Terms Of Reference For “Consultancy Service For Mid-Term Evaluation Of Uttoron Project”

Swisscontact is a business-oriented independent foundation for international development cooperation. Represented in 38 countries with over 1,400 employees, it promotes - since 1959 - economic, social, and environmental development. The organization is based in Zurich. Swisscontact Bangladesh is registered as an International NGO under the NGO Affairs Bureau of Bangladesh. For more information, please refer to www.swisscontact.org/en/countries/bangladesh

Uttoron - Skills for better life is a skills development project, funded by Chevron under Bangladesh Partnership Initiative (BPI) and implemented by Swisscontact. The first phase of the project continued from 2016-2019 and provided skills training to 1400 community youth in Sylhet division. Uttoron phase II has expanded its work and consists of three components, details been stated in annex

Contract duration:  02 (three) months 

Objectives

The objectives of this assignment are:

• To understand project achievements in relation to key indicators used/set in the log frame for reaching project objectives.  
• Evaluate effectiveness of Uttoron training through collecting primary data from Uttoron graduates, staffs, partners, employers, and community members.
• Explore perception of Uttoron graduates and trainees on increased skill level and employability because of the training. 
• Capture key lessons learnt through collecting primary data from Uttoron graduates, staffs, partners, and employers through consultation.  
• Assess the new activities incorporated in the intervention and evaluate effectiveness of those activities (pre-training selection, pre-employment workshop). Assess efficiency and effectiveness of project interventions and identify causes of success/ failure.
• Evaluate impact of current pandemic situation on project intervention, how that may affect project achievement, milestone.
• Revisit the existing Theory of Change (ToC) and compare it with current reality.

Methodology

The study should include both primary and secondary data applying both qualitative and quantitative approach. 

Secondary data collection:
The study will include a desk review of relevant project documents such as Rapid Market Assessment reports, Training Implementation Manual, and various reports of the project.  Other secondary literatures included (but not limited to) Labour Market Survey reports and TVET Policy Documents, Phase I documents.

Primary data collection:
The consultant will collect primary data through appropriate quantitative and qualitative methods.

Scope of work:

• Provide a technical proposal, as well as a budget, clearly outlining the design of the work, methodologies, feasibility, and effectiveness. 
• Develop data collection tools in consultation with Uttoron.
• Conduct field visits in Sylhet, Habiganj and Moulavibazar.
• Collect, clean data and preparation of transcript.
• Sharing field observation and cross check the information with Uttoron team.  
• Prepare the draft report.
• Incorporate Uttoron’s feedback on the draft report and provide a final version.
• Consultant will keep regular communication and coordination with the focal point of Uttoron for this evaluation. S/he will time to time consult with key contacts for any clarity/concern raised. 
• Consultant will need to acquire relevant information; therefore, they will provide Uttoron necessary reference and sources of the information, so that those can be used in any further evaluation or activities. 
• Provide recommendations based on findings.

Task of Uttoron

• Provide all project documents and approve the work plan.
• Provide feedback in finalizing methodology.
• Review and approve data collection tools.
• Provide necessary support for data collection in field and during data analysis.
• Provide feedback on the draft report.
• Approve the final report.

Tentative task schedule

Mentioned in annex

Eligibility criteria:
Expected profile of the lead consultant:

• Minimum of 07 years of relevant evaluation experience with strong expertise in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Previous experience in conducting similar consultancy assignments.
• Demonstrated understanding of the three components of the project will be an advantage.
• Understanding of skills development and TVET context in Bangladesh.
• Excellent analytical, research, writing (English) and facilitation/coordination skills.
• If an individual consultant and not a research consultancy firm is applying to undertake this assignment, then the consultant must be able to mobilise a team of enumerators on short notice.

Expected profile of the research consultancy firm:

• Previous experience of the research firm and the team members in conducting midterm and baseline evaluation surveys of similar scale for programmes and projects in Bangladesh comparable with Uttoron.
• Strong experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Strong experience in training of enumerators and ensuring quality data collection.
• Ability to translate data collection tools, pilot these tools and share feedback for revision, if necessary.
• Ability to deploy the lead MRM consultant and enumerators who can work remotely and across several districts in a short notice.
• Proven track record of working effectively with youth, community, local level NGOs.

Expected profile of the enumerators:

• Proven track record of conducting interviews, FGDs and KIIs for collecting quantitative and qualitative information.
• Availability in short notice.
• Familiarity with the TVET sector would be an added advantage.
• The enumerators should have appropriate academic qualifications in relevant field of expertise, preferably in social sciences and statistics.
• The enumerators must have excellent communication skills in English and Bengali.

Scoring criteria for technical and financial proposal
Mentioned in annex

Submission guideline