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The main objectives of this evaluation were to provide the relevant services of the European Union and other interested stakeholders with:

• an overall independent assessment of the performance of the technical assistance in Sierra Leone in the areas of Civil Service Reform, Parliament and the Electoral Cycle, Technical Assistance in support of the Governance Sector in Sierra Leone in the area of Civil Registration, Programme Estimate on Civil Registration, Programme Estimate - Civil Service Reform with HRMO/PSC and Meeting Critical Infrastructure and Technology Needs in the Parliament of Sierra Leone, paying particular attention to its different levels of results measured against its expected objectives; and the reasons underpinning such results;
• key lessons learned, conclusions and related recommendations in order to improve current and future interventions.

In particular, this evaluation served to:

• understand the performance of the intervention and the reasons behind it in order to maximise its potential to achieve the expected results during the residual implementation time;
• understand whether the implementation modalities of the intervention were the most appropriate in order to achieve its objectives;
• understand whether the governance mechanism of the intervention allowed for a suitable and efficient representation of the interests of key stakeholders;
• understand the performance of the intervention and the reasons behind it in order to inform the planning of upcoming EU interventions in the same sector.

Furthermore, the evaluation team considered whether gender equality and women’s empowerment, environment and adaptation to climate change were mainstreamed; the relevant SDGs and their interlinkages were identified; the principle of Leave No One Behind and the rights-based approach methodology were followed in the identification/formulation documents and the extent to which they were reflected in the implementation of the intervention, its governance and monitoring.

The main users of this evaluation are the EU Delegation to Sierra Leone, the National Authorising Office, the Members of the Programme Steering Committee, the Governance Advisers to the President and Chief Minister, the national authorities targeted by the programme and its interventions and the implementing partners contracted by the EU.

Global Evaluation Framework Agreement (GEFA) to ensure the provision of efficient and effective expert services for the design and implementation of evaluations of ODA delivered by DFID and Other Government

Department (OGDs).

For Lots 1 & 2 the Framework Agreement has global coverage (including the UK) and evaluations will be undertaken in a wide range of different geographic locations and contexts, primarily where DFID operates, including fragile and conflict affected states (FCAS). For Lots 3-8 (Process) & 9-14 (Monitoring) are subject o regional segmentation.

The Framework Agreement covers requirements for monitoring and evaluation in a range of themes, including but not limited to: Human development (e.g. education, health, water supply, social protection and sanitation); humanitarian assistance; economic development (e.g. infrastructure, social services, production); governance and security (e.g. public sector reform, anti-corruption); climate change.

The general objective of the program of which this contract is a part was to improve the competitiveness of MSMEs and cooperatives in order to meet market requirements.

The specific objective (SO) of this contract was to improve MINECO's capacity to support the competitiveness of MSMEs and cooperatives in accessing formal markets and linking up to value chains.

The following results were achieved:

1. The process of implementation of the WTO Trade Facilitation Agreement on MINECO's competition issues was supported.

2. Institutional capacity of MINECO strengthened to support market access for MSMEs and cooperatives.

The Programme's cross-cutting themes were: environmental assessment, gender equity and good governance.

Systematic and timely evaluation of its programmes and activities is an established priority of the European Commission. The focus of evaluations is on the assessment of achievements, the quality and the results of Actions in the context of an evolving cooperation policy with an increasing emphasis on result-oriented approaches and the contribution towards EU foreign policy objectives and the implementation of the SDGs. From this perspective, evaluations should look for evidence of why, whether or how these results are linked to the EU intervention and seek to identify the factors driving or hindering progress. Evaluations should provide an understanding of the cause and effect links between: inputs and activities, and outputs, outcomes and impacts. Evaluations should serve accountability, decision making, learning and management purposes.

The main objectives of this evaluation are to provide the relevant services of the European Union and the interested stakeholders with:

• an overall independent assessment of the past performance of the EU-GCC project, paying particular attention to its intermediate results measured against its expected objectives; and the reasons underpinning such results;
• key lessons learned, conclusions and related recommendations in order to improve current and future Actions.

In January 2015, the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) contracted GIZ to assist the Government of Somalia with the social and economic (re-) integration of returnees, internally displaced persons (IDPs) as well as members of the host community of Kismayo in Jubaland. This project has been extended to run until 12/ 2022, under the title “Somali Reintegration Program” (SRP) with the aim of supporting returnees, IDPs and host community members of Kismayo to establish and secure sustainable livelihoods through a community-based approach of (re-)integration.

The main objective of this assignment was to provide primary data and analysis by conducting independent monitoring and evaluation of project activities to draw conclusions on outcomes, impacts and sustainability of project activities. To that end, the consultant collected data by observations, key informant interviews, and other methods he or she deems necessary to provide an accurate overview of the implementation progress in order to ensure compliance with the contractual arrangements of implementing partners.

The project was implemented in five fields of action: (1) improving the functioning of social and economic infrastructure; (2) promoting income-generating opportunities through business support, employment promotion, and the provision of employment services; (3) qualifying selected local authorities and institutions in managing the (re-)integration of returnees and IDPs; (4) providing basic psycho-social support (not to be included in the TPM) as well as (5) providing short-term services to strengthen the resilience of the population to COVID- 19.

The project followed a participatory approach: activities were closely developed, implemented and monitored through GIZ’s cooperation with target beneficiaries, governmental, international and national partners. Harmonization with other sectors including agencies and other coordination structures was imperative to ensure synergies and project success. The modes of deliveries were grant agreements with national and international NGOS, financial agreements with governmental agencies and consultancies. Less than 10 % were implemented by GIZ personnel. The main task of the GIZ personnel was the provision of capacity development of public institutions/ partners, the conceptualization of the contracts with governmental and non-governmental partners, guidance of NGOS, and mentoring.

The overall objective of the project of which this contract will be to deepen integration by developing a regional competition policy framework to enhance convergence and harmonisation of laws and enforcement practices.

Development of a regional competition policy framework to provide policy guidelines and facilitate development and implementation of the regional policy at national level, encourage common measures, common approaches, and common enforcement practices. The regional policy framework will also strengthen the network of national competition and consumer protection authorities to promote cooperation and harmonisation of competition regulation in the region as well as assist countries to implement competition and consumer laws in conformity with the goals of the SADC region.

The main objectives of the Project implementation and monitoring support PIMS is to further strengthen the capacity of the staff of the EC (including FPI, line DGs, EEAS and EUDs) and the implementing partners involved in the design, monitoring and implementation of PI funded actions in line with results based management principles. The project has two main objectives: (1) Increase the capacity of EC and implementing partners' staff to design, implement and monitor PI funded actions; (2) Improve the quality of actions and the achievement and reporting of results.

The project will:

• Deliver a hands-on training as regards PI common indicators, logical frameworks and monitoring arrangements to be implemented by PI funded actions, in order to enable PI project managers and implementing partners, including framework contactors, to become acquainted with the system and to be able to use it.
• Coach PI project managers and implementing partners to identify and/or refine indicators for new or already ongoing actions so that all those involved in the project implementation take on board relevant common PI indicators, ensure common understanding by all stakeholders as well as to help them select indicators for actions where implementation is in its inception.
• Provide ad hoc guidance through a helpdesk which will consist of replies to specific questions asked by PI project managers and implementing partners and hands on support to PI project managers and implementing partners with specific tasks, on a demand driven basis.
• Provide technical assistance to FPI.4 in the roll out OPSYS and implementation of the system in relation to the PI as well as in relation to the changes likely to take place following the approval of the new MFF.

Media4Democracy was an EU-funded Technical Assistance Facility strengthening the European Union Delegations’ ability to implement the EU Human Rights Guidelines on Freedom of Expression Online and Offline.

Our mission was to support the EU Delegations’ broad and coherent implementation of the EU Guidelines on Freedom of Expression and to help them to identify, design and implement appropriate near-, medium- and long-term actions.

The TA team ‘Media4Democracy’ was based in Brussels and provided advocacy support and capacity building services to all EU Delegations (EUDs) worldwide, as well as customised technical support to individual EU Delegations.

The team of three senior experts also utilised and deployed a global network of leading freedom of expression and media professionals, working together to provide tailored support and expertise to EU Delegations.

Media4Democracy was backed by a Consortium of prominent European organisations, led by Particip, from the field of freedom of expression, media development and democracy support: Article19, Deutsche Welle Akademie, European Partnership for Democracy, Free Press Unlimited and the Thomson Foundation.

Media4Democracy was established by the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development (DEVCO) in January 2017 under the European Instrument for Democracy & Human Rights (EIDHR).

List of assignments:

March - May 2017: Development of Advocacy material related to World Press Freedom day 2017

June - Nov 2017: Honduras assignment - advocacy expert, data mining expert

July - August 2017: EU Advocacy and Action in Support of Universal Access to Information and the International Day for the Universal Access to Information

June - Nov 2017: November training 2017

March 2018 : Support to EIDHR focal point meeting

March – May 2018 : Development of A19 Package Elements

January – April 2018: Fellowship development

March – June 2018: ToR and CVs for Ghana assignment WPFD 2018

Oct 2017 - July 2018: Practical Guide Access to Information

Sep 2017 - Aug 2018: Assignment support to EU Delegation Laos

Sep 2017 - Aug 2018: Strengthening FoE and Media Pluralism in The Gambia within the Transitional Justice Framework

Sep 2017 - Aug 2018: Set-up and maintenance of website & Copy writer

May – August 2018: TA to the EUD to Botswana and the SADC Media Institutions as Drivers of Democracy: strengthening freedom of expression and media pluralism

May – Sept 2018: Development of FPU Package Elements - Media, Information Access and the Empowerment of Women & Girls + Participation in Gender Focal Point Meeting & Materials

June – Oct 2018: Technical Assistance to the EUD to Rwanda, Media Institutions as Drivers of Democracy: strengthening freedom of expression and media pluralism

Sept - Nov 2018:TA to DEVCO B1: Support to delivery of Brussels-based November training

April 2017-Dec 2018: Services of Junior Graphic designer for continious support

April – Dec 2018: TA to Zambia: Strengthening law and policy in support of FoE and media pluralism: support for EUD strategic advocacy and programme development

Sept - Dec 2018: TA to the EUD to Malaysia: Acting in the context of democratisation - Targeted media pluralism and FoE situation assessment

November – December 2018: TA to the EUD to Vietnam - Targeted Legal Analysis of Cyber Law and Draft Implementing Decree

Jan 2018 - Jan 2019: Communication and Proof-reading Activities

July 2018 – Jan 2019: Handbook on Safety of Journalists and Advocacy Support to EUDs to Mark IIDEIAJ 2018

July 2018 - Jan 2019: Supporting capacity of Media4Democracy Core Expert Team

March 2018 – Feb 2019: ToR and CV for Fellowship implementation- Fellowship Strengthening Institutional Leaders in Support of Pluralistic Media - Collaboration with the EUD of Tanzania

July 2018 – February 2019: Technical Assistance to EU Delegation to Indonesia: Supporting EU – Indonesian Government Joint Seminar “Addressing Hate Speech and Disinformation”

November 2018 - February 2019: TA to the EUD to Kyrgyzstan - Media Institutions as Drivers of Democracy: strengthening FoE and media pluralism

October 2018 - March 2019: Development of TF Package Elements Supporting AtI

October 2018 - March 2019: TA to the EUD to Malaysia: Acting in the context of democratisation - Media, Access to Information and ICT and the Empowerment of Women and Girls; Fighting cyber bullying of women and girls -FPU pilot

Dec 2018 - March 2019 : TA to the EUD to Burundi -Targeted Media Assessment within the Context of 2020 Presidential Elections

Jan - March 2019: Development of Global Webinar for EUDs -EU Guidelines on Freedom of Expression: Policy Essentials Webinar - together with TF

February - June 2019: TA to the EUD to Burkina Faso: Media, AtI and ICT and the Empowerment of Women and Girls; including consideration of issues linked to female genital mutilation and women’s participation in elections

April – June 2018: Development of EPD Package Elements - Media Institutions as Drivers of Democracy

Nov 2018 - July 2019: Fellowship: Strengthening Institutional Leaders in Support of Pluralistic Media - Collaboration with the EUD of Rwanda

Jan - July 2019: Development of Global Handbook for EUDs - EU Human Rights Guidelines on Freedom of Expression Online and Offline: Policy Essentials Handbook

March - July 2019: TA to the EUD to Sri Lanka and Maldives -. Media Institutions as Drivers of Democracy: strengthening FoE and media pluralism

April - July 2019 : TA to the EUD to Nicaragua and SICA: Support FoE and Media in Highly Complex, Closed and Dangerous Context

Feb 2019 - Jan 2020: Supporting capacity of Media4Democracy Core Expert Team - phase II

April 2019 - January 2020: Fellowship: Strengthening Institutional Leaders in Support of Pluralistic Media - Collaboration with the EU Delegation of Kyrgyzstan

After 25 years of state disintegration, conflict and people’s displacement, Somalia was on a path to become a peaceful, stable and democratic country. It was no more a failing state but a recovering state, emerging from fragility with the support of the international community, and more particularly the European Union which had been a lead actor over the past decade.

The overall objective of the assignment was to enhance visibility and communication of the European Union in Somalia and improve awareness and recognition of the EU-Somalia partnership in all relevant sectors of cooperation (political economic, development and other major policy areas of common interest) and in line with the EEAS communication guidelines.

Objective 1 was to support the staff of the EU Delegation to Somalia to review its work on communication and visibility by recommending how to improve the planning, design and implementation of information, communication and visibility activities and events.

Objective 2 was to increase awareness of the EU-Somalia partnership and the level of familiarity with the EU and its degree of recognition within and outside Somalia, as well as the visibility of the actions under the EDF and EUTF decisions funding of this contract.

This independent evaluation of WFP Country Strategic Plan (CSP) in Jordan assessed the strategic positioning, added-value and results of WFP operations in the Country from 2018 to 2021.

The evaluation served the double purpose of accountability (performance and result assessment) and learning (why certain results occurred or not, lessons and evidence for decision-making). It envisioned that the evaluation will inform the design of the new CSP for Jordan, which was scheduled for Executive Board consideration in November 2022.

CSP key sectors and activities included:

• Emergency response, including cash-based transfers
• Social protection
• Nutrition (including nutritional education) and school feeding
• Livelihoods activities, including smallholder farmer support
• Institutional capacity strengthening

Cross-cutting themes included: Gender equality and empowerment of women (GEEW), humanitarian principles and protection, accountability to affected populations (AAP), WFP partnership strategy

The evaluation employed a mixed-method approach that triangulated qualitative and quantitative data from a variety of sources. For this purpose, the evaluation team conducted interviews with different stakeholders including WFP staff at HQ, regional and country level, WFP cooperating partners, donors, UN agencies, ministries as well as focus group discussions with the beneficiaries.

Link to the publication: https://www.wfp.org/publications/evaluation-jordan-country-strategic-plan-evaluation-2020-2022