Close Bid Vacancy for Consultancy Services to Conduct a project Endline Evaluation for the project entitled “ the Sustainable Households in Fragile Terrains (SHIFT) – Phase III

About Swiss Church Aid/HEKS-EPER

Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER) is the aid organization of the Swiss Protestant Churches which champions the cause of a more humane and just world. Its projects, implemented in over 30 countries, combat the causes of hunger, injustice, and social distress. The dignity of every human being is central to our commitment.

HEKS/EPER started supporting projects in Ethiopia in 1972 and is currently a key humanitarian and development partner for the Ethiopian government across five regions. HEKS/EPER works with vulnerable communities including female-headed households, internally displaced persons and pastoralists. Thematic areas of intervention include: water, hygiene, sanitation, food security, protection, emergency shelter, natural resource management, agroecology, market system development, and institutional engagement.

Our Values

Based on the dignity of every human being, the following are HEKS/EPER core values: justice, self-determination, solidarity, help without ethnic, social, religious or other barriers, responsibility, participation, closeness to people and effective action. These values should be perceptible in all spheres: in programmes and projects, in fundraising and communications, and in dealings with employees and partners.

Our Priorities

HEKS/EPER focuses on the four priorities of climate justice, the right to land and food, flight and migration, and inclusion/integration.

Why Work with Us

HEKS/EPER offers an attractive work environment for a range of different professions. There are numerous technical specialists working together on over 250 projects in an interdisciplinary and cross-sectional manner at the HEKS/EPER headquarters in Zurich, in the six Branch offices and in more than 30 countries on four continents. We set great store by a stimulating work environment and the ongoing professional development of our staff. At HEKS/EPER, there are people all around the world working for people from all over the world – with commitment and competence.

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Swiss Church Aid (HEKS/EPER), in partnership with the Organisation for Gayo Pastoral Development Initiative (GPDI), implemented the project called “the Sustainable Households in Fragile Terrains (SHIFT) – Phase III Oromia Region, Borena Zone ” that aims to strengthen the resilience of pastoralist communities in Borena by promoting sustainable natural resource governance, enhancing livestock and crop productivity, diversifying livelihoods, and engaging in policy advocacy. The project directly supports over 13,750 individuals and 90,000 individuals indirectly in Borena Zone, Oromia Region of Ethiopia.

OBJECTIVE OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The objective of this endline evaluation is to assess the completion, achievements, and overall performance of a multi-year, integrated resilience-building project implemented in Ethiopia’s Borana Zone, with a focus on natural resource governance, agro-pastoral livelihoods, gender-responsive economic empowerment, and inclusive policy engagement. The evaluation will examine the project’s relevance to the needs of pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities, its effectiveness in restoring degraded rangelands and improving food security, its contribution to diversifying livelihoods and recommendations for the subsequent phase—particularly for women and youth—and the degree to which it strengthened coordination between customary and formal institutions in land and water management. The analysis will apply the OECD-DAC criteria (relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability), and consider alignment with HEKS/EPER’s rights-based and resilience frameworks, as well as principles of participation, equity, and conflict sensitivity.

The final output will provide an evidence-based assessment of progress against the project’s logical framework, including both quantitative and qualitative data, and will inform future programmatic planning for the donors—Medicor Foundation and HEKS/EPER—and the co-implementing partner GPDI.

Duration and deliverables

The major work (including data collection and the items specified below) will occur between the 18.07.25 and the 30.09.25. A detailed timetable with deliverables will be attached in the ToR.

The Consultant, is expected to deliver the following:

1. A short inception report for the overall assignment
2. Draft report including recommendations
3. A comprehensive final evaluation report
4. A summary version of the analysis (shareable with external partners)
5. A short validation workshop and presentation report
6. Update Endline value according to findings in log frame

Required Qualification, Skills, And Experience

The assessment team for this work should have the following qualifications:

• Advanced university degree (Masters / PhD) in International Development, Social Sciences, Statistics, Demography, or any other related field with a minimum of 5 years of professional experience in international development and program evaluation in pastoralist or dryland contexts .
• Demonstrated experience in assessments and/or evaluations of interventions on natural resource management, agriculture, harmonization of traditional and formal institutions in resource governance., climate resilience, agro-pastoral livelihoods, value chain, and gender equality
• Proven experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection, analysis, interpretation, and visualization
• Prior experience with evaluations in pastoral or agro-pastoral regions in Ethiopia (preferably Oromia) and proven ability to work with diverse ethnic groups, local authorities, customary institutions, and women’s associations.
• Excellent understanding of resilience frameworks, climate adaptation, and ecosystem-based livelihoods approaches, especially in drought-prone and fragile settings.
• Advanced analytical and report writing skills.
• Proven and strong writing English language skills.
• Thorough understanding of different data collection methods, including methods to assess the level of contribution of an intervention to the observed outcomes
• Valid business license and tax registration certificate for consultants or consultancy firms operating in Ethiopia (or capacity to operate under local partner arrangements).