Terms of Reference
“Final Evaluation-Human Rights Small Grants Project”
Background of the Project:
The Human Rights Small Grants Project of the Asia Foundation (September 2014-16) has supported innovative solutions to address local human rights violations in Punjab, Sindh, and Balochistan provinces of Pakistan through local civil society partners. The project has supported eight small civil society organizations (CSOs) in targeted local actions to address pre-identified human rights violations relevant to their communities. The project has the following three objectives:
i) Equipping CSOs to address violations of fundamental freedoms in their communities, through grants, technical assistance, and mentoring;
ii) Strengthening the capacity of CSOs in selected areas to document, report and monitor violations of fundamental rights in their communities; and
iii) Strengthening linkages of CSOs with other stakeholders at all levels to raise awareness of, and advocate for, rights pertaining to fundamental freedoms, and to mitigate sectarian violence.
Objective and Scope of the Assignment:
Project activities being undertaken by implementing partners under this project have closed in June 2016. The purpose of the final evaluation would be to:
- Assess the progress made by each implementing partner towards the achievement of results at the outcome and outputs level;
- Assess the performance of TAF and its partners in terms of relevance of results, sustainability of actions, shared responsibility and accountability, appropriateness of actions, resource allocations, and informed and timely actions;
- Identify key lessons learnt and provide recommendations for future programming.
Proposed Methodology:
The evaluation will comprise participatory methodologies and include literature review, Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews, beneficiary feedback and field observations. Out of the box methodology will be having additional points during the proposals evaluation.
Literature Review
The consultants will conduct a literature review of all the relevant documents for a clear comprehension of each project background implemented by the partner organizations; progress against outcomes and impact; and challenges encountered during implementation. Relevant documents pertaining to the project, such as Logic Model, M&E Plan, quarterly progress reports; training reports; case studies and articles would be reviewed.
The desk review will also help the consultant in developing instruments for Focus Group Discussions (FGDs), key informant interviews and provide a context on what to look for during field observations.
Development of Instruments/Questionnaires
The literature review would inform the design of key research instruments for conducting the project evaluation with concerned project staff and direct beneficiaries of the project. These instruments would be finalized after pre-testing in the field and in consultation with staff at The Asia Foundation.
Key interviews
Information collected from these informants will be used to get insight into their roles in the project and its implementation; approaches used in the interventions used to achieve the projective objectives. Key Informants will include focal persons in partner organizations and other key stakeholders.
Focus Group Discussions
Focus group discussions would be conducted with beneficiary community groups. These discussions will provide insight into the level of project approaches such as participation, coordination, monitoring and evaluation as well as give an overview on project achievements.
Field Observations
Field observations will be carried out by the consultant during the execution of the evaluation and recorded. This information will be used in triangulation of data sourced from the literature review, FGDs and key informant interviews. It will also be used in assessing the overall performance of the project.
Geographic Focus
A detail of partner organizations engaged under the project, their geographic area of focus and thematic area of intervention are specified below:
|
Serial No.
|
Organization
|
Target area
|
Thematic area
|
|
1.
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Baanhn Beli
|
Mirpur Khas, Sindh
|
Promoting girls’ education by eliminating early and forced marriages in Mirpur Khas
|
|
2.
|
Pakistan Fisherfolk Forum
|
Sindh
|
Policy advocacy for the socio-economic rights of the fisherfolk community in Sindh
|
|
3.
|
Roshni Helpline
|
Karachi, SIndh
|
Addressing violation of transgender rights in Karachi
|
|
4.
|
Balochistan Social Development Programme
|
Jaffarabad, Balochistan
|
Advocacy against honor killings in Jaffarabad
|
|
5.
|
Coastal Association for Research and Development
|
Lasbela, Balochistan
|
Empowering industrial workers to safeguard their labor rights in Lasbela
|
|
6.
|
Organization for Development and Peace
|
Muzaffargarh, Punjab
|
Defending human rights, counter violence and extremism by engagement of youth and civil society
|
|
7.
|
Public Welfare Organization
|
Lodhran, Punjab
|
Peaceful coexistence: Promoting inter-faith harmony in Lodhran
|
|
8.
|
Bunyad Literacy Community Centre
|
Rahimyar Khan, Punjab
|
Advocating minority rights through photo voice in Rahimyar Khan
|
Timeline:
August 1- September 15, 2016
Deliverables:
- An inception report within 15 days of signing of contract describing expectations of evaluation, methodology and sample for field assessment, evaluation framework, analysis of the data collected during pre-testing, and reporting format for final evaluation report;
- A Final Evaluation Report incorporating a summary of the literature review and findings of the field research.
Request for proposal:
The Asia Foundation is inviting Technical and Financial Proposal in hard copy for the aforementioned consultancy. The proposal should be sent in a sealed envelope with two inner sealed envelopes (one envelope with technical and the other with financial proposal). Project name and assignment should be clearly written on the envelope. The proposal must be accompanied with following documents:
- A short proposal for conducting this assignment including a comprehensive work plan with clear timelines. Please be specific in your proposal in describing the methodology and sampling, and composition of team with clear roles and responsibilities;
- CVs of Team Lead and other team members;
- Profile of the Firm/organization;
- Detailed itemized budget with clear Level of Efforts for each team member
Who can apply?
- Reputable individual consultants and firms with proven track record of relevant experience of similar work.
- Ability to deliver quality work on time
- Can work under the tight deadline
- Good understanding of the human rights issues in the context of Pakistan
Deadline for Proposal Submission:
The proposal must reach at following address by the close of business July 29, 2016.
Country Representative
The Asia Foundation
EOBI House, Fourth Floor,
Block 32-34, Mauve Area,
I & T Center, G-10/4, Islamabad
Proposals submitted after the deadline shall not be entertained. The sealed envelope must clearly mention the title of the consultancy. The hard copy will be considered as final. For further queries write to Ms. Nimrah Zubair Khan (Program Officer) on email address: [email protected].
Note: only shortlisted consultants will be contacted.