Mid-Term Consultant: Evaluation of Agroecological Mango Farming Project at International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe)

Consultant for Mid-Term Evaluation of Agroecological Mango Farming Project

Project Title:

Agroecological Mango Farming in Empowering Youth Through Job Creation and Improving Farmers’ Livelihoods in Southern Ethiopia

Project Duration:

January 2024 – December 2026

Project Location:

Gamo Zone (Arba Minch) and Wolayita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Commissioning Organization:

International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (icipe)

1. Background

The project promotes agroecological intensification of mango farming to improve income, food security, and employment, particularly for youth and smallholder farmers. Implemented by icipe in partnership with national and local institutions, the initiative targets over 6,000 direct and 40,000 indirect beneficiaries. The project integrates multiple approaches, including top-working of mango trees, food crop diversification, ecological pest management, youth enterprise development, and market linkage facilitation. The project has been implemented in Gamo and Wolaita Zone in Arbaminch Zuria and Soddo Zuria Woredas, respectively. A mid-term assessment is required to evaluate early signs of effectiveness, sustainability, and scalability.

2. Purpose of the Assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to conduct an independent mid-term evaluation to:

• Assess progress toward achieving the project’s objectives and intended outcomes.
• Document emerging signs of adoption of agroecological practices and uptake of innovations.
• Measure early trends in youth employment, enterprise sustainability, income changes, and food security and their sustainability.
• Identify key enablers and constraints to youth-led enterprise development and agroecological livelihoods.
• Document actionable lessons for improving implementation and guiding future scale-up.

3. Objectives of the Assessment

The evaluation will specifically assess:

• Youth job creation and enterprise development, including sustainability prospects and factors influencing youth motivation and retention in rural livelihoods.
• Adoption of agroecological mango farming practices, with a focus on early signs of adoption, including initial trials and ongoing application beyond a single cropping cycle.
• Income and food security dynamics, and using both qualitative and proxy indicators (e.g., dietary diversity, food access) to assess progress toward improvement.
• Progress toward achieving project objectives and outcomes, while considering project timelines and potential areas for adaptive management.
• Enablers and barriers influencing the uptake and sustainability of interventions.

4. Methodology of the Evaluation

The consultant is expected to use mixed evaluation approach in which both qualitative and quantitative data are collected and analyzed to achieve the evaluation objectives. Participatory and inclusive approach should be followed. As this is a midterm evaluation formative evaluation approaches should be followed. In addition, the relevant evaluation criteria (relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability) should be adapted and used for the evaluation. The consultant is expected to detail the approaches and tools to be used for the evaluation.

4. Scope of Work

The consultant will:

• Design a participatory, mixed-methods assessment methodology and sampling strategy.
• Develop tools for collecting both quantitative and qualitative data.
• Conduct data collection in 2districts around Arba Minch and Wolayita zones.
• Engage with diverse stakeholders, including youth enterprises, farmers, extension agents, and government partners.
• Triangulate findings using multiple data sources (field observation, interviews, FGDs).
• Present findings to icipe and partners and incorporate feedback into a final report.

5. Key Evaluation Questions

• What early evidence of adoption of agroecological practices is emerging? Who is adopting, and at what scale or intensity?
• How are youth enterprises performing, and what are the perceived enablers and barriers to their success and sustainability?
• Are there early signs of income and food security improvement, and what contextual factors are influencing these changes?
• To what extent are project objectives on track, and where is adaptation or course correction needed?
• How effective are the market linkages and policy that support the mango marketing system to date?
• What lessons can be drawn for scaling and enhancing impact in similar agroecological contexts?
• To what extent are gender and youth included and benefited from the interventions?

6. Deliverables

• Inception Report, including detailed methodology and definition of adoption.
• Data Collection Tools and Checklists including informed consent.
• Draft Assessment Report.
• Validation Workshop (physical or virtual).
• Final Report (max. 30 pages + annexes).
• Summary of Findings (2-page brief or factsheet).

7. Timeline

The assignment will be completed within 60 working days of contract signing. The inception report will outline a detailed timeline.

8. Reporting and Supervision

The consultant will report to the Project Leader at icipe Ethiopia, working closely with the project M&E expert and staff in both project locations.

Required Qualifications

• Master’s degree or PhD in agriculture, development studies, economics, rural development, or related field.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in project evaluation, preferably involving agroecology, youth entrepreneurship, or value chain development.
• Demonstrated capacity in mixed-methods evaluation.
• Strong knowledge of Ethiopian agricultural systems and rural dynamics.
• Excellent analytical and communication skills.
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills in English