UNESCO | Request for Consultancy : Project Evaluation

Ref: RAM/2017/CLT/KH/418                                                                                                        

UNESCO: Request for Consultancy

Evaluation of Project ‘’Local development through the rehabilitation and revitalization of the historic built environment in Palestine’’

Application deadline: 30 July 2017
Assignment finalization period: 01 August – 25 September 2017

Terms of Reference

UNESCO Ramallah Office seeks a specialized consultancy/firm in project monitoring and evaluation to conduct an external evaluation for the project “Local development through the rehabilitation and revitalization of historic built environment in Palestine”. (Project Code: 503PAL4000, Overall budget: USD 15 million, Project duration: 2012 – 2018)

Background

Based on the “Funds in Trust Agreement” signed in May 2012 between the Government of Sweden through the “Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency” (Sida) and UNESCO, the latter is implementing the project “Local development through the rehabilitation and revitalization of historic built environment in Palestine” involving four main cultural heritage organizations (4CHOs). The project is a continuation of a previous programme, which was funded by Sida in Palestine for many years and the overall objective is to contribute at improving the quality of life of Palestinian marginalized communities and fostering social and economic development through the revival of historic built environment. The 4CHOs are: Riwaq Centre for Architectural Conservation, the Centre for Cultural Heritage Preservation (CCHP), the Hebron Rehabilitation Committee (HRC) and the Taawon Old City of Jerusalem Revitalization Programme (OCJRP) were selected by Sida and UNESCO to work on the preservation of the rich cultural heritage of Palestine based on their proven experience in preserving and rehabilitating sites in different locations such as in Hebron, Bethlehem and Jerusalem.

As a specialized agency mandated in culture, UNESCO promotes the protection of heritage, as it constitutes a source of identity and cohesion for communities. The project is in line with the expected result No.1 of UNESCO 38/C5 specifically aiming to have tangible heritage identified, protected and sustainably managed by Member States in particular through the effective implementation of 1972 convention . The project utilizes cultural heritage preservation as a venue for socioeconomic development in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. The project mainly targets rehabilitation of historic buildings and areas in historic centers for public use while building local capacities in cultural heritage preservation in Palestine. The project contributes at enhancing conservation skills and knowledge with emphasis on young architects and workers, raising public awareness on the values of cultural heritage and introducing the socioeconomic aspect of cultural heritage preservation by creating job opportunities and providing facilities for public use.

UNESCO, in partnership with the 4CHOs, is seeking to strengthen the coordination between Civil Society and the Palestinian Authority’s institutions, towards state-building, to achieve more comprehensive institutional development and increased awareness on the importance of historical assets in Palestine.

The expected results of the project (from 2012-2015) are:

Result 1: Palestinian cultural heritage is further preserved
Result 2: Economic situation in the target communities is enhanced through generating permanent and temporary employment.
Result 3: The Technical capacities of architect, engineers and contractors and awareness of communities, local councils and municipalities are increased in the field of cultural heritage preservation
Result 4: Access to social services is facilitated for local community and marginalized groups

The expected results were redesigned and combined after the first extension of the project (2015 – 2017), to be:

Result 1: Cultural heritage preservation mainstreamed and aligned with National priorities.
Result 2: Cultural heritage further preserved, adapted to provide social services and contributed to the enhancement of the socio-economic situation.
Result 3: Knowledge and practical technical skills of architects, young professionals on cultural heritage preservation developed as well as awareness of people and local communities on the value of cultural heritage increased.

Purpose and scope of the evaluation

The main purpose of the evaluation is to assess the performance of the project for the period 2012 – 2017.  The evaluation will adopt a retrospective (summative) and forward-looking perspective with action-oriented recommendations formulated based on substantive findings to inform possible future phases of the project. 
More particularly, the evaluation will focus on the following aspects:

-the modality of implementation initiated in 2012 for the implementation of the project, which involves the donor, UNESCO and the 4CHOs
-the main assumptions, working approach and methodology pursued in the project implementation
-the results of the implemented project in relation to its stated objectives and impact
-lessons learnt and recommendations for possible future project cycles.

2.1Evaluation questions

The evaluation will be organized around several key dimensions of project performance, namely the standard evaluation criteria of relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact and sustainability taking into account a rights-based perspective.  The evaluation questions below are indicative only and are intended to guide prospective bidders in developing their technical proposals. The evaluation questions will be further refined with the selected consultancy/firm at the inception meeting and validated in consultation with UNESCO.

a.    Relevance:

To what extent was the project and its objectives relevant to the Palestinian national priorities, society and culture sector.
Analyse the modality of implementation and identify to what extent it was relevant from the perspective of UNESCO and the 4CHOs.
How appropriate was the project in tackling the problems identified at the beginning of the project with reference to the “facts on the ground report prepared at the beginning of this project”


b.    Effectiveness:

To what extent was the modality of implementation effective in achieving the project objectives?
To what extent the approach and methodology pursued by the 4CHOs in managing the funds and in selecting the community partners and sites of intervention were effective.
What are the major factors (internal and external) influencing the achievement or non-achievement of the objectives/results?
Where there any unexpected results?

c.    Efficiency:

To what extent did the project ensure the best value for money through its interventions?
What was the efficiency in the use of financial and Human resources?

d.    Impact:

In what ways did the project impact on the beneficiaries and key stakeholders?
To what extent was gender equality addressed in the project?
Did the project’s interventions contribute to the achievement of the overall objective?

e.    Sustainability:

How did the project enforce the requirements of stakeholders’ ownership?
How did the project ensure a long-term sustainable use and maintenance of renovated sites?
How could the 4CHOs ensure their sustainability in terms of fundraising and financing strategies?

f.    A rights-perspective to development (right holders and duty bearers), based on this perspective the project should be evaluated against the following:

How did the project tackle discrimination (by sex, age, ethnicity, religion, disability and gender identity)
How did those affected by the interventions participate in planning, formulation, implementation and follow up?
How did the project ensure openness and transparency regarding the interventions by the partners and by those affected by the interventions?
How can those affected by the intervention demand accountability? Do they know who is responsible of the intervention?

Methodology of the Evaluation

The evaluation will include the methodological elements below.  However, the evaluator(s) are expected to elaborate an appropriate methodology in their technical proposal and further refine it in the inception phase.The firm shall perform a thorough and objective evaluation to produce reliable information and evidence-based conclusions. The methodology is expected to include the following components:

-Desk review of project documents (proposals, agreements, work plans, budget, results framework, reports, and publications);
-Conduct (meetings/ semi-structured interviews/ focus groups sessions) with UNESCO as an implementation agency and coordinator of the project, the 4CHOs as the implementation partners, the donor and the beneficiaries including civil society organization benefiting from rehabilitated sites as well as their target social groups in addition to professionals participated in the capacity development components of the project.
-Field visits to rehabilitated projects in the West Bank and Gaza Strip including cities and rural localities (at least 20 sites out of 51 sites, which cover different geographic areas, scope and implementation partners).


Roles and Responsibilities

An independent, external evaluator(s) will conduct the evaluation. The evaluator(s) will contribute specific subject matter expertise and knowledge. The evaluator(s) will prepare three main deliverables, an inception report, draft and final report.  The evaluator(s) will comply with United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG) Norms and Standards for Evaluation and UNEG Ethical Guidelines for Evaluation.  The external evaluator(s) is responsible for all travel related costs, including transport to and from the airport and transport to and from interviews.
The UNESCO Ramallah Offices will assist in the preparation and organization of the evaluation exercise e.g. by providing necessary documentation, contact information of project partners and beneficiaries. The UNESCO Office will assist with arranging for vehicle hire and providing office space for the interviews.

Skills and Competences of the External Evaluator

The evaluation firm or Lead Evaluator must have the following qualifications and experience:

-At least 8 years of professional experience designing and leading project, programme and policy evaluations, especially in the context of development at the community level. (Required)
-At least 5 years’ proven experience of working in research, monitoring, evaluation and/or planning related to cultural heritage conservation and rehabilitation.(Required)
-Experience and understanding of capacity development approaches, particularly in support of culture and economic development.(Required)
-Experience in local development approaches and engagement of civil society in development issues.(Desired)
-Excellent oral and writing skills in English. (Required)
-Excellent analytical and presentation skills.(Required)

Deliverables and Schedule

There are three main deliverables: the inception report, draft final report and the final evaluation report. The following guidelines apply:

a)The inception report (approximately 10 pages excluding annexes) will include the evaluation questions, the methodological framework of the evaluation and a detailed activity schedule. The methodological framework will include a simple evaluation matrix showing the relationships between the main evaluation questions and the methods of data collection and analysis. 
b)The final evaluation report (of around 30 - 40 pages excluding annexes) will present in a concise manner the following elements:

-Executive Summary (maximum 4 pages)
-Project description
-Evaluation purpose
-Evaluation methodology
-Findings and Conclusions
-Lessons learned
-Recommendations
-Annexes

The evaluation assignment is expected to require approximately 30 – 40 professional working days, including the twenty site visits.

Schedule
 

How to apply

Interested firms(national, international or joint venture) must provide sufficient evidence to validate their qualifications in evaluation. All documents should be provided in English language and be presented in the order mentioned below.

-Detailed CVs of the lead Evaluator and all team members detailing previous experience and links to previous evaluations carried out in the last 5 years
-Proposed methodology and draft evaluation plan
-At least one prior sample of evaluation report previously produced by the firm
-Financial offer including detailed budget
-A one-page cover letter outlining how your experience and skills equip you to fulfil this assignment

By the deadline date of30 July 2017, please submit ALL of the following via email to:
 

Apply Now

Including the subject: External Evaluation of the project “Local Development through the Rehabilitation and Revitalization of Historic Built Environment in Palestine”

Missing, unclear or incomplete information or documentation and evidence of experience as requested above, may exclude you from consideration.
 
For more information you can visit our website through this link .

 

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