MID-TERM EVALUATION TERMS OF REFERENCE (TORs)

Job Description
Project: Joint programme on livestock and land regeneration using holistic land andlivestock management (HLLM), traditional ecological knowledge (TEK), and otherlandscape-level agroecological practices projectType of Evaluation: Mid-Term EvaluationCoverage: Hwange, Matobo, Gutu, Chimanimani, Shurugwi

ContextParticipatory Ecological Land Use Management (PELUM) Zimbabwe is a network of civil society organisationspromoting agroecological practices for improved livelihoods, food security, and environmental sustainability. Aspart of its efforts to upscale Agroecological practices, PELUM Zimbabwe is coordinating a joint programme onlivestock and land regeneration using holistic land and livestock management (HLLM), traditional ecologicalknowledge (TEK), and other landscape-level agroecological practices.The current project, with funding from Howden Foundation is running from January 2025 to December 2026 andbuilds on an earlier phase implemented from March 2020 to April 2022, which focused on strengtheningcapacity and learning among organisations promoting Holistic Land and Livestock Management (HLLM).The current phase is being implemented across five districts (Hwange, Matobo, Gutu, Chimanimani, andShurugwi) and focuses on scaling planned grazing systems, crop field impaction, reviving Traditional EcologicalKnowledge (TEK), strengthening community-led landscape restoration and facilitating learning exchanges andadvocacy.Since the start of implementation, key activities undertaken include a baseline survey, training on holisticplanned grazing and herding, training of traditional ecological knowledge, learning exchange visits, training onsoil health and biofertilizer making, community dialogues, media engagement, set up of boma sheets, trainingon biological monitoring and Bi annual project Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Reporting (MERL) meetings.The project, its design and activities are a response to Zimbabwe’s rangelands continued degradation due tounsustainable land use compounded by climate variability and socio-economic pressures. In response, theproject promotes HLLM as a regenerative approach to restore soil health, improve water infiltration, enhancebiodiversity, and strengthen livelihoods. At the inception of the project, a baseline survey was conducted toestablish benchmark data on key indicators, including, rangeland condition and biodiversity, soil fertility andwater dynamics, livestock management practices and household livelihoods and community capacitiesThis baseline provides the reference point against which progress and change are being measured. The project isnow at the midpoint of implementation, making it necessary to conduct a Mid-Term Evaluation. The purpose ofthis evaluation is to assess progress made against baseline conditions and planned targets, determine theeffectiveness of implementation approaches, identify emerging outcomes, challenges, and lessons and informadaptive management for the remaining project period

Duties and Responsibilities
Objectives of the Mid-Term EvaluationThe Mid-Term Evaluation aims to:➢ Assess progress against baseline indicators and project targets.➢ Evaluate the effectiveness, relevance, and efficiency of project implementation.➢ Determine the level of adoption of HLLM, TEK, and agroecological practices.➢ Identify key outcomes, including intended and unintended changes.➢ Assess the functionality of participatory monitoring systems.➢ Generate lessons learned to inform adaptive management.➢ Provide actionable recommendations for the remaining project period.Scope of WorkThe consultant is expected to:➢ Review key project documents, including:i. Baseline survey report.ii. Project proposal and log frame.iii. Monitoring reports and partner reports.➢ Assess progress against baseline values and indicators.➢ Evaluate implementation processes and effectiveness across districts➢ Examine adoption levels of HLLM and related practices➢ Assess changes in:i. Biodiversityii. Soil fertility (grazing lands and crop fields)iii. Water availability and infiltrationiv. Livelihoods and resilience (including social indicators)➢ Evaluate policy engagement and influence➢ Assess inclusiveness (gender, youth, vulnerable groups)➢ Document key outcomes using appropriate approaches (e.g., outcome harvesting)➢ Validate findings with stakeholders through consultative processesEvaluation Approach and MethodologyThe consultant is expected to propose a robust and appropriate methodology for the mid-term evaluation.However, the evaluation should:➢ Adopt a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative data.➢ Assess performance against baseline values and project indicators.➢ Apply participatory approaches to capture community perspectives.➢ Incorporate Outcome Harvesting to identify behavioural and systemic changes.➢ Ensure inclusion of gender, youth, and vulnerable groupsThe methodology should also:➢ Align with the project’s M&E framework.➢ Use baseline data as a reference point➢ Include clear sampling strategies➢ Ensure data triangulation and validationKey Evaluation QuestionsRelevance➢ Is the project aligned with community needs and priorities?Effectiveness➢ To what extent are project objectives being achieved?➢ What changes have occurred since the baseline?Efficiency➢ Are resources being used effectively to achieve results?Sustainability➢ Are the results likely to be sustained beyond the project period?Adoption and Behaviour Change➢ What is the level of adoption of HLLM and agroecological practices? (Including number of small-scalefarmers, livestock owners, local government and traditional leaders involved in each district/partnervis-a vis our target)➢ What factors influence adoption or non-adoption?Environmental Outcomes➢ What changes are observed in biodiversity, soil fertility, and water systems?Livelihood Outcomes➢ How has the project affected income, livestock productivity, and food security?Policy Influence➢ What changes have occurred in policy awareness and support

Qualifications and Experience
DeliverablesThe consultant is expected to deliver:1. Inception Report with➢ Detailed methodology➢ Sampling strategy➢ Work plan and timeline2. Draft Mid-Term Evaluation Report showing➢ Key findings structured by evaluation criteria➢ Comparison with baseline data➢ Identified outcomes and lessons3. Validation Workshop➢ Presentation of findings➢ Stakeholder feedback4. Final Evaluation ReportIncluding:➢ Executive summary➢ Methodology➢ Findings➢ Conclusions➢ Practical recommendations

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