Job Description
Request for proposals for mid-term project evaluation & The needs assessments
SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka is committed to protecting its staff, programme participants and the communities we serve, both children and adults, from harm from child abuse, sexual harassment, exploitation, abuse, and all other types of harm. Every individual who joins SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka should understand his/her responsibility in ensuring a safeguarded environment. The highest standards of selection, recruitment and authentication procedures will be applied for all employment opportunities, including thorough cross-checking of references and submitting a current clearance certificate.
Segment 1
The mid-term evaluation
SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka intends to carry out a midterm evaluation of its project life cycle of 2024-2026 and a needs assessment for future activities (2027-2030 project cycle) in June – July 2025. Both the studies are integral part of the programme planning and implementation process of SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka and these are to carry out in 10 projects namely, Piliyandala, Nuwara Eliya, Galle, Anuradhapura, Monaragala, Jaffna, Gandara, Peraliya, Malapotha and Wilpattu.
1. Evaluation of project design (relevance and coherence)
- Relevance of services provided in view of identified needs: To what extent does the project design respond to identified needs? Are there any gaps, and if so, were they addressed with stakeholders? Are the desired results still realistic and achievable?
- Internal and external coherence: To what extent does the project align with SOS Care Romania national strategy, programme service descriptions, and compliance with other organizational policies such as Child Safeguarding. Extent to which does the project consider the UN Convention of the Rights of the Child, sustainable development goals (SDGs) and other (e.g. national) policies or context of local service provision, as well as donor priorities (if applicable)?
2. Evaluation of project organization and delivery (performance)
- Efficiency and timely delivery: To what extent were project activities delivered as planned? Was the annual budget consumed, and to what extent are resources used efficiently to support the achievement of results?
- Sustainability: How sustainability measures were taken, how likely are they to continue after project lifecycle change, and to what extent is the project working towards an exit strategy (if applicable)?
- General management and partnership: To what extent were the projects delivered in collaboration with partners? How effectively are the stakeholders engaged during implementation? Were there any challenges or new risks identified, and how were corrective actions taken?
- Impact and results to date (success): What are the main results achieved against the set targets, and what are the reasons for over- or under-achievement? What are the lessons learned and recommendations for future implementation, and strategy of next project cycle?
Methodology and approach
The evaluation methodology should be based on various methods such as analysis of key documents (desk research), participatory methods including interviews with participants and indirect beneficiaries, staff, partners and stakeholders within the community, as well as data analysis of accessible internal and external data sources.
The following documents will be shared with the contracted evaluator for desk research:
- Concept note including all annexes
- Results framework including risk analysis and monitoring
- Activity schedule
- Monitoring processes overview
- Progress reports
- Budget consumption annually
- Statistical key figures and internal SDG indicator reports (as per compass reports)
- Lessons learned log
- National strategy
The mid-term evaluation technical guide developed by SOS includes detailed topics for evaluation underneath each objective with specific research questions, sources of verification and a suggested mode of data collection. The evaluator is asked to come up with a suitable methodology by developing all required data collection instruments, sampling and data analysis methods as per recommendations to answer all evaluation questions. As a minimum, interviews and/or focus groups need to be conducted with staff, child/youth/adult programme participants, partners and community duty bearers. The evaluation is expected to follow Ethical evidence-generation and Ethical Guidelines for Research Involving Children (childrens.com). A gender-sensitive approach to evaluation process is expected. The external consultant is expected to act in line with the SOS Child Safeguarding Policy and the Code of Conduct, and to take precautions for handling all data in a safe and respectful manner. A participative approach should be ensured at every stage.
Segment 2
The needs assessment
The needs assessment is a systematic process for identifying and evaluating the needs of the target population served by SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka and designed to help the organization to identify the needs of children and families in the targeted areas for the upcoming cycle 2027-2030.
- a. Geographic and Child Rights Data: Secondary data (e.g., censuses, child rights reports, HDI) helps identify vulnerable regions and areas for effective targeting.
- b. Stakeholder Analysis: Mapping and understanding the roles of key actors (e.g., government, NGOs, civil society) is essential for effective local child rights implementation.
- c. Vulnerability Mapping: Evaluates socio-economic conditions, child protection issues, and environmental risks to inform risk mitigation and land-use planning.
- d. Community Needs Assessment: In-depth analysis of local needs (e.g., education, nutrition, safety) through participatory methods ensures services are relevant and effective.
- e. SWOT and Risk Analysis: Identifies internal and external strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats to assess programme feasibility and risks.
- f. Financial Viability: Assesses costs, legal requirements, donor expectations, and long-term sustainability, including risks and mitigation strategies.
- g. Sustainability Analysis: Focuses on financial and operational sustainability, local partnerships, and resilience to various socio-political contexts to ensure long-term impact.
Two separate reports per location are expected as the outcome of the above i.e for mid-term evaluation and Needs Assessment.
Interested candidates/consultants/ research teams are invited to Email their CV with following documents to [email protected] on or before 20th May 2025.
- Technical proposal
- Previous experience form
- Price quotation (as separate PDF file)
- CVs of the research team member(s) including current geographical location(s)
- Three references (at least two of them must be familiar with your work)
- An example of a recent/relevant evaluation report (if available for public use)
For clarifications or further information contactable:
Dhanniyap Perera
Deputy National Director/ Director Programmes
SOS Children’s Villages Sri Lanka
0773962804
