Kyrgyzstan: International Consultant

BACKGROUND

The Kyrgyzstan Mountain Societies Development Support Programme (MSDSP KG), an initiative of Aga Khan Foundation, is a locally registered public foundation which seeks to improve the livelihoods of select communities in Kyrgyzstan’s mountain areas. To this end, MSDSP KG implements a range of integrated interventions in rural development, education, and health which converge in villages and are implemented in collaboration with community-based groups and local government authorities. Enhancing local governance, improving climate change resilience, and disaster risk reduction are cross-cutting themes across MSDSP KG’s work. MSDSP KG’s programme area includes the mountainous rural communities in the country.

In October 2015, MSDSP KG began implementing “Small and medium enterprises growth project” in Aksy and Ala-Buka districts of Jalal-Abad oblast of the Kyrgyz Republic (the Project), a project is funded by the European Commission; this project will end on 31 December 2017.

Through the introduction of innovative growing strategies, including fruit drying equipment and cold-climate greenhouses, and the provision of training, MSDSP KG worked with 700 farmers, 400 vulnerable women, and 1500 youth in Ala-Buka and Aksy districts of Jalal-Abad oblast to support development in the targeted region. The project team reinforced farmers’ technical skills in processing and marketing of the dried fruit value chain, sustainable multiple cropping of vegetables in greenhouses, and storable vegetable production in open fields. The project also supported entrepreneurs to establish two fruit processing units in Aksy and Ala-Buka and establish links between farmers and the processor, and between the processor and the local market. In addition, the project worked with 1500 youth in target areas to play an active role in the economic development of their sub-district.

The overall objective of the project is to reduce poverty in Ala-Buka and Aksy districts of Jalal-Abad oblast through increased income and (self)-employment – in particular for vulnerable women and youth. The two specific project objectives are 1) to strengthen the processing and marketing components of the dried fruit value chain 2) to support vulnerable women and youth in establishing business, which broaden the range of products and services offered in the target region.

OBJECTIVE

The overall objective of this consultancy is to produce an evaluation report, including all the required annexes, in accordance with the project objectives. Specifically, this evaluation will assess the design, implementation, and outcomes of the Small and medium enterprises growth project, and to provide an analysis of the extent to which the project met its goals and objectives. This evaluation will compare the actual outcomes of the project with the outcomes outlined in the project proposal, and advise on the depth and scale of project impact.

SCOPE OF WORK

The evaluation will primarily comprise of document review and interviews with key project stakeholders to understand actual outcomes of project implementation. The research will comprise the following main stages:

1. Document review of pertinent project documents, including the project proposal, logical framework, description of activities, work plan, project data, and monitoring reports to assess quality of implementation and reporting as well as analysis of pertinent secondary information.

· During document review, consultant will identify data reporting needs, review existing data against the logframe, and oversee the collection of any missing data needed to verify the project indicators.

1. Sampling methodology and tool design and key informant and community member interviews using a combination of participatory methods. Travel to relevant project locations to conduct key project stakeholder interviews, including MSDSP KG staff, and target beneficiaries.

2. Comprehensive information to the government to help shape policy in the sector of agro-processing;

3. Information to the private sector to pursue other opportunities in fruit processing in other regions of the Kyrgyz Republic;

4. The successes and the challenges of developing a fruit value chain;

5. Drafting and finalizing report in English and Russian.

WORKING RELATIONSHIPS

Consultant will present evaluation methodology and data-collection tools in English to MSDSP KGs and AKF’s Research, Evaluation, and Learning Officers for input before finalization. MSDSP KG’s project manager will assist consultant by providing any necessary logistics, pertinent project information, and with planning meetings. Additionally, MSDSP KG’s Ala-Buka Office will assist consultant as necessary. Consultant will submit a draft evaluation report in English including conclusions and recommendations to AKF’s Research, Evaluation, and Learning Officer for a preliminary review before completing the final evaluation report.

All materials, photographs, documents, etc., developed during and for these evaluations remain property of MSDSP KG.

DELIVERABLES

· Evaluation Work Plan, including tools and sample size methodology in English

· Copy of any raw data collected during final evaluation

· Drafts and finalized evaluation report in English and Russian with relevant annexes

QUALIFICATION AND COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS

· Experience in qualitative and quantitative social science research methods

· Experience in carrying out project evaluations in the agriculture sector

· Analytical and writing skills, and the ability to clearly present findings, draw practical conclusions, and make recommendations

· Fluency in Russian and English

· Good Kyrgyz skills are an additional asset

· Flexibility and adaptability are essential, as well as the ability to plan, take initiative and organize work independently

· Ability to travel to the field for data collection and cross-checking the data

· Diplomacy is required for all interactions as well as good organizational and communication skills with international/ national officials and rural communities

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

Travel to Ala-Buka and Aksy districts

Interested candidates should submit their CV, motivation letter and 2 references with contacts in English and Russian by October, 21 2017 to msdspkg.hr@akdn.org

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted and invited for the interview.