EVALUATION OF COMHL?MH?S IRISH AID PROGRAMME **APPLY ON THE
WEBSITE**
1. BACKGROUND
Comhl?mh is the association of international volunteers and
development workers. The association?s vision is of development
workers and volunteers working in solidarity for a socially just,
equitable and sustainable world, locally and globally. Our mission is
to nurture, guide and mobilise development workers and volunteers to
work for social justice locally and globally. Comhl?mh?s membership
includes those within the international development/humanitarian
sector; members of migrant communities and refugees and those who have
not worked/lived in the Global South but who are working for
development in Ireland from a global justice perspective.
Comhl?mh has completed a period of 4 years of Irish Aid funding,
initially a 2-year Strategic Partnership, **Apply on the website**,
that was extended yearly through **Apply on the website** and **Apply
on the website**.
2. PURPOSE OF THE EVALUATION
The purpose of the evaluation is to provide Comhl?mh, our
stakeholders and Irish Aid with an independent reflective assessment
of the work of Comhl?mh over the period of four years, in particular
through the implementation of its Strategic Partnership and associated
annual Results Frameworks agreed with Irish Aid.
The main objective of this evaluation is to understand what has worked
well, less well or could work better across our programming. It needs
to include an assessment of the opportunities and limitations that
have faced Comhl?mh in light of the evolving changes in international
volunteering practice.
This evaluation will help inform the next strategic plan for Comhl?mh
by providing an assessment of the relevance and effectiveness of
Comhl?mh?s work to date, and by identifying outcomes and indicators
that can help shape the development of these.
3. SCOPE OF EVALUATION
The title of the Irish Aid funded programme was ?Supporting Good
Practice in International Volunteering for Sustainable Development?.
Its overall objective was for Comhl?mh to be Ireland's leading voice
and coordinator on international volunteering for sustainable
development.
Within this programme, there were 5 main outcomes:
* Potential volunteers make informed decisions about engaging with
responsible international volunteering opportunities;
* Tailored education and training support volunteers to understand
the wider context of development, and encourages continued learning
and engagement;
* Volunteer sending agencies are supported to develop and implement
standards of good practice;
* Development workers and volunteers are supported to sustain their
work;
* Policy and practice on international volunteering from Ireland are
informed by evidence-based research.
The evaluation will cover the period from **Apply on the website** ?
**Apply on the website** as detailed above in the background
information section.
In particular, the evaluation will:
* Assess evidence of progress against the objectives and outcomes of
the programme, including what has/hasn?t worked well in the delivery
of the plan and reasons why;
* Assess progress in delivery of the benchmarks as set out in the
Memorandum of Understanding;
* Assess the coherence and compatibility of our programme in the
context of the wider sector;
* Assess the financial and operational use of given resources to
deliver the programme;
* Provide recommendations for strengthened delivery of the
programme, including financial and resource requirements.
Specific questions that the evaluation may look at include:
RELEVANCE
* Were the indicators and activities relevant to the agreed
objectives under the programme?
* Did the assumptions underlying the plan prove correct?
* Did Comhl?mh have a clear role and focus in the programme of
work?
* Did it focus on the correct themes and strategic challenges?
EFFECTIVENESS
* What worked well, and why?
* Were the outputs and outcomes achieved, as identified in the
results framework, and to what degree?
* Were the indicators appropriate and adequate in light of the
desired outcomes?
* What were the main challenges or gaps in the delivery of the
programme? Were they ?known? or new?
* What are the key lessons learned in the delivery of the programme?
EFFICIENCY
* Was the capacity of Comhl?mh sufficient to deliver on the
programme required?
* How have we managed our finances, and have we delivered value for
money and efficiency?
* Was there sufficient oversight of the programme?
SUSTAINABILITY
* Can we clearly define our niche, and if not, why not?
* Did we pay adequate attention to sustainability in programme
design?
* To what extent are the benefits of our interventions likely to
continue? What role, if any, have our capacity building activities
played in this regard?
* What could we have avoided and/or done differently?
* Which findings have most relevance for future sustainability?
4. METHODOLOGY
A detailed proposal of methodology should be included in the
consultant(s) proposal. The process of gathering data for the
evaluation should include consultation with key stakeholders and using
a variety of creative and participatory processes including surveys,
direct interviews and focus group discussions. Methodology will be
further discussed with the successful consultant(s) and finalised in
the inception phase. We would envision a review of relevant
documentation, including results frameworks and workplans, annual and
financial reports and other relevant documents for the period covered
by the Strategic Partnership.
The evaluation should be planned to be conducted virtually, however
hopefully there may be opportunities in the autumn for face-to-face
encounters.
Key stakeholders will include: Comhl?mh staff and board,
representatives of Volunteer Sending Agencies, and volunteers,
relevant Department of Foreign Affairs officials, representatives of
the Code of Good Practice Supporter Network, representatives of
network bodies including D?chas and the Irish Development Education
Association and Forum.
Administrative support to host zoom meetings, and administer any
surveys will be provided.
It is envisaged this evaluation will take no more than **Apply on the
website** days to complete.
5. TIMING & DELIVERABLES
The evaluation should be completed by mid-November and the evaluation
report should include an executive summary, with clear
recommendations. The overall report should be no more than **Apply on
the website** pages in length.
6. KEY REFERENCE DOCUMENTS AND PROCESSES
The evaluation process should be cognisant of a number of related
policy frameworks and processes that will need to be considered in
tandem with the work of the evaluation:
* The Irish Government?s new International Development Policy, A
Better World;
* Irish Aid?s Development Education Strategy **Apply on the
website**;
* The Department of Rural and Community Development National
Volunteering Policy ? which includes an outcome on international
volunteering;
* Comhl?mh has undertaken and completed a Theory of Change process
in **Apply on the website**;
* There has been a major review and updating undertaken of the Code
of Good Practice in **Apply on the website**/**Apply on the website**;
* Irish Aid commissioned a governance review of Comhl?mh, which is
due to report in July **Apply on the website**;
* An evaluation of our Communications work was undertaken in **Apply
on the website**;
* Comhl?mh Strategic Plan **Apply on the website**;
* Annual Reports, including financial reports and results-based
frameworks together with associated feedback from DFA.
7. CONSULTANT/S SPECIFICATIONS
The consultant(s) should possess the following skills:
* Experience in conducting evaluations of programmes;
* Demonstrated track record in results-based monitoring and
evaluation, organisational level performance management;
* Experience of working in or with networks;
* Experience of working in international volunteering;
* Knowledge of Development Education / Global Citizenship Education;
* Good project management skills;
* Research experience and the ability to analyse qualitative and
quantitative data and compile and summarize results;
* Strong writing and communication skills;
* Strong relationship management skills;
* Adherence to agreed-upon timeframes and deadlines.
8. APPLICATION PROCESS
Consultant(s) are invited to submit a tender document, detailing the
proposed approach to the evaluation including:
* Their understanding of the Terms of Reference;
* The relevance of their previous experience for this particular
consultancy;
* A short methodology showing how they plan to approach the
consultancy;
* Indicative timetable for the conduct and completion of the
consultancy;
* Budget.
The consultant(s) will be selected according to the following
criteria:
* Understanding of the Terms of Reference;
* Proposed methodology and planning of the consultancy;
* Experience in conducting evaluations and strategic planning;
* Overall balance of skills being brought to the consultancy;
* Availability at the time required by Comhl?mh;
* Overall quality of the proposal;
* Cost effectiveness.
Tenders are to be submitted by Wednesday the **Apply on the
website**th of August **Apply on the website** to Mark Cumming, Head
of Comhl?mh. Tenders are to be emailed to **Apply on the website**
?Tender ? Evaluation? in the subject line of the email.
Tenders will be reviewed and scored by an in-house committee made up
of the Head of Comhl?mh, the Programme Manager and a representative
of the board. Selection of the consultant will take place by Wednesday
the **Apply on the website**th August **Apply on the website**.
For queries contact Mark Cumming at **Apply on the website**
TERMS OF REFERENCE
EVALUATION OF COMHL?MH?S IRISH AID PROGRAMME **APPLY ON THE
WEBSITE**
1. BACKGROUND
Comhl?mh is the association of international volunteers and
development workers. The association?s vision is of development
workers and volunteers working in solidarity for a socially just,
equitable and sustainable world, locally and globally. Our mission is
to nurture, guide and mobilise development workers and volunteers to
work for social justice locally and globally. Comhl?mh?s membership
includes those within the international development/humanitarian
sector; members of migrant communities and refugees and those who have
not worked/lived in the Global South but who are working for
development in Ireland from a global justice perspective.
Comhl?mh has completed a period of 4 years of Irish Aid funding,
initially a 2-year Strategic Partnership, **Apply on the website**,
that was extended yearly through **Apply on the website** and **Apply
on the website**.
2. PURPOSE OF THE EVALUATION
The purpose of the evaluation is to provide Comhl?mh, our
stakeholders and Irish Aid with an independent reflective assessment
of the work of Comhl?mh over the period of four years, in particular
through the implementation of its Strategic Partnership and associated
annual Results Frameworks agreed with Irish Aid.
The main objective of this evaluation is to understand what has worked
well, less well or could work better across our programming. It needs
to include an assessment of the opportunities and limitations that
have faced Comhl?mh in light of the evolving changes in international
volunteering practice.
This evaluation will help inform the next strategic plan for Comhl?mh
by providing an assessment of the relevance and effectiveness of
Comhl?mh?s work to date, and by identifying outcomes and indicators
that can help shape the development of these.
3. SCOPE OF EVALUATION
The title of the Irish Aid funded programme was ?Supporting Good
Practice in International Volunteering for Sustainable Development?.
Its overall objective was for Comhl?mh to be Ireland's leading voice
and coordinator on international volunteering for sustainable
development.
Within this programme, there were 5 main outcomes:
* Potential volunteers make informed decisions about engaging with
responsible international volunteering opportunities;
* Tailored education and training support volunteers to understand
the wider context of development, and encourages continued learning
and engagement;
* Volunteer sending agencies are supported to develop and implement
standards of good practice;
* Development workers and volunteers are supported to sustain their
work;
* Policy and practice on international volunteering from Ireland are
informed by evidence-based research.
The evaluation will cover the period from **Apply on the website** ?
**Apply on the website** as detailed above in the background
information section.
In particular, the evaluation will:
* Assess evidence of progress against the objectives and outcomes of
the programme, including what has/hasn?t worked well in the delivery
of the plan and reasons why;
* Assess progress in delivery of the benchmarks as set out in the
Memorandum of Understanding;
* Assess the coherence and compatibility of our programme in the
context of the wider sector;
* Assess the financial and operational use of given resources to
deliver the programme;
* Provide recommendations for strengthened delivery of the
programme, including financial and resource requirements.
Specific questions that the evaluation may look at include:
RELEVANCE
* Were the indicators and activities relevant to the agreed
objectives under the programme?
* Did the assumptions underlying the plan prove correct?
* Did Comhl?mh have a clear role and focus in the programme of
work?
* Did it focus on the correct themes and strategic challenges?
EFFECTIVENESS
* What worked well, and why?
* Were the outputs and outcomes achieved, as identified in the
results framework, and to what degree?
* Were the indicators appropriate and adequate in light of the
desired outcomes?
* What were the main challenges or gaps in the delivery of the
programme? Were they ?known? or new?
* What are the key lessons learned in the delivery of the programme?
EFFICIENCY
* Was the capacity of Comhl?mh sufficient to deliver on the
programme required?
* How have we managed our finances, and have we delivered value for
money and efficiency?
* Was there sufficient oversight of the programme?
SUSTAINABILITY
* Can we clearly define our niche, and if not, why not?
* Did we pay adequate attention to sustainability in programme
design?
* To what extent are the benefits of our interventions likely to
continue? What role, if any, have our capacity building activities
played in this regard?
* What could we have avoided and/or done differently?
* Which findings have most relevance for future sustainability?
4. METHODOLOGY
A detailed proposal of methodology should be included in the
consultant(s) proposal. The process of gathering data for the
evaluation should include consultation with key stakeholders and using
a variety of creative and participatory processes including surveys,
direct interviews and focus group discussions. Methodology will be
further discussed with the successful consultant(s) and finalised in
the inception phase. We would envision a review of relevant
documentation, including results frameworks and workplans, annual and
financial reports and other relevant documents for the period covered
by the Strategic Partnership.
The evaluation should be planned to be conducted virtually, however
hopefully there may be opportunities in the autumn for face-to-face
encounters.
Key stakeholders will include: Comhl?mh staff and board,
representatives of Volunteer Sending Agencies, and volunteers,
relevant Department of Foreign Affairs officials, representatives of
the Code of Good Practice Supporter Network, representatives of
network bodies including D?chas and the Irish Development Education
Association and Forum.
Administrative support to host zoom meetings, and administer any
surveys will be provided.
It is envisaged this evaluation will take no more than **Apply on the
website** days to complete.
5. TIMING & DELIVERABLES
The evaluation should be completed by mid-November and the evaluation
report should include an executive summary, with clear
recommendations. The overall report should be no more than **Apply on
the website** pages in length.
6. KEY REFERENCE DOCUMENTS AND PROCESSES
The evaluation process should be cognisant of a number of related
policy frameworks and processes that will need to be considered in
tandem with the work of the evaluation:
* The Irish Government?s new International Development Policy, A
Better World;
* Irish Aid?s Development Education Strategy **Apply on the
website**;
* The Department of Rural and Community Development National
Volunteering Policy ? which includes an outcome on international
volunteering;
* Comhl?mh has undertaken and completed a Theory of Change process
in **Apply on the website**;
* There has been a major review and updating undertaken of the Code
of Good Practice in **Apply on the website**/**Apply on the website**;
* Irish Aid commissioned a governance review of Comhl?mh, which is
due to report in July **Apply on the website**;
* An evaluation of our Communications work was undertaken in **Apply
on the website**;
* Comhl?mh Strategic Plan **Apply on the website**;
* Annual Reports, including financial reports and results-based
frameworks together with associated feedback from DFA.
7. CONSULTANT/S SPECIFICATIONS
The consultant(s) should possess the following skills:
* Experience in conducting evaluations of programmes;
* Demonstrated track record in results-based monitoring and
evaluation, organisational level performance management;
* Experience of working in or with networks;
* Experience of working in international volunteering;
* Knowledge of Development Education / Global Citizenship Education;
* Good project management skills;
* Research experience and the ability to analyse qualitative and
quantitative data and compile and summarize results;
* Strong writing and communication skills;
* Strong relationship management skills;
* Adherence to agreed-upon timeframes and deadlines.
8. APPLICATION PROCESS
Consultant(s) are invited to submit a tender document, detailing the
proposed approach to the evaluation including:
* Their understanding of the Terms of Reference;
* The relevance of their previous experience for this particular
consultancy;
* A short methodology showing how they plan to approach the
consultancy;
* Indicative timetable for the conduct and completion of the
consultancy;
* Budget.
The consultant(s) will be selected according to the following
criteria:
* Understanding of the Terms of Reference;
* Proposed methodology and planning of the consultancy;
* Experience in conducting evaluations and strategic planning;
* Overall balance of skills being brought to the consultancy;
* Availability at the time required by Comhl?mh;
* Overall quality of the proposal;
* Cost effectiveness.
Tenders are to be submitted by Wednesday the **Apply on the
website**th of August **Apply on the website** to Mark Cumming, Head
of Comhl?mh. Tenders are to be emailed to **Apply on the website**
?Tender ? Evaluation? in the subject line of the email.
Tenders will be reviewed and scored by an in-house committee made up
of the Head of Comhl?mh, the Programme Manager and a representative
of the board. Selection of the consultant will take place by Wednesday
the **Apply on the website**th August **Apply on the website**.
For queries contact Mark Cumming at **Apply on the website**
We need : English (Good)
Type: Permanent
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Category: Others
