ISSUE AND MID-TERM REVIEW OBJECTIVE
The MENA PSD Program has just completed its third year of implementation. To date, the program has funded 50+ advisory projects, and 3 Blended Finance projects across all eligible countries.
The mid-term review will provide an opportunity to review progress against the original program expectations and consider any adjustments, if necessary. It will also be an opportunity to review the MENA PSD Programs’ contribution towards its objectives outlined in the proposal to the Netherlands. In addition, in view of the COVID-19 pandemic, and other compound crises, potential impacts on program implementation, the review will provide insights and guidance to support future implementation of the MENA PSD Program.
Objective: Take stock of the progress of the project towards achieving the stated objectives by reviewing the MENA PSD implementation to date, addressing and responding to the key questions and deliverables outlined under “Scope of Work”.
The mid-term evaluation will be prepared for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of Netherlands, and IFC management. The review will prepare a draft report for discussion with the donor around 10 weeks after the start of assignment, and a final report 16 weeks after the start of assignment.
Scope of Work:
1. Relevance: Review the relevance of the MENA PSD program activities in all MENA PSD countries, with respect to the country context around the private sector
2. Coherence and Delivery Model: Review the MENA PSD’s program design and delivery model. Is the MENA PSD delivery model fit for purpose? Is the project selection criteria and the allocation processes considerate of program objectives and IFC country strategies?
3. Programs Additionality: Review the program additionality for IFC and the Donor, i.e. why a MENA PSD Advisory and Blended Finance program, rather than existing or other IFC programs. Could MENA PSD funded projects and results have been achieved without the MENA PSD program?
4. Results: Provide a qualitative and quantitative assessment of the results achieved so far under the MENA PSD Program, including recommendations.
o Review program log frame and M&E framework and provide guidance on streamlining and/or strengthening in line with intended outcomes and impacts.
o Comment on the indicators selected for aggregation of results and propose changes if appropriate.
o Review the program’s theory of change including the underlying log frames of sample projects. Provide suggestions on course correction if appropriate
o Assess the program’s contribution to the WBG’s cross-cutting priority themes: Gender, FCV, and Climate Change.
5. Lessons Learned: What are the key lessons learned from the first 3 years of implementation of the MENA PSD program?
6. Polycrisis Effect on Program: Assess impacts of Covid-19, global economic downturn, and Russian invasion of Ukraine on program implementation.
METHODOLOGY AND APPROACH
Desk research and analytics: It is expected that most of the desk research will be on review material provided by IFC, including portfolio information as well as other documentation such as project progress reporting. The review will also benefit from Country Private Sector Diagnostics prepared by IFC for countries where available.
Interviews and field visits (3 countries): It is expected that in-person interviews with select IFC staff and clients will be required for a holistic assessment of the program.
Case studies: Three countries (tentatively Egypt, Jordan, and one additional country) will be identified together with the donor for in-depth analyses. The purpose of these case studies is to provide more in-depth assessments of how MENA PSD has supported the private sector in thesePSD components and IFC projects supported; b) progress of implementation to allow for more data points and observations.
EVALUATION REQUIREMENTS
Required Senior Consultant experience: The successful senior consultant should have:
• in-depth understanding of private sector development programs, including knowledge of the World Bank Group and IFC advisory services and blended concessional finance
• knowledge and experience of working in the Middle East and North Africa region especially around developing and managing large programs
• strong experience in evaluating advisory, public policy and/or regulatory programs in private sector development in developing countries;
• in-depth understanding of the business enabling and political economy environments including key areas such as Financial Inclusion, Startup Ecosystem, Gender, ESG etc;
REVIEW TEAM AND REPORTING
The review will be carried out by an external Senior Consultant under the guidance of the IFC MENA PSD team, and in consultation with the Donor. An RFP will be issued in May under IFC procurement rules. The successful Senior Consultant will be one that understands IFC’s advisory services and blended finance models and is able to assess program performance on appropriate performance dimensions mentioned above. The Senior Consultant will work with focal points from IFC’s Partnerships, Results Measurement, and Blended Finance teams.
OUTPUTS
1. A short literature review defining the background, context and scope of the review, including relevant documentations.
2. An inception report 2 weeks from signing, outlining the scope and analytical approach to the review.
3. Draft review instruments prepared within 3 weeks from signing (any questionnaires, desk review approach, case study template, etc.): these will be reviewed and cleared by the IFC MENA PSD team.
4. A draft (10-15 pages) report 10 weeks after the signing, clearly responding to the review questions above and outlining key findings and recommendations, to be to the donor. This report will be circulated to internal stakeholders with a 2-week turnaround. Short case study reports will be annexed to the report.
5. A final report incorporating inputs from key stakeholders two weeks after receipt of comments from IFC. This stage of the process will be iterative rather than linear as inputs are received from stakeholders. The final report will be cleared by the IFC MENA PSD team in consultation with country teams and the donor.
6. A 15 slide PPT for presentation to the MENA PSD Team, and donor delivered with the final report.
TIMELINE
The review will be initiated in June 2023; a draft report is expected within 10 weeks of signing and a final report within 4 months of signing the contract. 80 working days are expected to be required to finalize all deliverables, out of which approximately 15 days travel to 3 MENA PSD countries (tentatively Egypt, Jordan and one to be determined) for deep dives and stakeholder consultations. Early results will be shared with the Donor during a virtual meeting to be scheduled following the completion of a draft report. The final report will be shared upon completion, expected in 4 months from the signing of the contract.