Belgium - Evaluation consultancy services

Description

Rikolto wants to do a efficiency/cost-benefit analysis of its work from a systems perspective, building on the 2019 mid-term review (accompanied self assessment), which should deliver a practical and easily replicable methodology.
1) Calculation of the return on investment for 3-4 flagship interventions1.1) research question:How many resources do we have to invest to obtain a certain (set of) outcome(s)?Or, put differently, which outcomes can investors or donors expect upon investing x amount of money in a Rikolto intervention?;1.2) research method:We are open to any research method that can analyse our work in view of the research question and that responds to the following two criteria:• comprehensiveness: the research method should encompass the systemic return on investment, addressing the diverse areas that Rikolto’s interventions touch in the food system (e.g. value chain relations; environmentally and socially sustainable production processes, producer livelihoods, business development service provision, inclusive business models, sector policies, access to sustainable and healthy food, ...),• replicability: the research method should allow for hands-on replication by our own teams (or through light collaboration with local researchers) for other interventions;1.3) shortlisted cases:overview of cases (out of which 3-4 need to be selected) for the efficiency analysis: see terms of reference;1.4) evaluability studyAt the start of the assessment, the evaluator should assess which cases will allow for a smooth implementation of the proposed research method. We propose the following set of selection criteria:• data availability: solid mid-term review analysis, reliable monitoring data, clear overview of invested human and financial resources;• reflection of the diversity of Rikolto’s work:Strategies: sustainable crop production, inclusive business (IB) relations and enabling environment,Topics: rice, cocoa, coffee and food smart cities,Geography: Latin America, West Africa, East Africa, South-East Asia and Europe;• Key outcome units for which we want to do an efficiency analysis [to be determined in collaboration with the selected consultant].Furthermore, the consultant is expected to create a list with additional data requirements. It shall be the responsibility of the consultant’s team to collect the additional data. The support offered be each regional office shall be determined during the inception phase. The overall idea, however, is for the consultant’s team to take the burden for all remaining data collection and triangulation efforts, as the regional teams have been involved in a heavy mid-term self-assessment.2) Hands-on methodology to replicate efficiency analyses from a food system perspective.Test the suitability of the chosen evaluation method for replication:• most likely, the evaluator shall need to customise existing research methods to the scope of Rikolto’s interventions in the food system;• furthermore, the evaluator may need to propose adaptations to allow Rikolto’s own teams to replicate the research method cost-efficiently (or with light support from local researchers) on future occasions and in different contexts.Develop guidelines for the replication of the efficiency evaluation methodology, detailing for each implementation step:• expected output (accompanied by concrete examples);• guiding questions;• important methodological considerations and/or tools that need to be used;• templates for data collection and calculations; and• relevant background materials.3) Practical tool for pre-intervention efficiency calculations.The opportunity to conduct this efficiency analysis generated a lot of interest from our colleagues to also explore forward looking tools to assess the efficiency of new interventions.Based on the work carried out as described under point 2.1, Rikolto requests the consultant to propose a relevant template and accompanying guidelines to assess the most cost-efficient (mix of) intervention(s) that will deliver the desired outcome.Teams from one or two regional offices shall test the utility of the proposed templates and guidelines.

Opportunity closing date

10 August 2020

Value of contract

£0-100k