End Term Evaluation Tender in Iraq - 58318358

Tenders are invited for End Term Evaluation.
“Widening the Space for Women, Youth and Civil Society in Iraq 2019-2021” Project
Submission of bids before 04:00 PM. On 16th of October 2021.
NPA is implementing a three years project named “Widening the space for women, youth and civil society in Iraq” with fund from Sida (Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency). The goal is to have women, youth and Civil Society Organisations influence the decision-making process in Iraq. The project targets selected Iraqi civil society organisations, informal civil society groups and local populations and will have a particular geographical focus on South of Iraq (Basrah, Maysan, Dhi Qar and Muthanna), Baghdad, Kurdistan region (Erbil, Sulaymania, Duhok and Halabja), Diyala, Kirkuk, Ninewa, Salah ad Din and Anbar.
Purpose of the evaluation

The purpose of this evaluation is to help NPA assess how well the Theory of Change of this project has worked to deliver the goal and to learn from what worked well and less well. The evaluation will be used to inform decisions on how the Theory of Change may be adjusted and improved and act as an input to the development of future similar programming. This evaluation will look closely at lessons learned and recommendations, in line with NPA guidelines for end of project evaluations and for drawing lessons to improve our practice in design and implementation of similar projects. The evaluation should provide a framework to collect data on immediate, basic changes that lead to longer, more transformative change, and allow for the plausible assessment of the initiative-s contribution to results.
To aid in this purpose, the evaluation will therefore respond to the following objectives:

• To reflect on NPA and partners- achievements and the change achieved with focus on the successes, challenges, best practices and key lessons learned during the project period.

• To reflect on the effectiveness of the NPA model of working in local partnerships with civil society organisations to achieve project objectives with focus on women and youth mobilisation and how to engage with them is a meaningful and purposeful way.

• To suggest key practical targeted recommendations and learning to be considered by NPA for future projects and programmes, in particular inform with practical recommendations the continuation and further implementation of the current project in 2021 and beyond.

• To contribute to NPA-s overall institutional learning and referring to NPA Development and Humanitarian Cooperation Result Evaluation Plan 2020-2024.

The evaluation results are envisaged to identify and describe the lessons learned, through measurements of the changes in the set milestones (progress markers), summarize the experiences gained, technically and managerially, and recommend ways in which the activities of the project and future project(s) can strengthen the decision-making process in Iraq.

Users of the evaluation

The project has a dynamic approach where each process is feeding another. For example, the CSOs partners utilize their capacities in terms of connections, relations, their previous works, field of their expertise, their staff, their mandates, etc., in order to reach out to women and youth and to create space for engagement. Examples of such spaces would be dialogue fora, thematic based activities, centers, social activities, political debates, etc. The aim is that both women and youth can find places to nurture their capacities and power, also to discuss how to engage and where to get involved. The CSO partners are also able to provide training to equip women and youth with necessary means and capacities to present themselves and have the confidence to participate and engage with their communities.
The evaluation shall provide the donor and NPA with a review of the project performance, relevance, effectiveness and efficiency and to capture outcomes and possible impact, and make suggestions for potential adjustments for similar projects in the future.

The primary intended users of the evaluation are:

- NPA Iraq Country Office

- NPA Head Office (MENA team and technical advisors)

- Sida

- Partner orgaisatoins
The Theory of Change of what will be evaluated

The scope of this evaluation will focus on Theory of Change, the role it has played in guiding NPA and its partners- delivery of results against strategy, to learn how these results enable change for people, with focus on women and youth, and understand CSOs- role, contribution and added value in this.

With the confidence in the democratic system in crisis in both Iraq and KRI, combined with public unrest related to the economic crisis and corrupted system, it is more pivotal than ever to support civil society organisations and the community-based work to open up and sustain local political spaces and embolden the rule of law. The crisis affects the democratic space and room for civil society, independent media and activists to organize and voice their concerns. This complements the absence of the rule of law or weak law enforcement. Civil society organisations in Iraq have made a great contribution in driving change within the society from 1991 (KRI) and 2003 (Iraq) onwards. They have challenged the culture of authoritarianism, fought for the freedom of expression, strengthened the abilities of women and youth to become stronger actors appealing for human rights etc. They have also engaged across political and cultural divides. Several civil society organisations have to a surprising extent been able to influence decision-making and access powerholders, thus in spite of the bleak outlook and massive challenges in Iraq, the country has also, more than most other countries in the MENA region, allowed civil society to organize and influence development and decision-making, which gives reason to hope.

The long-term goal of this project is that civil society organisations (CSOs) and actors with broad participation of women and young people from diverse segments of society are able to influence decision-making and contribute to widen the democratic space in Iraq. NPA sees through its experiences in partnership with CSOs in Iraq, that a well-rooted civil society with ability to voice the cause of their constituencies and interest groups can challenge and address some of the inherent inequalities in access to power and control over resources in the country, which has hampered social development, destabilised the country and led to massive waves of violence over the last decades. NPA thus sees democratisation as a prerequisite for a more peaceful Iraq.
and human rights, or equivalent knowledge in the areas mentioned in above two points.

- Preferably, the Consultancy Company or the Individual consultant should deploy a multidisciplinary team with a background of political and statistical data analysis qualifications.

- It is desirable to have a postgraduate in political studies. Preference will be given to those who possess past experience working with INGOs and conducting evaluation surveys.

- The consultant or group of consultants should have proficiency in English. Working knowledge of Arabic is plus.