Terms of Reference for Mid-Term Evaluation – Rooted in Diversity: Partnerships for Food Security and Livelihoods

Project Title

Rooted in Diversity: Partnerships for Food Security and Livelihoods

Project Code

(RAF-3101 RAF-23/0050)

Consortium Partners

• PELUM Uganda
• Oxfam Novib
• CIRAD

Strategic Partners

• Norwegian University of Life and Science (NMBU)
• ICRISAT

Implementing Partners

• PELUM Uganda
• Oxfam in Uganda
• Eastern and Southern Africa small-scale Farmers Forum (ESAFF)
• National Semi-Arid Resources Research Institute (NaSARRI)
• Oxfam in Malawi
• Evangelical Lutheran Development Services (ELDS)
• Circle for Integrated Community Development (CICOD)
• Department of Agriculture and Research Services (DARS)
• Fuma Gaskiya
• Mooriben
• Oxfam in Niger
• National Institute for Agronomic research (INRAN)
• IMAAN Research in Niger

Backstopping units

Project Management Unit (PMU)

Project life span

January 2024-December 2028 (5 years duration).

Project time span under review

January 2024 – May 2026

Project Budget in the period covered by the review in Euro

6,500,000

Evaluation Budget in Euro

42,000

Type of Evaluation

Independent

Timing of evaluation

Midterm

Project Overview

The Rooted in Diversity (RiD) project is a five-year initiative (January 2024 – December 2028) implemented in Uganda, Malawi, and Niger by a consortium led by PELUM Uganda, in partnership with Oxfam Novib and CIRAD, with funding from NORAD.

The project aims to enhance the knowledge, skills, and capacities of small-scale food producers to improve food production, consumption, and resilience in unpredictable agro-ecological conditions, with a strong emphasis on agrobiodiversity.

Core Objectives

• Improve recognition of and access to crop diversity for food and nutrition security
• Increase incomes and livelihoods through local value chains of agrobiodiverse products
• Strengthen farmer–researcher partnerships and collaborative approaches
• Promote enabling environments for food and agriculture policy change

Consortium and Implementation Structure

The project is implemented through a multi-country partnership involving

• Strategic Partners: PELUM Uganda, Oxfam Novib, CIRAD, NMBU, ICRISAT
• Implementing Partners: ESAFF, NaSARRI (Uganda); ELDS, CICOD, DARS (Malawi); Fuma Gaskiya, Mooriben, INRAN, IMAAN Research (Niger), among others
• Project Management Unit (PMU): Coordinated by PELUM Uganda with multi-location support (Uganda, Netherlands, France)

Mid-Term Evaluation Overview

Type

Independent Mid-Term Evaluation

Timeline

May – July 2026

Project Period Under Review

January 2024 – May 2026

Total Project Budget (review period)

€6,500,000

Evaluation Budget

€42,000

Scope of the Evaluation

The evaluation will cover all project components across the three countries, including field engagement in:

• Uganda: Iganga, Serere, Kalaki, Amuru
• Malawi: Dowa (Nambuma EPA), Nkhotakota (Nsenjere EPA)
• Niger: Maradi, Tillaberi, Dosso

Purpose and Objectives

The Mid-Term Review will apply OECD-DAC evaluation criteria to assess relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability, including cross-cutting issues such as gender, youth, disability inclusion, climate, and human rights.

Methodology

The evaluation will use mixed methods including desk review, field visits, interviews, focus group discussions, and stakeholder consultations.

Key Deliverables

• Inception Report
• Draft Evaluation Report
• Validation Workshop
• Final Evaluation Report (max. 50 pages)

Evaluation Team Composition

• 1 International Team Leader (minimum 10 years experience)
• 3 National Consultants (Uganda, Malawi, Niger)

Timeline and Level of Effort

Duration: Approximately 2 months

International Consultant: 24 working days

National Consultants: 42 working days

How to Apply

Applicants must submit a cover letter, technical proposal, budget, CVs, sample work, and tax compliance documents.

Submission Deadline

30 April 2026, 5:00 PM EAT

Email

procurement@pelumuganda.org