LIFT supports
projects that are carried out by implementing partners (IPs) according to a
grant agreement. LIFT supported projects are subject to a midterm review and a
final evaluation managed by the LIFT Fund Management Office. LIFT now would
like to engage a consultant to carry out a final evaluation for the project “Water for Livelihood and Smallholders
Prosperity (WFL)”, see Annex 1 for a description.
LIFT recognizes that the private sector is fundamental to
achieving its strategic goals and contributing to poverty reduction in
Myanmar. LIFT is engaging with the
private sector at different levels. In December 2015, LIFT entered a grant
agreement with PRIME Agri Ltd on the project, “Water for Livelihood and Smallholders Prosperity (WFL)”, for
details see Annex 1. The project will end in December 2017, and a final
evaluation is required.
Objective of the Evaluation
The
consultant will evaluate the project period from January to December 2017. The
evaluation is to assess the extent to which the project has achieved the
targeted results based on the project strategy, objectives and components, and
work plan as per agreement with LIFT. The evaluation will discern overall
lessons and best practices of the project implementation in 2017. The
evaluation will also assess achievements of the project on the basis of the
overall LIFT strategy and outcomes.
The specific objectives of the evaluation are
to:
- Independently assess
the results of project activities against planned outputs, targets and
milestones (495 smallholders with 990 acres, from January to December 2017);
- Independently assess
the implementation and the management of implementation constraints and
challenges faced by the project;
The consultant will be
under the direct supervision of the LIFT Rural Finance and Agricultural Program
Officer.
Scope of the Evaluation
The specific project
implementation period (January to December 2017) will be evaluated. The
evaluation will assess the performance of the project in terms of
effectiveness, efficiency, and timeliness of producing the expected outputs. More
specifically, the evaluation will review the level of interest of smallholder
farmers, adoption of drip irrigation technology by smallholder farmers,
procurement of irrigation equipment, effectiveness of delivery platforms,
capacity building and financing options for farmers. It will also review
whether the project’s implementation strategy and approach address the issues
of market development of smallholder farmers. The specific objectives/tasks are
to:
Effectiveness: Assess the results of the implemented project
activities against planned outputs, targets and milestones. Assess the quality
and timeliness of inputs, the reporting and monitoring system.
Efficiency: Assess the extent to which the
project has delivered value for money thus far, in terms of costs and major
benefits or potential benefits, as well as the cost-efficiency of project
interventions and the quality and timeliness of inputs.
Approach and
Methodology
Suggested data sources
and collection methods include:
- Review of project documents, such as WFL’s project proposal,
work plan, budget, data records and progress report.
- Conduct consultations/interviews with LIFT Program
Officers, WFL project leaders and relevant project stakeholders and partners in
Yangon and in Southern Shan.
- Site visits, which includes observation leased farmers’
farms, demonstration farms, and consultations with community leaders, WFL staff
and other relevant stakeholders.
The consultant
will clearly demarcate between sources of information, comment, opinion and
interpretation.
Deliverables and Timelines
Typical
deliverables of project evaluations include; work plan, evaluation questions
and guidelines for the interview, debriefing, a draft final report and final
evaluation report. The consultant will provide a work plan at the start of the
consultancy, and agree with the supervisor on the timing of all the
deliverables.
Duration and Timing
The consultant will work
for 15 working days within one month
period between November and December 2017.
It is estimated that 50% will be
home based and travel to Myanmar.
Field work will be conducted after holding
consultations in Yangon, followed by a debriefing session in Yangon. A draft
final report must be submitted after the debriefing and final report must be
submitted within 7 calendar days after written feedback from LIFT.
Management
Arrangements
The Fund Management Office will support the
consultant by:
- Providing the appropriate reports and
materials
- Organizing the logistics for the consultations
and briefing session in Yangon, including inviting participants and
covering the costs of the venue, materials, and lunch/ refreshments
- Organizing meetings with and accompanying
the consultant on those visits
- Selecting stakeholders
- Arranging field visits for the
consultant
The selected consultant is responsible for the overall management of
evaluation activities, such as designing the review, arranging necessary
meetings, and making all other logistical and administrative arrangements, such
as vehicle rentals and drivers, lodging, workspace, computers, Internet access,
printing and photocopying. All forms of insurance are the responsibility of the
selected consulting firm.