1. Background

The WiFVES (Women in Fisheries Against Violence) project aims to empower fisherfolk by making gender-based violence (GBV) socially unacceptable in fishing communities, ensuring men and women participate equally across the fisheries value chain, and economically empowering women and girls to contribute to poverty reduction in these communities. Since its inception, the project has focused on addressing GBV, abuse, and discrimination within Ghana’s fisheries sector, while promoting the economic independence and social well-being of women and girls. As the project approaches its final stages, it is crucial to conduct a comprehensive evaluation to assess its progress, outcomes, and overall impact. This evaluation will provide valuable insights into the effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, and sustainability of the project, and will inform future interventions. To this end, we are seeking a qualified consultant to lead this evaluation.

2. Purpose of the evaluation

• Assess the WiFVEs project’s progress in achieving its goals of making GBV socially unacceptable, promoting gender equality in the fisheries value chain, and economically empowering women and girls in fishing communities.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of the project in addressing gender-based violence, abuse, and discrimination within Ghana’s fisheries sector, as well as its impact on the economic and social well-being of women and girls.
• Analyze the project’s broader impact on the target population and fishing communities, particularly in reducing poverty and fostering gender equality.
• Identify lessons learned and best practices that can inform future interventions aimed at addressing GBV and empowering women in fisheries.
• Provide recommendations for improving the project’s design, implementation, and sustainability, with a focus on ensuring long-term impact and replicability.

3. Scope of the Evaluation

The evaluation will cover the following areas:

• Project design and implementation
• Project activities and outputs
• Outcomes and impacts
• Sustainability and replicability
• Lessons learned and recommendations.

4. Methodology

The evaluation will employ a mixed-methods approach, combining qualitative and quantitative research techniques. This may include:

• Document review.
• Key informant interviews
• Focus group discussions.
• Surveys

5. Evaluation Criteria

The evaluation will be guided by the following criteria:

• Relevance: Does the project align with the needs and priorities of the target population?
• Effectiveness: Has the project achieved its intended outcomes?
• Efficiency: Have resources been used effectively and efficiently?
• Impact: What are the positive and negative effects of the project on the target population and broader community?
• Sustainability: Are the project’s benefits likely to continue after project completion?

6. Expected Deliverables

The evaluation team will submit the following deliverables: The consultant will be expected to deliver the following:

1. Inception Report: A detailed evaluation plan, methodology, and tools (by 17^th September 2024).
2. Draft Evaluation Report: A comprehensive draft report for review and feedback (by 17^th November 2024).
3. Lessons Learned Workshop and Report: Facilitation of the workshop and submission of a report summarizing key lessons and best practices (by 10^th December 2024).
4. Final Evaluation Report:
5. A final report incorporating feedback from stakeholders, including recommendations for future interventions (10^th January 2025).

The primary objective of this evaluation is to assess the progress, effectiveness of the project in achieving its intended outcomes, particularly in relation to gender-based violence (GBV) prevention and response in Ghana’s marine fisheries sector.

6.  Scope of work

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

a.     Inception Phase

• Review all relevant project documents, including progress reports, M&E data, and other relevant materials.
• Develop an inception report outlining the detailed evaluation plan, methodology, and tools to be used.
• Hold initial meetings with project stakeholders to clarify the evaluation’s scope and objectives.

b.     Data Collection and Analysis

• Conduct stakeholder interviews, focus group discussions (FGDs), and field visits to collect qualitative and quantitative data.
• Administer surveys to beneficiaries to gather additional insights on the project’s impact.
• Analyze collected data to assess the project’s effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, and sustainability.

c.     Draft Evaluation Report

• Prepare a draft evaluation report summarizing the findings from the data collection and analysis.
• Present the draft report to key stakeholders for review and feedback.

d.     Lessons Learned Workshop

• Facilitate a workshop with project staff, beneficiaries, and stakeholders to identify lessons learned and best practices.
• Prepare a Lessons Learned Report based on the outcomes of the workshop.

e.     Final Evaluation Report

• Incorporate feedback from stakeholders into the final evaluation report.
• Submit the final report, including recommendations for future interventions.

7. Timeline

The evaluation will be conducted over a period of four (4) months, from September to January. The proposed timeline is as follows:

8. Qualifications and experience

The evaluation team will consist of qualified individuals with expertise in:

• Project evaluation
• Gender-based violence
• Fisheries
• Community development
• Data analysis

The lead consultant should possess the following qualifications and experience:

• Advanced degree in social sciences, development studies, gender studies, or a related field.
• Proven experience in conducting evaluations of development projects, particularly in the areas of gender, GBV, and livelihood support.
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills.
• Experience in facilitating workshops and stakeholder engagements.
• Knowledge of the local context, particularly the challenges faced by women in fisheries and GBV survivors, will be an asset.

9. Application process

How to apply

Interested consultants are invited to submit the following:

• A detailed financial and technical proposal outlining the approach and methodology for the evaluation and cost of the assignment.
• CV(s) of the consultant(s) involved in the evaluation.
• A financial proposal including a detailed budget breakdown.
• Examples of previous relevant work.

10. Application deadline

Please submit your application by 21st October, 2024 to aowusu@henmpoano.org or sbogobley@henmpoano.org.