TERMS OF REFERENCE – FINAL EVALUATION CONSULTANCY

TERMS OF REFERENCE – FINAL EVALUATION

The program “Implementing the Common Agenda to combat VAWG and promote inclusive peace building processes in Syria”

Funded by the European Union (EU)

1. Background Information and Rationale

1.1 Introduction

• EuroMed Feminist Initiative (EFI) is a policy platform advocating for gender equality, democracy, and self-determination.
• Headquarters in Paris with regional offices in Amman, Beirut, and Erbil.
• Since September 2022, EFI has been implementing a 3-year program in partnership with Musawa Study Center, Dawlaty, and Zoom In to address Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in Syria.
• The program aims to enhance women’s participation in decision-making processes from local to international levels.

1.2 Program Overview

• Specific Objectives:

  • Strengthen the role of Syrian Human Rights and Women’s Rights defenders in combating VAWG and peacebuilding.
  • Improve access to social, health, and legal services for survivors or women at risk.

• Expected Results:

  • Women’s rights defenders gain capacity to raise awareness and mobilize communities against VAWG.
  • Increased advocacy influence of women’s rights defenders at local, national, and international levels.
  • Improved access to services (social, health, legal) for survivors and at-risk women.

• Main Activities:

  • Strengthening women’s rights defenders in awareness-raising and combating gender stereotypes.
  • Supporting gender equality advocacy efforts at the community and policy levels.

• Targeted Areas:

  • Northeast Syria: Hasakeh, Qamishli, Raqqa.
  • Northwest Syria: Maarat Masrin, Kafar Takhrim, Atmeh, Al Bab, Azaz.
  • Previously Regime-Controlled Areas: Damascus, Sweida, Salamiyah, Lattakia.
  • Some advocacy actions were implemented in Europe.

• Target Groups:

  • Women and girls at risk of VAWG.
  • Women’s rights defenders, local activists, and CSOs.
  • Community leaders, international stakeholders, decision-makers.
  • Syrian civil society at large.

2. Purpose and Scope of the Final Evaluation

2.1 Rationale

• The evaluation aims to assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of the program.
• Findings will provide lessons learned, best practices, and recommendations for future programs.

2.2 Scope of Work

• Evaluate how well the program achieved its objectives and impacted beneficiaries.
• Identify challenges, successes, and sustainability measures.
• Provide qualitative and quantitative analysis of program outcomes.

2.3 Key Evaluation Questions (OECD/DAC Criteria)

• Relevance: Did the program align with local needs and international strategies?
• Effectiveness: Were the objectives achieved as planned?
• Efficiency: Was the program cost-effective?
• Impact: What long-term changes did the program create?
• Sustainability: Are results likely to continue beyond the project period?
• Participation: How well were stakeholders engaged in decision-making?
• Gender Sensitivity: Were the specific needs of women and girls effectively addressed?

3. Methodology and Work Plan

3.1 Methodology

• Mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative data collection.

• Data Collection Methods:

  • Desk review of program documents, reports, policies.
  • Interviews with project stakeholders, beneficiaries, and experts.
  • Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with women’s rights defenders.
  • Surveys for program impact assessment.

• Evaluation Phases:

  1. Design & Desk Review – Context analysis, methodology refinement.
  2. Fieldwork – Data collection, stakeholder engagement.
  3. Analysis & Report Write-Up – Interpretation, findings, and recommendations.

3.2 Deliverables and Timeline

• Inception Report – April 2025
• Preliminary Findings Presentation – May 16, 2025
• Draft Evaluation Report – Early June 2025
• Final Report Submission – June 20, 2025

4. Team Composition and Requirements

4.1 Consultant Profile

• Master’s or PhD in Social Sciences, Gender Studies, or International Development.

• At least 5 years of experience in evaluating gender and human rights programs.

• Strong background in monitoring & evaluation (M&E).

• Experience in conflict-sensitive programming and VAWG prevention.

• Excellent command of English and Arabic (mandatory).

• Roles of EFI’s Management Team:

  • Supervise and coordinate the evaluation.
  • Provide access to project documents and stakeholders.
  • Ensure evaluation quality and adherence to methodology.

5. Budget and Contract Terms

• Total Budget: €25,000 (including VAT and all relevant taxes).
• Covers consultant fees, travel, logistics, online tools, and administrative costs.
• The contract period is April 1, 2025 – June 20, 2025 (12 weeks).

6. Submission of Proposals

6.1 Required Documents

• Technical Proposal (methodology, work plan, evaluation questions).
• Financial Proposal (detailed budget breakdown).
• CV(s) of consultant(s).
• Sample of previous evaluation work.
• References from similar projects.

6.2 Submission Process

• Deadline: March 17, 2025
• Inquiry Deadline: February 28, 2025
• Submission Email:
  • application@efi-ife.org
  • fadia.habib@efi-ife.org
• Email Subject: "Final Evaluation: Implementing the Common Agenda to Combat VAWG and Promote Inclusive Peacebuilding Processes in Syria."

7. Final Report Structure

• Executive Summary (5-8 pages)
• Introduction (Purpose, questions, methodology).
• Program Description (Objectives, structure, stakeholders).
• Findings & Analysis (Impact, effectiveness, challenges).
• Conclusions & Recommendations (Sustainability, lessons learned).
• Annexes (Data collection tools, participant list, references).

8. Ethical Considerations

• Anonymity & Confidentiality – Protecting participants’ identities.
• Independence & Objectivity – Unbiased assessment and findings.
• Validation of Data – Ensuring data accuracy and reliability.

Conclusion

This final evaluation will assess the effectiveness, sustainability, and impact of the program in promoting women’s participation and combating VAWG in Syria. The findings will guide future programming and inform policymakers, donors, and civil society organizations.