DEADLINE: 7TH APRIL, 2021
ACTIONAID
END LINE EVALUATION FOR YOUTH LED DIGITAL ENGAGEMENT- COVID-19 RESPONSE (YDE) PROJECT
BACKGROUND
Action Aid’s strategy “Action for Global Justice”, prioritises the leadership of women and young people, especially those living in poverty and exclusion, in its efforts to achieve social justice, gender equality and poverty eradication. We work for enabling young people to unite and contribute to social justice by creating platforms. Action Aid’s views its role as a connector, and it connects local struggles of people with progressive social movements, young people themselves and their movements. We consider young people as our partners and LEADERS in the fight for global justice. We focus on young people unleashing their desire and demands for change as a force for transforming the wider society. In this process Action Aid positions itself as an ally, co-creator and co-convener to make these changes happen by working with young people on their local and international struggles.
With the COVID-19 pandemic resulting not only in a global health crisis but one with social, political and economic impact, women and young people have disproportionately faced the most negative impacts. Young people are particularly vulnerable to the disruptions the pandemic has caused, and many are at risk of being left behind in education, economic opportunities, health, early child marriage and well being during a crucial stage of their life development. Young people even before the onset of the pandemic was already three times more likely than adults to be unemployed.
Food insecurity, loss of income, police brutality, misinformation, lack of access to health and other public services and closure of learning institutions are among some of the highest concerns expressed by young people surveyed by ActionAid in five countries (Bangladesh, Kenya, Nigeria, Palestine and Zambia). Challenges being faced in communities as surfaced during workshops conducted with young people include:
- Reduced work opportunities for informal sector workers
- Job losses due to restrictions on business operations and functions
- Poor targeting and/or misallocation of social welfare interventions
- Use of excessive force by law enforcement authorities tasked with ensuring adherence to guidelines
- Concerns on mental health and well-being due to economic stressors
- Lack of access to formal and informal learning opportunities
- Densified communities with inability to practice social distancing
- Social sharing of misinformation regarding the spread of COVID-19 and claimed remedies
As such building on AAI’s approach of HRBA and evidence based advocacy, the YDE project sought to provide a platform for citizen generated data, with the aim of aggregating, analysing and disseminating information within the shortest time possible, to enable young people’s access to near real time data and evidence from their communities, that informs timely and relevant action primarily using using digital spaces and information and communications technologies (ICT) to enable young people undertake social accountability and demand action from the state and its institutions.
Evaluation purpose
Action Aid believes that young people have the capabilities to play a significant role in creating transformative change; our work is based on our Human Rights Based Approach (HRBA) and the understanding that unequal power relations deny people, particularly women and young people, their rights leaving them poor and excluded.
The evaluation should build upon the project description and aspiration, the AP research findings, the subsequent in country research findings and after actions using the research findings, providing an opportunity for more in-depth analysis and understanding of which digital avenues can further be exploited and utilized to foster youth engagement and leadership in the demand for accountability, to ascertain whether the intended or unintended outcomes have occurred. Moreover, this evaluation will provide the opportunity for accountability towards the project stakeholders, as well as important learning for the project teams and partners.
The main objectives of the evaluation are:
(1) To assess how and in what ways the project contributed to the immediate changes in young people’s actions, ideas and attitudes, and if there have been any negative or unexpected effects. In particular to assess the effectiveness and impact of the expected outcomes of the project;
(2) Youth taking lead in design of locally relevant surveys,
(3) Evidence of pulse survey conduct through different digital platforms on media platforms
(4) Analysis of data collected
(5) Conduct of budget tracking and what evidence has emanated across the 6 countries
(6) By March 2021, young people’s social media social accountability engagements.
(7) Greater engagement of young people on digital platforms sharing and disseminating the findings, in some cases physical accountability engagements undertaken where feasible
(8) To provide recommendations that will help the ActionAid Global Secretariat and country programs, youth champions and larger youth constituency and communities to continue the project activities and policy influencing within their own spectrum.
(9) To engage and involve young people throughout the evaluation process to build their evaluation capacities and strengthen ownership of the findings and recommendations to continue delivering for their communities when the project ends.
(10) To document lessons learned and best practices of the intervention, including in formats that are highly accessible to project participants and partners.
How to apply
We invite interested individuals, groups or firms to submit the following application documents:
(1) Copy of CV of the consultant(s) who will undertake the research and evaluation (maximum 4 sides of A4 each);
(2) A maximum 10 sides of A4 expression of interest that addresses the above ToR;
(3) A proposed activities schedule/work plan with tentative time frame;
(4) Financial proposal detailing consultant(s) itemized fees, data collection and administrative costs;
(5) One recent example of similar evaluation report written by the applicant (if joint authored to include a description of the role of the named consultant in the report);
(6) Contact details of two independent referees.
Submission of proposals:
Your offers must be submitted as follows:
(7) The proposals must be submitted in TWO (2) separate attachments.
(8) One will be marked “Technical Proposal”:
This document will contain your proposal on all technical related aspects as covered, prescribed and requested for in this Terms of Reference (TOR). In addition, please include the following supporting documentation as a minimum standard to cover the relevant topics; it will form part of the technical evaluation of your proposal and must be submitted. If not submitted, your offer will not be considered:
– Company Profile
– Introductory Document which introduces the Team that will be deployed on the Project clearly indicating the following of each member:
(i) Their role with regards to this project and what they will do/contribute
(ii) Their qualifications
(iii) Their experience
– Minimum of three (3) contactable references which shows your Company’s relevant experience in providing similar services to INGO’s.
– Methodology/work plan with an indicative timetable with regards to achieving the desired outcome and deliverables as contained in this TOR.
– Tax Clearance Certificate or a Letter of Good Standing from your local VAT/Tax authorities which indicates your VAT/Tax affairs are in order (not older than 6 months).
- The second attachment will be marked “Financial Proposal”:
This document will contain your detailed and comprehensive financial offer. The financial proposal must indicate the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs (hourly/daily rates, how many days will be spent on the project, disbursements if any, any other related costs that will make up the grand total, indicate an excluding VAT price and an including VAT price. Your proposal must be valid for a period of at least 90 days.
- Your proposals must be submitted as per above requirements via email to : Chomba@actionaid.org copying in sse@ms.dk latest on 15 April 2021 23.59 GMT.
- Any enquiries regarding the TOR can be submitted to the above emails not later than 7 April 2021.
