Date/Time
Date(s) - 05/02/2024
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The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR)
The European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR – https://ecfr.eu/) is seeking an external consultant to conduct a final project evaluation of its multi-year project “Supporting pro-active European peacebuilding and diplomacy in the Middle East and North Africa”, that is funded by the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Below you will find an overview of key information, with the attached pdf containing full details.
ECFR is an award-winning, pan-European think-tank that combines robust expertise on European foreign, security, and defence policy with innovative, data driven research and powerful advocacy. ECFR has a network of offices in seven European capitals (Berlin, Paris, London, Madrid, Rome, Sofia, and Warsaw, and a presence in Brussels), and over 90 staff from more than 25 different countries and a team of associated researchers in the EU 27 member states. ECFR launched its Middle East and North Africa (MENA) Programme in 2011, in response to the unrest that swept across the Arab world.
Project summary
The MENA Programme seeks to strengthen European efforts to play a strategic role in de-escalating regional conflict and charting pathways towards meaningful stabilisation, including by shifting the focus of European calculations towards a more comprehensive approach that addresses core drivers of instability and focuses on multilateral peacebuilding mechanisms. It covers all countries in the Middle East and North Africa region. It strives to promote European diplomatic engagement, in cooperation with like-minded global and regional actors (including the UN), that emphasises locally-owned, inclusive engagement, also taking into account the role of women and other under-represented groups.
Whilst workplans are developed for each year, the overall programme priorities include:
- Providing platforms for dialogue with and between European, regional and conflict actors in support of diplomacy, regional conflict resolution and peacebuilding efforts.
- Identifying paths through which European governments can play a specific added-value role in furthering good governance, stabilisation and developments goals, economic and gender inclusion, respect for human rights and democratic institutions in the context of severe regional constraints.
These priorities are implemented through a series of complementary activities, including: Track 1.5/2 diplomacy through strategy group meetings; a range of written formats, podcasts, and social media to present and promote its research and policy recommendations; regular travel to the MENA region and interaction with policy makers, practitioners, and experts to inform our research, advocacy and briefings; working with Visiting and Associate Fellows from the region; and hosting workshops, roundtable discussions and other events to generate new thinking, analysis and solutions.
Evaluation details
ECFR is seeking to commission a forward-looking, end-term review of the project “Supporting pro-active European peacebuilding and diplomacy in the Middle East and North Africa”, which is a three-year project, with an annual budget of about EUR 400,000, and covering the period between November 2021 and October 2024 (for the evaluation this would include the period up to June 2024). This project funding is integral to and supports ECFR’s broader MENA Programme, which is complemented by multi-year programme support from other donors.
The main purpose of the evaluation is to provide an external and independent assessment of the project, to establish to what extent the results were achieved, including its outcomes and impact.
The overall objectives of the end-of-project evaluation are the following:
- Provide an independent systematic and objective assessment of the achievements and results, weaknesses and strengths of the project implementation and the extent to which it has contributed to the desired project goal.
- Assess whether the project’s underlying assumptions were correct and whether the results chain describes the most effective route toward expected results.
- Generate lessons learned and good practices from the respective goals of the project.
- Provide clear and forward-looking recommendations that can guide the ECFR MENA Programme and its partners in developing future projects and interventions.
Deliverables
The consultant or team of consultants are expected to submit an evaluation report that documents the evaluation activities and results following a clear structure. The evaluation report will contain the findings, conclusions, and recommendations as well as a recording of the lessons learned. The report will be written by the consultant.
The consultant or team of consultants will initially prepare a draft report, which will be discussed with the ECFR MENA and Strategic Partnership teams. While considering the comments provided on the draft, the evaluation expert shall use their independent and impartial judgment in preparing the final report.
In sum, the main expected deliverables are:
- An inception report outlining the proposed approach and timeline, which will be agreed upon between the ECFR team and the evaluator(s)
- Draft report for ECFR review
- A learning and validation workshop (virtual or in-person tbd) on evaluation findings and draft recommendations, facilitated in cooperation with ECFR
- Final written report, with a summary power point presentation.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Essential profile:
- University degree in social sciences or related field from a reputed institution and postgraduate education in social sciences methods, strategic management, evaluation, or equivalent experience.
- At least 7 years of proven relevant experience of conducting evaluations in an international development environment.
- Demonstrable experience of think tanks and research-based advocacy organisations.
- Knowledge of European foreign and security policy issues an advantage.
- Working and/ or evaluation experience in the Middle East and North Africa region, in particular with governments and civil society organisations in the region.
- Experience with conducting sensitive evaluations, incl. peace-keeping and diplomacy-focussed project evaluations.
- Excellent drafting and report writing capacities.
- Highly motivated and committed to the values of transparency and integrity.
- Availability to carry out most of the work in March-June 2024.
Desirable experience:
- Experience in monitoring and evaluation of grants funded by European donors.
- Familiarity of engaging with people at different levels in foreign ministries.
- Experience in results-based programs/ project management approach.
Working language:
- The working language will be English.
Remuneration & costs
The Consultants should provide their estimated total fee as a lump sum or as standard daily or hourly rates. Approximately 30 days have been scheduled for the evaluation.
HOW TO APPLY
The application should include the following documents in English:
- A cover letter outlining motivation and evidence that the evaluator(s) is qualified to undertake this evaluation.
- Curriculum Vitae with full description of the applicant’s profile and experience.
- The approach and proposed data collection methods based on the information provided in these Terms of Reference, including timeline. The timeline should also take into account that European summer holidays and the final evaluation report will need to be finalised by June 2024 at the latest. This is particularly relevant for any interviews/engagement with European stakeholders.
- Financial offer for undertaking the work, with estimation as to the number of days that will be spent on each task.
- Contact details for at least two independent referees with in-depth and proven knowledge of the applicant’s expertise and relevant work experience.
Please indicate “ECFR MENA Programme Evaluation Application” in the subject line of your email application. Applications should be sent in English by email to larissa.schuurman@ecfr.eu by close of business of 5 February 2024.
Please note that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
For full tender details click here.