Terms of Reference
1. Background and Context
HERA, with support received through IPPF, is implementing a regional Gender and Democracy Programme aimed at advancing human rights, social justice, and inclusive democratic governance. The Programme supports Member Associations (MAs) in strengthening democratic resilience in the context of democratic backsliding, anti-rights mobilization, shrinking civic space, and coordinated political and societal threats.
The Programme will apply a Monitoring–Evaluation–Learning–Accountability (MELA) approach grounded in:
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- developmental evaluation,
- real-time feedback and learning loops,
- contribution analysis,
- participatory learning with partner organisations,
- strong data ethics, confidentiality, and protection standards.
An External MEL / Developmental Evaluation Consultant will be engaged as a critical friend to support learning, adaptation, accountability, and evidence generation throughout the pilot phase of the Programme. The selected consultant will work in close collaboration with HERA and the IPPF MEL team.
2. Purpose of the Assignment
The purpose of this assignment is to provide independent, developmental evaluation support to the Programme’s core activities, with the aim of strengthening:
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- adaptive capacity;
- learning velocity;
- strategic and evidence-informed decision-making;
- accountability to Member Associations, donors, and the wider IPPF Federation.
The Consultant will not act as a compliance auditor, but as an embedded learning partner supporting continuous improvement and adaptive management.
3. Scope of Work
The Consultant will support the Programme across the following components:
3.1 Development of the MELA Framework (Month 1)
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- Development and operationalisation of the Programme’s Monitoring–Evaluation–Learning–Accountability (MELA) framework.
- Develop the Theory of Change (ToC) together with the Programme team.
3.2 Developmental Evaluation Support (Months 2–10)
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- Participate (as observer) in selected learning and reflection moments (e.g. learning sprints, strategic reviews).
- Review real-time MELA data, dashboards, After Action Reviews, and outcome documentation.
- Provide ongoing formative feedback on: – information-to-action pathways; – adaptive decision-making practices; – learning loops;
- Theory of Change assumptions and adjustments.
3.3 Formative Evaluation (Mid-Pilot | Months 6–7)
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- Assess early evidence related to: – relevance and timeliness of information; – coordination effectiveness; – initial resilience outcomes; – functioning of accountability mechanisms.
- Identify strengths, risks, blind spots, and priority adaptations for the remainder of the pilot.
3.4 Developmental / End-of-Pilot Evaluation (Months 10)
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- Conduct a comprehensive developmental evaluation at the end of the pilot phase.
- Focus on: – contribution to outcomes (not attribution); – adaptive capacity of the Programme model; – resilience gains at MA and network levels; – unintended effects (positive and negative); – feasibility and conditions for scale-up or replication.
3.5 Learning and Sense-Making
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- Support interpretation of outcome harvesting results.
- Contribute to Theory of Change stress-testing.
- Translate learning into strategic, actionable recommendations, not only evaluative findings.
- Provide feedback that is timely, usable, and decision-oriented.
4. Key Deliverables and Milestones
4.1. The External MEL Consultant is expected to deliver the following:
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- Inception Note with methodology and ToC
- Formative Evaluation Report
- Developmental Evaluation Report
- Real-Time Learning Memos – short, focused feedback notes (quarterly or ad hoc)
4.2. All deliverables must:
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- integrate Member Association voices and perspectives;
- comply with data protection, confidentiality, and ethical standards;
- be written in clear, accessible, and non-extractive language.
5. Timeframe, Place of Delivery and Level of Effort
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- Total duration: approximately 10 months
- Place of delivery: The assignment will be delivered under a hybrid modality. The Consultant is expected to work primarily remotely, while being available for selected in-person meetings as required.
- Estimated Level of Efforts
Distributed as follows:
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- Month 1: (Inception Note with MELA framework and ToC developed)
- Months 2–5: (formative evaluation support)
- Months 6–10: (ongoing learning support)
- Months 8–10: (developmental evaluation)
- Ad-hoc: (rapid response, strategic moments)
6. Reporting and Coordination
The External MEL Consultant will report to the Executive Director, with close coordination with the Programme Team and the IPPF MEL team.
7. Required Qualifications and Experience
7.1. Essential Qualifications
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- Minimum 7 years of professional experience in monitoring, evaluation and learning.
- Demonstrated expertise in MELA framework and developmental evaluation of international projects
- Proven experience in complex, politically sensitive, or adaptive programmes.
- Strong competency in Outcome Harvesting and Contribution Analysis.
- Track record of producing clear, actionable, decision-oriented recommendations.
- Excellent analytical writing skills in English
7.2. Highly Desirable:
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- Experience with civil society operating in contested/closing civic space
- Knowledge of Western Balkans political context
- Understanding of SRHR/feminist movement strategies
- Familiarity with intelligence gathering ethics and data protection in sensitive contexts
- Fluency in Albanian, Bosnian, Serbian
7.3. Assessment Criteria:
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- Understanding of developmental evaluation paradigm (30%) – 30 points
- Proposed methodology fit-for-purpose for the context (25%) – 25 points
- Relevant experience and contextual knowledge (20%) – 20 points
- Budget value-for-money (15%) – 15 points
- Communication and facilitation approach (10%) – 10 points
8. Ethics, Confidentiality and Data Protection
The External MEL Consultant must fully comply with:
- the Organisation’s Data Ethics and Protection Framework;
- confidentiality and security requirements related to sensitive information and MA data.
9. Application Procedure
Interested applicants are invited to submit their applications no later than 19 February 2026, 17:00 (CET).
All documents must be submitted in English by email to: konkurs@hera.org.mk
10. Application Package
10.1. Technical proposal, including:
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- understanding of the ToR;
- proposed developmental approach and methodology;
- detailed work plan and timeline;
- CV(s) of the consultant(s).