Terms of Reference, Calls for Expression of Interest
Project Name: NGA2302 (CFGB 3085) Cash Assistance for Food and Support for Early Recovery of Livelihoods for IDPs and Host Families in Biu LGA – Evaluator to Conduct Missed Method Evaluation (Qualitative & Quantitative Data Gathering, Analysis, and Report)
Project Impact: Reduced hunger and malnutrition, increased food security, and increased gender equality for humanitarian crisis-affected households.
Activity: Qualitative Data Gathering, Analysis and Final Report
1. BACKGROUND
ZOA Nigeria, in partnership with Life Helpers Initiative (LHI), is approaching the completion of a 3-year humanitarian and early recovery project aimed at reducing hunger and malnutrition, increasing food security and gender equality for humanitarian crisis-affected households through humanitarian cash assistance and livelihood initiatives to stimulate resilience building. The project commenced on January 1, 2023, and is slated to end on December 31, 2025. Funding for this initiative was provided by the Canadian Foodgrains Bank through its member organization, World Renew.
The primary goal of Project #3085 is to contribute towards reducing hunger and malnutrition, increasing food security, and enhancing gender equality for humanitarian crisis-affected households. It aims to improve food and nutrition security and early recovery among Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), returnees, and host communities in the Biu Local Government Area (LGA) of Borno State, Northeast Nigeria. This region faces a complex and protracted humanitarian crisis, characterized by high levels of displacement, disrupted livelihoods, chronic food and nutrition insecurity, and a lack of stable income-generating activities. Biu LGA was classified as IPC 3 (Crisis) in terms of food security status at the project's onset, with a high risk of deterioration to emergency levels. From the IPC projection of the period June to August 2025, Biu is now classified in IPC phase 2 with 14% (53,634) in IPC phase 3+1.
The project adopted an integrated approach, layering humanitarian and early recovery initiatives. Key activities included:
- Humanitarian Cash Assistance: Providing emergency, life-saving cash assistance.
- Diversified Agriculture Production: Including extension support, backyard micro-gardens, commercial market gardening, and crop production input support.
- Rural Microfinance through Village Savings and Lending Associations (VSLA): Establishing and strengthening VSLA groups to increase access to financial assets.
- Practical Nutrition Behaviour Change Communication: Including Infant & Young Child Feeding (IYCF), hygiene, and sanitation.
- Women’s Social & Economic Empowerment: Through participation in decision-making, livelihood activities, and gender-sensitive humanitarian action.
- Protection against Gender-Based Violence (GBV): Increasing awareness of GBV and referral mechanisms.
The project targeted 1,849 households with 12,598 individuals (initially 6,386 females and 6,212 males, later updated to 12,593 unique participants in Year 2, with 1,848 households) across 10 villages (communities) and 1 IDP camp in Biu LGA. A key strategy was to maintain a ratio of 20% Host Community and 80% IDPs/Returnees. Cash assistance was provided for 6 months in Year 1, with an additional 4 months in Year 2 due to economic volatility.
Specifically, the project implemented the following:
- Disbursed 6 rounds of cash in Year 1, with an additional 4 rounds of cash due to economic volatility in Year 2 to stabilize food consumption and build resilience.
- Provided seeds and tools for vegetables production in Year 1 and Year 2 to increase households’ access to nutritious food and stabilized food consumption.
- Set-up and established village savings and loans associations in Year 1 to diversify and strengthen livelihoods of households.
- Provided small business start-up kits in Year 1 to diversify and strengthen livelihoods of households.
- Establish commercial farming in selected communities in Year 2.
- Facilitated and set up gender-balanced advisory committees in Year 1.
- Trained community members and community leaders on gender issues through community gender champions.
- Provided life skills training.
ZOA Nigeria is seeking the services of an experienced evaluator to conduct a comprehensive, Mixed methods (qualitative and quantitative, learning-focused survey) evaluation to complement the quantitative household surveys (baseline, PDMs, midline, etc.) conducted. On behalf of ZOA Nigeria, the consultant is expected to gather and analyze the qualitative data which will:
- Complement the quantitative data that was completed through the household surveys (baseline, PDM, midline, etc.), which was designed to align with the project outcomes described in the Performance Measurement Framework (PMF).
- Answer the learning questions set out in the project learning framework.
The role of the evaluator is outlined below:
- Develop focus group discussions (FGD), key informant interviews (KII) template/guide from the evaluation learning questions matrix. The evaluation learning questions would be provided by ZOA Nigeria.
- Develop a participatory gender analysis template to be used for FGD and KII.
- Conduct FGD/KII with project participants and other stakeholders.
- Conduct participatory gender analysis with project participants and other stakeholders.
- Document most significant change stories (with photo and voice) from project participants and other stakeholders on the outcomes of the project. The template for most significant change stories will be provided by ZOA Nigeria.
- Analyse the qualitative data gathered through the FGDs, KIIs, participatory gender analysis and most significant change stories from project participants.
- Write a comprehensive report on the findings from the qualitative data (and align with findings from the quantitative survey).
This end-line evaluation aims to provide a comprehensive assessment of the project's overall impact and the extent to which its objectives have been achieved during the three-year implementation period.
2. PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE END-OF-PROJECT EVALUATION
Purpose: The purpose of this end-of-project evaluation is to assess and evaluate the impact and effectiveness of Project #3085 at its conclusion. It will measure the changes that have occurred as a result of the interventions and determine the extent to which the project has achieved its intended goals and objectives. The evaluation will provide a comprehensive understanding of the project's outcomes and impact, enabling ZOA Nigeria and its stakeholders to make informed decisions, demonstrate accountability, and enhance the effectiveness of future interventions.
Specifically, the evaluation will:
- Triangulate and explain quantitative data collected through the final endline household survey in relation to the project outcomes.
- Answer key learning questions set out in the project's learning framework, focusing on nexus linkages, gender transformation, and resilience building.
- Provide insights into the sustainability of project outcomes and the effectiveness of its exit/transition strategies.
Scope: The evaluator will collect qualitative and quantitative data (mixed methods), analyze it in conjunction with data from baselines, PDMs, Midline and endline surveys, and write a comprehensive report of findings in relation to the project outcomes. The evaluation will cover all project activities implemented from January 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025, across all 11 targeted communities in Biu LGA, Borno State.
3. PROJECT OUTCOMES TO BE EVALUATED
The evaluation will focus on the achievement of the following project outcomes:
Ultimate Outcome:
- Reduced hunger and malnutrition, increased food security, and increased gender equality for humanitarian crisis-affected households.
Intermediate Outcomes:
- 1100 – Stabilized and/or increased consumption of nutritious food by female and male-headed households in the targeted local food systems.
- 1200 – Protected and restored livelihoods for female and male-headed households affected by the humanitarian crisis.
- 1300 – Increased female participation in decision-making resulting from gender-sensitive humanitarian action.
Immediate Outcomes (as per project logic model):
- 1110 – Increased gender-sensitive access to nutritious food for women, men, girls, and boys affected by humanitarian crises.
- 1210 – Increased access to the means to restore agricultural/livestock production for women and men affected by the humanitarian crisis.
- 1220 – Increased access to the means to protect or restore livelihoods for women and men affected by humanitarian crises.
- 1310 – Increased confidence of women to participate meaningfully throughout the life of the project.
- 1330 – Safety and rights of crisis-affected women, men, girls, and boys are promoted throughout the life of the project.
4. KEY EVALUATION QUESTIONS
The evaluation will address the following key learning questions, integrating insights from project reports:
Project Learning Theme 1: Understanding the linkages between food assistance and development programming in a nexus approach
- To what extent did the different types of project activities (e.g., humanitarian cash assistance, crop production, micro-gardens, small livestock, VSLA, nutrition education) support and complement each other in achieving project outcomes?
- How did project design decisions, such as beneficiary targeting (e.g., 20% HC, 80% IDPs, prioritizing FHH, PWDs), transfer modalities (e.g., RedRose, in-kind vs. cash for livestock), timing, and duration of activities (e.g., cash transfers during lean season, sequencing livelihood support), influence these interdependencies?
- What evidence demonstrates the synergies between the humanitarian (cash) and early recovery/development (livelihoods, VSLA) components, particularly how cash transfers contributed to livelihood restoration and long-term resilience?
- To what extent are the impacts of the integrated interventions sustainable, considering the project's transition strategies and external economic shocks experienced during implementation (e.g., Naira depreciation, fuel subsidy removal)?
- How did the nexus approach adapt to the specific context of Biu LGA, considering improved security, economic volatility, and climate-related challenges (e.g., flooding)?
Project Learning Theme 2: Understanding gender-sensitive and transformative programming in nexus projects
- To what extent was Project #3085 gender-sensitive in its design, implementation, and monitoring, addressing the different needs, interests, capabilities, and vulnerabilities of women, men, girls, and boys?
- How has the project laid the groundwork for gender transformation, particularly regarding:
- Women's participation in household and community decision-making (e.g., in Community Advisory Committees, VSLA leadership)?
- Women's access to and control over productive assets and financial resources (e.g., livelihood kits, cash transfers, VSLA loans)?
- Changes in gender roles and responsibilities within households and communities?
- What strategies, tools, or approaches (e.g., 50:50 gender quota in committees, GALS methodology, gender champions, male engagement forums, psychosocial support) had positive impacts on gender inequalities and/or reduced gender-based violence (GBV)? What were their limitations and challenges (e.g., cultural norms, lack of a formal justice system)?
- How sustainable is the impact of the project's gender interventions, and what factors will ensure continuity beyond project closure?
Project Learning Theme 3: Understanding how nexus approaches contribute to increased resilience
- What indications are there that Project #3085 contributed to improving household and community resilience against shocks (e.g., through diversified livelihoods, improved food security, reduced negative coping strategies, increased savings)?
- What enabling factors contributed most to the observed increases in resilience (e.g., effectiveness of technical training, market linkages, strength of community structures like VSLAs, adaptive management through MEB adjustments)?
- What barriers were encountered in increasing resilience through this type of programming (e.g., high inflation, limited access to quality agricultural inputs like pesticides/fertilizers, livestock mortality, low literacy for record-keeping, challenges with market access for IGA products, cultural sensitivities)? How were these addressed, and with what success?
Project Learning Theme 4: ZOA Strategic priorities
- To what extent did the project contribute to peace building and social cohesion amongst project participants and within the communities.
- To what extent did the project contribute to building capacities of community members in resilience programming
- To what extent did the project contribute to building capacities of local partners.
5. METHODOLOGY
The evaluation will employ a mixed-methods approach, primarily qualitative in nature, but integrating and triangulating with existing quantitative data. The evaluator will be expected to:
- Document Review: Conduct a thorough review of relevant project documents, including the project proposal, Performance Measurement Framework (PMF), baseline report, midline report, Year 1 and Year 2 annual narrative reports, Post-Distribution Monitoring (PDM) reports, market monitoring reports, Midline and any other relevant assessments or learning documents.
- Qualitative Data Collection:
- Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): Conduct FGDs with diverse groups of project participants (e.g., male-headed households, female-headed households, VSLA members, nutrition care group members, farmers, IGA beneficiaries, youth, elderly, persons with disabilities), ensuring gender-segregated groups where appropriate.
- Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): Conduct KIIs with key stakeholders, including ZOA Nigeria staff, LHI staff, community leaders (traditional, religious), local government authorities (e.g., Ministry of Agriculture, SEMA), humanitarian coordination bodies (e.g., Food Security Sector, Cash Working Group), and relevant private sector actors (e.g., agro-dealers, financial institutions).
- Participatory Rapid Gender Analysis: Utilize participatory tools to deepen understanding of gender dynamics, power relations, and changes in roles/responsibilities.
- Most Significant Change (MSC) Stories with Photovoice: Collect MSC stories from project participants and stakeholders, documenting significant changes perceived as a result of the project, supported by photos and voice recordings where feasible.
- Data Analysis:Analyze qualitative data using appropriate thematic analysis techniques. This analysis will be used to corroborate, explain, and provide deeper insights into the quantitative data already collected through baseline, midline, and PDM surveys.
- Reporting: Synthesize findings from both qualitative and quantitative data into a comprehensive final report.
6. SCOPE OF WORK AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE EVALUATOR
The external evaluator/evaluation team will be responsible for:
- Reviewing pertinent project documents provided by ZOA Nigeria (e.g., proposals, reports, PMF, baseline, midline, PDM data, endline data) to inform the evaluation design and identify specific areas for qualitative inquiry.
- Developing detailed qualitative data collection tools, including FGD and KII guides, a participatory gender analysis template, and a Most Significant Change story template, aligning with the evaluation questions and ZOA Nigeria's guidelines.
- Developing a comprehensive qualitative data collection work plan and data analysis plan.
- Recruiting and training a team of local enumerators/data collectors, ensuring proficiency in relevant local languages (Hausa, Bura) and adherence to ethical guidelines and ZOA's safeguarding policies.
- Conducting fieldwork in Biu LGA, including FGDs, KIIs, participatory gender analysis, and MSC story collection, ensuring representation across targeted communities and participant groups.
- Analyzing the collected qualitative data and integrating it with existing quantitative data to answer the evaluation questions comprehensively.
- Writing a comprehensive end-of-project evaluation report that aligns findings with quantitative data, drawing conclusions, and formulating actionable recommendations.
- Presenting preliminary findings to ZOA Nigeria for initial feedback and incorporating all relevant comments and recommendations into the final report.
- Develop a presentation on learning outcomes for government, implementing partners and other stakeholders.
7. DELIVERABLES
The evaluator shall submit the following deliverables to ZOA Nigeria:
- Inception Report/Detailed Work Plan: A detailed work plan for the qualitative survey, including methodology, data collection tools, and a data collection and analysis plan.
- Preliminary Findings Presentation: A presentation of preliminary findings/draft report to ZOA Nigeria to receive initial feedback.
- Draft Report: A comprehensive draft end-of-project evaluation report incorporating initial feedback inclusive of the database of all data gathered during the evaluation.
- Final Report: The finalized end-of-project evaluation report, incorporating all feedback on the draft. The final report should be written in English, Arial font size 11, 1.5 spacing, and not exceed 60 pages (excluding annexes).
- The report outline should include: Cover page, Table of contents, Acronyms, List of figures and tables, Executive Summary (maximum 3 pages), Background and context, Key evaluation questions and scope, Review methodology (including limitations), Major findings related to themes and questions, Conclusions, Recommendations, and Annexes (ToR, cited resources, list of interviewed, qualitative tools).
8. PROPOSED EVALUATION TIMELINE AND MILESTONES
Given the project end date of December 31, 2025, the evaluation activities are proposed to commence in October 2025.
Time Line
Call for Expressions of Interest - 12th of October 2025
Selection of Evaluator - 17th of October 2025
Inception Workshop/Development of Tools - 24-28th October 2025
Training of Enumerators - 29-31st October 2025
Poloting of Tool - 3-4th of November 2025
Field Data Gathering/Interviews - 5-12th of November 2025
Draft Report/Presentation of Preliminary Findings - 26th of Novermber 2025
Feedback Provided by ZOA - 3rd December 2025
Final Report Submission - 10th of December 2025
9. LOCATION OF THE EVALUATOR
The evaluator and his/her team shall preferably be based in Biu, Borno State, during the period of the survey. The evaluator shall be responsible for travel, accommodation, and all other logistical and security arrangements of his/her team. They shall make use of their personal laptop/computer and related facilities to prepare all deliverables.
10. LOCATION OF THE SURVEYS
The surveys shall be conducted in the project implementation communities within Biu LGA, Borno State, which include Savana, Tabara-Tsahuyam, Zaramiringa, BayanTasha, Shememuda, Pompomari, Kasalabata, Dashu-2, Dangongoni, Wurang and Zonal Education IDP Camp.
11. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY
All materials, data, and information produced or gathered during this evaluation are the exclusive property of ZOA Nigeria. The evaluator is not permitted to share any information with external bodies or utilize these documents or works without the prior written consent of ZOA Nigeria.
12. REQUIREMENTS OF THE EVALUATOR
ZOA Nigeria will consider a single evaluator or an evaluation team with the following qualifications:
- Minimum of 5 years of experience in leading project/program evaluations, specifically in humanitarian food assistance and/or food security and rural livelihoods projects.
- Minimum Master’s degree in international rural development, agricultural sciences, social sciences, or a related field.
- Demonstrated knowledge and practical experience in humanitarian and early recovery contexts in Borno State.
- Strong background in humanitarian food assistance, food security, agriculture, livelihoods, and gender equality.
- Proven capacity to apply and integrate measurements of gender equality and progress towards gender transformation and women’s empowerment.
- Excellent analytical and report writing skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
- Experience in qualitative and quantitative methods.
- Language requirements: Fluent spoken and written English is required. Knowledge of Hausa and/or Bura languages is a strong asset for effective data collection in the project location. If the evaluation team does not have knowledge of these languages, the proposal must describe how high-quality data collection will be ensured in these languages.
- Willingness to work in project locations within Biu LGA and be based in Biu during the survey period.
Preference will be given to evaluator(s)/evaluation teams based in Borno State.
13. GUIDING PRINCIPLES
The evaluation is expected to adhere to the following principles:
- Utility – surveys must be useful for the main users of the evaluation.
- Participation – to be useful, the intended users of the survey need to be identified at the outset and involved in making decisions about the survey.
- Quality – Quality is derived through the accurate and appropriate use of survey criteria, the presentation of evidence and high-quality analysis, the coherence of conclusions with survey findings, and the drawing of realistic recommendations, directly supported by findings and conclusions. Good quality surveys present findings, conclusions, and recommendations in an understandable way so that they are accessible to readers of the reports.
- Credibility – the extent to which survey findings and conclusions are believable and trustworthy.
- Integrity – to have integrity, a survey must adhere to high ethical standards.
- Transparency – the openness with which the survey process is conducted and the willingness to share findings.
- Independence – the survey is free from influences that would bias the conduct, findings, conclusions, or recommendations of the survey/evaluation.
- Utilize gender-segregated focus groups to assess the different needs and priorities of men and women.
- Ensure that all community members have an equal voice regardless of age, class, gender, disability, ethnicity, religion, or organizational affiliation.
- Ensure the evaluation provides an opportunity for critical reflection and learning on structures that ensure the rights of all individuals are realized.
In addition to these general survey/evaluation principles, the evaluator must ensure familiarity and compliance with ZOA Nigeria’s professional behaviour standards as set out in policies, specifically in the following policies:
- Anti-fraud and Corruption Policy
- Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse
14. REQUIREMENT FOR PREPARATION OF THE EXPRESSION OF INTEREST
Expressions of Interest (maximum 10 pages) should include the following information:
- A cover letter outlining interest in conducting the survey and relevant experience, specifically addressing qualifications and experience with humanitarian food assistance and food security development projects.
- A brief proposal (no longer than three pages) outlining the proposed survey process, including a detailed estimate of the level of effort required.
- Curriculum Vitae (CVs) for the lead evaluator and any other team members.
- A letter of reference from a previous evaluation, with a list of references.
- Confirmation of availability for the proposed timeframe.
- A detailed budget for the survey, including proposed consulting fees.
Note: All the above documents should be attached under CV attachement area.
15. Consultancy Payment
The payment will be finalalised through negotiation process.
