Call for Consultant – External Evaluation of the Project: “Formation of Production Guilds and Social Enterprises for the Economic Development of Indigenous Communities, Continuation”

Terms of Reference (ToR)

1. Background

The project “Formation of Production Guilds and Social Enterprises for the Economic Development of Indigenous Communities, Continuation” is being implemented by Ecosystems Work for Essential Benefits (ECOWEB), Inc., with financial support from Brot für die Welt (Bread for the World) / BMZ. The project seeks to enhance the economic resilience of indigenous communities (IPs) in Northwest Mindanao, Philippines, by strengthening production guilds (PGs) and social enterprises (SEs) to support sustainable livelihoods.

The project duration is from April 1, 2023, to December 31, 2025, with a total budget of EUR 599,000, of which EUR 540,000 is funded by BMZ/EZE​​.

To assess the impact, effectiveness, and sustainability of the project and to inform future programming, an external evaluation will be conducted. The findings from this evaluation will not only assess project achievements and challenges but will also serve as the basis for crafting a continuity plan and proposal for future project phases.

2. Purpose & Objectives of the Evaluation

The external evaluation aims to:

  1. Assess the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability of the project using the OECD-DAC criteria.
  2. Evaluate the extent to which the project has achieved its objectives:
    • Strengthening the governance capacity of indigenous political structures (IPS) in managing their ancestral domains (ADs).
    • Promoting climate-smart agriculture to enhance food security and increase farm productivity.
    • Developing sustainable and self-managed social enterprises to empower indigenous communities economically​.
  3. Analyze the efficiency and effectiveness of project implementation strategies, including coordination with local government units (LGUs), national government agencies (PhilFIDA, NCIP, DENR, DA), and other stakeholders.
  4. Identify lessons learned, best practices, and areas for improvement to inform the design of a continuity plan and future project proposal.
  5. Provide strategic recommendations for scaling up successful interventions, addressing gaps, and ensuring sustainability of project outcomes.
  6. Assess the project’s contribution to relevant Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

3. Scope of Work

The evaluation will cover:

  • Project location: The indigenous communities in Iligan City, Manticao, Opol (Misamis Oriental), Bayug (Zamboanga del Sur).
  • Target groups: Indigenous production guild (PG) members, social enterprise (SE) leaders, IPS leaders, LGU representatives, and government agencies (PhilFIDA, NCIP, DENR, DA).
  • Thematic areas:
    • Governance strengthening (IPS capacity-building and ADSDPP advocacy).
    • Climate-smart agriculture and sustainable farming.
    • Social enterprise development and economic empowerment.
    • Gender and social inclusion in IP governance and economic activities.
    • Institutional collaboration and policy advocacy​​.

4. Evaluation Criteria & Key Questions

The evaluation will be guided by the OECD-DAC criteria:

a. Relevance

  • How well does the project align with the needs and priorities of indigenous communities?
  • How relevant is the project in addressing land tenure security, economic empowerment, and climate resilience?
  • How does the project align with government policies and international frameworks on indigenous rights and sustainable development?

b. Effectiveness

  • To what extent has the project achieved its objectives? (e.g., ADSDPP development, PG formation, climate-smart farming adoption, and SE sustainability)
  • How effective were the project strategies in empowering indigenous farmers, women, and youth?
  • What factors have facilitated or hindered the achievement of results?

c. Efficiency

  • Were project resources (financial, human, material) used efficiently to deliver expected results?
  • Was the project cost-effective compared to alternative approaches?
  • How well was the project managed and coordinated among stakeholders?

d. Impact

  • What are the positive and negative impacts of the project on indigenous communities, economic livelihoods, and governance structures?
  • Has the project contributed to increased productivity, income security, and market linkages for PGs and SEs?
  • How has the project influenced local and national policies on indigenous economic empowerment?

e. Sustainability & Continuity Planning

  • What mechanisms have been put in place to ensure the continuity of project interventions after its completion?
  • Are local institutions (IPS, LGUs, government agencies) equipped to sustain and scale up the project’s initiatives?
  • How likely are project benefits to persist in the long term?
  • What recommendations can be made for the design of a continuity plan and future project proposal?

5. Methodology

The evaluator is expected to use a mixed-methods approach, including:

  • Document review (project proposal, reports, ADSDPPs, financial reports, training materials).
  • Key informant interviews (KIIs) with project staff, PG leaders, IPS members, LGU representatives, and other stakeholders.
  • Focus group discussions (FGDs) with indigenous community members.
  • Field visits and direct observations in the project sites.
  • Surveys (if needed) to assess project impact quantitatively.
  • Case studies on successful interventions and challenges.

6. Deliverables & Timeline

DeliverableDescriptionTimeline
Inception ReportDetailed methodology, work plan, evaluation tools, and proposed field visit schedule.Within 1 week of contract signing   Week of May 17th
Data CollectionField visits, interviews, focus group discussions, surveys, and observations.Weeks 3-4
Preliminary Findings ReportPresentation of initial findings and recommendations to ECOWEB and Brot für die Welt.Week 6
Draft Evaluation ReportComprehensive report including analysis, conclusions, and recommendations.Week 7
Final Evaluation Report & Continuity Plan RecommendationsIncorporating feedback from ECOWEB and Brot für die Welt, including recommendations for future project phases.Week 8

7. Qualifications & Experience

The evaluator(s) must have:

  1. Advanced degree in development studies, anthropology, economics, environmental science, or a related field.
  2. At least 5 years of experience in evaluating development projects, particularly in:
    • Indigenous rights and governance.
    • Climate-smart agriculture and disaster risk reduction.
    • Social enterprise development.
  3. Strong knowledge of indigenous peoples’ rights frameworks, including the Indigenous Peoples Rights Act (IPRA) and UNDRIP.
  4. Experience with qualitative and quantitative research methods.
  5. Familiarity with the socio-political context of the Philippines and Mindanao.
  6. Ability to produce high-quality reports in English.

8. Budget & Payment Schedule

The total budget for the evaluation will be determined based on proposals submitted by applicants.

Payment MilestonePercentage
Upon signing of contract and submission of inception report30%
Upon completion of data collection and presentation of preliminary findings40%
Upon submission and approval of final evaluation report & continuity plan recommendations30%

9. Application Process

Interested evaluators or firms should submit:

  1. Technical proposal (methodology, work plan, proposed team, budget).
  2. CV(s) of lead evaluator and key team members.
  3. Sample evaluation report from a previous similar assignment.
  4. Financial proposal with detailed cost estimates.

Deadline for submissions: April 15, 2025
Submissions should be sent to: ecoweb@ecowebph.org and ecoweb2006@gmail.com

Leave a Reply