Terms of References
Evaluation of the Mine Action Strategy of the Swiss Confederation 2016-2022
Background and context of the evaluation
The mine action strategy of the Swiss Confederation for the period 2016-2022 (‘the current strategy') defines the framework for political and operational activities with regard to anti-personnel mines, cluster munitions and other explosive remnants of war (ERW). The current strategy represents the fourth strategy of the Swiss Confederation in this domain. The current strategy was initially approved to cover the period 2016-2019 and subsequently extended until 2022.
The current strategy defines the guiding principles, the vision, the strategic objectives, the priorities, main partnerships with other countries, international and non-governmental organisations, the distribution of tasks and the resources as well as the coordination, the monitoring, evaluation and reporting mechanisms with regard to Switzerland's activities in mine action.
Differently from previous strategies, the current one adopts a Result-Based Management approach (RBM), specifying objectives, priorities, activities, including a number of indicators.
The current strategy further defines that an external evaluation will be carried out by 2022 at the latest with the objective to put forward recommendations to serve in the development of a possible subsequent planning document.
The Swiss Federal Council has decided to adopt a new strategy in the disarmament domain, focusing in particular on new technologies, to be adopted by the end of 2021 and valid for the period 2022-2025. The Swiss involvement in mine action will be integrated into this new strategy. It is therefore important that the evaluation of the current strategy takes into consideration that a discussion is ongoing concerning (a) the role of mine action in this new strategy and (b) the form of the new programmatic document focusing on mine action. The results of the evaluation will feed into both of these processes.
As the validity of the current strategy is approaching its end, and in the context of the adoption by the Federal Council of a new disarmament strategy covering the period 2022-2025, the process of the evaluation should be initiated.
Basis, aim and purpose
The evaluation will help to assess the impact, relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability of the current strategy and lay the ground for the discussion regarding the elaboration of a possible new programmatic document focusing on mine action, in the context of the development of the new disarmament strategy 2022-2025. The evaluation process should come to a conclusion at the beginning of June 2021 (see timetable below).
The recommendations that will be contained in the planned evaluation will help to assess the added value of the current strategy as well as to conceptualize the succeeding mine action programme document based on the new disarmament strategy 2022-2025.
Taking into consideration the inclusion of a RBM approach in the current strategy, it is desired that, in a first part, the evaluation assesses:
- The relevance of the 2016-2022 strategy;
- The effectiveness and impact of the 2016-2022 strategy;
- The efficiency and sustainability of the 2016-2022 strategy;
- The strengths and weaknesses of the current strategy;
- The strengths, weaknesses and relevance of the adoption of a RMB approach;
- The achievements, added value as well as gaps and weaknesses in the implementation of the current strategy;
- The effectiveness and efficiency of the coordination, monitoring and evaluation mechanisms that have been put in place; and
- The remaining challenges and unfulfilled tasks in implementing the current strategy.
It is desired that in a second part, the evaluation presents the potential threats as well as opportunities for a new programmatic document focusing on mine action, taking into account the development of the new disarmament strategy 2022-2025, which will contain a chapter on mine action.
It is desired that in a third part, the evaluation presents concrete recommendations meant to feed into the discussions concerning the drafting of a new programmatic document focusing on mine action. The recommendations should, inter alia, cover the aspects related to gender as well as the results based management framework (theory of change).
Questions for the evaluation, criteria and indicators
- The evaluation should particularly answer the following questions:
- Relevance:
- Does the current strategy support and promote the achievement of Switzerland's goals in the mine action domain?
- Are the appropriate measures undertaken within the context of the overall goals?
- Efficiency (output with regard to measures):
- Have the measures been taken in an appropriate way?
- Have the goals been attained with a reasonable effort?
- Are the mechanisms (coordination, monitoring, and evaluation) in place efficient and relevant?
- Has the current strategy improved the synergies and collaboration among the actors of the federal administration involved in the implementation of the current strategy?
- How could inefficiencies be addressed, bearing in mind the adoption of the new disarmament strategy 2022-2025?
- Effectiveness (outcome with regard to the goals of the current strategy):
- Have the goals described in the strategy been achieved?
- Do the outcomes contribute to the overall goals as intended?
- Impact:
- Has the current strategy contributed to achieve Switzerland's vision in the domain of mine action?
- Which impact has the current strategy had with regard to mine action efforts?
- What changes can be observed (due to the strategy)?
- Do the changes correspond to the intended impact?
- Are there any unintended results / changes?
- Sustainability:
- Has the current strategy contributed to render more sustainable Switzerland's engagement in the mine action domain?
- Are the processes put in place in the framework of the strategy sustainable?
- How could they be improved?
Requirements the expert should fulfil
- All of the following competences and skills are required for the evaluation:
- The expert should hold an independent position, and in particular not be an employee of the Swiss Federal Administration, the United Nations or the GICHD, and was not at any time employed by these institutions within the past 12 months;
- The expert should have experience and competence in evaluating governmental strategies in the peace, development and humanitarian domains (i.e. peace promotion, peacekeeping and peacebuilding, human rights, humanitarian policy, sustainable development, etc.);
- The expert should have experience and competence with regard to organisational development, management, etc.;
- The expert should have an advanced knowledge of mine action (in its broad sense, as covered by the current strategy);
- The expert should have good knowledge of gender issues.
Methodology, organisation and timeframe
- With regard to the methodology:
- The evaluation should include the in-depth study of documentation, including the strategy, annual reports and analysis, project documents of the FDFA (financial requests), operational notes by the DDPS, documents of the inter-ministerial coordination group (KAM policy), etc.;
- The evaluation should further include interviews with the relevant stakeholders of the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs (particularly the Peace and Human Rights Division, the Directorate for International Law, Swiss Development Cooperation, Swiss Mission in Geneva) and the Federal Department of Defence, Civil Protection and Sport. Interviews should also be carried out with external partners such as the GICHD, operators (HALO Trust, HI, etc.) or the APMBC and CCM Implementation Support Units.
The Peace and Human Rights Division (PHRD) mandates and finances the external evaluation. A steering committee consisting of the members of the inter-ministerial coordination group (KAM policy) will plan and oversee the evaluation. Throughout the whole evaluation and strategy review process, the steering committee will meet regularly at working level to analyse and discuss the progress being made.
The independence of the expert is guaranteed during the whole process of the evaluation.
The following timetable is suggested:
- 5 March 2021: Submission of proposals;
- 12 April 2021: Submission of the inception report;
- Until 7 May 2021: Evaluation according to ToRs;
- 14 May 2021: Submission of the draft evaluation;
- 24 May 2021: Discussion between steering committee and evaluator;
- 4 June 2021: Incorporation of comments and submission of final report;
- 21 June 2021: Adoption of the report and management response.
Reporting
A report should be submitted at the end of the evaluation (due date: see timetable); intermediate reporting is welcome, but not necessary, given the relatively short time available.
No particular length of the report is required; however, the evaluation should be comprehensive, yet concise, focusing particularly on tangible recommendations. The report should be written in English or in a Swiss official language (to be agreed in advance and upon discussion).
Estimation of working days and budget
Estimation of working days: 34. A detailed budget shall be proposed by the evaluator.
Estimated costs: CHF 25'000-35'000.
Submission of proposals
- To apply please send:
- An expression of interest;
- A budgetary proposal including:
- Estimation of working days;
- A description of the costs;
- CV outlining relevant skills and experience.
Deadline: Friday 5 March 2021.
Proposals should be submitted to the following address: alessandro.palmoso(at)eda.admin.ch.
Other information
The current strategy and further documents are available under the following link: https://www.eda.admin.ch/eda/fr/dfae/politique-exterieure/droits-homme-securite-humaine/humanitaere-politikderschweiz/armes-conventionnelles/mines.html
