Careers at Save the Children - Economic Empowerment to Mitigate Impact of HIV/AIDS Project

Job Title: Economic Empowerment to Mitigate Impact of HIV/AIDS Project

Employer: Save the Children

Duty Station: Meru, Kenya

Application Deadline: 25th Oct 2013



Background

Save the Children has been operational in Kenya since 1984, providing support to children through developmental and humanitarian relief programmes delivered both directly and through local partners.

Current programmes focus on child protection, child rights governance, education, health, HIV &AIDS, livelihoods, nutrition and WASH.

Save the Children has an operational presence in Dadaab Refugee Camp, Mandera, Meru and Wajir.

Description of the Project: Economic Empowerment to Mitigate Impact of HIV/AIDS in Meru, Kenya

HIV and AIDS has had a severe economic impact in Kenya as it often affects people most in their most productive years, creating a reduction in the labour supply and increased costs, including medical care, funeral expenses and care of orphans.

Household incomes and savings redirected to these expenses lead to significant reduction in economic growth at individual, family and national levels.

Children continue to bear the brunt of HIV and AIDS as their parents either die from HIV-related complications or are rendered incapable of providing for their families by illness and reduced income.

To respond to these impacts, Save the Children has been implementing a 3-year “Economic Empowerment to Mitigate Impact of HIV/AIDS (EEMIH)” Project in Meru county since 2011.

The project is supported by Save the Children New Zealand through New Zealand Aid Programme to achieve the following: :

Impact

To increase sustainable economic security for vulnerable families and communities affected by HIV/AIDS in Eastern Kenya.

Outcomes
Enhanced livelihoods for over 700 youth and care givers from HIV affected households through entrepreneurial skills development, agricultural inputs, market linkages, income generation endevours and microfinance services,
Increased self-reliance for 4,000 young people through formal education support, vocational training and reduced HIV/AIDS infections in project area.
The Final Evaluation

Save the Children intends to undertake a final evaluation of the project to assess the following: efficiency, effectiveness and relevance.

The proposed evaluation is to provide information on the project operational process, changes to the beneficiaries, best practices and lessons learned. The identified best practices, lessons learned and arising recommendations will be useful for future related programming.

Any identified issues for further advocacy will be used as a basis for influencing policies and practices for children from HIV/AIDS affected households.

Methods that may be used include: reviews of service records and regular reporting systems; key informant interviews; direct observation; stakeholder workshops and surveys.

The project has been implemented in the 6 Sub - districts of Imenti North, South, Central, Buuri and Tigania East and West targeting 990 households some of whom are child-headed.

A baseline survey was conducted, and while not seen as a strong representation of the project aims, it will be provided for review by the consultant.

Consultant’s Tasks

The consultant will work closely with the project team in planning and executing the task.

Under the overall guidance of Save the Children, the consultant will:
• Develop and implement quantitative and qualitative assessment tools;
• Develop a detailed work plan for the final evaluation in consultation with Save the Children
• Employ sound scientific research methodologies to sample subjects in the project location
• Train research assistants on the tools and pretest the tools, if required;
• Administer the evaluation;
• Conduct data entry and analysis;
• Present preliminary findings to Save the Children; and
• Compile and submit the final evaluation report.
The client will be provided with the following;

All documents related to the project and which would inform the evaluation, such as baseline report, detailed M&E Plan with targets, project proposal, annual work plans, periodic donor reports and any other materials the consultant may demand.

Deliverables/Outputs

Proposed evaluation methodology: this will be submitted to Save the Children for approval, and will be reviewed and feedback provided within one week. The collection of data can commence once the methodology is approved.

Evaluation report detailing the following;
Part 1: Executive Summary of no more than 2 pages
Part 2: A presentation of the methodology used by the consultants;
Part 3: Technical evaluation findings
Part 4: Recommendations specific to efficiency, effectiveness and relevance of the project;
Part 5: A reflection and key recommendations (no more than 10 pages on the elements that have not been addressed in this project, but would be useful in future projects, including key areas for advocacy.
Copies of tools used

List of interviewees

Timeline

This evaluation is expected to take a maximum of 20 days to cover all evaluation activities.

The final report incorporating feedback from Save the Children will be submitted 2 days after the presentation.

Profile of Desired Consultants:

• Advanced University degree in Social Science.
• Minimum 10 years of proven knowledge and professional experience in undertaking monitoring and evaluation of livelihoods, HIV/AIDS or related projects.
• Have solid knowledge and practical experience in research and analyses of statistical data.
• Excellent organising, facilitating, presentation and communication skills.
• Ability to read, write and communicate effectively in English.
• Proven experience working in sensitive social development environments (e.g. populations affected by HIV) and with children
• Willingness to sign and abide by the Save the Children Child Safeguarding Policy
• The consultant should send a technical and financial proposal detailing his/or her understanding of the TOR and methodology that will be used to undertake the task including proposed methods, sampling strategy, data collection tools, method of data analysis and final reporting template.

Also include profiles of previous tasks carried out in the last 3 years, team composition and CVs of key personnel, detailed work plan and budget.

Click here to Download the Expression of Interest Form
The technical proposal should be sent to Kenya.jobapplications@savethechildren.org

Any canvassing will lead to automatic disqualification.