BACKGROUND
IYF is currently implementing the second phase of the Zimbabwe:Works (Z:W) program, which is a USAID, DFID, and Sida-funded 60-month (June 2012-December 2017) initiative of the International Youth Foundation (IYF). The second phase of the program, which commenced in January 2015, will economically empower 22,500 Zimbabweans, particularly young women, and enable them to contribute towards and benefit from economic growth in Zimbabwe.
Working with local NGO and private sector implementing partners, Z:W will:
- Provide job-related training and support entry into gainful employment in the formal and informal economies;
- Support self-employment and entrepreneurship development, including through increased access to relevant mentorship, training, and business development services;
- Support financial inclusion linked to entrepreneurship development through financial literacy, promoting a savings culture, access to microfinance, venture capital, and innovative financing mechanisms;
- Deliver effective life-skills training to build employment/self-employment-seeking and performance skills, social capital, and personal self-esteem; and
- Promote and facilitate private sector engagement to support formal job market entry related to the labor market environment.
As a part of this second phase, IYF plans to implement an impact evaluation to rigorously measure and assess the impact of the project interventions using a quasi-experimental evaluation design.
TERMS OF REFERENCE
IYF seeks to contract an individual consultant to serve as an advisor in developing an impact evaluation methodology for the Zimbabwe:Works initiative, and support IYF’s identification and selection of a Zimbabwe-based firm to implement the impact evaluation. The advisor contracted for this assignment, however, does not need to be based in Zimbabwe, and no travel to Zimbabwe or the United States will be necessary for this assignment (i.e. all work under this assignment can be completed remotely).
Note: The contracted consultant for this assignment will not be eligible to bid on the RFP for implementation of impact evaluation.That assignment will be limited to firms based in Zimbabwe.
The selected advisor will be responsible for the following activities:
1. Impact Evaluation Methodology & RFP Design
Review project key documents and consult with both Baltimore and Harare based staff to understand project’s activities/interventions scope and scale, as well as its monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) system. Based upon this information, lead efforts to:
- Facilitate learning session with IYF team, detailing recommended impact evaluation approaches (e.g., control group recruitment and selection, data collection, analysis, ethical considerations, retention strategies for control group, budget, timeline, etc.)
- Based on IYF’s approval for the impact evaluation approach, draft an impact evaluation RFP for solicitation of a Zimbabwe-based firm to conduct the evaluation. The RFP should concretely detail out the all the elements necessary for successful execution of the evaluation (e.g., staff composition, experimental methodology, submission of survey/research tools, budget, learning plan, etc.).
2. Proposal Review and Firm Selection
In collaboration with IYF, review short-listed proposals, join Best and Final Offer (BAFO) stage of interviews to ensure firms have appropriately responded to the RFP, and make recommendation on firm selection, ensuring:
- Proposals have a robust quasi-experimental methodology that is rigorous and sufficient to measure impact, and the firm holds enough analytical capacity for in-depth analysis.
- Timelines and budgets are appropriate and feasible given proposed level of effort.
- Comparison group recruitment and selection are within ethical standards.
- Data collection and management plan aligns with IYF’s MEL system.
- IYF selects a firm that brings expertise and greatest value for money.
DELIVERABLES
The consultant will be responsible for providing the following tasks and deliverables to IYF, over an estimated period of 10 working days:
- IYF Impact Evaluation Learning Session (Mid-July)
- Impact Evaluation RFP (Late July)
- Review of Short-listed Proposals (Late July to Mid-August)
- BAFO Interviews (Mid-to-Late August)
- Recommendation on Firm Selection (Late August to Mid-September)
APPLICATION
Please submit 3 references, biodata sheet, CV, and cover letter identifying key areas that make the candidate uniquely qualified to perform activities listed above to [email protected] with “Impact Evaluation” in the subject line.
SELECTION CRITERIA
- 6+ years experience and expertise in designing and implementing impact evaluations (experimental or quasi experimental), with preference given to experience in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Familiarity with themes related to youth employability and entrepreneurship in sub-Saharan Africa.
- Experience evaluating women’s economic empowerment programming, preferred.