Evaluation of the European Interagency Security Forum (EISF)

I. Background The European Interagency Security Forum (EISF) is an independent platform for Security Focal Points from European humanitarian agencies operating internationally. EISF members are committed to improving the safety and security of relief operations and staff, in a way that allows greater access to and impact for crisis-affected populations.

EISF Vision EISF's vision is to become a global reference point for applied practice, collective knowledge and current challenges in security management for humanitarian agencies.

Knowledge exchange, coupled with structured analysis and reflection, action research and external advocacy, will enable EISF to continue to challenge the international community and humanitarian agencies to incorporate security into all organisational activities, in order to achieve higher access and impact in the delivery of humanitarian assistance.

II. Evaluation Objectives & Focus The overall aim of this evaluation is to examine EISF against what was expected and has been achieved to ensure that the lessons are fed back into the decision-making process, as well as identifying present member expectations of EISF and the possible future role considering the current humanitarian security context. This evaluation will help to ensure that EISF's activities are continually refined to reflect what best achieves its objectives and promotes its members interest.

The evaluation will have the following objectives:

• To assess EISF's effectiveness and the extent to which EISF's stated objectives are being achieved or can be achieved.
  • To assess EISF's past, current and future relevance in relation to the security needs of members, the appropriateness of the structure, the resource allocation, and outputs.
  • To assess EISF's sustainability, the extent to which established processes and systems support this, and the relationship between costs and results.
• To review the structure and effectiveness of the secretariat, steering group and chair, including the Terms of Reference and Memorandum of Understanding.
• To identify lessons learned and provide recommendations for guiding EISF's initiatives, work strategies, research, and structure.

III. Evaluation Process

Evaluation Framework The consultant will prepare an evaluation framework that will operationalise and direct the evaluation. The framework will describe how the evaluation is to be carried out, bringing refinements, specificity and elaboration to these terms of reference. It must be approved by EISF's Executive Coordinator and the Steering Group, and will act as the agreement between parties for how the evaluation is to be conducted.

Stakeholder Involvement As a platform, the members and Steering Group members participation is fundamental to the EISF evaluation. The Consultant is expected to ensure there is meaningful involvement and direction by the various NGOs members and the Steering Group in both the evaluation design and planning, and in the information collected. Other stakeholders such as, but not limited to, affiliated members, donors and other networking bodies should also be included in the evaluation.

Evaluation Report & Presentation The Consultant will prepare an evaluation report that describes the evaluation and puts forward their findings, lessons learned and recommendations. The key evaluation findings and recommendations will also be presented to a meeting of the Steering Group and broader member forum.

IV. Deliverables The Consultant will prepare: 1) an evaluation framework; and, 2) an evaluation report in accordance with format and standards agreed in the evaluation framework. These deliverables are to be:

• Prepared in English
• Submitted to EISF electronically via e-mail
• Submitted in hard copy format (2 copies)
• All reports are to be submitted to EISFs Executive Coordinator
• Presentation to the steering group
• Presentation to the general forum in March 2012

V. Expertise Required The evaluation will be carried out by a senior evaluation consultant. The consultant is expected to be:

• Reliable and a effective evaluation consultant with experience in conducting evaluations and a proven record delivering professional results
• Experienced in evaluating research/coordination platforms, preferably in the area of humanitarian relief
• Experienced in interview/questionnaire design
• Understanding of EISF's mission, structures and activities
• Fluent in English

Due to time constraints it may be necessary for a second consultant to support the senior evaluation consultant.

VI. Expression of Interest Applications are invited from suitably qualified consultants. Interested individuals should submit:

• An evaluation outline (max 2 pages)
• A summary workplan including no. of days and rates
• Current CV for all consultants
• and should indicate their availability to fulfil the consultancy as per the timeframes indicated

The Expression of Interest should be submitted to eisf-coordinator@eisf.eu by 30th October 2011. For any queries please contact eisf-coordinator@eisf.eu or eisf-admin@eisf.eu

Deadline: The Draft report should be completed by December 31st 2011

Please click here for the detailed Terms of Reference

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted by the EISF Secretariat.