Third-Party Evaluation of JPF Funded Project in Ethiopia Full Time NEW

1. Background:

The JPF is an international humanitarian aid organization which offers the most effective and prompt emergency aid in response to humanitarian needs, focusing on issues of refugees caused by armed conflicts and natural disasters. JPF conducts such aid through a tripartite cooperation system where NGOs, business communities, and the government of Japan work in close cooperation, based on equal partnership, and making the most of the respective sectors’ characteristics and resources.

JPF serves as an intermediary support organization providing various types of assistance to member NGOs in Japan to deliver quick and comprehensive aid on their own. JPF has supported aid activities of 49 member NGOs, each with its own set of diverse strengths. It has delivered humanitarian assistance to 65 nations and regions about 2,400 projects, with a total financial contribution of 96 billion yen. JPF has built a strong reputation based on trust by promoting cooperation among private sectors and NGOs and by accurately reporting all its activities. Please find attached JPF Information Leaflet as Annex 1. More information on JPF can be found at https://www.japanplatform.org/index.html .

2. Purpose of the Request for Proposals:

The purpose of this request for proposals (RFP) is to solicit competitive offers for the provision of evaluation services for one project which is funded by JPF and implemented by member NGO through their local partner.

JPF seeks to contract a Third-Party Evaluation (TPE) contractor to accurately capture information, verify activities and analyze data on implemented project activities, and provide recommendations that can be utilized when implementing same or similar projects. In particular, the TPE contractor will be an essential quality assurance activity in project locations where JPF has no or limited access to for various reasons. JPF will use the outcome of this evaluation activity to improve the future projects. The evaluation reports will be made available to public as a part of JPF’s activity to ensure accountability to the donor and public.

3. Scope of Services:

The contractor will conduct an external evaluation of one JPF-funded project under the Ethiopia Conflict Response Program 2025. The evaluation will cover the full project cycle design, implementation, monitoring, reporting, and results, using agreed OECD-DAC criteria and the Core Humanitarian Standards. The contractor will work closely with JPF, the member NGO in Japan, and the local implementing partner in Ethiopia, and will be provided with all necessary project documents. Findings from the evaluation will inform evidence-based recommendations to strengthen future project design, partner engagement, and implementation in line with the evolving needs of conflict-affected communities in Afar Region.

3.1 Scope of Evaluations (includes, but is not limited to):

• Review of Outputs and Outcomes: Validate the timely and efficient delivery of project outputs and assess whether they contributed to intended outcomes; assess progress against the approved proposal and present a summary table in the final report.
• Stakeholder and Beneficiary Feedback: Assess satisfaction levels among stakeholders and beneficiaries (disaggregated by gender) and collect feedback on the effectiveness, accessibility, and perceived value of interventions in food security, WASH, GBV prevention, and women’s and girls’ health.
• Contribution to Humanitarian Architecture: Evaluate the project’s alignment with and contribution to relevant Cluster priorities and regional humanitarian response frameworks, focusing on relevance and impact within the project location context.
• Participation, Accountability, and Localization: Review the extent to which crisis-affected people, especially women, girls, and other vulnerable groups, participated in project-related decision-making, and assess how the project supported and strengthened local actors and community structures.
• Lessons Learned and Recommendations: Identify key lessons and provide actionable recommendations for the implementing NGO, member NGO, and JPF, including improvements related to project design, stakeholder engagement, gender-responsive programming, coordination, localization, and sustainability.
• Technical Capacity and Expertise Review: Assess the technical capacity of the member NGO and implementing partner across WASH, food security, GBV, and women’s health; identify capacity gaps; evaluate the quality of technical support provided during implementation; and review the involvement of staff in needs analysis, monitoring, and information management.
• Partnership and Management Modality Review: Examine partnership arrangements, due diligence and risk management practices, MEAL systems, and overall management approaches; assess any subcontracting or community-based implementation modalities and their impact on acceptance, safety, and implementation quality.
• Leadership, Commitment, and Visibility: Assess the initiative, leadership, and commitment demonstrated by the member NGO throughout the project cycle, and review program visibility and compliance with JPF Visibility Guidelines and cooperation agreements.

4. Deliverables

The contractor will report directly to JPF and work in close coordination with the member NGO and the local implementing partner in Ethiopia. Throughout field-level data collection, the contractor is expected to maintain consistent communication with JPF and provide timely updates, especially when issues arise that require immediate attention. All evaluation tools, templates, and reporting formats will be agreed with JPF following contract signing.

Expected activities and deliverables include:

Kick-Off Meeting: An initial meeting with JPF, the member NGO, and the implementing partner to initiate the evaluation, confirm communication channels, and gather the information required for the inception phase.

Inception Report and Meeting: An inception report specific to the project, detailing the evaluation methodology, work plan, guiding questions, data collection strategy, proposed stakeholder list, site visit plan, sampling approach, and timeline. The report will be finalized after the inception meeting and the incorporation of JPF’s feedback.

Data Collection Tools: Development of data collection tools and methodologies aligned with the approved inception report and adapted to the project context in Afar.

Periodic Progress Updates: Submission of weekly and/or monthly updates containing verified, timely information on evaluation progress, preliminary observations, and any challenges encountered.

Case Study: Preparation of at least one case study capturing a significant change, challenge, or example of good practice identified during the evaluation.

Project Evaluation Report: Submission of one evaluation report for the project, consisting of an initial draft followed by a final version after two rounds of feedback from JPF and relevant stakeholders.

Raw Data and Visual Materials: Submission of all raw data collected during the evaluation, including transcripts, survey files, datasets, photos, and other relevant materials.

Debriefing Workshops: Two debriefing workshops at the conclusion of the assignment: one for the implementing partner and/or local staff delivered in the appropriate local language, and one for JPF and the member NGO in English. These workshops will present final findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

The contractor will ensure transparent and collaborative communication with JPF, the member NGO, and the implementing partner, respond promptly to requests for clarification, and contribute to a smooth and accountable evaluation process.