Consultancy Service: Mid-Term Evaluation of PPR Project. (FIRMS ONLY)

 1. General Background

1.1 Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Programme

Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) is a highly contagious viral disease affecting sheep, goats, and certain small wild ruminants, with significant socio-economic implications for livestock-dependent populations across Sub-Saharan Africa. Small ruminants are critical to food and nutrition security, income generation, and livelihood resilience, particularly for pastoral and agro-pastoral communities, women, and youth.

Notwithstanding progress in policy harmonisation, institutional coordination, and vaccination planning, PPR epidemiological patterns during the reporting period indicate persistent systemic constraints that continue to affect programme effectiveness. These include uneven and insufficient surveillance coverage, resulting in delayed outbreak detection and incomplete epidemiological intelligence; limited diagnostic and laboratory capacity, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected contexts; and recurrent cross-border transmission driven by transhumance, livestock trade, and seasonal animal movements, reflecting gaps in coordinated regional disease control.

In response, the European Union is financing the Pan-African Programme for the Eradication of PPR (2024–2027) with a total allocation of EUR 8 million. The Programme aims to strengthen continental and regional capacities for PPR control and eradication, safeguard the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and pastoralists, and protect the small-ruminant value chain.

The Programme is implemented by the African Union Commission through AU-IBAR and AU-PANVAC, in partnership with FAO, WOAH, the Regional Economic Communities (ECOWAS, ECCAS, IGAD/EAC and SADC), and the Departments of National Veterinary Services. It aims to strengthen institutional and technical capacities for effective engagement, coordination, and delivery of a continentally managed PPR eradication programme, with the financial support obtained from the European Union. It contributes directly to the Global PPR Eradication Programme (GEP) and is aligned with the Pan-African PPR Eradication Strategy, AU Agenda 2063, and the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa (LiDeSA).
 

 1.2 Objective and Purpose of the intervention

Overall Objective

To ensure that progressive control and eradication of PPR contributes to resilient, inclusive and sustainable agri-food systems, improved livelihoods, food and nutrition security, and poverty reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Specific Objective

To strengthen continental, regional and national institutional, governance, coordination and technical capacities required to accelerate progress towards PPR eradication by 2030, while ensuring the reduction of the impact of other major small ruminant diseases through integrated approaches while ensuring the reduction of the impact of other major small ruminant diseases through integrated approaches, including improved surveillance, vaccination preparedness, laboratory systems, risk-based planning, and evidence-based decision-making.

1.3 Strategic Thrust and Intervention Logic

The Programme adopts a continentally coordinated, partnership-based and risk-informed approach led by the African Union. It emphasises:

1. Strong governance, coordination and accountability mechanisms (Pan African PPR Secretariat (PAPS), Regional Advisory Groups (RAGs), and Continental Advisory Groups (CAGs).
2. Alignment with global and regional PPR eradication strategies.
3. Progressive and risk-based disease control pathways, including integrated approaches to priority small ruminant diseases.
4. Institutional capacity strengthening at continental, regional and national levels.
5. Systematic integration of cross-cutting priorities, including gender equality, environmental sustainability, socio-economic resilience and institutional development.

1.4 The intervention logic of the PPR Project outlines    

1. The key needs and challenges to be addressed by the project, particularly in relation to the control and eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants, while addressing the broader burden of priority small ruminant diseases.
2. The overall and specific objectives of the project.
3. The inputs mobilised, including financial, technical, and human resources.
4. A summary of the main activities planned for implementation.
5. The expected outputs resulting from these activities.
6. The outcomes, reflecting the short- to medium-term and intermediate results of the project.
7. The anticipated impacts, representing the long-term effects of the project.
8. The underlying assumptions identified during project design.
9. The external factors that may influence project performance, including interactions with other relevant programmes and initiatives.

 1.4 Expected Results

 “Expected results shall be interpreted in line with the Action’s approved outputs, including strengthened continental/regional capacities, governance structures, strategy development, episystem-based mapping, vaccination planning, and support to eligible countries for WOAH PPR-free processes.”

The Programme is expected to deliver results across three interlinked dimensions:

1. Strengthened continental and regional governance, coordination and oversight mechanisms for PPR eradication.
2. Improved quality, coherence and implementation of PPR strategies, policies and plans at regional and national levels.
3. Enhanced technical systems for surveillance, laboratory diagnostics, vaccination preparedness and risk analysis, contributing to measurable progress along the PPR eradication pathway while improving overall small ruminant health outcomes.

3. The Evaluation Team - Expert Profile

For the Mid-Term Evaluation (MTE) of the Pan-African Programme for the Eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants, which is complex and involves multiple countries, the choice between a consulting firm and individual consultants (team of experts) should be guided by four key criteria: cost, quality assurance, coordination complexity, and delivery risk. 

Common features: 

1. A solid and diversified experience in evaluating development and cooperation projects and/or its management.
2. Experience in developing countries and specifically in Africa.
3. Fully conversant with the principles and working methods of project cycle management and EU cooperation and delivery methods of the African Union.
4. Fully conversant with monitoring and evaluation principles (log frame approach, results-based management, etc.).
5. Ability to work under pressure and to respect deadlines.
6. Full working knowledge of English.
7. At least full speaking and reading knowledge of French.
8. Excellent report writing skills in English.

3.1 Key Requirements

Given the scope and complexity of the PPR programme, the evaluation team should be composed of at least four core experts with complementary competencies in evaluation, animal health, socio-economic analysis, and data systems.

•    A Team Leader/Senior Evaluation Expert with extensive experience in leading complex, multi-country evaluations and strong expertise in results-based management and international evaluation standards; 
•    Animal Health/PPR Technical Expert with in-depth knowledge of PPR and other major small ruminant diseases, including surveillance, vaccination, and laboratory systems; 
•    Socio-Economic and Livelihoods Expert with proven experience in assessing impacts on pastoral and agro-pastoral systems, including income, resilience, gender, and inclusion dimensions. He must have a strong analytical skill in M&E systems, data quality assurance, and quantitative and qualitative analysis to support evidence-based evaluation findings. 
•    Experience in Private sector development (in particular, formulation of opportunities for private sector support) and in assessing the potential for investments from the private sector. 
•    Experience with agricultural value chain analysis and rural finance mechanisms relevant for small ruminant producers and veterinary services.

3.2 Educational Qualifications

1. Team Leader / Senior Evaluation Expert: Advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in veterinary science, epidemiology, agricultural economics, public policy, development studies, or a related field.
2. Animal Health / PPR Technical Expert: Advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in veterinary medicine, veterinary epidemiology, animal health, or a closely related discipline.
3. Socio-Economic and Livelihoods Expert: Advanced university degree (Master’s or PhD) in agricultural economics, rural development, socio-economics, Evaluation, development studies, or a related field.

3.3 Language Requirements

Working language is English. Proficiency in French is a strong added value.

5. Remuneration 

The consultant will be paid a lump sum amount of USD 20,000.00. These fees will be paid upon satisfactory completion and delivery of the expected outputs. Expenses for missions will be covered separately in accordance with the applicable African Union Commission rules and regulations.  

6. Reporting

The consultant will report to AU-IBAR PAPS. All deliverables shall be submitted in English, in both electronic and hard copy formats, and shall comply with EU and AU evaluation quality standards. The reports shall be analytical, evidence-based and oriented towards learning, accountability and decision-making.

7. Technical Evaluation Criteria

Criteria	Sub-Criteria	Key Assessment Elements	Score
1. Understanding of ToR & Context	Clarity of understanding	Demonstrates strong grasp of PPR Programme, AU/EU context, and evaluation purpose	10
	Alignment with objectives	Clear linkage to DAC criteria, EU added value, and ToR expectations	10
Subtotal			20
2. Methodological Approach	Evaluation design	Theory-based, DAC-aligned, mixed-methods approach with triangulation	10
	Evaluation Matrix quality	Clear linkage: Evaluation Questions, indicators, data sources & methods	10
	Data collection tools	Appropriateness (interviews, surveys, field observation, case studies)	5
	Analytical framework	Robustness in addressing causality, attribution, and contribution	5
	Risk & limitations analysis	Identification of constraints (data gaps, access, security) + mitigation	5
Subtotal			35
3. Team Composition & Expertise	Team leader	Strong experience in complex multi-country evaluations and DAC criteria	10
	Technical expertise mix	Veterinary, epidemiology, M&E, economics, governance expertise	3
	Regional experience & assessing Multi-level governance structures	Proven work in Africa and AU/EU systems (e.g. experience with OECD-DAC + EU external evaluations)	5
	Language capacity	English + French proficiency	2
Subtotal			20
4. Work Plan & Organization	Realistic work plan	Clear phases: desk, field, synthesis, quality of proposed regional sampling strategy, structuring of key outputs & deliverables.	5
	Field deployment strategy	Coverage of RECs and countries as per ToR	5
Subtotal			10
5. Quality Assurance & Reporting	Quality Assurance mechanisms	Internal review, validation, triangulation protocols	3
	Reporting structure	Compliance with AU-IBAR & EU reporting standards	2
Subtotal			5
6. Experience & Past Performance	Similar assignments	Evidence of MTEs in livestock/animal health/development programmes	3
	Sample reports quality	Analytical depth, clarity, structure	2
Subtotal			5
7. Proposal Presentation	Clarity of proposal	Logical, structured, professional presentation	5
Subtotal			5
Overall Total Score			100

8. Application Procedures

Applications should be submitted through email to: procurement@au-ibar.org with a copy to albert.obier@au-ibar.org and should include the title “PPR Project Mid Term Evaluation” in the subject of the email.

Applications should include the following:

1. Detailed curriculum vitae (CV) and brief cover letter. 
2. Copies of academic and professional certification documents.
3. Declaration on exclusion criteria (see format attached). 
4. Identification documents.

A Personal Data Protection and Privacy Statement is attached as information for the applicants.

Application Deadline

Applications should be submitted to the address given above by 04th August 2026 at 23:45hrs Nairobi Local Time.

Kindly refer to Sections 2 & 4  in the  Document.