External Evaluator

External Evaluator for an end-line-evaluation of the project

“Towards Climate Smart Villages: Promotion of Affordable and Replicable Adaptation and Mitigation Practices to Enhance Livelihoods of Vulnerable Communities in the Kavrepalanchowk District (Phase II)”, 

Nepal, funded by Aide à l’Enfance de l’Inde et du Népal (AEIN Luxembourg) and implemented by Association for Rural Development (ARD) in Bethanchowk Rural Municipality of Kavrepalanchowk (Kavre) District in Bagmati Province.

Project Details

The project has been implemented from 1 April 2022 to 31 January 2026 as initially planed and additional 3 months no-cost extension from February to April 2026. The project aims to establish Climate Smart Villages by integrating water-smart, carbon-smart, and biodiversity-smart practices to strengthen livelihoods and long-term resilience of vulnerable communities.

The intervention has targeted 435 households (approximately 21,277 people) across Wards 1, 2, 3, and 4 of Bethanchowk Rural Municipality. Key components include climate change sensitization, sustainable and climate-resilient agricultural practices, agroforestry, water conservation, and engagement with local government institutions.

The project builds on the experience and results of Phase I, which laid the foundation for the Climate Smart Villages (CSV) approach in the intervention area. Phase II was designed to consolidate, scale, and deepen these earlier efforts, with a stronger focus on institutional capacity, sustainability, and climate resilience outcomes.

A Mid-Term Review (MTR) of Phase II was conducted during implementation, providing key findings and recommendations that informed adaptive management. The end-of-project evaluation is therefore expected to assess Phase II results in their own right, while also considering the evolution of the project across both phases, to the extent necessary to interpret progress, maturity, and longer-term outcomes.

Objective of the Evaluation

The primary objective of this independent end-of-project evaluation is to assess the outcome and impacts achieved from 1 April 2022 to 30 April 2026. The evaluation will involve participatory impact analyses, comparing the actual results with the project objectives, as detailed in the project proposal and its indicators.

While the primary focus remains on Phase II performance and results (which will be reported to donors), the evaluation is also expected to take into account findings from the Phase II Mid-Term Review and, where relevant, reflect on the project’s progress and maturity across both Phase I and Phase II, in order to assess how far the Climate Smart Villages approach has advanced over time.

Specifically, the evaluation aims to:

• Assess the effectiveness, relevance, efficiency, impact, and sustainability of the project in relation to its objectives and theory of change;
• Compare planned objectives, indicators, and targets with actual achievements;
• Analyze the contribution of the project to improving climate resilience and livelihoods of vulnerable communities;
• Assess the likelihood that project results will be sustained beyond external support;
• Provide forward-looking, evidence-based recommendations for future project design, replication, and scale-up in similar contexts;
• Generate learning to inform local and regional dialogue on climate resilience interventions.

Key Responsibilities

The selected evaluator will be responsible for, among others:

1. Evaluate the overall results of the project (phase II) with reference to Phase I only where the context and learning are relevant.
2. Review project documents, reports/ and relevant materials.
3. Conduct field visits to selected settlements and conduct interviews and discussions with beneficiaries, local stakeholders/ and project staff.
4. Conduct participatory impact analyses and target/actual comparisons.
5. Analyzing planned versus achieved results and identifying key success factors and constraints.
6. Provide feedbacks on exit strategy and providing feedback on sustainability measures..
7. Evaluate the long-term impact and the likelihood of achieving the project’s objectives.
8. Review and consider the findings, indicators, and recommendations of the Phase II Mid-Term
9. Review, and assess the extent to which these were addressed (or, if not addressed why) during the remainder of the project period.
10. Provide a concise reflection on the project’s overall trajectory across Phase I and Phase II, focusing on what has been achieved cumulatively and what this implies for sustainability and future climate resilience programming.
11. Develop clear, evidence-based recommendations to enhance future project design, implementation, sustainability, replication, and scale-up.
12. Prepare the evaluation report, to be submitted in English, including an executive summary, an in-depth analysis of the findings, conclusions and lessons learned, and actionable recommendations for similar climate change resilience projects.

Qualifications and Requirements

Applicants should meet the following requirements:

1. University degree or comparable degree (PhD preferred) in any of the fields such as agricultural science, environmental science/management, forestry, natural resource management or climate studies.
2. More than 10 years of experience in national / international development cooperation with a focus on agriculture, climate change, rural development and/or livelihood.
3. More than 5 years of prior experience in the implementation of impact-oriented evaluations of projects and programs in the fields of agriculture and climate change adaptation and mitigation activities.
4. Excellent knowledge of community based and participatory evaluation methods.
5. Knowledge of the conditions, guidelines and quality requirements for projects funded by AEIN Luxembourg or similar international donors, is considered an advantage.
6. Excellent English language skills.
7. Good knowledge of the country and of the project area.
8. Preferably at least 2-3 reference projects, which he/she evaluated.
9. Proven impartiality and independence.

Duration and Logistics

The evaluation is scheduled from  approximately 20 days in between April 11, 2026 to end of May 5, 2026. The evaluator will be required to spend approximately 20 days on this assignment, including field visits, interviews, data analysis, and report writing. The evaluation will include participation in a final workshop with stakeholders. The evaluator needs to submit the final report by May 5, 2026.

ARD-Kavre will facilitate logistical arrangements related to field visits, including local transportation and accommodation.

Payment

The payment for the evaluator’s services will be negotiated based on their expertise and experience. The payment will be made for 20 working days. The organization will cover the costs of the evaluator’s field visits, including transportation and accommodation.

Note: Please include your expected amount professional fees.

Application Process

Interested individuals are invited to submit their expression of interest through the Google Form linked below. Please ensure that you attach your detailed CV and a cover letter outlining your relevant experience and approach to the evaluation. The application is open till 31 March, 2026. 11:59 PM.NPT. Any application submitted after the deadline will not be considered.

We look forward for receiving your expression of interest and learning more about your qualification and experience in evaluation project of this nature.

Note: A more comprehensive and detailed, ToR will be provided upon selection.

Please apply at: https://forms.gle/sahxDyfUpr1tWq1Y8

Recommended to use Google Chrome to register the application.

For inquiries please contact Association for Rural Development­ Kavrepalanchok (ARD- Kavre) at info.ardkavre@gmail.com / ardkavre@gmail.com.

Association for Rural Development-Kavreplanchowk

Gatthaghar, Madhyapur Thimi, Bhaktapur