DRAFT TERMS OF REFERENCE

FINAL EVALUATIONS

Project Titles: Family Planning & Reproductive Health: Vanuatu & Kiribati (RH / FP)

Youth to Youth Peer Counselling in Promoting Reproductive & Sexual Health (Y2Y)

Evaluation Location: Port Vila, Efate & Tanna, Vanuatu

South Tarawa, North Tarawa, Abaiang, Maiana and Nonouti, Kiribati (2 sites only to be selected)

Supervisor: Jenny Whyte, Island Consulting, FSPI, Port Vila, Vanuatu

Professional Service: Final project Evaluations

Duration / Timing: August 2001

In 1996, two local NGOs in the Pacific Island Nations of Kiribati and Vanuatu (FSP Kiribati and FSP Vanuatu) began work to design programmes that would effectively respond to country health statistics showing poor sexual and reproductive health indicators (high birth rates, IMR, MMR, LBW, high adolescent birth rates, high STI rates, high total fertility rates), low use of family planning methods and reports of local communities and youth requesting information to increase their awareness and knowledge of RH/FP. Working together with their UK-based partner, Just World Partners (JWP), and their regional secretariat, FSPI, a proposal was developed with the goal of improving the reproductive health of selected communities in Kiribati and Vanuatu. Towards the realisation of this goal, these objectives were set:

• Increase the ability of community members targeted by the project activities to make informed decisions regarding RH and FP issues as a result of increased awareness and knowledge of RH and FP.
• Improve access to and utilisation of comprehensive, high quality RH/FP care in rural areas which include not only FP services, but also maternal, infant, and adolescent health programmes and reproductive tract infections, STIs and HIV/AIDS services;
• Design and implement an integrated, collaborative and comprehensive reproductive health programme in Kiribati. Fulfilling this objective will help the MOH and FP and FSPK to increase the quality and number of RH services provided in rural areas.

These objectives were to be met through tasks centred around community awareness and education activities, training of trainers, IEC development and distribution, KAP surveys, networking and collaborating with the MOH and other NGOs, service delivery improvement through better co-ordination and improved access, promoting youth development and monitoring and evaluation activities.

Under the guidance of JWP this proposal was submitted to the UK Lottery and has been generously supported since July of 1998 (due to delayed disposal of funds to Pacific countries the project did not actually begin delivering services until 1 November, 1998).

During this same time funding was being sought for another key Pacific priority area: youth, and to serve as match funding for the UK Lottery proposal. To supplement and strengthen the activities of the UK Lottery RH/FP project a Youth to Youth Peer Counselling program, focused on RH/SH/FP was submitted under the guidance of FSPI to NZODA. This project was funded with the goal of enabling adolescents to have improved access to sexual and RH information, services and products, and began in February of 1999. Two objectives lead the project:

• Develop RH/FP counselling expertise and training services to be provided to the MOH and FP community leaders in South Tarawa, Kiribati;
• Develop teams of youth peer counsellors in South Tarawa, Kiribati (15) and Port Vila, Vanuatu (20) to help inform other young people of RH/FP issues.

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The three-year UK Lottery-funded Reproductive Health and Family Planning (RH / FP) project operates in two countries, Kiribati and Vanuatu, and is implemented by the two FSP offices in those countries (FSP Kiribati and FSP Vanuatu respectively). The project was documented to start in July 1998, however, a delay in the release of funds meant that activities did not start until November 1998. The original close date of the project was due to be July 2001, however, this was extended until October 2001.

The FSP Vanuatu (FSP V) programme delivers awareness and information about RH / FP and other related health priority issues to beneficiaries living in rural villages within two target areas on the islands of Santo and Tanna. The FSP Kiribati (FSPK) programme seeks to improve awareness and information at community level regarding RH / FP in Kiribati.

The New Zealand-funded Youth to Youth in Health (Y2Y) project began in each country in February 1999 with the aim of improving the RH / FP awareness and education of youth so that they might better be able to access services.

The final evaluations of both these projects are being carried out as specified in the original project documents. As the activities of both projects are so closely related a joint evaluation is planned. The Y2Y project is being evaluated a full six months before the due close of the project. However, the donors (NZODA) have been consulted and can see the value financially, logistically and programmatically of a joint review.

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To externally review and critically evaluate the design of the above two projects with specific attention to the implementation details and impact on the target beneficiaries.

The evaluation should consider:

(a) the quality & timeliness of inputs;

(b) the quality and timeliness of the activities;

(c) the quality and timeliness of the responsiveness of the project managers to changes in the environment of the projects;

(d) the quality and timeliness of monitoring and support by all parties to the projects.

3. Recommendations

With specific reference to the RH / FP project, the evaluator should recommend whether:

(a) the project closes in October 2001 (as planned);

(b) extends until January 2002;

(c) a second phase is viable.

If the recommendation is that the project closes then exit strategies should be recommended.

If the recommendation is that the project is viable for a second phase include in the recommendation modifications to the project design and management where appropriate.

With specific reference to Y2Y project, and taking into consideration any recommendations regarding the future of the RH / FP project, make recommendations regarding exit strategies (project activities and management) until the closure of the project.

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1. Discuss delivery of project activities with FSPK and FSPV staff involved in the implementation of the project (Country Directors, Project Managers, Project Assistants and Voluntary Health Workers), in accordance with the work plan and budget.
   
2. Individually consult with the Project Managers to discuss the effectiveness of the current implementation arrangements. Identify reasons for slow delivery (if any) and discuss recommendations for dealing with these shortcomings.
   
3. Critically evaluate the role of the Ministries of Health in both Kiribati and Vanuatu.
4. Critically review project impact for stated beneficiaries by evaluating each output against objectives and inputs.

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A succinct evaluation report discussing the above points that may include relevant maps, photos or tables relevant to the review.

Expressions of interest including a CV, contact details for 2 professional referees, and an indication of availability in late July and August 2001 should be forwarded to FSPI by 17^th July, 2001 for the attention of Jenny Whyte. Emailed correspondence is preferred.

Email: jwhyte@ fspi.org.vu

Fax: +678-24510

Phone: +678-22915