Consultant for Endline Study and Final Evaluation of C-REAL Project

### Background Plan International Laos Plan, one of the world’s largest children’s INGOs, is mandated to work for child rights and gender equality. Plan International Laos (Plan Laos) started operations in Laos in 2007 and today maintains a field presence in Bokeo, Champasak, Luang Prabang, Oudomxay, Salavan, and Vientiane provinces; and Vientiane Capital. We actively engage in coordination, policy and technical discussions with the Government of Laos, Lao civil society (not-for-profit/NPAs or CSOs) and development partners at local and national levels. Under the 2021-2027 Country Strategic Plan, Plan Laos implements four major sector programs – 1) Public Health & Nutrition ii) Education & Skills iii) Adolescent Development and Participation and iv) Skills & Opportunities for Youth Employment & Entrepreneurship (SOYEE). The areas of Child Protection, Gender Equality and Social Inclusion, and Climate Change are cross cutting across all the programs, projects and internal policies. Gender transformative programming and influencing is the global approach used in every country office, including Plan Laos, to apply to their work that helps achieve its ambitions of gender equality and girl’s rights. ### Background of C-REAL #### 2.1. Project Background In line with the Lao PDR’s Agricultural Development Strategy to 2025 and Vision to 2030, the project addresses the key challenges affecting rural communities in Bokeo Province, including climate change, limited livelihood opportunities, weak government service delivery, and social vulnerability among ethnic minority households. To address these challenges, Plan Laos, has been implementing the Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Enhanced Livelihoods (C-REAL) Project (2024-2026). The project builds on the achievements of the Rural Enterprises for Agricultural Livelihoods (REAL) Project (2020–2024) and expands climate-resilient agricultural interventions across five districts in Bokeo Province. The overall goal of the project is to improve the quality of life of ethnic minority communities through increased household income, strengthened climate resilience, enhanced market participation, youth economic empowerment, and improved local government capacity to deliver sustainable services. The project is implemented under two outcomes: **Outcome 1:** Ethnic farmers improve their livelihoods through climate-resilient agricultural production and increased engagement in market systems. Supporting outputs include: - Output 1.1: Households understand market opportunities for climate-resilient products and production techniques. - Output 1.2: Farmer Organizations (FOs) are established and strengthened to support the sustainable expansion of climate-resilient agriculture and market participation. - Output 1.3: Youth-led micro-enterprises are established to strengthen value chains for climate-resilient agricultural production. **Outcome 2:** Local government institutions provide services that improve climate-resilient livelihoods and the social well-being of rural households. Supporting outputs include: - Output 2.1: District Agriculture and Forestry Offices (DAFOs) strengthen their capacity to plan, manage, and deliver annual extension services for climate-resilient agricultural production. - Output 2.2: Local government institutions improve the delivery of services that promote community resilience, gender equality, social inclusion, safe migration, legal awareness, and overall social well-being. As the project approaches completion, an independent Final Evaluation will be conducted to assess the project’s relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, sustainability, and the extent to which the intended outcomes and outputs have been achieved. The evaluation will also identify lessons learned, good practices, and recommendations to inform future programming and support the sustainability of project interventions beyond the project period. ### Purpose of the Evaluation The purpose of this consultancy is to conduct an independent Endline Survey and Final External Evaluation (FEE) of the Climate-Resilient Agriculture and Enhanced Livelihoods (C-REAL) Project. The consultancy will generate credible evidence on the project’s achievements, effectiveness, and sustainability, while measuring progress against the project baseline, logframe, and expected results. The evaluation will determine the extent to which the project has achieved its intended outcomes and contributed to improved livelihoods, climate resilience, market participation, and institutional capacity among target communities in Bokeo Province. It will also assess the effectiveness of the project’s implementation strategies, identify factors influencing project performance, and document lessons learned and good practices. As C-REAL represents the second phase of the REAL Project, the evaluation should assess not only the achievements of the current project but also the sustainability, institutionalization, and scaling of interventions initiated under the REAL Project. Particular attention should be given to whether successful approaches have been embedded within local government systems, adopted by farming communities, and strengthened through C-REAL implementation. The findings will provide evidence for accountability to KOICA, Plan International, implementing partners, and project stakeholders, while informing future programming, policy dialogue, and the design of similar climate-resilient livelihood initiatives. Additionally, key results and recommendations will be shared with the Government of Lao PDR as part of Plan’s ongoing influencing actions, to promote strengthened legislation and implementation standards. ### Objectives of the Endline Survey and Final External Evaluation This consultancy comprises two complementary components: (i) an Endline Survey (ELS) and (ii) a Final External Evaluation (FEE). While the Endline Survey is intended to collect and validate endline data for indicators not fully captured through the project’s MERL system, the Final External Evaluation will use this evidence, together with project monitoring data, document review, and qualitative inquiry, to assess the overall performance of the project. The consultancy therefore seeks to generate robust evidence for accountability, organizational learning, and future program design through one integrated process. #### 4.1 Endline Survey The Endline Survey aims to complement the project’s existing MERL data by collecting additional endline information required to complete measurement of project results and selected logframe indicators. Specifically, the Endline Survey will: - collect and validate endline data for indicators not fully captured through routine project monitoring; - verify selected outcome and output indicators against project records and the approved logframe; - generate quantitative evidence to provide qualitative data to provide additional basis for the Final External Evaluation in making its assessment; and - provide a reliable evidence base to support the overall assessment of project performance. Where appropriate, the consultant shall maximize the use of existing MERL data and avoid duplication of data collection efforts. #### 4.2 Final External Evaluation The Final External Evaluation aims to provide an independent assessment of the overall performance of the C-REAL Project and the extent to which it has achieved its intended objectives. Building upon data generated through the Endline Survey, project monitoring data, document review, and qualitative fieldwork, the evaluation will: - assess the overall performance and achievement of project results; - assess the effectiveness of the project’s implementation strategies, methodologies, and delivery approaches, identifying key strengths, weaknesses, enabling factors, and constraints; - generate evidence on the sustainability of project outcomes and the institutionalization of successful approaches; - assess how C-REAL has built upon, strengthened, and sustained the achievements of the preceding REAL Project; - identify lessons learned, good practices, and innovations; and - provide practical, evidence-based recommendations to inform future programming by Plan International Laos, KOICA, government partners, and other stakeholders. ### Evaluation Focus In accordance with the Plan International MERL Policy and the OECD DAC Evaluation Criteria (2021), the Final External Evaluation shall assess the project against the following six evaluation criteria. #### 5.1 Relevance Assess the extent to which the project design, interventions, and implementation strategies responded to the needs and priorities of target communities and aligned with national, provincial, and district development priorities. The evaluation should examine: - relevance of the selected climate-resilient livelihood interventions to beneficiary needs; - appropriateness of the four priority value chains and agricultural technologies; - responsiveness to the needs of women, youth, and vulnerable groups; - alignment with Government of Lao PDR policies and KOICA and Plan International strategic priorities; and - continued relevance of the project design in the changing socio-economic and climate context. #### 5.2 Coherence Assess the extent to which the project complemented and reinforced other initiatives at local, provincial, and national levels. The evaluation should consider: - internal coherence among project components; - coordination with government agencies, private sector actors, and development partners; - complementarity with other livelihood, climate resilience, and agricultural development programmes; and - coherence between the REAL and C-REAL projects, including how Phase II built upon Phase I achievements. #### 5.3 Effectiveness Assess the extent to which the project achieved its intended outputs and outcomes. The evaluation should assess both the results achieved and the effectiveness of the strategies and implementation approaches used to achieve those results. The evaluation should clearly distinguish between results achieved during the previous project (REAL) and those achieved in the current intervention. Furthermore, it should identify differences in performance between the 3 OLD and the 2 NEW districts. Particular attention should be given to: - adoption and continued application of improved agricultural and climate-resilient production practices; - effective land use and changes in shifting cultivation practices among beneficiary households; - improvements in household livelihoods, agricultural productivity, and income generation; - strengthening of Farmer Organizations and market engagement; - youth economic empowerment and entrepreneurship; - capacity strengthening of DAFO, PAFO, and other implementing partners; - effectiveness of extension methodologies, coaching approaches, and capacity development strategies; - implementation of recommendations arising from the Mid-Term Review; and - factors that enabled or constrained achievement of project results. #### 5.4 Efficiency Assess how efficiently project resources, management arrangements, and implementation mechanisms contributed to project results. The evaluation should examine: - efficiency of resource utilization; - timeliness of implementation; - adequacy of project management and MERL systems; - quality of coordination with implementing partners; and - value for money achieved through project investments. #### 5.5 Impact Assess the broader and longer-term changes resulting from the project. Beyond measuring logframe indicators, the evaluation should examine evidence of wider changes, including: - improved household resilience and livelihood security; - increased adoption of climate-resilient agricultural systems; - changes in land-use practices; - shifts in gender roles and decision-making within households and communities; - improved access to markets and financial services; - strengthened local governance and service delivery; - enhanced social cohesion and reduced vulnerability among ethnic minority communities; and - contributions to national and provincial priorities on climate change adaptation and agricultural development. #### 5.6 Sustainability Assess the likelihood that the benefits of the project will continue after the end of the project period. The evaluation should examine: - the extent to which project interventions are likely to be sustained by local institutions, communities, and government systems; - the capacity and commitment of local partners to continue project activities; - the presence of enabling policies, legal frameworks, and funding mechanisms; - the potential for scaling up successful approaches; - the risks to sustainability, including environmental, economic, social, and institutional factors; and - the role of gender equality and social inclusion in ensuring the sustainability of project outcomes. ### Scope of Work The Consultant will be responsible for conducting both the Endline Survey and the Final External Evaluation in accordance with the following scope of work: #### 6.1 Endline Survey The Consultant will: - Develop a detailed Endline Survey methodology, including sampling strategy, data collection tools, and analysis plan, in consultation with Plan Laos and KOICA; - Conduct a desk review of project documents, including the project proposal, logframe, baseline study, mid-term review, progress reports, and other relevant materials; - Design and pre-test data collection tools (e.g., household surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions) in collaboration with Plan Laos; - Collect, clean, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data from a representative sample of project beneficiaries, including households, Farmer Organizations, youth-led micro-enterprises, and local government institutions; - Validate selected outcome and output indicators against project records and the approved logframe; - Prepare an Endline Survey report, including findings, analysis, and recommendations; - Present the Endline Survey findings to Plan Laos, KOICA, and other stakeholders; #### 6.2 Final External Evaluation The Consultant will: - Develop a detailed evaluation methodology, including evaluation questions, criteria, and indicators, in consultation with Plan Laos and KOICA; - Conduct a comprehensive desk review of project documents, including the project proposal, logframe, baseline study, mid-term review, progress reports, monitoring data, and other relevant materials; - Design and pre-test data collection tools (e.g., household surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, case studies) in collaboration with Plan Laos; - Collect, clean, and analyze quantitative and qualitative data from a representative sample of project stakeholders, including beneficiaries, implementing partners, government agencies, and development partners; - Assess the project’s performance against the six evaluation criteria (relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability); - Identify lessons learned, good practices, and innovations; - Provide practical, evidence-based recommendations to inform future programming by Plan International Laos, KOICA, government partners, and other stakeholders; - Prepare a Final External Evaluation report, including findings, analysis, recommendations, and lessons learned; - Present the Final External Evaluation findings to Plan Laos, KOICA, and other stakeholders; ### Deliverables The Consultant will be responsible for delivering the following outputs: 1. **Inception Report:** A detailed plan outlining the methodology, sampling strategy, data collection tools, analysis plan, and work plan for the Endline Survey and Final External Evaluation. The report will be submitted within 7 days of contract signing. 2. **Endline Survey Report:** A comprehensive report presenting the findings, analysis, and recommendations of the Endline Survey. The report will be submitted within 30 days of completing data collection. 3. **Final External Evaluation Report:** A comprehensive report presenting the findings, analysis, recommendations, and lessons learned of the Final External Evaluation. The report will be submitted within 45 days of completing data collection. 4. **Presentation of Findings:** A PowerPoint presentation summarizing the key findings, analysis, and recommendations of the Endline Survey and Final External Evaluation. The presentation will be delivered to Plan Laos, KOICA, and other stakeholders. 5. **Data Sets:** Cleaned and anonymized data sets from the Endline Survey and Final External Evaluation, including survey responses, interview transcripts, and focus group discussion notes. ### Timeline The consultancy is expected to be completed within a period of 90 days from the date of contract signing. The timeline for key activities is as follows: - **Inception Phase:** 7 days - **Data Collection Phase:** 30 days - **Data Analysis and Report Writing Phase:** 45 days - **Presentation of Findings:** 5 days - **Final Deliverables Submission:** 3 days ### Consultant Qualifications and Experience The Consultant should have the following qualifications and experience: - Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in a relevant field such as Agriculture, Rural Development, Economics, Statistics, Social Sciences, or a related discipline; - At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in conducting evaluations, surveys, and research in the fields of agriculture, rural development, climate change, or a related field; - Proven experience in conducting endline surveys and final evaluations for projects funded by international development organizations, preferably in Lao PDR or the Mekong region; - Strong knowledge of evaluation methodologies, including quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis techniques; - Experience in designing and implementing household surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and case studies; - Familiarity with the OECD DAC Evaluation Criteria and Plan International’s MERL Policy; - Experience in working with government agencies, NGOs, and development partners in Lao PDR; - Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills in English; knowledge of Lao language is an asset; - Demonstrated ability to work independently and deliver high-quality outputs within tight deadlines; - Familiarity with climate-resilient agriculture, gender equality, and social inclusion issues is an asset.

The Consultant should have the following qualifications and experience: - Advanced degree (Master’s or higher) in a relevant field such as Agriculture, Rural Development, Economics, Statistics, Social Sciences, or a related discipline; - At least 10 years of relevant professional experience in conducting evaluations, surveys, and research in the fields of agriculture, rural development, climate change, or a related field; - Proven experience in conducting endline surveys and final evaluations for projects funded by international development organizations, preferably in Lao PDR or the Mekong region; - Strong knowledge of evaluation methodologies, including quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis techniques; - Experience in designing and implementing household surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and case studies; - Familiarity with the OECD DAC Evaluation Criteria and Plan International’s MERL Policy; - Experience in working with government agencies, NGOs, and development partners in Lao PDR; - Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills in English; knowledge of Lao language is an asset; - Demonstrated ability to work independently and deliver high-quality outputs within tight deadlines; - Familiarity with climate-resilient agriculture, gender equality, and social inclusion issues is an asset.