TERMS OF REFERENCE HORN OFAFRICA PHASE II JOINT PROJECT FINAL EVALUATION
Job Description
TERMS OF REFERENCE HORN OF AFRICA PHASE II JOINT PROJECT FINAL EVALUATION
PROJECT TITLED: Transforming lives through Evidence-Based Advocacy by campaigning for Peaceful change.
Project Holder: American Friends Service Committee (AFSC)
Consortium Member: All Africa Conference of Churches, AACC
Project Number: A-AFM-2024-0019
The evaluation is commissioned by: The American Friends Service Committee, AFSC on the Project Phase II
1. Background & Justification
Africa, specifically the Horn of Africa, HoA, is a region heavily impacted by wars and conflicts. It has witnessed destructive cross-border communal conflicts often triggered by environmental factors, facilitated by porous borders, which are not always respected or recognized by pastoral communities, especially those who belong to ethnic groups split across national boundaries. Conflicts that unfold are closely interconnected and feed into each other by assuming community, national, sub-regional and regional dimensions. Hence, violent conflicts between different communities, disaffected groups, and the state on one hand, and armed movements and the state on the other hand, continue with impunity. Women and girls are bearing the brunt of these concurrent crises, due to prevailing gender inequalities, cultural factors which hinder their participation in peacebuilding efforts and decision-making mechanisms, undermining the integration and inclusivity of women in conflict resolution actions. The HOA has had its own share of challenges as far as governance and challenges of peace and security are concerned. States such as South Sudan, Ethiopia, and Somalia continue to face myriad challenges particularly those to do with the difficult terrain of state formation. Sudan remains a unique context with armed conflict between two warring parties; the Sudanese Armed Forces (SAF) and the Rapid Support Forces (RSS) that has lasted for about three years. It is against this background that different theatres of intra-state conflict (civil war, rebellions, and insurgencies; thereby producing hundreds of thousands of refugees and internally displaced people) persist in these countries.
The Project, “Transforming lives through Evidence-Based Advocacy by campaigning for Peacefull change”, 2024-2026, is a regional peacebuilding and evidence-based advocacy initiative implemented by the American Friends Service Committee (AFSC) in collaboration with the All-Africa Conference of Churches (AACC). This project is in Phase II and draws lessons from Phase I that was implemented from 2021-2023, all with financial support from Brot fur die Welt, BfdW. The project is implemented in eight countries i.e. Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan and Uganda within contexts characterized by protracted conflicts, political instability, shrinking civic space, and climate-induced crises. These dynamics have contributed to widespread displacement, human rights violations, and limited participation of civil society actors in policy and peace processes.
Phase II aims to strengthen civil society organizations (CSOs) and faith-based organizations (FBOs) to effectively engage in evidence-based advocacy, non-violent peacebuilding, and policy influence at national, regional, and global levels (including AU, IGAD, UN, EU, and USA platforms). The project places strong emphasis on inclusive participation, particularly of women, youth, and persons with disabilities, in peacebuilding and decision-making processes.
The project presents an opportunity to make a significant contribution by equipping Civil Society Organizations (CSO) and Faith Based Organizations (FBO) in the HOA region with knowledge and skills that come through research, to positively influence the conflict situations as well as policy development, thereby contributing to peace. This project has provided an opportunity to engage with Civil Societies and Faith Leaders, strengthening their capacities, and creating an enabling environment for these actors to contribute better to stability in the countries of the HoA. The Research actions undertaken during this phase include Study on Transitional Justice, Youth Agency for Peace and Stability, Gen-Z Uprising in Kenya as a catalyst for peacebuilding, mapping peace structures and their impact on social cohesion in the Karamoja Cluster, the Conflict, Migration and Climate Change Nexus, ETC.
Project Objectives and Indicators
The project reached 2,300 direct beneficiaries, including 1,100 women, comprising CSO members, FBO members, government officials, and Members of Parliament across the Horn of Africa. In addition, the project indirectly benefited approximately 20,000 individuals (50% women) through community outreach and multiplier effects.
1.1. At least 75% of the 1,800 (900 F) trained CSO and FBO members use their newly acquired skills in advocacy and peacebuilding to engage with decision-makers (governments, AU, IGAD, EU, USA, and UN) for policy strengthening on peace processes in their respective countries.
1.2. At least 40% of 900 women (CBO/FBO) members use their newly acquired skills in advocacy and peacebuilding to engage with decision-makers (governments, AU, IGAD, EU, USA, and UN) for policy strengthening on peace processes in their respective countries.
1.3. At least 40% of 720 youth (CBO/FBO members) use their newly acquired skills in advocacy and peacebuilding to engage with decision-makers (governments, AU, IGAD, EU, USA, and UN) for policy strengthening on peace processes in their respective countries.
2.1. At least 02 new peacebuilding-related advocacy initiatives on non-violent approaches have been undertaken by concerted and coordinated actions by CSOs and FBOs.
2.2. At least two priority issues (added to the six identified in phase 1) raised by CSOs and FBOs influence policy reforms and practices at the AU, IGAD, EU, and USA.
Objective 3. Policymakers, organizations, and the public utilize evidence-based research for decision-making on pro-peace policies and practices in the Horn of Africa.
3.1. At least 02 documents and oral statements from the project’s research findings are used by policymakers, organizations, and the public on pro-peace policies and practices.
2. Purpose of the Final Evaluation
The purpose of the Final Evaluation is to provide an independent and systematic assessment of the Project Phase 2 (2024–2026) to determine the extent to which the project has achieved its intended objectives and contributed to peace and stability through policy influencing in the Horn of Africa.
Specifically, the Final Evaluation seeks to:
Assess the project’s performance against planned objectives and indicators,
Examine the effectiveness of capacity-building, advocacy, and research interventions implemented by CSOs and FBOs,
Evaluate the project’s contribution to evidence-based advocacy and policy influence at national, regional, and global levels,
Determine how well the project integrated gender equality, youth participation, and inclusion of vulnerable groups,
Identify key lessons learned, good practices, and challenges encountered during implementation,
Provide practical and actionable recommendations to inform future programming, scaling, and strategic decision-making,
3. Final Evaluation Objectives
The Final Evaluation aims to assess overall project performance, results, and contributions, while generating evidence to guide future programming and decision-making.
Specifically, it will:
Measure progress against intended outcomes, outputs, and indicators, including advocacy and policy influence.
Examine to what extent the project strengthened CSO and FBO capacities and the functionality of peace platforms, early warning systems, and advocacy networks.
Assess contributions to peacebuilding, non-violent approaches, and policy changes, including unintended effects.
Evaluate gender equality, youth and disability inclusion, and adherence to conflict sensitivity and Do-No-Harm principles.
Review the use of resources and how implementation was adapted to contextual challenges.
Determine the likelihood of continued benefits, including sustained capacities and networks.
Identify key lessons, good practices, challenges, and provide actionable recommendations for future programming.
4. Key Final Evaluation Questions
The following key OECD/DAC main Final Evaluation criteria plus cross-cutting issues will guide the Final Evaluation. These should be adapted/supplemented as needed by specific sub-questions by the Evaluator in consultation with the AFSC and its ally, AACC, before undertaking the Final Evaluation.
Relevance:
To what extent was the project design aligned with the needs, priorities, and context of the countries in the Horn of Africa?
How appropriate were the project strategies in addressing conflict dynamics, shrinking civic space, and advocacy challenges?
To what extent did the project respond to the needs of CSOs, FBOs, women, youth, and vulnerable groups?
Coherence:
To what extent was the project coherent with:Other peacebuilding and advocacy initiatives in the Horn of Africa?
National, regional (IGAD/AU), and global policy frameworks?
Were there complementarities or duplication with other actors (INGOs, donors, faith networks)?
How well did the project consortium members (AFSC & AACC) coordinate with partners and alliances?
Effectiveness:
