BACKGROUND AND RATIONALE
According to the approved Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in April 2024 between the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), presented by the National Agriculture and Forestry Research Institution (NAFRI), and Oxfam Novib in Laos, the Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) Project (reference: NDICI CSO/2023/444-834) is being implemented to foster inclusive, sustainable, climate-adapted agricultural growth in Laos. Funded by the European Union with a total budget of EUR 1,875,000 and a duration of 48 months (April 2024 – January 2028), the project aims to respond to the climate adaptation and mitigation needs of vulnerable women and youth farmers’ groups.Oxfam in Laos is the lead coordinator and is responsible for overall coordination, financial and contract management, and capacity-building activities.

Implementation is carried out in partnership with two co-applicant civil society organisations (CSOs): the Association for Mutual Assistance (AMA), which is well-established and focused on rural livelihoods, climate justice, ethnic minority rights, and gender equality; and the Green Community Alliance (GCA), a network association supporting community-based organisations to sustainably manage natural resources and implement CSA techniques. Technical support is provided by NAFRI, MAE. The project’s Specific Objective is to increase the sustainable production and productivity of inclusive (women and youth) climate-smart agriculture in 15 villages across 7 districts of Luang Prabang and Savannakhet provinces. Key implementation approaches include alliance-building, Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP), Farmer Field Schools (FFS), piloting ‘mixed CSA models’, and a strong emphasis on gender-transformative and feminist approaches.

As the project reaches its mid-point (after Year 2 of the 48-month cycle), a Mid-Term Review (MTR) is required per project activity A.1.0.5. Scheduled for March to May 2026 (18-20 working days), the MTR will systematically assess progress against the planned objectives, results framework, and assumptions. It will examine the project’s relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and emerging impact, with particular attention to Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI), care economy considerations, climate resilience, and governance and partnership arrangements as cross-cutting themes. The findings and recommendations of the MTR will inform adaptive management, strategic adjustments, and evidence-based planning for the remaining implementation period (Years 3 and 4).
1.    PURPOSE OF THE MID-TERM REVIEW
The overall purpose of the MTR is to:

• Assess the progress and performance of the CSA project against the Overall Objective, Specific Objective, Outputs, and indicators defined in the Logical Framework of the project description details.
• Identify strengths, challenges, risks, and emerging opportunities during implementation, including the effectiveness of the partnership model (Oxfam, AMA, GCA, NAFRI, CSO Alliance) and the FSTP mechanism.
• Review the relevance of the project design in relation to the evolving climate, socio-economic, gender, and policy context in Lao PDR.
• Generate practical, actionable recommendations to improve project effectiveness, inclusiveness, sustainability, and learning for the remaining project period.

2.    SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES OF THE MTR
The MTR will specifically aim to:

• Review progress toward the project’s Specific Objective and four Outputs, including the achievement of indicators and milestones as per the Logical Framework and Indicative Action Plan in the project description.
• Assess the effectiveness and adoption of CSA approaches and ‘mixed models’ (e.g., resilient seed varieties, agroecological practices) in improving climate resilience, productivity, and livelihoods of targeted women and youth farmers in the 15 villages.
• Examine how gender equality, women’s leadership, youth participation, and care economy considerations are integrated and operationalised across activities, using feminist and GESI approaches.
• Assess the efficiency of project implementation and management arrangements, including the roles and coordination between Oxfam, co-applicants (AMA, GCA), associate (NAFRI), the CSO Alliance (Group 1 & 2), and the use of resources (including FSTP grants).
• Review coordination and collaboration among the consortium, CSO partners (including LFN and LNRN networks), local authorities (Provincial/District Agriculture and Forestry Offices), farmer groups, and other stakeholders.
• Identify good practices, innovations from pilot projects, and lessons learned that can be scaled up or replicated within the project or externally.
• Provide actionable recommendations for course correction, risk mitigation, and strategic planning for the remaining project period, ensuring alignment with the intervention logic and theory of change described in the project description.

3.    SCOPE OF THE MID-TERM REVIEW
The MTR will cover:

• The entire project implementation period up to February 2026 (approximately the first 24 months).
• All project components and outputs as defined in Annex I, including capacity building, research & piloting, farmer training, and advocacy.
• All target and final beneficiary groups, including women farmers, youth farmers, farmer organisations, CSOs, and relevant local institutions;
• Selected project sites in Luang Prabang and Savannakhet provinces, at provincial, district, and community/village levels.

Key evaluation criteria will include:

• Relevance – alignment with the needs of women and youth farmers, national priorities, EU and Oxfam strategies;
• Effectiveness – extent to which objectives and results are being achieved;
• Efficiency – use of resources and implementation arrangements;
• Sustainability – likelihood of continuation of benefits beyond project support;
• Gender Equality & Social Inclusion – integration of GESI and care economy dimensions;
• Climate Resilience & Governance – contribution to climate adaptation, mitigation, and local governance systems.

4.    KEY REVIEW QUESTIONS (INDICATIVE)
Relevance & Design:

• How relevant is the project’s theory of change and intervention logic to the current context and needs of women and youth farmers in the target provinces?
• To what extent are the project’s strategies (alliance-building, FFS, FSTP, feminist approach) appropriate for achieving its objectives?

Effectiveness & Progress:

• To what extent is the project on track to achieve its Specific Objective and the four Outputs? What are the major achievements and delays against the Indicative Action Plan?
• How effective are the CSA practices and ‘mixed models’ promoted (Output 1.2 & 1.3) in addressing climate risks and improving the resilience and productivity of target farmers?
• How well are gender equality, women’s economic empowerment, youth leadership, and care responsibilities addressed through specific activities and the project’s mainstreaming strategies?

Efficiency & Management:

• How efficient are the project management, coordination, and partnership arrangements among Oxfam, AMA, GCA, NAFRI, and the CSO Alliance?
• How effective and transparent is the FSTP mechanism in building the capacity of CSOs (Group 1) and progress CBOs (Group 2), plan and target achieving its intended results?

Sustainability & emerging signs of change:

• What is the likelihood that project benefits will continue beyond the project period? How are sustainability strategies (institutional, financial, and policy-related) being designed and implemented during the first two years of the project?
• What early outcomes or emerging signs of change (positive or negative) can be observed among different beneficiary groups at this stage of implementation?

Cross-cutting Issues:

• How effectively are GESI, , leadership, ownership, and youth participation dimensions integrated into all project components?
• How is the project contributing to climate adaptation, mitigation, and strengthening local governance systems?

5.    METHODOLOGY
The MTR will apply a participatory and mixed-methods approach, which must include:

• Desk Review: Comprehensive analysis of the grant contract ,including Annex I (Description of Action, Logframe, Activities), Monitoring and Evaluation system, the interim  report, including other progress reports, FSTP documentation, monitoring data, baseline study, and other relevant project documents.
• Key Informant Interviews (KIIs): With project staff (Oxfam, AMA, GCA), Technical support (NAFRI), key CSO partners (Group 1–CSOs & 2—CBO/FFS members), relevant local authorities (PAEO, DAEO), and donor representatives.
• Focus Group Discussions (FGDs): With women farmers, youth farmers, and farmer groups (including FFS participants and FSTP beneficiaries) in selected villages.
• Field Visits & Observations: To selected project sites in both provinces to observe CSA pilot plots, learning centres, and community activities.
• Validation Workshop: A participatory workshop with key stakeholders to present and validate preliminary findings with Oxfam and project partners.
• Priority list of Local CSOs/sub-grantees for interviews. 

The methodology must be gender-sensitive, culturally appropriate, and aligned with ethical evaluation standards and feminist evaluation principles.
6.    ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Oxfam in Laos: Overall coordination and contracting of the MTR, provision of all necessary documentation (including Annex I), logistical support, and facilitation of stakeholder engagement. The Programme Manager and MEAL Specialist will be the main points of contact.
• MTR Consultant / Review Team: Design and conduct the review, analyse data, and produce quality deliverables in line with this TOR. The consultant(s) will work independently and provide an impartial analysis.
• Project Partners and Stakeholders: Provide information, participate in interviews, FGDs, and the validation process as facilitated by Oxfam, ANA and GCA.

7.    DELIVERABLES

1. Inception Report: (Max 10 pages) Including refined methodology, detailed data collection tools (interview/FGD guides), work plan, and stakeholder mapping.
2. Draft MTR Report: (Max 40 pages, excluding annexes) Structured with Executive Summary, Introduction, Methodology, Findings (per evaluation criteria and linked to Annex I outputs/activities), Conclusions, and Recommendations. A separate summary of recommendations should be included.
3. Validation Workshop/Presentation: PowerPoint presentation of key findings, conclusions, and draft recommendations to Oxfam and key stakeholders for feedback.
4. Final MTR Report: Incorporating feedback from Oxfam and stakeholders. The report must be submitted in English.

8.    TIMELINE
The MTR will be conducted during April 2026, with an indicative timeline as follows:

• Inception & Desk Review: Early March 2026
• Fieldwork (KIIs, FGDs, Site Visits): Mid-March 2026
• Analysis & Drafting: Mid-April to Late-April 2026
• Validation Workshop & Finalization: Mid-May 2026

9.    REPORTING AND MANAGEMENT
The MTR consultant/team will report to the Programme Manager of Oxfam in Laos, call +856 20 55558824, Chaipasird.phunphouvanna@oxfam.org . All deliverables will be submitted electronically.
10. BUDGET
The MTR budget will be covered under the project’s M&E budget line. The financial proposal should include consultant fees (including travel, accommodation, DSA, Tax and excluding workshop costs).
11. EXPECTED USE OF MTR RESULTS
The MTR findings and recommendations will be used to:

• Inform adaptive management and strategic adjustments for Activities in Years 3 and 4 (as per the Indicative Action Plan in Annex I).
• Strengthen accountability to the European Union, project partners, and target communities.
• Inform learning, knowledge sharing, and potential scale-up of successful CSA approaches and partnership models.
• Support evidence-based advocacy and policy engagement related to climate-smart agriculture, gender equality, and inclusive rural development in Lao PDR.

How to apply
Please upload an up-to-date CV and a covering letter, clearly explaining your suitability against the essential criteria in the job profile to https://jobs.oxfamnovib.nl/job-invite/14267/

Please note:

The selected consultant is required to familiarize themselves thoroughly with the project Description of the Action as it is the foundational project document against which progress will be measured.
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