
  • Conclusions and recommendations that would be useful for project close and sustainability, and for other similar projects in order to improve on efficiency, identified issues, replicate best practices or achieve stronger results.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience (e.g. leading evaluations)
• Noted experience with evaluation methodologies
• Excellent written and oral communication in English

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• Technical knowledge in impact investment/blended finance and/or technical assistance for investments in the field of sustainable land management and land restoration projects
• Experience with GEF financed projects and knowledge of GEF Monitoring and Evaluation Policies;
• Experience with participatory evaluation, social assessments, and both quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods;
• Familiarity with Conservation Standards or WWF Project and Programme Management Standards, including emphasis on theory of change;
• Knowledge and experience implementing or reviewing application of social and environmental safeguards policies in GEF (or similar) projects; and
• Professional fluency in written and spoken English. Fluent Spanish and/or French is an asset;
• Experience evaluating grant-funded projects working with the private sector; specifically in the sustainable agriculture and forestry sector;
• Experience with assessing Technical Assistance Facilities or other relevant blended finance structures is a strong advantage;
• Experience in a wide range of developing countries, specifically Least Developed Countries (LDCs) is an asset with specific experience or presence in Kenya or Ghana preferred;

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. Contracts may be made with an individual or organization. Payments will be made following submitted and approved deliverables and once invoices are sent. Twenty-five percent of the fee will be paid after submission and approval of the Inception Report. Fifty percent of the fee will be paid following submission and approval of the debrief presentation, Draft Report and related documents. The final twenty-five percent will be paid following the submission and approval of the Final Report and related documents. Reimbursement for expenses, if separated from fee, will be paid separately. Evaluator should submit receipts for expenses over $25.

[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.

How to apply

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