TERMS OF REFERENCE – EVALUATION CONSULTANT OF THE APHRC STRATEGIC PLAN 2017-2021

DEADLINE: February 3, 2021
CLOSED JOB

A. Services Required

APHRC is seeking proposals from competent consultants to undertake an evaluation of the Strategic Plan 2017-2021, design and develop its evaluation framework and work plan.

B. Introduction and Context

  1. About the APHRC

The African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC) is a leading Africa-based, African-led, international research institution headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, with a regional office in Dakar, Senegal. APHRC is committed to generating an Africa-led and Africa-owned body of evidence to inform decision making for an effective and sustainable response to the most critical challenges facing the continent.

2. The Strategic Plan 2017-2021

The 2017-2021 Strategic Plan is a dynamic blueprint that sets the course for APHRC for these five years and beyond. It is a roadmap for broader and deeper engagement in signature areas of interest as the Center continues in its second decade as a premier research institution and think tank in Africa. It outlines a bold agenda predicated on the four Strategic Objectives, and supported by four cross-cutting guiding principles that aim to maximize impact. The Strategic Objectives are to:

  • Generate scientific knowledge aligned to local and global development agendas on population health and wellbeing.
  • Develop and nurture the next generation of African research leaders.
  • Engage with decision-makers using evidence to drive optimal development and implementation of policies that will have a transformative impact on lives in Africa.
  • Create operational efficiencies in systems and processes for maximum programmatic impact.

In the 2017-2021 Strategic Plan period, the Center seeks to be collaborative, innovation-driven, truly African in reach and impact-oriented in all its engagements and activities.  These are the guiding principles that reflect APHRC’s ambition to be more deliberate in how the Center positions itself as a truly African voice.

C. Purpose and Scope of Work

The purpose of the evaluation assignment will be to:

  1. Conduct an evaluation of APHRC’s Strategic Plan 2017-2021 by examining the performance and progress of implementing the Strategic Objectives, addressing signature issues and the extent to which the guiding principles have been mainstreamed in the Center’s operations.
  2. Identify areas in which APHRC has played and continues to play a relevant role (regionally and globally) through its programs and projects.
  3. Provide evidence-informed recommendations, opportunities and lessons learnt based on the evaluation findings; that would inform future directions, including the development of the new Strategic Plan 2022-2026.

It is expected that this evaluation will be participatory, involving key internal and external stakeholders.

D. Evaluation Questions and Methodological Approach

The Evaluation will target the strategic directions/signature issues, guiding principles and Strategic Objectives. The evaluation questions will be based on OECD DAC evaluation criteria, specifically looking at effectiveness, relevance, impact, efficiency and coordination.

The evaluation will utilize both qualitative and quantitative methods that will provide and validate the evaluation questions and develop relevant recommendations. The methods will include but not be limited to:

  • Secondary data analysis / review of relevant documents.
  • Key informant interviews with internal and external stakeholders including senior management, heads of units, program heads, senior staff, Board of Directors and the Center’s partners.
  • Focus Group Discussions with key internal stakeholders.
  • Case Studies on key aspects of the Strategic Plan to provide the context and information about reasons for success, challenges and drawbacks.

E. Expected Deliverables

The following deliverables will be expected from the evaluator:

  • Evaluation protocol – the evaluator shall prepare an evaluation protocol prior to the data collection exercise. The protocol shall include a structured evaluation plan, the methodology and the support required from APHRC. This is a critical deliverable and will require approval from APHRC before data collection can commence.
  • Draft evaluation report – A draft evaluation report with preliminary findings for discussion and input by management and staff.
  • Final evaluation report – the final evaluation report shall take into account APHRC values of fairness, integrity and excellence. The final report will be submitted at the end of the assignment.
  • Presentations of findings – The evaluator shall be expected to make presentations of the evaluation’s findings to both senior management and the Board in separate and joint sessions.
  • Evaluation Report Brief/ Summary – Summary of the report shall be developed for sharing with crucial stakeholders and partners.

F. Work Plan Timelines and Logistical Arrangements

The estimated duration of the evaluation will be approximately 3 months (February-April 2020).  Field work will take place in the Nairobi office. The evaluator will be responsible for their own arrangements for the field visits and appointments with relevant stakeholders that will be arranged in cooperation with the in-house corporate monitoring and evaluation team, if deemed necessary by the Evaluator. The consultant will report to the Business Development Office/Director of Operations.

G. Qualifications of The Evaluator

Competencies:

The consultant should have the following qualifications and competences:

  • Proven record in leading similar evaluations.
  • Knowledge of, and experience in applying standard evaluation principles, qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods.
  • Ability to draft concise evaluation reports of high quality in English.
  • Proven expertise in issues related to strategic planning in the development sector.

Qualifications and Skills:

Consulting firms and individual consultants may apply. Individual consultants or the consulting team need to meet the qualification requirements below:

  • PhD degree, in areas relevant to international development/humanitarian action/economics or social science. Master degree in these areas and extensive (more than 7 years) relevant experience would compensate for the absence of a PhD
  • More than 6 years of experience in research and strategy/organizational development/project management and review.
  • Extensive experience of working with international organizations and specifically in complex environments in the field of social accountability, good governance, public budgeting and institutional development.
  • Evidence of quality outputs from previous assignments.
  • Fluent in English.
  • Good qualitative and quantitative analytical skills.
  • Good reporting and presentation skills.

H. Submission of Bids

Applicants shall submit the following documents

  1. A cover letter with a brief description of relevant previous experiences conducting similar evaluations;
  2. Samples of outputs from comparable evaluations recently carried out;
  3. Contact details of two references to support claims of knowledge, skills and experience;
  4. Curriculum vitae (CV) of consulting team or individual consultant including references, certifications, and accreditations;
  5. An evaluation proposal/work plan, also highlighting how the evaluation will adapt to the ongoing working from home arrangement.
  6. Proposed budget of the evaluation.

I. How to apply

Interested candidates should send the technical proposal to consultancies@aphrc.org with the subject “EVALUATION OF APHRC’S STRATEGIC PLAN 2017- 2021” by 3rd February 2021. APHRC will evaluate the responses to this Request for Proposal based on the consultants’ ability to provide a general overview of the services your organization provided in the past, including number of years in the business, number of relevant professional consultants or CVs, and experience of working with clients on a similar assignment.

APHRC is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to the protection of vulnerable persons.