FINAL EVALUATION STRENGTHENING PROTECTION & REFERRAL MECHANISMS AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO VULNERABLE MIGRANTS (VM)

STRENGTHENING PROTECTION & REFERRAL MECHANISMS AND HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE TO VULNERABLE MIGRANTS (VM)
EL SALVADOR, GUATEMALA AND HONDURAS
(PX 0260)

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Commissioned by: IOM (Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras) in fulfillment of the agreement with the program donor, the Bureau of Population, Refugees and Migration of the United States of America.
Managed by: Salvador Gutierrez

1. Evaluation context
   The objective of project is to the assist the Governments of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras, as well as civil society organizations and other stakeholders, to identify persons of concern, assess their needs and tackle the existing humanitarian gaps which are to be addressed in order to provide them with adequate (according to their gender and culture) and timely protection and assistance. Target populations for this initiative are vulnerable migrants, including unaccompanied and separated children and persons transferred under the ACAs; asylum seekers; and internally displaced persons.
   The project sought to contribute to strengthening the capacities of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras to effectively respond to the upcoming challenges related to recent changes in migration public policies and migration patterns, including those resulting from the sudden arrival to their territories of large groups of migrants in caravans, extra-regional mixed migration flows and persons transferred as a consequence of the implementation of the binational ACA agreements between the governments of El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras and the United States.
   The project also provides cooperation to governments and other stakeholders in El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras, in order to strengthen their humanitarian responses to vulnerable migrants. This is especially relevant in the context of the current and upcoming humanitarian and socioeconomic settings, strongly marked by the devastating effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as the effects of Tropical Storms ETA and IOTA in 2020, which inexorably will determine migration patterns and consequently migration governance in the region in the coming months and years.
   The project’s main focus is on:
   • Providing timely and accurate information on accessing assistance
   • Facilitating migrants' safety
   • Providing assistance without discrimination
   • Establishing clear referral procedures
   • Identifying and supporting persons with protection needs from within populations of people who have been displaced by natural disasters

Program components:
Outcome 1: Governments and counterparts have the capacities to effectively identify, refer, protect and assist persons of concern including vulnerable migrants and internally displaced persons in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras.
Output 1.1 Capacity-building and coordination mechanisms to identify, protect, assist and refer vulnerable migrants are strengthened
Outcome 2: Temporary safety, direct assistance, and protection mechanisms for persons of concern including vulnerable migrants and internally displaced persons are in place and adapted to the migration dynamics resulting from current and future humanitarian and socioeconomic contexts.
Output 2.1 Capacities of shelters and accommodation to meet vulnerable migrants’ and IDP’s needs have increased.
Output 2.2 Vulnerable migrants and IDPs receive direct assistance and humanitarian support tailored to their needs.

1. Evaluation purpose and objective
   The proposed evaluation is being conducted in compliance with the agreement between IOM and PRM, as well as IOM’s overarching commitment to generate useful, evidence-based information, including recommendations to inform future interventions and decision making.
   The evaluation’s objectives are:
2. Assess the overall performance towards meeting the program’s expected results.
3. Identify what were the success factors and barriers in project implementation (efficiency and effectiveness) and how IOM solved /overcame the challenges encountered.
4. Document lessons learned and best practices regarding assistance to vulnerable migrants in the region.
   The evaluation’s main findings, conclusions and recommendations will be used to inform future IOM interventions. The intended audience and users for this evaluation are:
5. IOM staff: Senior Assistant, COM

6. PRM

7. Evaluation Scope
   This evaluation will cover the implementation of the “Strengthening Protection & Referral Mechanisms and Humanitarian assistance to Vulnerable Migrants (VM)” in El Salvador, Guatemala and Honduras. The evaluation will have the following scope:
   a. The evaluation will include the project formulation, implementation, and closure.
   b. Intervention period: 16 December 2020 to 15 February 2022
   c. Geographical area: Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador.
   d. Targeted population: IOM staff, key stakeholders, beneficiaries and governmental institutions (mentioned in Evaluation purpose and objective)
   e. Evaluator / Evaluation team will be based in: Virtual or physical venue to be confirmed depending on COVID-19 restrictions valid at the time of the evaluation.
   The evaluation will focus on the program’s outcomes and is expected to provide recommendations, good practices and lessons learned derived from the analysis.

8. Evaluation criteria
   The evaluation will address the evaluation criteria of Relevance, Effectiveness, Efficiency and Sustainability and Gender considerations should be integrated as cross-cutting themes across all criteria.

9. Evaluation methodology
   Type: Non-Experimental evaluation.
   Design: Final/ summative
   Approach: The evaluator or evaluation team will propose the best approach based on the evaluation’s purpose, also, it must be explained why it was chosen and must be sustained with clear steps on how it will be applied. As an example, the evaluator can choose one of the following approaches for non-experimental evaluations: Outcome Harvesting, Most Significance Change and Appreciative Inquiry, but is not limited to these and is free to suggest any other methodology considered apt for this purpose.

Data Analysis: The evaluator must provide a broad and strong data analysis considering causal and contribution analysis, comparatives, contradictions, and exceptions encountered.

1. Ethics, norms and standards for evaluation
   The evaluation must follow IOM Data Protection Principles, UNEG norms and standards for evaluations, UNEG Codes of Conduct and relevant ethical guidelines as follow below:
   Integrity: Honest and truthful, professional, independent, and impartial.
   Accountability: Transparent regarding evaluation, responsive, responsible.
   Respect: Access to evaluation process and products, meaningful participation and equitable treatment, fair representation of different voices and perspectives.
   Beneficence: Explicit ongoing considerations of risk and benefits. No Harm, Positive contribution.
2. Evaluation deliverables
   The evaluation deliverables include:
3. Inception report and evaluation matrix
4. Draft evaluation report
5. Final evaluation report
   3.1. Report
   3.2. Databases
   3.3. Results analysis files (quantitative and qualitative).
   3.4. Any other document requested.
6. Evaluation learning brief
7. Management response matrix
8. Executive presentation to IOM and stakeholders.
   All deliverables have to be submitted in English language.
9. Specifications of roles and responsibilities
   • Evaluator / Evaluation team:
   o Performs the evaluation according to ToR.
   o Provides updates to Evaluation Manager according to agreed timelines.
   o Prepares deliverables and presents them on the corresponding due dates.
   • Evaluation manager:
   o Reviews and approves ToR.
   o Selects evaluator.
   o Supervises the evaluation implementation and workplan.

Provides key documents and contacts with relevant stakeholders and partners.
o Provides feedback on activities and deliverables.
o Ensures quality during the process.
o Approves deliverables and final evaluation report.
o Helps the evaluator to create the management response matrix.
• M&E team:
o Provide the project documents including reports.
o Oversee the data collection according to the programs available data sources.
o Coordinated the target groups for data collection in close coordination with the evaluator.
• Operations team:
o Provides qualitative information (best practices, success factors, experiences).
o Support all logistics processes for the data collection.

1. Evaluation budget
   There will be a competitive selection process in form of an open call for proposals. Proposals exceeding USD 30,000 (all fees included) will not be accepted.
2. Requirements
   IOM is seeking an external evaluator / evaluation team. The evaluator or evaluation firm may be based in any country but should demonstrate prior experience in the target countries.
   Education and Experience
   • At least 10 years of experience in conducting project and program evaluations.
   • Sound experience with both quantitative and qualitative research methods and analytical tools
   • In case of an evaluation team, all team members should have a masters degree or equivalent in evaluation, law, social science, public policy, development studies, or related fields.
   • Demonstrated sound understanding of migrant’s thematic topics, e.g. migration governance, labor migration, trafficking in persons, crisis management, border management, etc.
   • Experience with regional coordination mechanisms is an advantage.
   Competencies
   • Excellent analytical, oral, and written communication skills in English and Spanish.
   • Experience with remote / virtual data collection.
   • Ability to create graphic visuals on key findings.
   • Experience in technical and analytical report writing.
   • Experience in leading an international research project.
   • Experience in working in complex institutional environments.
   • Displays cultural, gender, religion, race nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
   • Sound knowledge of the region (Mexico and Central America).
   • Ability to work with minimal supervision and to meet deadlines.

How to apply:

Submission of application
• Candidates are expected to submit a technical offer and a proposed budget. The offer should include a cost estimation, including all necessary costs to carry out the evaluation. Documents should contain examples of similar work.
• The CVs of all experts involved should be attached to the offer.
• Candidates must submit their offer by 23rd January. No applications will be considered after this date. Shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview.
• Please submit your offer to iomsalhr@iom.int

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