Somalia: Midterm Review of Horumarinta Elmiga II Project in Somaliland

1.Background

Save the children, NRC and Care Netherlands as a consortium have been implementing an education program locally known as Horumarinta Elmiga II which operates the phenomenon of sector wide approach with a strong focus on public ownership and joint decision-making. Horumarinta Elmiga II (also called “Education for Empowerment through Cohesive and Harmonized System”) is three-year (September 2015 – August 2018) education project funded by the European Union. The project is a continuation of Horumarinta Elmiga phase 1 project and operates under the prince of a Sector Wide Approach (SWAp). The project is being implemented by a consortium led by Save the Children and co-implemented by Care Netherlands and NRC. The coverage area for the project is all the six administrative regions for Somaliland namely Marodi-jeh, Awdal, Sahil, Togdher, Sool and Sanag. The main partner for the project is the Ministry of Education and Higher Studies for Somaliland.

Horumarinta Elmiga II strengthens the sector coverage by: extending Basic Education (BE) and Non-Formal Education (NFE) to under served areas; mainstreaming Basic Education for Pastoralists (BEP); reaching children with special needs; advancing demand-driven Technical Vocation Education Training (TVET) to a technical level as a valuable and integrated part of the education system and facilitating the improvement of Higher Education (HE) provision.

The overall objective of the project is “Education and training efficiently and effectively contributing to poverty alleviation within a peaceful, secure and democratic Somaliland”. The project has also a specific objective which says “Education and training services, responsive to the priorities, needs and requirements of the population of Somaliland, efficiently and equitably delivered”. The project has three interrelated results with clear targets shown below table which contribute to the realization of the project purpose and specific objective.

Results &Key Program Targets

Result 1:

Increased access to inclusive, equitable and quality education for the children and young people in Somaliland.

Key Program Targets 1

• 34,480 (50% girls) primary school students.

• 13,455 (50% girls) secondary school students.

• 1,000 (75% Female) NFE learners.

• 170 (35% F) in-service teacher training for primary schools.

• 80 (35% F) in-service teacher training for secondary schools.

Result 2:

Increased participation of youth and adults in Technical and Vocational Education and Training.

Key Program Targets 2

• 615 (50% female) youth for IBTVET.

• 400 (50% female) youth for EBTVET.

• 85 (50% female) for Professional training.

• 50 (35% F) instructors for vocational pedagogy training.

• 30 instructors for technical skills upgrading.

• 20 host trainers for pedagogy and technical upgrading.

Result 3.

Capacity of education institutions, administrations and systems as well as higher education institutions strengthened.

Key Program Targets 3:

• Construction of Teacher Training Institute (TTI)

• Capacity building of MOE&HS at all levels

• Technical Adviser (TA) program:

• Support to Higher Education

• Policy and legal framework program

Consortium Management

• Annual Joint Review of the Education Sector (JRES)

• Steering Committee Meetings (SCM):

• Quarterly progress review meetings.

• Program Management Meeting

• Support the coordination of Education Sector Committee (ESC).

Now the Horumarinta Elmiga II project is in the halfway of the implementing timeframe which is the right time to review the process before proceeding to the second half. In this case, Save the Children on behalf of Horumarinta Elmiga II Consortium is looking for a qualified consultant with appropriate technical capacity and experience to conduct midterm review of Horumarinta Elmiga II project.

1.Purpose of the mid-term review

The purpose of this review is to assess the progress and learn from the process including the extent in which the project has moved towards the realization of the set objectives using the log frame indicators agreed as basis of measurement, challenges encountered during the project implementation, lessons learnt and advise on future actions to consider in delivering the Horumarinta Elmiga II program in relevant, effective and efficient way.

2.Objectives of the mid-term review

The specific objectives of this mid-term review is to:

• Review the relevance, coherence and effectiveness of the implementation approach and give recommendations for future programming.
• Ascertain the level to which the project employs the principle of sector wide approach (SWA).

• Establish the extent to which the project interventions contribute towards increased access to inclusive, equitable and quality education for the children and young people in Somaliland.

• Establish the level to which the project have increased participation of youth and adults (disintegrated by sex) in Technical and Vocational Education and Training.

• Measure the extent to which the management and coordination capacity of education institutions including MoE&HS central and regional administrations, Commission of Higher Education (CHE) and universities have been strengthened.

3.Scope of the mid-term review

The project coverage is the whole six administrative regions of Somaliland (Awdal, Marodi-jeh, Sahil, Togdher, Sool and Sanag) and currently targets 177 primary schools, 59 secondary schools, 7 Institutional based TVET (IBTVET) centers, 44 Enterprise Based TVET (EBTVET) centers, 4 professional colleges, 10 local universities, CHE and the MoE&HS offices. However, the review process will draw a representative sample from the target population considering proportionality for the target groups.

The whole process of the mid-term review will be led by an external consultant under the guidance of the consortium management unit (CMU) for the Horumarinta Elmiga II project and the Ministry of Education. The consultant will develop the data collection tools, train the data collection team, coordinate the field data collection process, interpret the data and produce a comprehensive mid-term review report.

4.Methodology of the midterm review

The methodology to be adopted by the review shall generate both quantitative and qualitative information and should employ a participatory approach to enable a cross section of stakeholders, including children, take an active role in the review process. Quantitative data collected should include well developed study tools or questionnaires with proper random selection of participants where appropriate. Qualitative data should mainly comprise of desk review, use of primary and secondary data and field consultations with the different stakeholders (children’s and youth groups) benefiting from the project, CECs, REOs/DEOs office, selected IBTVET and EBTVET institutions, CHE management and universities. Case studies are expected to be used to document changes brought about by the project on specific cases, lessons learnt and good practices that can be replicated elsewhere. The lead researcher (consultant) will be responsible for further development of the methodology and the review tools to show how data for each review objective will be captured.

5.Organization, roles and responsibilities

a) The Consultant:

• In liaison with the relevant Horumarinta Elmiga II consortium team, the consultant will develop a technical proposal with a clear methodological approach, a work plan, budget and tools that will be approved by the consortium management team.
• Train all data collection team (enumerators) members on the use of the tools and the agreed methodology.
• Conduct midterm project review – field work for data collection on all outcome, output and result indicators in line with approved methodology, data analysis, and interpretation in favor of the objectives of the midterm review.
• Draft midterm project review report shared with the consortium team and the MoE&HS for review, input, and feedback in a validation meeting.
• Submit final comprehensive review report (electronic copy) to the consortium management unit.

b) Horumarinta Elmiga II consortium teams:

• Approve the midterm project review design, methodology, and data collection tools.
• Recruit and remunerate the data collection team/enumerators.
• Schedule and manage appointments for the data collection process.
• Provide logistic support for the assignment.
• Ensure that key staff from the consortium members are available for interviews when needed.
• Provide project documents (proposal, log frame, baseline information, reports, etc.).
• Provide feedback and comments on the draft review report prior to the completion of the final report.

6.Expected Deliverables

a) A technical proposal to demonstrate the consultant’s independent interpretation of the TOR.

b) Data collection tools that will be used to capture both quantitative and qualitative data.

c) A work-plan (with time-lines) highlighting what and when to document.

d) A budget (in USD) clearly itemized with reasonable rates and clear descriptions.

e) Draft report that will be shared with the consortium members and other relevant stakeholders for inputs/feedback.

f) A validation meeting held in Hargeisa to share findings with the consortium team.

g) Final review report with relevant information approved by the consortium management unit. The report should be presented in agreed format outlined in the consultant’s proposal with all due tables, graphs and accompanying photographs and/or notes.

7.Timeline

The mid-term review will be conducted in May 2017. The consultant shall develop detailed work plan in his technical proposal and will be reviewed and approved by the consortium team.

8.Budget/Resources

The Horumarinta Elmiga II consortium members (Save the children, Care and NRC) will contribute and cover the budget required by the midterm review from the relevant budget line of the HE II project. The budget will cover all relevant costs including the consultancy fee, travel, food, accommodation, enumerators’ fee and validation meetings. However, these costs should be based on standard rates and timeframe agreed upon.

How to apply

Candidates interested in this consultancy service must provide the following documentation in PDF format:

• Company profile of CV including a minimum of 3 references.
• Detailed technical proposal which is responsive to ToR, with specific focus addressing the scope of work, methodology to be used and key selection criteria.
• Initial work plan based on methodology outlined, and availability of applicant.
• Detailed budget breakdown based on expected daily rates and initial work plan.

Candidates should send the above mentioned documents via somalia.consultancies@savethechildren.org not later than 7^th May 2017. Please be informed that only qualified candidates will be shortlisted and invited for interview.