Recruitment Of an International Consultancy Firm for the Terminal Evaluation of the Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) Mayaga Project in Rwanda (PIMS ID 5702.)1. INTRODUCTION In accordance with UNDP and GEF M&E policies and procedures, all full- and medium-sized UNDP-supported GEF-financed projects are required to undergo a Terminal Evaluation (TE) at the end of the project. This Terms of Reference (ToR) sets out the expectations of the Terminal evaluation (TE) of the full-sized project titled "Forest Landscape Restoration in Mayaga Region (FLR Mayaga) Project" (PIMS:5702) implemented through the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA). The project started on the 12th November 2019 and is in its six year of implementation.,  The TE process must follow the guidance outlined in the document ‘Guidance for Conducting Terminal Evaluations of UNDP-Supported, GEF-Financed Projects (http://web.undp.org/evaluation/guideline/documents/GEF/TE_GuidanceforUNDP-supportedGEF-financedProjects.pdf). 2. PROJECT BACKGROUND The Forest Landscape Restoration in the Mayaga Region project was conceived in response to the critical degradation of forest ecosystems, increasing vulnerability of rural livelihoods to climate change, and high dependence on unsustainable biomass energy. The Southern Province of Rwanda, particularly the Amayaga region, faced alarming rates of soil erosion, deforestation, and agricultural productivity decline, prompting the Government of Rwanda, with support from UNDP and GEF, to design an integrated approach to ecosystem restoration, clean energy promotion, and community resilience strengthening. In fact, the six-year project was designed to secure biodiversity and carbon benefits while simultaneously strengthening the resilience of livelihoods, through forest landscape restoration and upscaling clean technologies in four Districts of Amayaga region namely Kamonyi, Ruhango, Nyanza and Gisagara in the Southern Province.  The project has three major outcomes:  a) Forest restoration plans with institutional and legislation frameworks guiding afforestation, natural resources management and agriculture; b) Individual and institutional capacities enhancement for planning and implementing gender sensitive forest landscape restoration strategies supported by knowledge management; c) Implementation of Forest Landscape Restoration plans secures 555 ha of natural forests, puts 300 ha of forests under participatory forest management, increases productivity of agriculture and plantation forests on 25,000 ha and 1,000 ha respectively; and reduces wood consumption by at least 25%. The project will deliver four Forest Landscape Restoration plans covering 263,270 ha, leading to avoided emissions of 608,374 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent in six years and 2,060,000 tons in indirect GHG emissions avoided in 20 years.  Executed by the Rwanda Environment Management Authority in partnership with key Ministries, the six-year project total cost is US$ 32,706,365 consisting of a GEF Grant of $6,213,538, UNDP Grant of $1,000,000 and Government of Rwanda Co-financing of $25,493,365.  The implementation is supported by the technical assistance from Rwanda Forestry Authority (RFA). So far, Forest Landscape Restoration in the Mayaga region project has exceeded its target through direct and co-financing efforts. The following is a summary the achievement: Since its inception in 2019, the Forest Landscape Restoration (FLR) in Mayaga Region project has demonstrated significant progress across all its intended outcomes, with many targets either met or exceeded. The implementation of integrated landscape restoration strategies, improved agricultural productivity, and clean energy technologies has led to notable environmental and socio-economic impacts. Key changes include restoration activities over 37,000 ha, reduced soil erosion, enhanced biodiversity, improved ecosystem services, and the dissemination of over 224,000 efficient cookstoves, significantly reducing wood fuel dependency. Livelihood improvements are evident through livestock distribution to over 10,000 households and the creation of more than 105,000 green jobs, 52.5% of which were taken up by women underscoring the project’s commitment to gender equality. The projects strong alignment with Rwanda’s national priorities such as NST1, Vision 2050, and sectoral policies on forestry, climate resilience, and energy has facilitated high-level institutional support and ownership. Additionally, the project contributes directly to multiple Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty), SDG 2 (Zero Hunger), SDG 5 (Gender Equality), SDG 7 (Affordable and Clean Energy), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). Cross-cutting themes were fully integrated through community-based approaches, capacity building of over 6,000 individuals (including 3,000 women), gender-responsive planning, and equitable participation of vulnerable groups in decision-making and benefit-sharing. The use of participatory methodologies and “pass-on” mechanisms for livestock distribution reinforced inclusive development and strengthened social cohesion. The project’s relevance to UNDP’s corporate goals particularly those related to sustainable development, climate resilience, and poverty eradication is clear. Its catalytic role in mobilizing over $25 million in government co-financing and establishing scalable models of landscape restoration further aligns with UNDP and GEF strategic priorities. The project operated in  Kamonyi, Ruhango, Nyanza and Gisagara Districts of Southern Province within a complex socio-economic and ecological context marked by high population density, limited access to alternative energy sources, climate variability, and rural poverty. These factors have a significant bearing on both implementation dynamics and sustainability of outcomes, necessitating a holistic and inclusive implementation strategy. 3. PURPOSE OF THE END-TERM EVALUATION The TE will assess the achievement of project results, comparing actual outcomes with the expected objectives and draw lessons that can both improve the sustainability of benefits from this project, and aid in the overall enhancement of UNDP programming and provide recommendations for future similar initiatives. The TE report promotes accountability and transparency and assesses the extent of project accomplishments. Additionally, this evaluation will include an Economic Analysis component, focusing on the project’s impact assessment and the profitability of livelihood improvement initiatives. The present Terminal Evaluation has been commissioned by United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in collaboration with Rwanda Environment Management Authority and will be conducted according to the guidance, rules and procedures for such evaluations established by UNDP.  It will also produce an evaluation report containing a detailed list of success stories and lessons learned. The overall objective of this evaluation is to assess the achieved results against planned project objectives and outputs, outcomes, assess strengths and weaknesses during implementation. This evaluation will provide an assessment of the project design, scope, strategy, status of implementation and collate and analyze lessons learned and best practices obtained during the implementation period of the project that shall be taken into consideration during the future forest landscape restoration initiatives design and implementation. Therefore, the UNDP is recruiting a consulting firm to undertake the activities outlined below. Specifically, it is to: Assess the overall achievements of project objectives. Evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, sustainability, and impact of project activities. Identify lessons learned and best practices. Provide recommendations for future forest landscape restoration initiatives. Conduct an Economic Analysis to assess the profitability and sustainability of implemented livelihood initiatives. Assess the level of contribution of the project to NST1 and SDGs. This Terminal Evaluation is being conducted at the end of the project’s implementation period in line with UNDP and GEF evaluation requirements, to inform accountability, learning, and future programming. The evaluation findings will be used by UNDP, the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA), and other national stakeholders to assess performance, identify strategic lessons, and guide the design and implementation of future forest landscape restoration and sustainable livelihood initiatives. Additionally, results will inform UNDP Rwanda’s evaluation and knowledge management systems, contributing to adaptive management and alignment with the Country Programme Document and national development priorities.More Information about this procurement can be reviewed in the terms of reference attached here.Please indicate whether you intend to submit a bid by creating a draft response without submitting directly in the system. 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If you need support with the online system, you can contact the contact details of this tender as indicated in the solicitation document.UNDP OFFICE RWANDAPROCUREMENT UNIT