Consultancy: Human Rights on the Frontline project mid-term evaluation

The Syria Campaign

The Syria Campaign (TSC) is a human rights organization supporting Syria’s everyday heroes in the struggle for freedom, justice and democracy.

We work to connect Syrian civil society with international governments and organizations, the media and the global public. When we partner with civil society to campaign, advocate, fundraise or tell their stories, we’re investing in the groups who will be critical to building a just and peaceful Syria.

Project Executive Summary

The ‘Human Rights on the Frontline’ project seeks to support three Syrian civil society organisations by receiving grants to carry out activities and a programme of support from The Syria Campaign. The organisations offer a diversity of approaches and capacities, combining grassroots knowledge and experience with global influence and reach. By strengthening the campaign and advocacy capacity of Syrian civil society organizations and increasing their international visibility, this project seeks to reinvigorate campaigns for a peaceful, democratic, and pluralistic vision for Syria, thereby protecting and bolstering civic space.

This project aims to achieve two key outcomes:

  1. Syrian civil society groups carry out advocacy and community engagement activities that increase the civic space and support for human rights and fundamental freedoms in Syria.
  2. Syrian civil society groups and activists engage effectively with the international community to promote human rights and pluralism in Syria.

Purpose of the Evaluation

TSC is looking for a qualified individual to conduct an independent midterm evaluation of the ‘Human Rights on the Frontline’ project. General objectives of this mid-term evaluation are to assess the project’s progress towards the achievements of its planned outcomes and provide recommendations in terms of planning, implementation, ways of working and Impact. This evaluation will also provide recommendations in view of the planning for a second phase of the program. The evaluation will be based on a participatory approach, involving a wide range of selected key stakeholders, taking into account the need for adequate gender representation.

Expected results

The key expected outcome of this mid-term evaluation is an in-depth review of the project’s performance, in order to:

  • To assess the program’s relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability. The evaluation will check how effectively it is being managed and implemented and whether the project is likely to achieve its objectives.
  • Support TSC with recommendations capturing opportunities and potential corrective actions to resolve outstanding issues and improve project performance for the remainder of the project duration.
  • Support TSC and project stakeholders to draw initial lessons about project design, implementation, and management. The evaluator should endeavor to highlight the most significant change stories and success stories.
  • Provide recommendations in view of the planning for a second phase of the Human Rights on the Frontline program

Key Evaluation Questions

  • Were the activities relevant, and were they implemented in an appropriate, effective, and efficient manner?
  • What were the key program outputs and outcomes, and to what extent did the program activities contribute to the outcomes?
  • What capacity building activities have been undertaken to strengthen implementing partners and how did they contribute to achieving the program objective?
  • To what extent did the program lead to highlighting stories of human right defenders in the areas of intervention?
  • How were women involved in the program?
  • What were the major factors influencing the achievement or non-achievement of the objectives?
  • What are the short and medium term (intended and unintended) outcomes of the project/program?
  • To what extent were selected target groups reached?
  • To what extent will the positive impacts or changes of the project (are likely to) continue

Deliverables

  • An inception report: Upon the review of available documents and an initial discussion with the project management team, the evaluator will develop an inception report including a detailed plan for the evaluation; work methodology and data collection tools to be discussed and agreed upon with TSC
  • An initial draft of the evaluation report
  • A meeting with TSC team members during which the evaluator is expected to present preliminary findings of the evaluation
  • The final version of the evaluation report including TSC comments

It will be the responsibility of the evaluator to:

  • Coordinate with TSC and TSC subgrantees to conduct the entire evaluation process
  • Conduct a desk review of all relevant documents
  • Organize interviews and focus groups with project staff, partners, and beneficiaries
  • Elaborate the inception report, the first version and final report in deadlines and in conformity with TSC standards
  • Organize the presentations of evaluation results to TSC

TSC will support the evaluation by:

  • Providing necessary documentation
  • Introducing the evaluator to TSC subgrantees as well as other stakeholders as needed
  • Attend necessary interviews, focus groups and meetings organized by the evaluator
  • Provide support and feedback to the evaluator as needed

Duration

The mid-term evaluation will cover the period from September 2021 to May 2022. This consultancy will be implemented remotely.

The mid-term evaluation will be conducted between June and July  2021, in the following way:

  • By 19 June 2022: Inception report sent to TSC
  • By 15 July 2022: Completed data collection. First draft of the report sent to TSC & presentation to TSC team done.
  • By 26 July 2022: Last draft of the report sent to TSC integrating TSC comments

Qualifications

The Evaluation consultant should be fluent in English and Arabic, spoken and written, have strong analytical skills, good listening and discernment skills, and proven experience in evaluating human rights programs in Syria and/or the Middle East .

Selection criteria:

  • Proven skills and experience in undertaking evaluations of advocacy, campaigning and media programs, preferably in Syria or the Middle East
  • Extensive knowledge of, and experience in applying, qualitative and quantitative research methodologies
  • Strong background in Human Rights Based Approach programming, Results Based Management, Outcome Mapping and Monitoring Approach (preferred)
  • Excellent analytical skills and communication skills
  • Commitment to a free and democratic future for Syria and human rights

We are an equal opportunity and inclusive employer and encourage applicants of all backgrounds to apply. We do not and will not discriminate on the basis of age, race, nationality or citizenship, gender expression or identity, religion, economic background, disability, or sexual orientation.

How to apply

To apply for this consultancy, please send the following documents to [email protected]:

  • A brief Evaluation Plan including key methodologies proposed to complete the evaluation and a budget including the number of consultancy days and daily rate
  • CV of the consultant highlighting the list of previous evaluations that are relevant to the context and subject matter of this assignment
  • Names of two referees

The deadline for submission of applications is 5 June 2022.