Mid-Term Internal Project Evaluation “Ilo Bouzour Project - Building Inclusive Markets and Decent Work for Syrian Refugees and Lebanese Host Communities”

• Country: Lebanon
• Summary: Mid-Term Internal Project Evaluation “Ilo Bouzour Project - Building Inclusive Markets and Decent Work for Syrian Refugees and Lebanese Host Communities”
• LBT Ref No: 101699699
• Deadline: 17 Jun 2024
• Financier: United Nations Secretariat
• Purchaser Ownership: Government
• Tender Value: Refer Document
• Notice Type: Tender
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• Description:
• Tenders are invited for Mid-Term Internal Project Evaluation “Ilo Bouzour Project - Building Inclusive Markets and Decent Work for Syrian Refugees and Lebanese Host Communities” Closing Date: Monday, 17. Jun 2024 Intervention Sector(s): Development, Human Rights & Protection, Labor & Livelihoods BACKGROUND INFORMATION Project Context Lebanon has been suffering from a severe financial and economic crisis with long-lasting effects on its economy and its people. With the drastic devaluation of the currency, prices of imported items have risen sharply, and households are now increasingly struggling to cover food needs. The combined effects of the crises have resulted in unprecedented levels of unemployment and pushed both the Lebanese population and the approximately 1.5 million Syrian refugees further into poverty. The Lebanese agriculture sector remains one of few sectors where both Syrian refugees and vulnerable Lebanese host communities can legally find employment as well as vulnerable Lebanese host communities but has been particularly hard-hit by the ongoing crises. The International Labour Organization (ILO) is therefore funding a project aimed at ‘Promoting Decent Jobs for Lebanese host communities and Syrian refugees- that is funded by the Swedish International Development Agency (Sida). The project focuses on the agriculture and agri-food sector as a key sector for the livelihoods of both Lebanese and Syrian vulnerable population groups and in particular women of both communities and aim to develop specific agricultural and agri-food value chains with potential for decent job creation that benefits both groups. The project makes use of the ILO-s Approach to Inclusive Market Systems (AIMS) to safeguard jobs and livelihoods of vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian communities threatened by the crises and encourage decent job creation for both groups in sectors with potential. To that end, the project makes use of the market systems development approach to address key sectoral constraints to decent job creation sustainably, in combination with more direct interventions to strengthen capacities of vulnerable Lebanese and Syrian communities and safeguard decent work conditions. The project seeks to achieve four key outcomes with interlinked components: Enhanced Productivity and Working Conditions in the Horticulture Sector: The project supports farmers in adopting modern greenhouses and sustainable farming practices, improving productivity, crop quality, and working conditions for both Lebanese and Syrian workers. Upgraded Market Opportunities for Farmers and Agri-Businesses: By identifying and capitalizing on local and international market opportunities, the project helps farmers and agri-businesses in selected sectors to access upgraded markets, fostering inclusive growth. Adoption of Solar Energy Systems for Sustainable Electricity Generation: To counter the energy crisis, the project promotes solar energy systems for farmers, reducing costs, ensuring stable electricity supply, and leading to environmental benefits. Capacity Building for Efficient Resource Management: The project empowers farmers and small agri-businesses with essential business management skills, enhancing their ability to plan, calculate profits, and make informed decisions. PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE EVALUATION Evaluation Background ILO considers evaluation as an integral part of the implementation of development cooperation activities. Provisions are made in all projects in accordance with ILO evaluation policy and based on the nature of the project and the specific requirements agreed upon at the time of the project design and during the project as per established procedures. The Regional M&E and Knowledge Management Officer at the ILO ROAS supports the evaluation function for all ILO projects. In accordance with the ILO evaluation policy, two evaluations are required during the project implementation, one at the mid-term and the other at the end of the Action. The project document states that a mid-term internal evaluation will be conducted, which will be used to enhance learning within the ILO and among key stakeholders and guide the project team in adjusting if necessary the project-s approach and scope for implementation during the project-s remaining period. Purpose The purpose of the mid-term internal evaluation is to enhance learning within the ILO and among key stakeholders and guide the project team in adjusting if necessary the project-s approach and scope for implementation during the project-s remaining period. The mid-term evaluation will be conducted using the OECD/DAC criteria (relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability). Specifically, the mid-term evaluation focused on the following aspects: (1) Assessing the project-s design and activities, its implementation strategy and approaches, the challenges and how these challenges are addressed; and to what extent these contribute to the achievement of project objectives. (2) Drawing key findings and lessons learned and proposing improvements and adjustments needed to ensure that the project remains relevant to the needs of the target groups and contributes to knowledge development. The evaluation will comply with the ILO evaluation policy, which is based on the United Nations Evaluation Norms and Standards and the UNEG ethical guidelines. Scope of the evaluation The mid-term evaluation will cover the project from inception phase up until June and look at the project activities, outputs and outcomes in Lebanon. The evaluation will take into consideration the project duration, existing resources and political, security and environmental constraints. The evaluation will take place tentatively from 19/06/2024 until 30/08/2024 through in-person (if the situation allows) and online field work to collect information from different stakeholders. The consultancy shall start with initial briefing with the project team, the Regional Office for Arab States (ROAS). The International Consultant will be working in-person or online and could be supported by a local consultant who supports with the field work; conducting FGDs, interviewing stakeholders, etc. The evaluation will integrate gender equality and environmental concerns and just transition as a cross-cutting concern throughout its methodology and all deliverables, including the final report. Clients of Evaluation The primary clients of this evaluation are ILO ROAS and Lebanon team, and the ILO constituents, and the donor. Secondary users include other project stakeholders and units that may indirectly benefit from the knowledge generated by the evaluation. EVALUATION CRITERIA AND QUESTIONS The evaluation utilizes the standard OECD-s Development Assistance Committee (DAC) which has 6 main criteria: Relevance - the extent to which the objectives are aligned with national and local priorities and needs, the constituents- priorities and needs, and the donor-s priorities for the country; Validity of design - the extent to which the project design, logic, strategy and elements are/remain valid vis-à-vis problems and needs; Efficiency - The extent to which the intervention delivers, or is likely to deliver, results in an economic and timely way Effectiveness - the extent to which the intervention achieved, or is expected to achieve, its objectives, and its results, including any differential results across groups; Impact - the extent to which the intervention has generated or is expected to generate significant positive or negative, intended or unintended, higher-level effects; Sustainability - the extent to which the net benefits of the intervention continue, or are likely to continue. For the purpose of the mid-term evaluation, the focus will be on the following 3 criteria: Relevance and Coherence: Are the project's objectives aligned with the perceived needs of stakeholders, beneficiaries, etc. in both design and implementation? Do the project's objectives and products complement or align with the ILO-s P&B (2024-25) and the UNSDCF (2023-25) for Lebanon, other initiatives by regional institutions, ILO programs, or development partners? How does the project integrate with the strategies and programs of other partners? How does the project integrate gender considerations into its strategies and programs, aligning with the gender-related goals of the ILO? What is the project's specific contribution, its added value, in relation to the ordinary activities carried out by the national actors concerned? How do the identified conflict dynamics affected the planning, implementation and progress of the project? How coherent is the project's logical framework (e.g. do outputs have a causal link with outcomes, which in turn contribute to the project's broader development objective? Is the results framework realistic? Impact orientation and sustainability: How is the project expected to influence the dynamics of the market system and its stakeholders? What is the anticipated evolution from initial action research/pilot interventions to more advanced strategies, and what measures are in place to assess this progression during the initial stages of implementation? To what extent are partners already expressing capability and willingness to engage in market systems development, and how is the project fostering early signs of ownership within the context? Does the project have an exit strategy in place, and how does the project ensure that the transition or conclusion of activities aligns with the sustainable engagement and ownership of partners? Effectiveness and efficiency Will the project be capable of achieving its desired outcomes and outputs? What potential challenges or obstacles might hinder the effectiveness of the project? How effective are resources, including human, financial, and technologic
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