Terms of reference for external final evaluation - AFD 2903 – 2026 - iraq

SPECIFIC OBJECTIVE 1 : In order to strengthen CSOs, the private sector and public institutions in their role in natural resource management and governance in Sinjar and Tel Afar districts, Nineveh governorate, Iraq, three concurrent outcomes are expected to be achieved. in the third year of the project. - Result 1: Humat Dijlah's institutional, administrative and strategic capacities are strengthened. Indicators: 80% of HD members trained who consider the NGO better equipped to carry out its missions 70% of the recommendations of the diagnosis of the capacities implemented. Indicators for monitoring activities : A diagnosis and a reinforcement plan are updated; 15 training courses for 141 trainees ; 21 training sessions on the development of eco-responsible projects and 48 joint field visits carried out; 4 training sessions on the financing carried out and 2 applications submitted by HD with the support of SI; an evaluation of the implementation of the reinforcement plan carried out and 14 recycling sessions carried out - Result 2: Water management and governance by all stakeholders, especially local civil society organizations, youth and women's groups, are improved. Indicators: 70% of local community members (disaggregated by age and gender) who have a better Knowledge of environmental issues and green initiatives. 70% of water users (disaggregated by age and gender) who consider that their concerns (related to the exploitation of water points and access to natural resources) have been taken into account Activity monitoring indicators: 6 training sessions held for 120 trained volunteers; 2 bodies of awareness messages developed; 9,000 community members sensitized and 54 radio spots broadcast; 750 students and 45 teachers sensitized and 60 sessions organized artistic and musical activities; 10 workshops held with Technical Departments and a roadmap produced; 2 water forums organized with at least 160 participants - Result 3: Environmentally and climate-friendly initiatives are developed by civil society groups, including women's and youth groups, communities and the private sector. Indicators: Five proposals from CSOs and community groups focused on the topic of natural resource pollution are being used for advocacy campaigns with government and government departments. 70% of participants in climate-smart initiatives trainings putting newly acquired knowledge into practice. Activity monitoring indicators: A study on innovative solutions conducted and 3 pilot solutions considered; 3 pilot projects experienced; 25 meetings held with 105 participants and 7 maps developed; 105 people trained on innovative and intelligent solutions and 96 exchange visits are carried out; 4 training sessions organized for the selection committee and 700 people participate in project fairs; 1 call for projects is launched and 30 projects are selected 2 PURPOSE OF THE FINAL EVALUATION The purpose of the final evaluation is to provide an independent assessment of the completed NINEW'EAU project. The evaluation should serve both accountability and learning functions. Specifically, the final evaluation shall: • Focus on accountability to assess the impact of activities on stakeholders and gauge their satisfaction. • Assess the extent to which the project achieved its intended objectives and results at the output and outcome. • Examine the quality of implementation strategies, partnership, governance, and methodological choices used during the project. • Assess the project's contribution to strengthening local actors, especially Humat Dijlah, and to improving local dialogue and action on water and natural resources management. • Review the relevance, effectiveness, and sustainability of the intervention. • Generate practical recommendations for SI, HD, AFD, and other stakeholders for follow-up programming, scale-up, and future climate-resilient water governance interventions in Nineveh and similar contexts. • Evaluate the extent to which the project is aligned with the 8 Locally-led Adaptation principles. • In addition, the final evaluation shall assess the extent to which the project design, implementation approach and results reflect the principles of Locally Led Adaptation (LLA). In particular, the evaluation should consider whether the project contributed to devolving decision-making to the most appropriate local level, strengthening local capacities and institutional legacy, promoting inclusive participation of women and youth, improving transparency and accountability, enabling adaptive learning, and fostering collaboration between civil society, technical institutions and public authorities. 3 EVALUATION SCOPE The final evaluation shall cover the entire project period from 01 July 2023 to 30 June 2026, and all completed activities implemented under the project, across both tranches, particularly looking at • Activity scope: all three expected results and the related activities implemented by SI and partners, namely HD’s capacit