Terms of Reference for External Evaluation
of the project
“Women human rights defenders stepping up against gender-based violence in Armenia”
- Introduction
| Project title | “Women human rights defenders stepping up against gender-based violence in Armenia”
|
| Project Reference number | NEAR-TS 2019/405-028 |
| Duration | 01/02/2020-31/01/2023 |
| Evaluation commissioning manager | Coordinator of the CSVW |
| Evaluation timeframe | 30.01.2022-29.03.2022 |
The present document represents the Terms of Reference (ToR) for the external evaluation of the Project “Women human rights defenders stepping up against gender-based violence in Armenia”.
The evaluation study is expected to assess the implementation and the results of this project, in order to consider its relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, and impact.
- Background on the project
The project has country-wide coverage. 2 specific activities target only three particular regions – Shirak, Lori and Tavush.
The overall goal of this project is to contribute to the elimination of violence against women in Armenia. The specific objectives of the initiative are the following:
- The state adopts necessary laws, policies and mechanisms to prevent and protect women from violence and has greater capacities to provide an effective, sensitive and multi-sectoral response to domestic and gender based violence;
- The awareness of women, civil society organizations and the public at large is increased around the prevalence of gender based violence and existing protection mechanisms.
Expected results are:
- Social protection centers’, healthcare institutions and local state bodies’ capacities and sensitivity are improved
- Necessary legal and policy documents and mechanisms are developed, adopted or amended by the state in partnership with the Coalition
- Research and monitoring pieces on gender based violence against vulnerable and marginalized groups of women are undertaken by the Coalition and presented to the state and the public at large
- A comprehensive training guidebook on gender based violence issues is developed
- Local women in Shirak, Tavush and Lori regions are empowered and knowledgeable about gender based violence issues
- Emergency support packages are provided to vulnerable women affected by the coronavirus pandemic
- Legal counseling on labour and social rights is provided to women during the coronavirus pandemic
- Regional civil society organizations’ knowledge and capacities are increased
- Local initiatives are carried out by regional organizations in order to support women affected by the pandemic
- Public campaigns and festivals are organized and social advertisements are launched by the Coalition.
The project is implemented by the Coalition to Stop Violence against Women in close partnership with 6 of its member organizations who act as affiliated entities in this project. These are:
- Women’s Resource Center
- Sexual Assault Crisis Center
- Women’s Rights Center
- Women’s Support Center
- Spitak Helsinki Group
- Real World, Real People.
- Objective and scope of the evaluation
The purpose of this evaluation is to collect and analyse information on the Project design, implementation and the results of it achieved vs. targeted outputs and outcomes.
The evaluation should provide assessment against project aims, objectives and results based on the indicators of the Project log-frame.
The evaluation needs to cover the entire project duration. The mission should take place in the course of 30.01.2023 – 06.04.2023.
The evaluation needs to cover Yerevan, Lori and Shirak regions of Armenia where program activities have taken place.
The evaluation needs to cover the target primary and secondary beneficiaries as well as broader stakeholders.
- Evaluation methodology
The process of evaluation will be carried out in a transparent and participatory manner, includingconsultations with Project partners and with a range of stakeholders in the assessment.
The methodology for the evaluation envisages both desk and field researches.
The desk research will be the first step for the evaluation team for:
- Understanding the Project and its specifics;
- Assessing the process through project documentation;
The sources for the desk research include:
- Project log-frame, indicators, and Project document
- Project and partners’ reports
- Project produced materials
- Other documentation, such as visibility materials.
The field research will include face-to-face interviews with the project teams, partners, and stakeholders through semi-structured questionnaires in order to guarantee the availability of both quantitative and qualitative evidence whenever appropriate.
The sources of information for the field research for the evaluation include:
- Project staff, affiliated bodies, and other partners;
- Project beneficiaries/target groups’ representatives;
- Other stakeholders, as appropriate.
The exact methodology and list of respondents are left to the discretion of the evaluator(s) n close consultations with the CSVW.
- Evaluation Ethics
The principles and procedures of the evaluation should be in compliance with the OECD-DAC principles.
It is imperative for the evaluator(s) to:
- Guarantee the safety of respondents and the research team;
- Apply protocols to ensure anonymity and confidentiality of respondents;
- Provide referrals to local services and sources of support for women that might ask for them;
- Ensure compliance with legal codes governing areas such as provisions to collect and report data;
- Store securely the collected information.
The key documents to which the evaluation process should be informed by include (but not
limited to) the following:
- Jewkes, R., E. Dartnall and Y. Sikweyiya (2012). Ethical and Safety Recommendations for Research on the Perpetration of Sexual Violence. Sexual Violence Research Initiative. Pretoria, South Africa, Medical Research Council. Available at: https://www.svri.org/sites/default/files/attachments/2016-04-13/EthicalRecommendations.pdf
- Researching violence against women: A practical guide for researchers and activists, November 2005. Available at: http://www.path.org/publications/files/GBV_rvaw_complete.pdf
- Evaluation team composition and required competencies
The Evaluation will be conducted by an Individual consultant or a Team of consultants, who will be responsible for undertaking the evaluation from start to finish with supervision of the evaluation commissioning manager, for the data collection and analysis, as well as report drafting and finalization in English.
The required skills and competencies for the Evaluator (Or the Evaluation Team Leader) are:
- At least 5 years experience in conducting external evaluations, with mixed-methods evaluation skills and having flexibility in using non-traditional and innovative evaluation methods
- Expertise in gender and human-rights-based approaches to evaluation and issues of violence against women and girls
- Specific evaluation experiences in the areas of ending violence against women and girls
- Experience in collecting and analysing quantitative and qualitative data
- In-depth knowledge of gender equality and women’s empowerment
- A strong commitment to delivering timely and high-quality results, i.e. credible evaluation and its report that can be used
- A strong team leadership and management track record, as well as interpersonal and communication skills to help ensure that the evaluation is understood and used.
- Good communication skills and ability to communicate with various stakeholders and to express concisely and clearly ideas and concepts
- In-depth knowledge of Armenian context on women’s rights and gender issues will be an asset
- Language proficiency: fluency in English and Armenian is mandatory.
- Schedule and deliverables
| Activity | Responsible party | Deadline |
| Contract signing | CSVW | 30.01.2023 |
| Delivery of Inception Report, including the cleardesign, methodology, methods, tools, and
timeline for the data collection and analysis for the evaluation |
Evaluator | 06.02.2023 |
| Desk Research of documents | Evaluator | 13.02.2023 |
| Data Collection | Evaluator | 27.02.2023 |
| Analysis | Evaluator | 06.03.2023 |
| Draft Report | Evaluator | 13.03.2023 |
| Feedback on the Draft Report | CSVW | 17.03.2023 |
| Draft Final Report | Evaluator | 23.03.2023 |
| Final remarks on the Final Report | CSVW | 27.03.2023 |
| Final Report | Evaluator | 29.03.2023 |
| Act of Acceptance | CSVW | 29.03.2023 |
The Deliverables:
- Inception report (in English)
- Evaluation report (in English)
- Budget and payment
The total budget for this evaluation is 2 000 000 AMD which includes all taxes except VAT.
The payment will comprise of two tranches – 30% of the contract cost making the first one to proceedafter the inception report.
- Dissemination strategy and using the findings
The final report will be posted on the CSVW website and made available for publishing by the institutional donors. This is consistent with the CSVW”s commitment to transparency and accountability.
- Process of the selection of the evaluator
The application from individuals/companies shall contain the following sections:
- Evaluator’s approach to conducting the external evaluation – Methodology in general
- Research implementation plan (questionnaire piloting, implementation, data quality assurance, processing, analysis)
- Timetable
- De樂威壯
tailed Budget - Information about the company and proposed staff (company portfolio in case of companies, containing information about similar projects, staff resumes; in case of individuals resumes and information about similar projects)
- Example of previous similar work/report.
Note: The Project is VAT exempt; therefore no VAT costs will be accepted as eligible under this assignment.
HOW TO APPLY:
Send the application package to the following address [email protected] with “CSVW external evaluation” title on the Subject line.
DEADLINE: 5 pm, 18.01.2023