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Terms of Reference (TOR) for Final Evaluation of the Project ‘Ensuring a Sustainable Future for the Bili-Uélé Protected Area Complex, its People and its Biodiversity’

AWF works in Bili-Uélé, which is located in a very remote, poor and underdeveloped area in northern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). This area presents exceptional biodiversity and ecosystem services. It is part of a cross-border landscape with ecologically linked protected areas. These areas include the Zemongo/ Chinko complex in eastern Central African Republic (CAR), the Garamba National Park/ Bili-Uélé complex in northern DRC and the Southern National Park in South Sudan. AWF is implementing a €5,544,159 European Union (EU) funded project in Bili-Uélé, DRC titled “Securing a sustainable future for the Bili-Uélé protected area complex, its people and its biodiversity” for 50 months, in the territories of Bondo and Ango (with a special focus on Bili Mbomu Core Conservation Area (BMCA)) in the Bas-Uélé province. This funding was granted within the framework of the Regional Support Programme “Preserving Biodiversity and Fragile Ecosystems in Central Africa” in its sixth phase (ECOFAC 6), with financial support of the European Union, for a total amount of 86,417,500 euros.

The project “Securing a sustainable future for the Bili-Uélé protected area complex, its people and its biodiversity” target groups include the Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) and its staff responsible for the management of the Bili-Uélé hunting area and the Mbomu Faunal Reserve, the local communities living near the central conservation area (BMCA); the judicial authorities in charge of the issue of illegal wildlife trade; and the territorial and provincial authorities responsible for the development of a balanced and integrated land use plan (LUP) at the territorial level.

Evaluation Scope & Purpose

The project has been implemented since January 2018. This end of project evaluation focuses on the entire implementation period. The evaluation shall cover the entire implementation project timeline from the start date to the end date (January 2018 – March 2022) and shall cover its implementation areas (Bondo, Bili-Uélé and Ango, in the Bas Uélé Province). The evaluation shall be guided by internationally agreed OECD/ DAC evaluation criteria.

The purpose of this evaluation is to measure the level of achievement of the project objectives and assess the extent and sustainability of their impacts. In addition, the evaluation will identify challenges and best practices drawn to inform future similar projects from the PD lenses. It shall also review the levels of implementation of the recommendations of the project’s Mid-Term Review (MTR) and Results Oriented Monitoring (ROM) reports. In the end, the evaluation shall report on the accountability towards the donor, EU and the beneficiaries of the project and offer a learning aspect for all stakeholders. Of utmost need will be the key lessons learned, challenges and the flexibility of the project to adapt and respond to the changes and sustainability of the context.

The evaluation is expected to be forward looking and shall effectively capture lessons learnt and provide information on the nature, extent and where possible, the potential impact and sustainability of the EU Bili-Uélé project. The evaluation shall also assess the project design, partners, scope, implementation status and the capacity to achieve the project objectives. It shall collate and analyze lessons learnt, challenges faced and measures taken to address them, and best practices used during implementation which will inform the project strategy in response to the ECOFAC 6 priorities.

Download the Terms of Reference document

Qualification & Application Procedures

AWF will use its internal guidance, checklists and an interview process to select the successful consultant/firm. The guidelines require the applicants to submit, a proposal explaining, their understanding of the Terms of Reference, and how they would approach this assignment, with a summary of their methodology, especially in terms of how they plan to meet the objectives, including a work plan and budget. This should include a team composition with a lead consultant and at least one other experienced evaluator and a CV of each person to be involved in the assignment, including relevant experience, a detailed budget, work plan, and time availability/anticipated starting date.

Interested vendors are expected to submit via procurement@awf.org with a copy to eomondi@awf.org the following not later than March 25, 2022:

  • A technical proposal with a company profile, explaining their understanding of the ToR, and how they would approach this assignment, summarizing, the methodologies, and approaches they plan to use, including a work plan.
  • CVs of at least two key members of the evaluation team
  • Two references/ referees of similar previous assignments.
  • Their commitment and availability.
  • A financial proposal and budget outlining their expected fees.