Terms of Reference
Typical Logic & Responsibility Chain for a MAC
Terms of Reference for a ‘mid-term’ Outcome Evaluation for
“Strengthening National Capacity for Mine Action in Yemen”
Over the past three decades, Yemen has experienced multiple conflicts, leading to a significant landmine and unexploded ordnance (UXO) issue A Landmine Impact Survey (LIS) conducted in 2000 revealed critical data on how these hazards affect Yemeni communities The survey identified 592 communities affected by landmines and UXOs, with 14 communities, home to 36,000 people, classified as highly impacted In contrast, 578 communities, totaling 791,400 residents, reported medium to low levels of impact.
Landmines and unexploded ordnance (UXOs) in Yemen have caused significant human suffering and economic losses, with an estimated 5,000 casualties reported over the past decade, including 200 in the last two years Women and children are particularly vulnerable, as farming and grazing—key local activities—are severely impacted With only 2.6% of Yemen's land being arable, the obstruction of agricultural lands and irrigation sources leads to substantial economic challenges at both national and local levels Consequently, many local communities may feel compelled to risk their safety by entering mined areas in search of land for agriculture or grazing their livestock.
The Government of Yemen is dedicated to addressing the challenges posed by mines and unexploded ordnance (UXOs) in the country To tackle this issue effectively, the Yemen National Mine Action Committee (NMAC) was formed in June 1998 to guide and support mine action initiatives Subsequently, the Yemen Executive Mine Action Centre (YEMAC) was established in January 1999 to implement these initiatives on a national level Since their inception, the Yemeni government has allocated approximately three million dollars annually from its budget to enhance mine action efforts across the nation.
The Government of the Republic of Yemen has shown a strong commitment to addressing the landmine issue in the country, which has significantly enhanced donor confidence in the Yemen Mine Action Programme (YMAP).
Yemen was the first country in its region to ratify the Ottawa Treaty, which aims to ban landmines The United Nations officially received this ratification on September 1, 1998, and Yemen became a party to the Convention on March 1, 1999.
The UNDP Mine Action Support Project YEM/98/002 phase one was officially launched in
In 1999, a project was initiated to build sustainable national capacity for effectively addressing the mine issue in Yemen, concluding its first phase in September 2003 The outcomes of Phase I have been highly satisfactory, as the collaboration between the project, the National Mine Action Committee (NMAC), and its implementing body, YEMACYEMAC, has significantly advanced the Yemen Mine Action Programme's objectives.
• Completion of the first UN Certified Landmine Impact Survey
• Developing a Five-Year Strategic Mine Action Plan (2001-2005) and successfully achieving the target set for the 2001and 2002.
• Training and the creation of seven Mine Clearance Units, seven Technical Survey Teams, and three Quality Assurance Teams, with a total manpower of more than 800 personnel.
• Clearance of six highly mine impacted communities, out of a total of 14 highly impacted communities.
• Conducting Mine Awareness in all 14 most-affected communities, and expansion of a comprehensive mine victim assistance programme.
• Yemen’s full compliance with Ottawa Treaty obligations, and the destruction of national stockpile of anti-personnel landmines took place in April 2002
In October 2001, an evaluation of the YMAP revealed positive outcomes, indicating strong Government support and effective management of the program It successfully met the objectives set for the first year of the Five Year Strategic Mine Action Plan However, the evaluation also highlighted areas for improvement, particularly in enhancing the safety and productivity of mine action activities, and recommended adopting a more decentralized management structure for the program.
In October 2002, a UNDP Mine Action Team (MAT) assessment mission visited Yemen to evaluate the mine action program and recommend future strategies for UNDP support The mission recognized key strengths such as strong government commitment, an integrated approach, robust donor support, and established technical capacity However, to ensure the program's long-term sustainability, several areas for improvement were identified, which will be the focus of UNDP's capacity-building efforts in the project's second phase.
• Develop a more effective management structure, reasonably decentralised, to ensure responsiveness to the operational needs and long term sustainability requirements.
• Develop a more competent management capacity, especially at the middle management level.
• Improve the Quality Assurance (QA) system
• Improve the finance and logistic system to ensure quality support to the organization’s operational needs
• Effective usage of International Management System for Mine Action (IMSMA)
In June 2003, the Programme Document was revised and approved following the recommendations from the MAT in New York Subsequently, the UNDP Mine Action Support Project transitioned to National Execution (NEX) in October 2003, marking the commencement of Phase II, which spanned from 2003 to 2006.
• UNDP Support Project – Phase II
The second phase of the Yemen Mine Action Programme (YMAP) aims to enhance management and technical capabilities, improve safety for mine-affected communities by reducing landmine threats through an integrated approach, and contribute to the Yemeni economy by returning safe land for productive use Additionally, it seeks to address the needs of mine victims and develop strategies for their socio-economic reintegration, while also improving Mine Risk Education to minimize accidents and casualties through extensive awareness campaigns.
According to the evaluation plan of UNDP Yemen, a mid-term evaluation will be conducted in the fourth quarter of 2004.
The following intended outcome is to be evaluated:
The National Mine Action Standards (NMAS) for Yemen are established in alignment with the International Mine Action Standards (IMAS), ensuring a comprehensive framework for mine action Additionally, a robust Quality Assurance (QA) system is implemented, grounded in the principles of Total Quality Management (TQM), to enhance the effectiveness and reliability of mine action efforts in the region.
1.3 A proper finance department within YEMAC established and a finance, logistic and admin manual compatible with the UNDP requirements and national rules and regulations developed.
1.4 Training Manuals to ensure all aspects of operations are covered and any changes in the procedures/drills are incorporated updated.
1.5 Equipment test and trial capacity within YEMAC developed.
1.6 An effective Management Information System (MIS) developed.
1.7 Mine Action Management Training at both senior and middle levels delivered.
1.8 A Regular Revision Training system for the YEMAP Operations staff developed.
1.9 Special training packages to upgrade the technical and professional skills of the YEMAP training staff to ensure better training for the YEMAP personnel developed
1.10 Sustainable Explosives Detection Dogs (EDD) capacity including in-country breeding facility established
1.11 Resource Mobilization Capacity within YEMAC and NMAC developed.
2.1 Within the YMEAC Strategic Mine Action Plan, 45.7 square kilometers of mine and UXO contaminated areas technically surveyed and cleared from mines and UXOs By doing so, all
2.2 At least seventy-two Mine Affected Communities trained on direct Mine Risk Education.
3.1 2380 mine victims reported in 488 communities (in the Level One Impact Survey) visited and necessary medical treatment provided.
The UNDP, in partnership with the Government of Yemen, aims to enhance collaboration with other donors committed to integrated humanitarian mine action efforts This initiative will focus on establishing and strengthening partnerships with national, regional, and international organizations that possess expertise in humanitarian demining and institutional development.
The network formed during the initial phase of the Programme (1999-2003) with international donors, local and international NGOs, UNMAS, and UNOPS will be enhanced, with a focus on mobilizing additional resources from regional funds and global Thematic Trust Funds (TTF).
The project, in partnership with UNDP and the Government of Yemen, aims to enhance resource mobilization and forge partnerships with existing donor countries, including ten current contributors, as well as potential donors like the Nordic countries and the European Commission (EU) Additionally, it seeks to establish connections with nations facing similar challenges related to mines and unexploded ordnance (UXO) through the UNDP Mine Action Exchange Programme (MAX).
The outcome evaluation will focus on three key areas: first, it will analyze the progress made towards achieving the desired outcomes, considering both contributing factors and constraints; second, it will assess the relevance and progress of UNDP outputs, including both project activities and soft assistance; and third, it will examine the link between outputs and outcomes, evaluating UNDP's contributions to achieving these outcomes through its partnership strategy.