Call for Evaluation Consultant
Terms of Reference for the Evaluation of the project “Support to activities of the EaP CSF in 2018-2020”
The current grant of the European Commission to the EaP CSF for the period 2018-2020 stipulates external evaluation of the project in the last year of the project. The evaluation will cover the period between January 2018 to December 2019 and all project components. The evaluation will provide the assessment of the results achieved so far and contribute to learning by understanding what have been factors that made possible or created obstacles to the achievement of results and by identifying key lessons learned that would lead to improved future project of the EaP CSF that will be funded by the EC.

Main objective

The main objectives of the evaluation is to provide to the governing body of the EaP CSF, the EaP CSF Secretariat, the EC and other stake-holders with overall independent assessment of the performance of the project, paying particular attention to the results achieved and key lessons learned, conclusions and related recommendations that will help in designing the new project that will be to a certain extent a continuation of the current one. The evaluator(s) will assess the project using the six standard evaluation criteria: relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability and signs of impact. A particular attention will be paid to relevance, effectiveness and impact.

The evaluation will:
1. assess the achievement of the specific objectives and results of the project. It will identify the intended and unintended outcomes.
2. look for signs of impact bearing in mind that the current project is a continuation of a similar project covering the period 2015-2017.
3. assess the coherence of the project design and if the project activities lead to the desired results and objectives.
4. provide recommendations on how the project activities can be adapted to the evolution of the EaP policy, especially with regards to the principles of inclusivity and differentiation and expectations of the EaP CSF members.
5. provide recommendations regarding each strategic objectives and activities falling under it that should inform the development of the new project.

Deliverables

The Inception Report and Final Report will be developed by the consultant(s).
The Inception Report will include the detailed outline of the evaluation methodology that will be presented and agreed with the EaP CSF Secretariat. It can include a combination of document review, semi-structured interviews, focus group discussions and/or online surveys, etc.
The structure of the Final Report will be agreed with the Secretariat of the EaP CSF and will:

  • Contain an executive summary
  • Be analytical in nature (both quantitative and qualitative)
  • Be structured around issues and related findings/lessons learnt
  • Include conclusions facilitating evidence-based decision making
  • Include recommendations with focus on utilizing the evidence and learning from the evaluation for the designing of the new project and its actions

 

Timeline

  • Kick-off meeting with the Secretariat [via remote conference]: March 16-17,2020
  • Inception report including the detailed methodology: by March 30, 2020
  • Intermediary Note or Validation meeting with presentation of initial findings (possible online): by April, 27, 2020
  • Draft Final Report: by May 11, 2020
  • Final Report: by May 25, 2020

Required Expertise

The evaluation will be conducted by a consultant or a team of two consultants. The consultant or the team leader (in case of two consultants) shall have at least 7 years of proven experience in the evaluation of EU-funded projects. Experience with evaluation of EU-funded projects in the EaP region is required. A good knowledge of the EaP policy and situation in the EaP countries is desirable. Experience evaluating projects implemented by civil society organisations is desirable. The language of the assignment and the Evaluation Report shall be English. Russian language skill will be considered an advantage.

Application procedure

Interested consultant(s) should submit an Expression of Interest to admin@eap-csf.eu with “Evaluation” in the subject line.

The Expression of Interest should include:

  • A brief motivation letter highlighting relevant expertise and experience including a brief summary of recent evaluations conducted
  • CV
  • Proposed outline of methodology for the evaluation (2 pages max)
  • Daily rate of the consultant/s

The deadline for the submission of the expression of interest is March 5, 2020. The Expression of Interests will be reviewed by the Secretariat, who can request a submission of a more detailed methodology. Please note that only successful applicants will be contacted.

Contact us

Alexandra Sabou

Administrative and Statutory Processes Manager
Email: admin@eap-csf.eu
Tel: +32 2 893 25 86