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BRCiS Consortium
TERRA Project Final Evaluation and Learning Exercise
Terms of Reference
Background and Context Information
1.1 BRCiS Consortium Overview
Building Resilient Communities in Somalia (BRCiS) is a consortium of national and international organizations – Action Against Hunger (ACF), Concern Worldwide (Concern), GREDO, the International Rescue Committee (IRC), KAALO, Save the Children, and Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) as lead agency. BRCiS’ objective is to work across the humanitarian-development divide, supporting marginalized communities in disaster-prone, rural Somalia to become more resilient to shocks and stressed, including as a result of climate change. BRCiS approach is contextually adaptive, focused on the specific shocks, needs, and priorities of individual communities. BRCiS was established in 2013 and is now implementing projects funded by multiple humanitarian and development donors in more than ten regions of Somalia.
1.2 Programme Background
The “Towards Generative Resilience and Climate Adaptation for Displacement-Affected Communities in Somalia” (TERRA) project, implemented by the Building Resilient Communities in Somalia (BRCiS) consortium, aims to strengthen the food security, climate resilience, and socio-economic inclusion of rural communities affected by displacement. Building on earlier BRCiS investments, TERRA focuses on linking rural smallholder producers with urban displaced populations through regenerative agricultural practices and inclusive local governance. The project’s theory of change is rooted in fostering rural–urban linkages through joint Community Resilience Committees (CRCs) and Displacement affected communities (DACs) platforms, enhanced food production, and climate-smart livelihoods.
TERRA project is a 2-year project focused on improving the food security of displacement-affected communities (DACs) in Somalia, including both the urban/peri-urban communities hosting IDPs and the rural communities from which populations are displaced, among other causes, by climate shocks and environmental degradation. The TERRA project will adopt a regenerative, community-led design that brings together urban and rural DACs, equipping them with the necessary skills and resources to jointly regenerate their food systems, adapt to the risks of climate change, and create mutually reinforcing economic linkages.
This approach is summarised in the following Theory of Change statement: IF DACs increase their knowledge and use of regenerative, context-specific food production and environmental management practices (Output 1) IF rural and urban DACs actors along local food value chains work together to create value and augment their climate-adaptation capacities (Output 2); AND IF target communities benefit from and contribute to functioning Early Warning Systems, linked to Early Action response mechanisms (Output 3), THEN the food security situation of Somali communities will be enhanced (Outcome).
This Terms of Reference (ToR) is designed to engage a qualified consulting firm to lead the TERRA project final evaluation and learning assignment. The ToR outlines the purpose and objectives of the consultancy, the scope of work, proposed methodology, expected deliverables, management arrangements, workplan, and the required qualifications and experience.
2. Purpose, Objectives and Scope
2.1 Purpose
The purpose of this Terms of Reference (ToR) is to engage a qualified consulting firm to conduct the final evaluation and learning exercise for the TERRA Project. The assignment comprises three interrelated components:
Endline Assessment of Logframe KPIs: The consultant will lead a final assessment of project performance against the project framework Key performance indicators (KPIs) using a pre-post design that compares endline results with baseline benchmarks.
Evaluation Using OECD-DAC Criteria: Applying the OECD-DAC evaluation criteria, the consultant will assess the project’s relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability throughout implementation.
Learning and Knowledge Capture: The consultant will facilitate a learning exercise to identify and document key lessons learned and emerging best practices. Using participatory and reflective methodologies, this process will generate actionable insights to inform the design and implementation of future resilience and food security initiatives.
2.2 Objectives
This assignment is structured around three interconnected objectives: (i) conducting the endline performance assessment, (ii) undertaking a final evaluation aligned with OECD-DAC criteria, and (iii) facilitating a comprehensive learning exercise to generate evidence-based lessons and recommendations for future programming
2.2.1 Endline Assessment Objectives:
Assess TERRA project performance in relation to the key performance indicators established in the logical framework (see annex 1) and analyze its overall contribution to achieving the intended impact and outcomes. Using a pre-post evaluation design, the assessment will compare endline findings with the project baseline, conducted in early 2025, to track changes across core impact and outcome indicators. These include community resilience capacities (measured by the ARC-D scale), adoption of regenerative food production and environmental management practices, food production capacity among smallholder producers, household food consumption (FCS), income stability, land rehabilitation, and rural-urban economic integration and supply chain linkages. All results will be disaggregated by gender, location, displacement status (IDP/host community) and relevant target groups
The assessment will employ a mixed-methods contribution analysis approach, integrating quantitative survey data with qualitative evidence to understand the pathways through which project interventions contributed to observed changes. This will include participatory discussions with communities, key informant interviews with stakeholders and market actors, and the application of qualitative rubrics to assess social and economic linkages between rural producers and urban displacement-affected communities.
In addition, the endline assessment will identify and document, where feasible, illustrative examples of broader, indirect project impacts. The evaluation team should remain attentive to instances where project contributions have generated secondary effects beyond the core indicator framework. These may include but are not limited to increased household income leading to the establishment of new businesses or other positive changes in family livelihoods; observable positive effects on social cohesion; and evidence of reduced risk of conflict within project-affected communities. Such examples, when encountered during the evaluation process and well-substantiated, will be included in the final report to enrich understanding of the project’s wider contribution to household and community well-being
2.2.2 Final Evaluation Objectives (OECD-DAC Criteria)
The final evaluation will provide a holistic assessment of the project based on the OECD-DAC criteria, as outlined below:
Relevance: Assess the extent to which the project’s design and interventions were aligned with the needs and priorities of target communities, and consistent with national and donor frameworks for food security, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods in Somalia.
Effectiveness and Impact: Document the project’s measurable contributions to strengthening community resilience, increasing food production, promoting regenerative practices, improving household food security and income stability, supporting degraded land rehabilitation, and fostering rural-urban linkages. Using contribution analysis, the evaluation will examine causal pathways between interventions and observed outcomes, accounting for contextual factors and capturing both intended and unintended results.
Efficiency: Examine the cost-effectiveness and operational efficiency of project implementation, including the strategic use of human and technical resources, the effectiveness of Consortium coordination, and the overall value for money achieved in delivering project outputs and outcomes.
Sustainability: Analyze the likelihood that project benefits will be sustained, focusing on the continued adoption of regenerative practices, retention and replication of knowledge, strength of community structures and governance mechanisms, and the integration of successful approaches into local systems.
2.2.3 Learning and Knowledge Products
A dedicated learning exercise will be conducted to generate actionable insights that can inform the design and implementation of future similar initiatives. Through a desk review of project documents, outcome harvesting, and direct engagement with Consortium Members, communities, and the donor, the consultant will address the following learning objectives:
Identify High-Impact Interventions: Determine which project activities and approaches contributed most significantly to observed outcomes, and under what conditions.
Document Best Practices: Capture and contextualize successful practices in regenerative agriculture, rural-urban linkages, community engagement, and climate adaptation for potential replication and scaling
Analyze Enabling Factors and Constraints: Examine the contextual, social, economic, and political factors that influenced project implementation and outcomes, including barriers to participation and success.
Generate Actionable Recommendations: Synthesize findings into practical, evidence-based recommendations for future programming, partnership models, and policy engagement to strengthen Regenerative Resilience and Climate Adaptation for Displacement-Affected Communities in Somalia.
2.3 Consultant Scope of Work
The consultant will lead the final evaluation and learning exercise for the TERRA project across project target locations (North Galkayo, Jariban, Baidoa and Bardere), ensuring a rigorous and coherent assessment aligned with OECD-DAC criteria, SIDA standards, and BRCiS requirements. The scope of work is organized into three interrelated phases:
Phase 1: Project Final Evaluation and Learning Framework Development: The consultant will collaborate with the BRCiS Consortium to finalize the evaluation and learning framework. Rather than developing the evaluation framework from scratch, the consultant will build upon the existing project baseline framework. This includes reviewing relevant project documentation and baseline tools including the household survey, ARC-D assessment, and qualitative rubrics, refining existing data collection tools, and developing additional tools required for the OECD-DAC evaluation and learning components. OECD-DAC evaluation questions will be integrated into the household survey and community discussion guides where relevant otherwise the consultant will lead OECD-DAC Key informant interview with project stakeholders.
Phase 2: Data Collection and Quality Assurance: Upon approval of the evaluation and learning framework, the consultant will lead the technical implementation of the final evaluation. This includes finalizing all data collection tools (household surveys, qualitative discussion guides, and learning exercise tools), developing field implementation plans, and conducting in-person training for Consortium members and partners on the final evaluation data collection tools, protocols, and data quality standards. The consultant will oversee final evaluation household survey data collection remotely in collaboration with BRCiS Consortium Members, while leading qualitative rubric discussions and learning exercises in the field across Galkayo, Jariban, Baidoa, and Bardera districts. The consultant will also conduct remote key informant interviews for the OECD-DAC evaluation. Throughout the process, the consultant will establish and implement data quality assurance mechanisms and supervise field activities to ensure full adherence to methodological standards.
Phase 3: Analysis, Reporting, and Dissemination: The consultant will lead the analysis of final evaluation quantitative and qualitative data, integrating findings into a comprehensive final evaluation report and a separate learning report. The final evaluation report will present results from the household survey, ARC-D resilience assessment, and qualitative rubric-based analysis, alongside a structured assessment of the project using OECD-DAC criteria. The learning report will document key lessons, best practices, and actionable recommendations. The consultant will also prepare key dissemination materials and facilitate a final dissemination workshop in Mogadishu, presenting evaluation findings, lessons learned, and recommendations to project stakeholders, including Consortium Members, government representatives, and donor.
3. Methodology
3.1 TERRA Project Pre-post Longitudinal Evaluation (baseline and endline)
The TERRA project utilizes a baseline–endline mixed-methods evaluation framework to assess progress against project logframe indicators and measure changes in the project logframe KPIs. The final evaluation will collect endline data using comparable tools and methodologies, enabling systematic comparison of results over the project implementation period using baseline and endline results.The evaluation will apply a contribution analysis approach, recognizing that changes in resilience, food systems, and livelihoods may be influenced by multiple external factors in Somalia’s complex operating environment. Rather than attributing outcomes solely to the project, the evaluation will assess the plausible contribution of the TERRA project to observed changes. These components will be integrated within a comprehensive final evaluation framework guided by OECD-DAC evaluation criteria, enabling systematic assessment of the project’s relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability.
The evaluation combines three core assessment components:
Household Endline Survey: Measures progress against key logframe indicators related to food security, food production capacity, income stability, and participation in governance and food systems among supported households and food producers. OECD-DAC criteria questions will be integrated into the survey instrument to capture household-level perspectives on relevance, effectiveness, and sustainability. Endline results will be compared against household level baseline benchmarks to assess changes over the project implementation period.
ARC-D Endline Resilience Assessment: Measures changes in community resilience capacities using participatory resilience scoring across 30 resilience components aligned in project target communities. Endline results will be compared against ARC-D community level baseline benchmarks to assess changes over the project implementation period.
Qualitative Rubric-Based Endline Assessments: Explores contextual dynamics through key informant interviews, examining urban/rural communities’ social and economic linkages and interest in rural-urban supply chains, local governance dynamics, market relationships, and sustainability of project interventions.Endline results will be compared against qualitative rubrics baseline benchmarks to assess changes over the project implementation period.
OECD-DAC Key Informant Interviews: Additional semi-structured interviews will be conducted with project stakeholders, including implementing partner staff, BRCiS Consortium Management Unit (CMU) representatives, donor representatives, and Federal Member State (FMS) authorities, to gather strategic perspectives on project performance across all DAC criteria and consolidate lessons learned.
3.2 Learning Exercise
A dedicated learning exercise will complement the final evaluation to generate actionable insights for future programming. Through outcome harvesting, document review, and direct engagement with Consortium Members, communities, and the donor
3.3 Data collection Methods and related Roles and Responsibilities
The final evaluation will employ a multi-method data collection approach, combining quantitative surveys, participatory resilience assessments, and qualitative discussions to ensure comprehensive coverage of logframe indicators, OECD-DAC criteria, and learning objectives. The table below summarizes the key data collection methods, sample sizes, descriptions, and responsible parties.
Table 1: Data collection methods
Data Collection Method: Document Review
Sample Size: All project relevant documents
Description: Systematic review of project documentation, including proposals, progress reports, baseline reports, case studies and monitoring data to contextualize findings and track project progress.
Responsible: Consultant
Data Collection Method: Quantitative Household Survey
Sample Size: 288 baseline panel respondents
Description: Structured surveys with households that participated in early 2025 baseline assessment, using combined endline and final evaluation questionnaires to measure changes in food security, production capacity, income stability, and other logframe indicators.
Responsible: BRCiS Members
Data Collection Method: ARC-D Resilience Assessment
**Sample Size:**16 communities in Baidoa, Baidoa and Galkayo
Description: Participatory ARC-D resilience scoring exercises conducted across project target communities to measure changes in community capacities to anticipate, absorb, and adapt to shocks and stressors, using the standardized ARC-D framework
Responsible: BRCiS Members
Data Collection Method: Qualitative Rubric Discussions
**Sample Size:**100 key informant interviews in Galkayo, Jariban, Baidoa and Bardere
Description: Semi-structured interviews using qualitative rubric-based scoring to assess rural-urban social and economic integration and supply chain linkages, governance structures, sustainability of project interventions, and to capture lessons learned and best practices.
Responsible: Consultant
**Data Collection Method:**Final Evaluation Key Informant Interviews – Stakeholder Level (FGDs and KIIs) in project target districts
Sample Size: 8 focus group discussions (2x per district) in Baidoa, Galkayo, Jariban and Bardere; 15–20 key informant interviews (project staff, government officials and the donor)
**Description:**Targeted interviews and focus group discussions with project stakeholders, including BRCiS Consortium Members, implementing partners, government representatives, and donor officials, to gather in-depth insights on OECD-DAC criteria (relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, sustainability) and document lessons learned.
Responsible: Consultant
4. Consultant Key Deliverables and Time Frame
The consultant is expected to be onboarded by mid of May 2026, with the contract remaining valid until November 2026, by which date all deliverables under this Terms of Reference must be completed.
Table 2: Key deliverables
First Week of June 2026
Deliverable 1: Submission ofInception Report and Training Consortium Members staff on the final evaluation data collection tools, and data quality assurance protocols
A comprehensive inception report with proposed and detailed TERRA final evaluation and learning methodology, and the integration of endline and final evaluation methodology, data collection tools, roles & responsibilities and work plan with the following annexes:
Revised endline/final evaluation quantitative and qualitative surveys data collection tools
Learning exercise research questions and interview guidelines
Data collection quality assurance protocols and guidelines
Training Report
First week of July 2026
Deliverable 2: Completion of Assigned Data Collection Exercises
Qualitative Rubric Discussions: Conduct in-person key informant interviews using qualitative rubric-based tools across four target districts: Jariban, Galkayo, Baidoa, and Bardere, with a target of approximately 25 KIIs per district (total ~100 respondents)
FGD discussions: Facilitate two focus group discussions per location (one male and one female FGD) in Bardere, Baidoa, Jariban, and Galkayo, to explore community perspectives on project outcomes, sustainability, and lessons learned (~ 8 FGDs)
Virtual Key information interviews: Conduct 15–20 remote key informant interviews with project stakeholders, including BRCiS Consortium Members, government officials, and donor representatives, to gather insights on OECD-DAC criteria and document lessons learned.
August/September 2026
Deliverable 3: Comprehensive Final evaluation Report
A comprehensive final evaluation report integrating endline findings and OECD-DAC assessment, presenting progress against logframe KPIs through comparison of baseline and endline data, disaggregated by location, gender, age, and displacement status. Includes contribution analysis, contextual factors, and actionable recommendations.
Quantitative results from the household survey, ARC-D resilience assessment and qualitative rubrics, with clear comparison of indicator performance against baseline benchmarks. This is not a separate report, but it should be integrated into the final evaluation report
A structured matrix mapping final evaluation findings against the OECD-DAC criteria (relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability), integrated within the final report.
September 2026
Deliverable 4: Learning Report
A dedicated report documenting key lessons learned, best practices, and contextual factors that enabled or constrained project success, including actionable recommendations for the design and implementation of similar resilience and food security initiatives.
October 2026
Deliverable 5: Dissemination Materials and workshop
2–3-page standalone briefs tailored for external sharing with donors, government partners, and peer organizations, presenting key findings, lessons learned, and recommendations
Slide decks summarizing evaluation findings, learning outcomes, and recommendations, designed for use during dissemination workshops and other stakeholder engagements.
Fully cleaned quantitative and qualitative data files, along with data analysis tables and syntax/code used for analysis, to ensure transparency and facilitate future use
A single in-person two-day dissemination workshop facilitated by the consultant in Somalia, bringing together donor representatives, government officials, and consortium members. BRCiS will determine the specific audience composition and daily attendance schedule, communicating these details to the consultant in a timely manner. All dissemination materials—including the comprehensive report, slide decks, and summary briefs—will be tailored to suit both internal learning and external sharing, depending on the intended audience
Note: All final reports will be delivered in English, with specific formatting details finalized during inception and deliverables will undergo quality review against BRCiS and donor requirements and quality standards. All deliverables will be formatted according to the BRCiS brand charter.
5. Management Arrangements and Workplan
Roles & Responsibilities
Consultant:
Completion of all requirements outlined in this Terms of Reference, including the key deliverables specified in Table 2
Conduct virtual training session for BRCiS consortium members on the final evaluation data collection tools, protocols, and quality assurance standards
Facilitate a two-day in-person dissemination workshop in Mogadishu to present final evaluation findings, learning outcomes, and actionable recommendations to project stakeholders, including donor representatives, government officials, and consortium members (Consultant should not budget for venue or workshop-related expenses, as these arrangements will be facilitated by CMU)
Consultants must adhere to NRC’s Code of Conduct and data protection protocols. Consultants will sign these documents during the contracting process.
BRCiS (CMU and BRCiS Members):
Conduct household-level final evaluation data collection in the field using mobile data collection tools (ODK/ONA platform) and submit fully cleaned raw data (BRCiS Members)
Facilitate ARC-D community discussions across target communities and prepare community-level ARC-D assessment reports documenting resilience capacity scores and findings (BRCiS Members)
Oversee contract deliverables and approval of all consultant deliverables (BRCiS CMU). The supervisor of the consultant is the BRCiS CMU MEL Manager with support from other CMU management teams.
Facilitate stakeholder access and coordination for qualitative data collection activities led by the consultant, including rubric-based key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and stakeholder interviews (BRCiS CMU and BRCiS Members)
Facilitate dissemination workshop logistics including workshop venue and related logistics.
Official travel involved
The selected consultant is required to facilitate the below dissemination session in person in Mogadishu:
Facilitate TERRA final evaluation dissemination workshops to present the final reports (2days in Mogadishu)
For international consultants only, the Consultants will cover all travel and accommodation costs including visa, tax, flight costs, accommodation and meals, and NRC will support in-country transportation, security and administrative support for international firms only. All travel and accommodation and travel-related budget should be included in the financial proposal.
Application Procedures and Requirements
The interested consulting firms are expected to provide the following documentation:
A cover letter introducing the consultants. The cover letter should introduce the team composition and specify the role to be played by each team member.
A technical proposal of no more than 15 pages outlining how to execute the task with a clear proposed final evaluation framework, learning approach, and timelines. The proposed methodology should demonstrate a clear understanding of the Terms of Reference (OECD-DAC criteria, TERRA pre-post evaluation methodology, sampling, data collection and analysis strategy/methods). The proposal must demonstrate how the approach meets requirements for contribution-focused evaluation, not impact attribution.
Resume of each team member.
Evidence of experience conducting similar assignments (at least one sample of similar work) is required.
Proposed budget indicating consultancy fee, logistics cost and all other auxiliary costs in USD.
Qualifications or specialized knowledge and/or experience required from the team members and the firm
Advanced degree (PhD/Master’s) in economics, development studies, urban resilience, climate adaptation, or related fields are required.
At least 5 years of proven experience in designing and implementing final project evaluations using OECD-DAC criteria, with demonstrated experience in dryland or East African contexts
Substantial experience in regenerative resilience, climate adaptation, or related fields, with a geographical focus on the Horn of Africa drylands, preferably in fragile contexts and with displacement-affected communities.
Extensive experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including survey design, qualitative data collection, and mixed-methods analysis.
Proven experience in conducting and facilitating learning exercises, including outcome harvesting and similar participatory approaches.
Previous experience in evaluating SIDA funded projects preferred.
Strong background in contribution analysis is an asset.
Previous experience in similar assignments in Somalia is an asset.
Only consulting firms are eligible to apply; individual consultants will not be considered
Annexes
Annex 1: TERRA Project Logframe KPIs
Level: Impact
Result: Food security of Somali communities is enhanced
Indicator
% of communities that have achieved at least “Medium Resilience” on the ARC-D scale, disaggregated by shock and location
# of hectares of degraded land covered by rehabilitation and conservation measures
Social and economic linkages are increased (qualitative rubrics)
Percentage of supported households achieving an acceptable food consumption score (FCS), disaggregated by gender and location. by gender and location
Percentage of food producers reporting stable or increased net income despite environmental and market challenges by gender and location
Outcomes
Result:
DACs increase their knowledge and use of regenerative, context-specific food production and environmental management practices.
Rural and urban DACs actors along local food value chains work together to create value and augment their climate-adaptation capacities
Target communities benefit from and contribute to functioning Early Warning Systems, linked to Early Action response mechanisms.
Indicator
% of food producers with increased food production capacity (yield)
% of Community Resilience Committees (CRCs) with women in leadership positions
% of food producer value chain actors demonstrating improved business practices after receiving training
Communities and/or businesses demonstrate interest in rural-urban supply chain linkages (qualitative rubrics)
# of communities with an active early warning system in place
Annex 2: baseline Report (This document will be available after contract awards)
Annex 3: Qualitative Rubrics baseline Report (This document will be available after contract awards)
Annex 4: ARC-D baseline report (This document will be available after contract awards)
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https://www.nrc.no/brcis
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https://www.betterevaluation.org/methods-approaches/approaches/outcome-harvesting
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How to apply
Complete tender documents may be obtained, free of charge, by downloading the documents from the Digital
Procurement System (DPS) by clicking Here or the below link, https://eaydps.nrc.no/tender/details/a198bad7-d243-4936-bac6-9f7aa8bb9467 between the dates: Tue, 21st Apr 2026 16:00 PM and Tue, 05th May 2026 23:59 PM.