US Embassy Yaounde Jobs and Opportunities -Independent External Evaluation and Audit of the Food for Progress 2005 Program in Cameroon

Terms of Reference (ToR) for an Independent External Evaluation and Audit of the Food for Progress 2005 Program in Cameroon

1. Background Information

In line with the Food for Progress (FFP) Act of 1985 and Agreement No. OGSM: FGR-631-2005/120-00 of July 15th 2005, between the Government of the United States of America (USG) and the Government of Cameroon (GoC) represented by the Cameroon Ministry of Economy, Planning and Regional Development (MINEPAT), IITA was contracted as the main Recipient Agency (RA) for the Food for Progress 2005 (FFP05) Program. This was formalised through an Agreement between IITA and MINEPAT on September 2nd 2005 aimed at improving methodologies for growing, processing and the marketing of tree crops (cocoa and oil palm) in the South West and Center Regions. In order to ensure efficient program activity implementation, further provisions were made to sub-contract the FFP05 program into various components as amended on June 8, 2006. Through an Agreement made on June 22nd 2006 between IITA and APELD, the later was responsible for the sawdust briquetting project while an Agreement made on July 3rd 2008 between IITA and FIFFA, delegated the microcredit component to FIFFA. The main decision making and supervisory body of the program was the FFP05 Steering Committee chaired by the Permanent Secretary of MINEPAT and made up of representatives of the entire partner Ministries, the RA, and the Donors.

The implementation of this $3.8 million USDA / GoC funded program began on January 1st 2006 and extended beyond the initial completion date of December 31st 2008. An amount of 133 million F CFA generated as interest from fixed term deposit accounts was spent on the six months extension that got the FFP05 program implementation to a close on June 30th 2009. Budgets allocated to the different implementing organisations resulted in the amount of $2,600,000 to IITA for project oversight, agricultural production, rural development, capacity building, and income generation in the Centre and South West regions from January 1st 2006. Also, the implementation of the microfinance component began on August 01st 2008 with an amount of 201.350.000 F CFA to FIFFA for microcredit lending to farmer groups for agricultural production and marketing. Finally, APELD was allocated the amount of 330 million F CFA for the transformation of sawdust (obtained from logging operations) into briquettes to be sold as fuel wood in the Northern Regions as a measure to reduce deforestation from January 01st 2007.

In order to close this program, an independent external evaluation and audit has to be carried out in the Centre and South West Regions by March 15th 2011 latest.

2. Evaluation Objectives

• Assess the individual management of the FFP05 funds by IITA, FIFFA and APELD and evaluate:

1. If the detailed objectives in the agreements were obtained.
2. If the funds were rightly spent according to the terms of the agreements.
3. The institutional capacity and sustainability of the program activities.
4. The amount and location of unspent funds and procured assets.
5. The strengths and weaknesses of the different program components.

• Assess the poverty reduction mechanisms put in place in order to empower farmers.
• Assess the program’s impact towards increased agricultural productivity through improved methodologies for growing, processing and marketing cocoa and oil palm in the South West and Center Regions.
• Assess if the methodology used was transparent and adapted to the context.

3. Required Background of the Evaluator

- Team must be bilingual (English and French).
- Tracked experience in carrying out external evaluation of development programs / projects.
- Tracked experience in carrying out external audit of development programs / projects.
- Strong development, agricultural and financial management skills.
- Versed with internationally recognised ethical values.
- Has not been involved in the implementation or assessment of any of the FFP activities in Cameroon.
- Has an international reputation.
- Have two attainable references.

4. Expected Evaluation Results

The team(s) is expected to produce a report in English featuring:

 an executive summary of not more than 2 pages
 detail findings

The evaluation / audit report should assess:

- The program implementation.
- The impact of the activities on the beneficiaries in the project regions.
- The sustainability of the program activities.
- Identified issue(s) on cost / expenses and value for money if any.
The team should:

• Prepare and submit a draft report in English on the findings for comments to MINEPAT and the U.S. Embassy in Yaoundé.
• Prepare a narrative report in English clearly indicating if the program objectives detailed in the agreement between the USG and the GoC were reached. This report should be submitted to the Embassy and MINEPAT in four hard copies and one soft copy.
• A financial audit report in English assessing the financial systems used, any issues identified and the amount spent and the amount unspent. This should be submitted to the Embassy and MINEPAT in four hard copies and one soft copy.
• Provide a list of all the items procured using FFP05 funds, indicating the state of the equipment / vehicles and where they are located.

Proposals are expected from interested parties that meet the requirements in point 3 above by the COB on February 24th 2011 latest. The application file submitted in English should include:

i. A letter of interest including at least two references.
ii. The methodology to be used.
iii. The detail plan indicating the required period to carry out the evaluation, audit and submit the final report.
iv. The Curriculum Vitae of the members in the evaluation team.
v. The cost of the evaluation and audit exercise.

Applications should be addressed to:

The Food for Progress Program,
Political and Economic Section,
U.S. Embassy Yaoundé,
6050 Avenue Rosa Parks,
B.P. 817 Yaoundé, Cameroon.
Email: AkomCA @state.gov

Hard copies and / or electronic copies will be accepted if delivered not later than 17:00h February 24th 2011.