Terms of Reference

 

Fight for Humanity is seeking an evaluator – or two experts for joint candidatures depending on the profiles and expertise – to support its work within the North East Syria programme, as part of the implementation of a project on the protection of cultural heritage.

The consultant(s) will report to the Co-Director of Fight for Humanity in Geneva, Switzerland. 

 

Objectives and content of the evaluation

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Fight for Humanity is carrying out the project “Enhancing the Local Capacity for Conservation and Stabilization in North East Syria” since 2020, within the framework of funding provided by the ALIPH (International Alliance for the Protection of Heritage in Conflict Areas) Foundation.

Together with its local partner Orient Association, Fight for Humanity has been implementing this project aiming to contribute to peacebuilding and social cohesion across ethnic lines and territories in North East Syria, through the protection and promotion of cultural heritage. This project covers adaptation and improvement the storage conditions of two warehouses, which are sheltering and centralizing artefacts and mosaics, creating a database of the items stored in the warehouses, conservation and stabilization measures for several Roman mosaic tablets, awareness-raising among the population including the younger generation, through advocacy initiatives and a public campaign and, enhancing the capacity of internal security forces’ units in charge of combatting illicit trafficking.

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Phase one of the project was the ALIPH-funded emergency relief project “Urgent Intervention: Stabilizing the Historic Tell-Beydar Nabada Palace Site and Securing and Improving Conservation Conditions of Artefacts in North East Syria” during which first steps were taken to refurbish a warehouse (cleaning, aeration, plumbing, electricity, fixing security cameras, etc.) and to organize the storage space in view of documentation of the artifacts.

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At the archaeological site, emergency works were carried out: cleaning and protecting the walls from weathering over the entire site and other preventive maintenance. Visitor facilities were also refurbished (interpretation panels).

In line with Fight for Humanity’s evaluation guidelines, the objective of the evaluation is to contribute to learning and improved decision-making within Fight for Humanity, and accountability towards its donors, partners, and other relevant stakeholders.

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The evaluation will focus the following issues, in accordance with select Fight for Humanity evaluation criteria: 

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• Project management and relevance:

  • Effectiveness: Has the project achieved its (specific) objective or will it do so in the future?

  • Efficiency: Has the project been appropriately managed? Does the quality and quantity results achieved justify the resources used?

  • Relevance:

 

• Quality and sustainability of heritage conservation and protection measures of the project:

  • Technical quality of the project: Has the project complied with technical standards and methodologies in the processes and in the achieved results?

  • Sustainability: Are the conservation and protection measures sustainable?

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• Impact: Contribution of the project to peacebuilding and socio-economic development:

  • Peacebuilding:

    • What is the interplay between the cultural heritage concerned by the project and the conflict?

    • Did the projects contribute to raising awareness of the need to protect cultural heritage for its potential role in dialogue and mutual respect that could contribute to peacebuilding?

    • Did the project contribute to social cohesion amongst members of different communities as part of their work on the project?

    • What could be done to improve the peacebuilding potential of the project, taking into consideration the understanding of local communities of peace?

    • How could vulnerabilities be reduced of the heritage, the project, and of the communities associated with the heritage?

  • Socio-economic development: Did the project contribute to the local economy? How could such a contribution be strengthened?

  • Other impacts (to the extent possible): Can any other effects of the project – intended and unintended, long term and short term, positive and negative – be detected?

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• Global learning:

  • Overall, what went well/badly in the project implementation?

  • What could Fight for Humanity and its partners learn for next time?

  • ow could the reviewed activity or similar activities be improved?

 

Methodology and deliverables of the evaluation

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The evaluation will need to define a clear methodological framework and analyze the main learning components to identify lessons learned and extract clear recommendations. This could take place as follows: 

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• Create a methodological framework for the evaluation, taking as a point of departure Fight for Humanity’s existing self-assessment format and existing International Centre for the Study of the Preservation and Restoration of Cultural Property (ICCROM) tools. The reviewer may propose any appropriate method as needed.

• Carry out a comprehensive desk review of relevant documents related to the project. 

• Deliverable: inception report that presents the methodology and workplan of the evaluation, with relevant methodological tools.  

• Carry out a visit to the project implementations areas (North East Syria), including the four sites/locations concerned by the project activities (Rmelan, Raqqa, Tel Beydar, and Manbij) to conduct technical evaluations and interviews. 

• Carry out interviews with members of the Fight for Humanity staff and the staff of its local partner Orient Association, and representatives of relevant ALIPH’s staff, as well as international experts and representatives of local authorities and/or community representatives involved in or contributing to the project.

• Analyze the main lessons learned and identify the strengths of the projects.   

• Highlight projects’ aspects that could become references for future projects of a similar nature. 

• Identify weaknesses and provide recommendations on how to address them later.

• Deliverables: draft evaluation report for the inputs of the Fight for Humanity and Orient Association’s teams, and final evaluation report.

• The reports will be written in English. Knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable. 

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Proposal

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• Evaluation expertise, preferably of cultural heritage projects, including scientific assessment of conservation work.

• Demonstrated ability to carry out interviews with a diversity of stakeholders and compiling data into coherent reports.

• Strong interpersonal, communication and presentation skills.

• Availability to travel to North East Syria.

• Excellent command of English and preferably knowledge of Arabic.

• Experience from the Middle East, especially Syria, is an advantage.

• Joint applications are possible and encouraged.

• Elements of the proposal

• Short description of the applicant’s planned approach and methodology tailored to the project and the needs of the evaluation.

• Brief description of the applicant’s track record in relevant projects

• CVs of all applicants

• Budget with daily fees and other planned expenses

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Administration

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• Preliminary timeline:

  • 18 August 2023: publication of the Terms of Reference

  • 28 August 2023: deadline for submission of proposals

  • 29 August-1 September 2023: assessment, interviews and attribution of evaluation

  • Early September 2023: signing of contract, beginning of work

  • First week of October 2023: submission of inception report

  • Second part of October 2023: travel to North East Syria (preferably)

  • November 2023: submission of a draft evaluation report, feedback from Fight for Humanity and Orient Association staff, including an online meeting

  • December 2023: final report

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• Budget

Fight for Humanity estimates a total of 18-20 days of work to carry out the evaluation, including travel time. Fight For Humanity will cover the travel and insurance fees for NES. The proposed budget for the evaluation should not exceed 11’000 USD and a less expensive proposal might have an advantage. The evaluator will be paid based on a contract signed in USD, and the fee will be paid as follows:

• A first instalment at the signature of the contract (30%)

• A second instalment following the delivery of the inception report (30%),

• The last instalment after the delivery of the final evaluation report, having integrated Fight for Humanity’s and its partner’s feedback (40%).

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• General

Duty Station: Desk-based with regular exchange with Fight for Humanity’s Headquarters and travel to North East Syria
Type of the Contract: International Consultant(s)
Expected Start Date: Immediately after the contract is signed, preferably from early September.

Language: English       

To apply and for questions, please contact Anki Sjöberg: anki.sjoeberg(at)fightforhumanity.org

 

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