SUMMARY

Type of assignment

The mid-term project evaluation of the “Sustainable Plastic Recycling in Mongolia” project (contract No. ACA/2020/415-173) implemented by the Caritas Czech Republic in Mongolia, Mongolian Sustainable Development Bridge (MSDB), Ecosoum, TGM Water Research Institute (WRI) and Environment and Security Center of Mongolia (ESCM) between 2020 and 2024.

Expected duration of assignment

One and a half month (preparatory work, 15 days of field data collection in Mongolia /in Ulaanbaatar city, Bulgan aimag and Khishig-Undur soum/, report drafting).

Purpose of the evaluation

Mid-term project evaluation is requested by the main donor of the project (European Commission).

PROJECT INFORMATION

Project title

“Sustainable Plastic Recycling in Mongolia”

Lead Implementing Organization

Caritas Czech Republic (hereafter: CCR)

Implementing partners

Mongolian Sustainable Development Bridge (MSDB)

Ecosoum

TGM Water Research Institute (WRI)

Environment and Security Center of Mongolia (ESCM)

Donors

European Union, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Czech Republic, Khishig-Undur Governor’s Office, Embassy of France in Mongolia

Project budget

Approx. 1,990,000 EUR 

Project Period

May 2020 – April 2024 (48 months)

Project Background

CCR, together with its partners, seeks to contribute to promoting economic prosperity and poverty reduction in Mongolia, while supporting the development of a green economy and the transition to a low-carbon, resource-efficient and circular economy. The project is to achieve this through (1) improving the current production cycle of products made from recycled plastics (Op.1, Op.2 and Op.3) and making overall consumption and waste management practices sustainable (Op.1).

In addition, the project will provide conditions for the replication of the tools provided (Op.4) and increase access by MSMEs (Op.2 and Op.3) to finance.

The specific objectives are to promote sustainable production and consumption (SCP) patterns by supporting SMEs and MSMEs in adopting SCP practices and to create an enabling environment to strengthen the implementation of national SCP policies and assist stakeholders in harvesting the benefits of SCP.

Target groups

(i) MSMEs in the plastic recycling sector

(ii) Central, municipal, urban-district, aimag and soum administrations

(iii) Actors involved in plastic waste collection (collection points, landfills, waste disposal companies and informal waste collectors)

(iv) Local community members, public bodies (schools, kindergartens), household and local CSOs

(v) Waste producers (supermarkets, restaurants etc.; ca. 30)

Expected Results

• Waste management facilities and MSMEs have a better access to plastic waste through efficient plastic waste collection, sorting and classification system on 3 different levels
• Waste management facilities have access to appropriate advanced equipment and technologies
• Plastic recycling MSMEs have increased the number of their partners and customers
• Conditions for scale-up and replication of the project package tool are in place

ORGANIZATIONAL CONTEXT

Caritas Czech Republic (CCR) is a non-governmental organization working in the field of development and humanitarian assistance in developing countries of Asia, Africa, Middle East and Eastern Europe. CCR has been working in Mongolia since 2006. It has dedicated its work particularly to agriculture, education, health care, social work, restoring livelihoods, humanitarian assistance, prevention of risks of natural disasters, green development, waste management and plastic recycling, and environmental protection.

Mongolian Sustainable Development Bridge (MSDB): is a non-governmental organization established in 2016 to combat climate change, reduce and prevent environmental pollution and reduce ecological footprint by encouraging public engagement. Under SPRIM, MSDB organizes awareness-raisings trainings and events for public institutions and the general public.

Ecosoum: is a non-governmental organization located in Khishig-Undur soum of Bulgan aimag, which focuses on five key fields of action: waste management, eco construction, agro-ecology and sustainability of traditional breeding and local autonomy. Under SPRIM, Ecosoum organizes awareness-raising activities, seminars, workshops and exhibitions to promote recycled products and facilitates pilot plastic waste recycling solutions for rural areas.

Environment and Security Center of Mongolia (ESCM): is a non-governmental organization with experience and knowledge in conducting research on waste management and recycling and local knowledge of the sector. It is managing the review of existing legal and regulatory framework, analysis and testing to identify and design new waste-based products from recycled plastic waste and will develop and disseminate replication packages.

TGM Water Research Institute (WRI): is a research organization based in the Czech Republic and under the SPRIM project has conducted the baseline study and other preliminary research required for the project activities.

ASSIGNMENT INFORMATION

Description of deliverables

Selected evaluator will conduct mid-term evaluation of the given project and develop evaluation report in English based on the findings.

The evaluation report shall have 35-50 standard pages (1 800 characters / page). Its structure shall be as follows:

• Summary
• Context
• Methodology applied
• Findings (as per the structure below)
• Conclusion and recommendations
• Annexes (lists of interviewees and informants, questionnaires, photos etc.)

The evaluation shall focus mainly on the topics and questions below (the list is not exhaustive)

Project relevance

• Relevance of the project objectives and expected results to the needs of the country, target groups and beneficiaries;
• Relevance of the project objectives and expected results to the expectations of the main stakeholders;
• Complementarity of the project to other actions in the field of waste management and plastic recycling sector in Mongolia;
• Ability of the project management to adjust the project to changing context in the given sector.

Efficiency 

• Efficiency of the financial resources needed to achieve the existing outputs / results
• Efficiency of the human resources needed to achieve the existing outputs / results

Effectiveness

• Progress made towards the achievement of results
• Fulfilment of the project objectives, indicators, and results
• Reasons for delay in achieving project objectives and results (if applicable)

Impact of outcomes

• Impact of the project on target groups, beneficiaries, local partners and other local stakeholders
• Changes and progress of beneficiaries in the 4 outcome areas
• Any other positive/negative impact prompted from the projet activities

Sustainability of outcomes

• Potential of continuation of activities and results after the completion of the project

Project management and organization

• Appropriateness of the division of roles between CCR and other project partners
• Effectivity of the communication between CCR, project partners and other stakeholders
• Level of local stakeholders´ (including beneficiaries, government and the local partners) participation in project implementation
• Visibility of the project and its funding (does it meet respective donors´ requirements, is it sufficient or not)
• Arrangement and transparency of project documents (documents proving implementation of activities, achievement of results and objectives, financial documents) keeping
• Effectiveness of CCR internal project monitoring mechanisms (monitoring of partners´ performance, project events, measurement of impact of the trainings etc.)

Requirements

Necessary:

• At least 5 years of experience in evaluating development projects (verifiable list of evaluations conducted in the past required);
• Excellent written and spoken English and the ability to edit texts;
• Demonstrated excellent analytical skills (evidence required);
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, and comfortable working across cultures;
• Demonstrated understanding of development sector in the field of waste management (verifiable information on relevant experience required).

Recommended:

• Expertise in the waste management and plastic recycling sector;
• Experience in working in Mongolia.

Selection of evaluator and selection criteria

The evaluator will be selected based on offers containing:

• Evaluation plan
• Track record/experience of the firm in a similar assignment(s) including a list of major clients served
• Proof of previous experience in similar assignment

The plan has to contain:

• Description of relevant expertise and experience (copies of documents proving the expertise and experience shall be attached);
• Description of the methodology to be applied;
• Timeframe;
• Budget of the evaluation and total price of the offer (the price cannot exceed the price stated below);
• Proposed structure of the evaluation report.

The evaluation plan will become an annex to the contract that will be concluded between CCR and the evaluator selected.

The description of experience and expertise must include:

• Contacts to persons / institutions that can provide reference, and / or
• Copies of official documents proving the experience and expertise stated

The selection criteria will be as follows:

• Proven expertise and experience (50%)
• Offered price (25%)
• Quality of the proposed methodology (25%)

Terms of assignment

The selected evaluator will be subcontracted by CCR to produce the deliverables specified above. The contract to be concluded between CCR and the selected evaluator constitutes Annex 1 to this call for tenders.

The evaluation report must be submitted by 22nd of March 2023.

The maximum price to be paid for the delivery is 6 000 EUR.

The price agreed on will cover evaluator´s remuneration, all costs incurred by the evaluator related to the assignment and all taxes and fees required by law. The price will be final and cannot be increased under any circumstances.

CCR will provide transportation to target areas in Mongolia. CCR will provide the evaluator with all information and documents it has at its disposal needed to conduct the evaluation.

How to apply

Interested candidates should send their offers in English to the following address ccr.mongolia.office@caritas.cz by 8th of February, 2023. For more information on the project, please see CCR website: https://mongolia.charita.cz/what-we-do/Ongoing%20projects/sustainable-plastic-recycling-in-mongolia/ For inquiry, please contact us at 7013-5899.

Incomplete offers and offers received after the deadline will not be considered.