Appraisal of the Niger Bilateral Programme 2023-2027

Description:
The new Denmark-Niger Strategic Framework 2023-2027 (pending final approval) sets out the overall objectives for Denmark’s “whole of government” approach to engaging in the country across Danish policy priorities and instruments, including the bilateral development programme. The following three overall strategic objectives will be pursued: 1) Strengthening stability, prevent conflicts, displacement, and irregular migration; 2) Reducing inequality and improving social cohesion and resilience in fragile communities; and 3) Promoting good governance, human rights, and gender equality. A total of eight projects under these areas are currently foreseen in the bilateral programme that has a total  budget of DKK 800 million for a 5-year period.

Denmark does not have a permanent presence in Niger, and the country programme 2017-2022 has largely been implemented via delegated partnerships to ensure effective management of Danish engagements and priorities, with supervision and engagement in policy dialogue by the Danish embassy in Ouagadougou. This is to some extent expected to continue with the new bilateral programme for 2023-2027, but direct engagements and call for proposals are also a part of the foreseen programme portfolio.

The appraisal will provide quality assurance of the programme documentation in accordance with the MFA Aid Management Guidelines and make recommendations to the Embassy with a view to ensuring that the programme documentation is in line with the Danida quality standards, strategies and requirements before it is submitted for approval.   

Timing and methodology:
The assignment is expected to commence early/mid-November 2022 and is expected to be completed by mid-March 2023. The appraisal will consist of two phases: a pre-appraisal in November-January to provide quality assurance at an early stage and a final desk appraisal in early March. A field mission in Niamey and Ouagadougou is expected to take place on 28 November - 9 December
2022. 

Qualifications of consultants:
The assignment will be performed by two senior consultants with at least 10 years’ international experience with development programmes and expertise in respectively: i) climate change adaptation and environment, including water resources management and -supply,  and ii) peace/stability, governance and human rights, including gender equality. The consultants should have experience in conducting programme appraisals and/or reviews or evaluations, including experience in assessing monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEAL) frameworks. The team is expected to have demonstrated experience from fragile-conflicted affected contexts. Experience from the Sahel and with Danida Programme Management Guidelines are clear advantages.

Consultants (individual consultants as well as consultancy companies) involved in the formulation of the Denmark-Niger Bilateral Programme 2023–2027 will not be able to perform the Appraisal of the same programme.

Budget:
The assignment is estimated to take a maximum of 54 working days divided between the two consultants. The total budget for the assignment incl. fees and reimbursable expenses net of VAT is a
maximum of DKK 550,000.

Deadline for applications: 16 September 2022 14:00, Danish time

Interested Consultants can request the documents for participation by email to the contact person stated below.

Contact point:       
Name of Programme Officer: Anne-Catherine Legendre
E-mail address, Programme Officer: [email protected]
Telephone of Programme Officer: + 45 33921544

Criteria for selection:
A minimum of three and a maximum of five applicants with references best suited for this assignment will be invited to submit a tender