Situational Analysis of Evaluation in Zimbabwe: Zimbabwe Evaluation Association (ZEA)

Deadline: 16 July 2018

Post Title: Evaluation Consultant
Project Title: National Evaluation Capacity Strengthening program
Duration: 7 days
Location: Harare

Background
The Zimbabwe Evaluation Association (ZEA) is a membership-based organization that serves the evaluation community and promotes quality evaluation practice in Zimbabwe. ZEA seeks to build partnerships with policy makers, network with organizations and individuals to promote a culture of evaluation in Zimbabwe.

The Sustainable Development Goals which came into force on 1 January 2016 with an overarching principle ‘Leave No One Behind’ point to need for evidence-based policy and decision making, accountability, transparency and knowledge generation. Evidence generation and use is the role of several stakeholders which includes the UN, development partners, member states, civil society organizations and donors. The Global Evaluation Agenda (EvalAgenda 2020) highlights that progress in implementation of the Agenda 2030 requires not only systematic monitoring and review but also requires deeper understanding of context, causes and consequences which evaluation can provide.

Purpose, objectives and Scope
The situational analysis will assess evaluation practice in Zimbabwe and examine the factors driving the production and utilization of evaluations by governments, CSOs, and development partners. The SA will serve as an important baseline of the evaluation practice in Zimbabwe. The findings will inform ZEA’s program on strengthening of institutional and individual capacities in evaluation. The target audience for this study includes the evaluation community, government, development partners and research institutions.

The specific objectives of this evaluation are to:
Identify who conducts and who commissions evaluation in Zimbabwe; Assess the skills audits of evaluation practitioners; Provide overview types of evaluation conducted in Zimbabwe; Assess evaluation utilization among various stakeholders; Provide recommendations for ZEA on which individual and institutional capacities they should develop and how?

Approach and Methodology
The consultant is expected to propose a participatory approach and should include: Desk review of relevant background documents and information; Consultative meetings and interviews with relevant ministries and related agencies; Presentation of preliminary findings to the steering committee before finalization of the report

Expected Results & Key Tasks
The consultant will report directly to the Programme Coordinator and board members keeping the office up-to date on the progress of the consultancy. A preliminary presentation of the results will be made before the draft is shared

Key competencies, technical background and experience required
Master’s Degree in the Social Sciences (Development studies / Statistics or related field relevant for the assignment); At least five (5) years of progressively advanced professional consultancy in conducting evaluations (proven experience in conducting Situational Analysis; and other relevant professional experience); The consultant will be asked to submit 2 samples of previous similar work produced and at least 3 references.

The specific competencies and qualifications required of the consultants are as follows:
Excellent facilitation and analysis skills; Proficiency in written and spoken English; Ability to deliver quality reports / analysis and results in line with established deadlines

To apply
Interested and eligible candidates should forward: A proposal of consultancy detailing how the assignment will be carried out (max two pages); A cover letter indicating relevant experience, availability and daily rate; Curriculum Vitae; Two samples of previous similar work and three references to email: [email protected] and cc: [email protected]

ZEA practices equality at the workplace and does not discriminate any persons based on sex, religion, caste, creed and race.