Aga Khan
Foundation Canada Institutional Partnerships for Human Development End-line
Evaluation
Request for
Proposals (RFP)
The
Organization
Aga Khan Foundation
Canada (AKFC) is a non-profit international d
evelopment agency, working in Asia
and Africa to find sustainable solutions to the complex problems causing global
poverty. AKFC concentrates on a small number of specific development challenges
in health, education, rural development and civil society. In Canada, AKFC
raises funds, builds partnerships with Canadian institutions, and promotes
discussion and learning on international development issues. Established in
1980, AKFC is a registered Canadian charity and an agency of the worldwide Aga
Khan Development Network.
1.
Introduction
The Aga Khan
Foundation Canada (AKFC) is seeking a qualified consultant to conduct a small
scale end-line evaluation of the Institutional Partnerships for Human
Development (IPHD) project to assess its effectiveness and impact. (See the
project description in section 2 below).
During a mid-term
evaluation that measured IPHD against OECD-DAC criteria and the achievement of
immediate level outcomes, it was found that IPHD was effective, efficient,
relevant and sustainable[1]. AKFC is seeking an experienced consultant to
assess IPHD’s achievement of its intermediate
outcome of increased engagement of targeted Canadian and local institutions in
activities that support human development and, at the ultimate outcome level,
improved human development especially for women and children, in target areas
of Africa and Asia.[2]**
Due to the complex
nature of the project and the broad scope of the ultimate outcome indicator
(impact of IPHD programming on human development, especially for women and
children, in target areas of Asia and Africa), it is expected that the
consultant will work with AKFC in identifying the appropriate methodology for
determining if and
how IPHD has impacted human development.
2. Project Background**
IPHD is a $3 million
project within a larger $100 million program, Partnership for Advancing Human
Development in Africa and Asia (PAHDAA), that is funded by Global Affairs
Canada (GAC) and AKFC. Operating between 2012 and 2017, IPHD consists of eleven
sub-projects that are designed to strengthen various Aga Khan University
(AKU)[3] and University of Central Asia (UCA)[4] institutions, hospitals and
academic programs in Kenya, Tanzania, Pakistan and Kyrgyzstan by mobilizing
Canadian expertise and institutions to respond to a broad set of needs within
local institutions in their efforts to improve human development. See Annex 1
for a list of the eleven sub-projects with their descriptions and partner
institutions.
Throughout the
project, for the intermediate and immediate outcomes, AKFC collected
self-reported data against the level of engagement of targeted Canadian
institutions in activities that support human development and the change in
knowledge base and skills of local institutions to improve human development.
The mid-term evaluation focused on achievement of the immediate level outcome.
3.
Objectives and Methods
The primary
objectives of this end-line evaluation are:
· To determine the
extent to which IPHD’s ultimate and intermediate outcomes have been achieved
based on existing data or new evidence generated; and
· To explore and
better understand unexpected results of IPHD’s institutional partnerships.
It is expected that
the evaluation will concentrate on 2-4 IPHD sub-projects. Potential approaches
for this study include, but are not limited to outcome harvesting, case study
methodology, process tracing, etc.
Given that gender
was to be mainstreamed throughout the project, the evaluation design and
methodology should also have a gender equality lens.
4. Scope of
Work & Deliverables
- Preparatory
phase:
a) Review existing
data in reports and the mid-term evaluation
b) In consultation
with AKFC, prepare an evaluation plan, including but not limited to: evaluation
design, sampling strategy, data collection processes, timeframe, etc.
- Data
collection phase:
a) Pilot the study
methodology and adapt data collection tools as necessary
b) Collect data in
the most efficient way
- Data
analysis and reporting phase:
a) Analyse data
b) Prepare a draft
report of the analysed data in a format as agreed with AKFC
c) Consult stakeholders
and receive feedback of draft report
d) Prepare an
end-line final report
e) Conduct an
end-line debrief with relevant stakeholders
f) Share all raw
data collected during the evaluation
5. Technical
requirements/experience of key personnel
The consultant
should have:
· Strong qualitative
data collection and analysis skills; mixed methodology expertise is an asset.
· A minimum of 8
years of experience in qualitative data collection and analysis, particularly
using methodologies such as outcome harvesting.
· Excellent
analytical, writing, synthesis, communication and facilitation skills.
· The ability to
produce high quality work under tight timeframes.
· A strong
background working with academics, researchers and research institutes is an
asset.
· Knowledge and
experience in conducting evaluations with a gender equality lens.
7. Timing of
this consultancy
This consultancy is
expected to commence January 3rd, 2016 and be concluded by April 30, 2017.
8.
Submission of Bids & Evaluation Criteria
Qualified and
interested parties are asked to submit bids with the following:
1) Cover letter: A
one-page cover letter signed by the consultant
2) Detailed
technical proposal: A detailed plan of no more than 4-5 pages plus annexes for
accomplishing the tasks laid out in in this RFP, including:
a) Introduction: A
brief overview of the assignment as understood by the consultant and a brief
statement of the overall technical approach
b) Proposed
methodology and rationale
c) Proposed budget
for completing all deliverables
d) Timetable for
completion of major activities
4) Annex A –
Consultant’s CV
5) Annex B –
References: A list of three former or current clients for whom similar work has
been done, together with their email addresses and telephone numbers
Submissions should
be made via email by December 9th, 2016 to: hr@akfc.ca with the
subject title: IPHD Study. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Submissions in
response to this Request for Proposals (RFP) will be evaluated on their cost
effectiveness, experience of the consultant, proposed methodology and
innovativeness.
If you have any
questions concerning this RFP, please contact tracey@akfc.ca in writing no
later than December 5th 2016.
AKFC reserves the
right to add or revise information, or otherwise amend the contents of this RFP
during the period of preparation of proposals. AKFC reserves the right to
extend the period specified for presentation of proposals.
Annex 1. List of IPHD
Sub-Projects[5]
Sub-project
Sub-project
title and description
Closing date
of Project
Institutional
partners
Sub-project 1
Setting the
Strategic Direction of AKU-IHD: Enhancing the strategic development of the
newly established AKU Institute for Human Development (AKU-IHD), through
collaborative research studies and a strategic planning workshop.
December 2016
AKU-Institute for
Human Development (IHD) and University of Toronto
Sub-Project 2
Sciences of ECD
Online Course (SECD): Evaluation of the AKDN SECD Phase 1 SECD online
initiatives and joint design and delivery of a blended learning course by AKU
and UofT.
September 2015
AKU-IHD and
University of Toronto
Sub-Project 3
Research to Better
Inform EHD Policies and Programs in Tanzania: Collaborative research study to
improve understanding of existing capacity and approaches to the delivery of
integrated ECD interventions in Tanzania.
March 2015
AKU Institute for
Educational Development and University of Victoria
Sub-Project 4
Research to Enhance
Babycare Enterprises through Social Franchising in Kenya: Research study to
develop and pilot an innovative early human development model for children aged
0-3 years in the urban settlement of Mlolongo.
September 2015
AKU-IHD and
University of Toronto
Sub-Project 5
Early Literacy
Research Project in Pakistan (ELRIP): Research to understand, support and
assess early literacy development within home and school environments in
Karachi and Gilgit-Baltistan using an innovative, blended learning approach.
December 2015
AKU Institute for
Educational Development and University of Toronto
Sub-project 6
Research Using the
Early Development Instrument in Pakistan (EDI): Research applying the Early
Development Instrument to assess the developmental status of young children, to
identify and map vulnerable neighbourhoods, and to generate new knowledge in
ECD.
December 2016
AKU Human
Development Program and University of British Columbia
Sub-project 7
Advancing
Cardiovascular Education and Research in East Africa (AKUHN-HCC): Strengthening
cardiovascular education and research in East Africa, through new training
opportunities; an Annual Heart Symposium; research activities; and the creation
of a regionally integrated clinical service delivery model for Cardiovascular
disease.
March 2017
AKU Hospital Nairobi
and University of Alberta
Sub-project 9
Strengthening UCA’s
Mountain Societies Research Institute (MSRI): Strengthening UCA’s capacity to
produce and host new knowledge and provide quality training in the area of
natural resource management in Central Asia.
August 2016
MSRI and University
of Alberta/University of British Columbia
Sub-project 10
Strengthening
Professional Training in Earth and Environmental Sciences: Developing the
capacity of UCA to deliver quality programming in earth and environmental
sciences.
March 2017
UCA and University
of British Columbia
Sub-project 11
Capacity Building
for Policy and Planning for Sustainability in Urban Food Systems (UFS):
Enhancing the capacity of AKU-EAI to produce and disseminate a robust evidence
base for policy and practice on sustainable urban food systems.
March 2017
AKU East Africa
Institute and University of Fraser Valley
Sub-project 12
Preparing Youth for
Academic Success in Central Asia: Building the capacity of UCA to deliver
quality student preparatory programming to increase students’ ability to
succeed at an international standard of higher education.
March 2017
UCA and Seneca
College
[1] The mid-term
evaluation report will be made available to the successful evaluator.
[2] The full
performance measurement framework (PMF) will be shared with the selected
evaluator.
[3] Aga Khan University (AKU) is an institution
of medical,
nursing and teacher education, research and public service in the developing
world. The University has campuses and programmes in Pakistan, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda,
Afghanistan and the United Kingdom.
[4] The University
of Central Asia (UCA) offers an internationally recognized standard of higher
education in Central Asia.
[5] Please note that
sub-project 8 was canceled and hence not represented in the table.
Submissions should
be made via email by December 9th, 2016 to: hr@akfc.ca with the
subject title: IPHD Study. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Submissions in
response to this Request for Proposals (RFP) will be evaluated on their cost
effectiveness, experience of the consultant, proposed methodology and
innovativeness.
If you have any
questions concerning this RFP, please contact tracey@akfc.ca in writing no
later than December 5th 2016. AKFC reserves the right to add or
revise information, or otherwise amend the contents of this RFP during the
period of preparation of proposals. AKFC reserves the right to extend the
period specified for presentation of propo