Terms of Reference (ToR)

1.     Background and Context

After the devastating floods in 2022 severely impacted the livelihoods, housing, and agricultural production in District Dadu, Sindh Province. Diakonie Katastrophenhilfe initiated a project ‘Restoring Lives and Building Resilience of Flood Affected Population in District Dadu, Sindh Province’ with the collaboration of its implementing partner REEDS. The project was implemented from 15 August 2024 to 15 November 2025 in the selected flood affected areas of Union Council Johi 2 and Union Council Phulji Village, Taluka/Tehsil Johi, District Dadu, Sindh, Pakistan.

The overall goal of the project is to restore the lives and build resilience of flood-affected communities through improved food security, livelihoods recovery, and enhanced preparedness against climate-related disasters.

The project aimed to achieve the following specific objectives:

1. Improved access to meet food needs for flood-affected households through the distribution of cash grants.
2. Improved access to high-quality agricultural inputs (seeds and fertilizers) for smallholder farmers.
3. Enhanced household vegetable cultivation leading to higher yields and better food diversity.
4. Increased knowledge of farmers on climate-smart agricultural techniques.
5. Improved living conditions of flood-affected households.
6. Enhanced preparedness of target communities and humanitarian actors for climate-related natural disasters.

The project targeted the most vulnerable households affected by floods in Dadu District and aimed to restore livelihoods, promote food security, and strengthen community resilience through sustainable interventions.

2.     Purpose of the Evaluation

The main purpose of this evaluation is to assess the project’s performance, achievements, and overall impact against the OECD/DAC evaluation criteria—Relevance, Effectiveness, Efficiency, Impact, Sustainability, and Coherence. The evaluation will serve both learning and accountability purposes. The findings will inform future programming and contribute to evidence-based decision-making for similar interventions.

3.     Specific Objectives of the Evaluation

The specific objectives of the evaluation are to:

• Assess the extent to which the project has achieved its intended objectives and outcomes.
• Determine the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, sustainability, and impact of the interventions.
• Identify best practices, lessons learned, and key challenges.
• Provide actionable recommendations for future programme design and

implementation.

4.     Evaluation Scope and Objective

The evaluation will cover the full duration of the project (August 2024 – November 2025) and will focus on all key intervention areas, including food security, livelihood restoration, agricultural support, and disaster preparedness. The geographical scope is Union Council Johi 2 and Union Council Phulji Village, Taluka Johi, District Dadu where the project was implemented.

5.     Evaluation Criteria/Questions

Relevance:

• To what extent were the project’s objectives and design appropriate to the identified needs and context of target communities?
• Were the inputs, strategies, and interventions realistic, adequate, and responsive to beneficiaries’ needs?

Effectiveness:

• To what extent were the intended project goal, outcomes, and outputs achieved?
• How effective were the strategies, tools, and management processes in achieving project results?
• How effectively did the project respond to the changing needs and priorities of beneficiaries?
• What lessons can be drawn for future interventions?

Efficiency:

• Were resources (financial, human, and material) used in an optimal and timely manner?
• Were the results achieved commensurate with the costs incurred?
• Could a different approach or strategy have produced better results?

Sustainability:

• What measures have been taken to ensure the sustainability of project results beyond the project’s life cycle?
• What additional support or linkages are needed to sustain benefits?

Impact:

• What are the intended and unintended impacts (positive or negative) resulting from the project?
• Have there been any significant changes in community resilience, food security, or preparedness as a result of the project interventions?

Coordination and Coherence:

How has the project been integrated with the activities and priorities of other agencies and organizations (including district government)?

• Areas for consideration include:
• The linkages and relationships between the target group, REEDS, and other agencies and organisations,
• The ability to manage multi-purpose partnerships,
• The coherence of the project with national and local policies, and departments
• The major factors influencing the coordination and coherence of the project with the activities and priorities of other agencies and organisations.

Beneficiary Participation and Satisfaction 

• How has the project involved the intended participants (target group) in the design, implementation, and monitoring of the project? 

The evaluation will adopt a mixed-methods approach, integrating both quantitative and qualitative techniques to ensure comprehensive, evidence-based, and triangulated findings. This approach will combine a review of project documentation with participatory field methods to capture the perspectives of diverse stakeholders and beneficiaries.

The methodology will include:

• Desk Review: Examination of key project documents, including the project proposal, progress and monitoring reports, baseline and endline data, and partner reports.
• Household Surveys: Quantitative data collection from project beneficiaries to assess changes in livelihoods, food security, resilience, and preparedness indicators.
• Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): Conducted with men, women, and youth groups in target communities to explore perceptions of project relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, and sustainability.
• Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): Conducted with representatives from the implementing partner (REEDS), local authorities, community leaders, and DKH staff to capture strategic and contextual insights.
• Direct Observations: Field visits to selected sites to observe physical outputs such as livelihood assets, agricultural interventions, and community structures.

Sampling Method and Sample Size

A stratified random sampling method will be employed to ensure adequate representation across target villages and beneficiary groups within Union Council Johi 2 and Union Council Phulji Village, Taluka Johi, District Dadu. Villages will be stratified based on geographic location and type of intervention, and households will be randomly selected within each stratum to minimize sampling bias.

The proposed sample size will include:

• 8–10 villages within the project area, ensuring geographic and demographic diversity, and inclusion of vulnerable and marginalized groups, including persons with disabilities. The sample size will be determined to achieve a 95% confidence level with a 5% margin of error, ensuring that findings accurately represent the broader beneficiary population.
• Approximately 200–240 beneficiary households for quantitative surveys to ensure statistical validity and adequate representation of the target population.
• 04 FGDs disaggregated by gender and age group to capture diverse perspectives.
• 3-6 KIIs with key stakeholders, including project staff, REEDS representatives, DKH field team, community leaders, and local government authorities.

The evaluator/firm will present a detailed evaluation design, including the finalized sampling frame, data collection tools, and evaluation matrix, in the Inception Report for review and approval prior to the commencement of fieldwork.

6.     Deliverables and Timeframe

The following timeframe and deliverables will guide the evaluation process:

7.     Evaluation Team Qualifications

The evaluation will be conducted by an independent firm with:

• A postgraduate degree in development studies, social sciences, or a related field.
• At least 7–10 years of experience in evaluating livelihoods, resilience, or humanitarian projects.
• Proven expertise in applying OECD/DAC evaluation criteria and participatory approaches.
• Strong analytical, report writing, and facilitation skills.
• Prior experience in Sindh Province or similar socio-economic contexts will be an asset.

8.     Management and Coordination

The evaluation will be commissioned and managed REEDS Pakistan. A focal person from DKH will provide oversight, and monitoring of the overall evaluation process. REEDS, implementing partner will facilitate field access and stakeholder engagement. The consultant/firm will be responsible for data collection, analysis, and report preparation.

9.     Ethical Considerations

The evaluation will adhere to ethical standards outlined by OECD/DAC, ensuring:

• Informed consent from all participants.
• Respect for confidentiality and data protection.
• Gender sensitivity and inclusion of marginalized groups.
• Compliance with the “Do No Harm” principle and safeguarding policies.
• Inception Report (including methodology, sampling, tools, and work plan)
• Draft Evaluation Report
• Validation Workshop with stakeholders
• Final Evaluation Report incorporating feedback
• Summary presentation and key lessons learned brief (optional)
• Project Logical Framework / Results Framework
• Evaluation Matrix by incorporating the findings of the baseline and end line results.
•  (to be developed by consultant)
• List of project documents for review
• Key contacts and stakeholders

10.  Expected Outputs

11.  Annexes

12.  Application

The bids are to be processed through an open procedure.
Each bid submission must include the following documents and information as mandatory prerequisites. Incomplete submissions or dossiers lacking any required documentation or information will not be considered for further evaluation:

The tender documents consist of the following:

• Invitation letter
• Terms of Reference dully singed and stamped
• Staff CVs
• Detailed profile and relevant experience
• Technical Proposal
• Financial proposal with a breakdown of costs

1. 13.  Financial proposal:
   a-   Financial proposals need to be in PKR, inclusive of all applicable taxes.
   b-   Financial proposals should show Lump sum fees for consultancy. This should cover all the logistics (travelling, accommodation, enumerators costs etc.) including data collection from the field.
2. 14.  Selection:

Based on an initial ranking as per the criteria stated below, a minimum of 3-5 candidates/bidders with the highest score will be invited to present their offers in a meeting of approximately. 45 minutes in the English language with representatives of the evaluation commissioners.

Applicants can ask questions in writing by 25th October 2025, to the following email addresses [email protected] . Candidates are strongly encouraged to contact to clarify questions regarding the documents to be submitted, the content of these documents, as well as the content of the presentation.

REEDS reserves the right to ask each tenderer individually for clarification regarding their quote within a reasonable time limit, to be determined by the evaluation committee.

1. 15.  Contact Award

The decision for the award of the contract shall be determined using the standard value method.
The contract will be awarded to the bidder who submits the most economically advantageous offer.

During the evaluation process, particular attention will be given to the feasibility of the proposed timetable and work plan in relation to the envisaged implementation period.

Furthermore, the quality of the presentation—including the bidder’s level of understanding of the assignment, professionalism in presentation, and degree of engagement—will also be taken into consideration.

1. 16.  Contractual details

The selected applicant will be required to sign and adhere to the Code of Conduct and the Data Protection Form as integral components of the contract.

The consultant must provide an invoice containing their contact details, the services provided, bank details, and NTN (National Tax Number), and should allow at least 7 days for the processing of the payment.

17. Acceptance of ToRs:

Acceptance by the bidder:
I hereby confirm that the Terms and Conditions as per TORs for the services mentioned above are acceptable to us and that we shall abide by these Terms and Conditions.

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