Uganda: Request For Proposal - Consultant to Undertake Evaluation of the Learning Initiative

CONDUCT EVALUATION FOR THE LEARNING INITIATIVE

Project: Learning initiative in Preventing Violence Against Children in East Africa.

1. Background: 

Impact and Innovations Development Centre (IIDC) is a not-for-profit regional Technical Assistance (TA) and Learning partner organization that works with development agencies in the public and private sectors to promote impactful and innovative programming.

IIDC is registered and based in Ugandan (Number 210920) with operations across Africa. Impact and Innovations Development Centre (IIDC) is a not-for-profit technical assistance organization offering capacity building and promoting evidenced and impactful socio-economic development interventions and innovations mainly in the child protection sector. Since 2016, IIDC has been collaborating with a group of East African based organizations that are working in the child protection sector to implement a phased project that focuses on using learning to improve outcomes in preventing violence against children.

The pilot phase of the learning initiative was implemented between July 2016 until June 2019 and focused on enhancing the internal capacity of implementing partners in the areas of evidence-based programming; documentation and learning and elevating the participating implementing partners to a level where they could be able to more effectively account for and communicate their contribution towards Violence Against Children (VAC) prevention through their respective programmes and interventions. Within the initial three years, the major focus was on supporting partners to improve the measurability of their interventions, apply learning in programming, document and share learning on what works to prevent violence against children in East Africa.

The second phase of the project is being implemented from July 2019 and will end in July 2023. This project phase sought to consolidate the gains from the first phase. In addition to the focal areas under the first phase, the second phase included a focus on VAC evidence generation as well as building the capacity of the partners in scaling up tested interventions. During this phase a 5-year strategy for the leaning initiative was also developed.

1.1. Project Outcomes: 

The consolidated outcomes of the leaning initiative over the 6-year period (Phase 1 &2) are the following;

1. Learning partners in East Africa design and implement well-refined models and evidence-based interventions that create measurable shifts in preventing violence against children.
2. Learning partners in East Africa have capacities and functional measurement mechanisms that generate evidence on the effectiveness of their VAC prevention initiatives/models and monitor shifts in preventing violence against children.
3. Learning partners document and communicate the results of their VAC work in national, regional and global spaces and platforms.
4. Learning partners in East Africa are learning-oriented and use evidence and leanings from their work to improve their VAC programming.
5. Learning partners in East Africa work with government and other partners to scale up evidence-based VAC prevention models, interventions and strategies.

2. Project Evaluation: 

IIDC is seeking to engage the services of an independent firm/consultant(s) to evaluate the performance of the learning initiative from inception (2016) to date.

2.1. Purpose of the Evaluation: 

Overall, the purpose of this evaluation is to establish the outcomes and impact of learning initiative on the capacities of the participating organizations in relation to effective programming in preventing violence against children and the extent to which the intervention has achieved its intended outcomes. The evaluation will inform the design and refinement of future phases of the leaning initiative.

3. Specific Objectives of the Evaluation: 

The broad objectives of the evaluation include the following;

1. To assess the appropriateness of the design of the leaning initiative and the related implications for its effectiveness
2. To review the implementation modalities and mechanisms of the leaning initiative and their adequacy for achieving the intended outcomes.
3. To extract and document the outcomes, leanings and impact of the leaning initiative on VAC programming in the respective countries.
4. To recommend value adding improvements in the design and delivery of the leaning initiative for sustained impact.

Without prejudice to specific issues and questions that the evaluation will explore the overall evaluation approach will be guided by and seek to assess the project’s the key criteria of effectiveness, relevance, efficiency, value addition and sustainability of gains made on preventing violence against children.

4. Scope: 

The evaluation shall cover the current seven partner organizations that are collaborating with IIDC under the Learning Initiative in Preventing VAC in East Africa namely; Investing in Children and their Societies (ICS – operating in both Kenya & Tanzania), HakiElimu – based in Tanzania, Women Fund Tanzania – based in Tanzania, Raising Voices – based in Uganda, FAWE Uganda, TPO Uganda, World Education Bantwana Initiative (Western Uganda).

5. Deliverables: 

1. Inception report to be reviewed, discussed and validated by IIDC: This will include but not limited to: understanding of the assignment, detailed methodology, initial work plan, draft outline of final report, and draft assessment tools.
2. First draft evaluation report.
3. Final evaluation report
4. Based on the findings from the evaluation data and other relevant resources, produce an evidence-based documentation of the learning process focusing on what works and how, in promoting programme learning and improvement in addressing VAC among implementing organisations.

6. Firm/Consultant Qualifications and Requirements: 

The firm/consultant(s) must have the following minimum qualifications and requirements:

1. The participating firm/consultant(s) must have a team leader with a minimum of a master's degree in either Social Work & Social Administration, Demography, statistics, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Development Management or other related fields. The Team Leader(s) must demonstrate experience and competence in the areas of organizational learning, programme design and measurement, documentation and communication and organizational capacity.
2. Demonstrable experience in conducting participatory qualitative and quantitative evaluation multi-country studies with excellent analytical and report writing skills.
3. Previous experience is designing, delivering and evaluating learning and capacity development programmes.
4. Good thematic knowledge of and experience in the fields of children’s rights/ protection and violence against children prevention.

7. Supervision Arrangements: 

The consultant/firm will be reporting to the Heads of Programs. The consultant/firm will be working closely with Technical Advisor Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning.

8. Required Documents: 

8.1. Technical Component:

• A written technical application no more than 7 pages in length outlining the technical approach that you will undertake to complete the work, the methodology and any additional consulting staff who will participate in the project.

A clear demonstration of capabilities and expertise in carrying out the Consultancy as detailed in these ToRs.

• References, web links or electronic copies of two or three examples of recently completed evaluation reports. Candidates are also encouraged to submit other references such as assessment/baselines/evaluation reports that demonstrate their familiarity with the subject under review.

8.2. A Financial Proposal:

This should provide a detailed costing of the required resources to perform the assignment with itemized budget and explanatory notes.

8.3. Attachments:

• CV(s) of the Consultant(s).
• Copies Firm registration certificate, VAT registration certificate, Latest tax clearance certificate.

8.4.Proposal Review/Scoring Criteria: 

1. Qualification and competencies of key staff (at least 3).
2. Relevant experience.
3. Adequacy of proposed work plan and methodology in response to the terms of reference.
4. Personality, Integrity and team strength.
5. Budget

How to Apply: 

Interested consultants/firms are requested to send a technical and financial proposal (not exceeding 10pages excluding Annexes) via email to tenders@iidcug.org with a copy to jigoe@iidcug.org by 19th May 2023.