Impact Evaluation on the Effects of a Water Program in East Africa on Social Cohesion

The objective of the tendered assignment is a rigorous impact evaluation on the R-WASH program. The program aims to improve access to clean drinking water and sanitation services for the local population and refugees in selected areas in THREE countries in East Africa. The impact evaluation will analyse potential effects of the R-WASH program on social cohesion and on how social cohesion affects stability and peace in four countries in East Africa.

The contractor will conduct a rigorous impact evaluation on a WASH program implemented by KfW, UNICEF and UNHCR in THREE countries in East Africa. The goal is to corroborate the program’s impact, namely an improvement in access to clean drinking water and sanitation services for the local population and refugees on social cohesion and on how social cohesion effects stability and peace in the respective areas.

This should be done following a stylized theory of change: In a first step, the water supply, sanitation and hygiene services to refugees, internally displaced persons and host communities are improved. The project is expected to realize these improvements by increasing efficiency, affordability and accessibility for water supply and sanitation services. By means of providing basic infrastructure and, thus, eliminating contestation over scarce resources, the program is expected to foster social cohesion and prospects for peace in conflict affected areas both between and within communities.

The contractor will be expected to develop a robust theory of change, present a rigorous impact evaluation concept, collect the required data in the assigned areas, analyse the data and present his results to all relevant stakeholders.

The following deliverables in particular will be expected of the contractor:

(1)

An inception report including the concept, i.e. theory of change, indicators, methodology, survey design and data collection tools for the rigorous impact evaluation.

(2)

Refinement of the concept including the structure of the final report in no more than three working sessions based upon comments provided by the KfW team, as well as UNICEF and UNHCR.

(3)

Development of appropriate indicators on the levels “impact”, “outcome” and “output” based on the theoretical literature and empirical findings available, and in accordance with KfW projects in the sector that measure impacts on social cohesion, stabilization and resilience in this and similar WASH-projects. Data collection for those indicators identified as suitable for measuring the level of social cohesion, peace and resilience between and within the target groups in all participating countries of the R-WASH program excluding Uganda (NOW: Sudan, Somalia and Ethiopia) in several rounds (baseline, midline, endline).

(4)

Data analysis and identification of key insights into the causal link between the development intervention and its net effects on social cohesion, addressing the questions of why and how the R-WASH program and its components impacted (whether positively or negatively) the respective society’s social fabric.

(5)

Interim reports at each collection point and one final report. All elements are to be discussed in the inception meeting in virtual format with KfW, UNICEF and UNHCR.

(6)

Presentation of the rigorous impact evaluation and lessons learned to implementing partners and other stakeholders, including KfW in up to 5 workshops.

To perform the services specified above, the contractor will provide a professional team of at least 3 and no more than 5 persons with which he must cover all of the following competences:

(1)

Key Investigation.

(2)

Advanced Statistical Skills.

(3)

Survey Design.

(4)

Qualitative Evaluation Expertise.

(5)

Socio-Cultural Issues, meaning social dynamics, peace and fragility.

The services will be carried out in close collaboration with KfW, UNICEF and UNHCR representatives. The findings of the contractor's rigorous impact evaluation will support KfW, UNICEF and UNHCR in their future program and project design.

The budget for the rigorous impact evaluation is non-negotiable. It is limited to EUR 600.000,00 net and EUR 714.000,00 gross including 19 % German VAT.

Further details are provided in the "Terms of Reference".

Impact Evaluation on the Effects of a Water Program in East Africa on Social Cohesion

§ 160 (3) (4) GWB: a petition for review is inadmissible if more than 15 calendar days have elapsed after receipt of the notification from the client to remedy the complaint.