1. BACKGROUND TO THE ASSIGNMENT:
International Medical Corps (IMC) has been implementing the project “Provision of Comprehensive Integrated Primary Healthcare, Mental Health and Psychosocial Support (MHPSS), Nutritional Assistance, and Life-Saving Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Services to Internally Displaced Populations (IDPs), Host Communities, and Conflict-Affected Populations in South Sudan” with funding support from the U.S. Department of State. As part of the implementation requirements, IMC seeks to conduct an independent program evaluation through an external consultant.
The project scope encompasses health, mental health and psychosocial support, nutrition, and protection services—primarily gender-based violence interventions. Implementation has been ongoing since June 2024 and will conclude in March 2026, covering the geographic locations of Malakal, Bulukat Transit Center, Renk Transit Center, and Manyo in Upper Nile State, as well as Canal Pigi County in Jonglei State.
2. PURPOSE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The overall purpose of the evaluation is to evaluate the implementation of outcomes of the US Department of State (DoS)-funded project: “Provision of Comprehensive Integrated primary healthcare, MHPSS, nutritional assistance, and lifesaving GBV services to internally displaced populations (IDPs), host communities, and conflict-affected populations in South Sudan.” Given that this may mark the end of more than a decade of continuous DoS funding, the evaluation will also examine the long-term impact of the program, the likelihood of sustained results after close-out, and persistent unmet needs in the programming areas.
The Specific Objectives
•To assess the effectiveness, relevance, and coverage of integrated service delivery across sectors.
•Examine program coherence and coordination with other actors and systems.
•Identify key factors influencing implementation, including adaptation to contextual changes and responsiveness to community feedback.
•Analyze sustainability prospects, including community ownership, local systems strengthening, and resource availability post-closeout.
•Generate practical recommendations and lessons learned to inform future programming and guide local and international actors in sustaining essential services.
3. SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT:
The scope of this evaluation requires the consultant to perform the following tasks
•Conduct a thorough review of the full scope of work document and secondary data review of project documents, M&E datasets, and prior assessments to inform evaluation design.
•Prepare an Inception Report detailing methodology, sampling strategy, data management plan, and refined evaluation framework within 3 weeks of contract signing.
•Design and implement primary data collection using mixed methods (quantitative household survey and qualitative KIIs/FGDs) across all targeted sites (Malakal PoC, Bulukat, Canal/Pigi, Manyo, Renk).
•Ensure ethical compliance (informed consent, confidentiality, safeguarding) and train enumerators for data collection.
•Analyze data and produce a draft evaluation report (max 50 pages excluding annexes) integrating quantitative and qualitative findings within 8 weeks after data collection ends.
•Revise and finalize the report based on IMC feedback and submit electronic copies (Word and PDF) plus de-identified datasets, codebooks, and analysis scripts
4. DELIVERABLES DESCRIPTION AND DATES:
•Inception report including revised methodology and tools approved by IMC technical unit – expected within three weeks
•Data collection tools and training of enumerators before field data collection – expected before field data collection
•Draft evaluation report including data files/data sets submitted within 3 weeks post data collection - Within 3 weeks after field data collection
•Final evaluation report submitted following feedback from IMC technical advisors – Within three weeks of IMC feedback
4.1. IMPLEMENTATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT DELIVERABLES
Detail how, when and by whom the deliverables will be implemented
Consultant:
o Lead evaluation design, sampling, and analysis; prepare Inception Report with final instruments and fieldwork plan.
o Lead KIIs; may either conduct KIIs directly or train specialized interviewers to conduct them.
o Lead qualitative analysis; synthesize findings across data sources; draft and finalize the report and slide deck.
o Establish secure data management procedures; produce de-identified datasets, codebooks, and analysis scripts.
o Conduct training to enumerators in collaboration with IMC field team
IMC Country M&E/Support team:
o Assist with household survey data collection preparations and logistics (enumerator hiring, supervision) and, if desired by the evaluator, assist with FGD logistics and facilitation.
o Provide background documentation and routine M&E data; facilitate access/clearances; coordinate field logistics; support quality assurance (spot checks, data reviews).
o If the evaluator opts to train specialized interviewers for KIIs, IMC will support recruitment and training logistics.
Independent contractor (Consultant) Specifications
To perform this consultancy successfully, an individual must be able to perform each task with or without reasonable accommodation.