Consultancy: Research on Evidence of Capacity Strengthening in the FAIR for ALL Program

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Background

The need for clear understanding of the effectiveness and relevance of capacity strengthening efforts within the FAIR for ALL program has prompted this research. Assessing these efforts is crucial to ensure they align with the needs of partner Civil Society Organisations (CSOs) and contribute effectively to capacity strengthening.

FAIR for ALL’s Theory of Change (ToC) focuses on strengthening civil society capacities and women’s voices to raise awareness and mobilise women, rural communities, farmers, workers and artisanal miners to influence and engage with public- and private-sector actors, build coalitions, support movements and create spaces to deliver change.

To achieve these goals FAIR for ALL takes a mutual capacity strengthening (MCS) approach, based on the notion that consortium partners and their networks bring valuable knowledge and skills to the table. FAIR for ALL brings together knowledge, skills and networks through processes of co-creation, complementation and joint learning supplemented by trainings, sharing tools, and providing financial resources (e.g. to involve external experts with new knowledge and skills).

FAIR for ALL expects capacity strengthening to increase the:

• Capacity to act – increasing and demonstrating expertise and innovation, (digital) influencing capacity and ability to integrate cross-cutting issues (civic space, gender and conflict sensitivity), all contributing to strong local-to-global influencing networks.
• Capacity to connect – working in partnerships, creating or strengthening strategic alliances and connecting to constituencies (grassroots women, farmers, workers, artisanal miners and youth) to increase legitimacy and impact.
• Capacity to operate – on topics such as programme management, MEL, integrity, SEAH, finance and fundraising, which are all important for CSOs’ long-term organisational sustainability.

Rationale for the study

• To demonstrate the impact of capacity strengthening efforts to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other stakeholders.
• To enhance future program designs with effective capacity strengthening at their core.
• To ensure the optimal use of collective resources, including finance, time, and effort.

Objectives

• Collect evidence in support of the evaluation of the current capacity strengthening methods used by partners at all levels  within the FAIR for ALL program.
• Match these methods with the needs of partner CSOs.
• Systematically assess capacity changes in current programs and recommend strategies for systematically assessing capacity changes in future programs.
• Provide advice to incorporate diverse, Indigenous, and decolonised approaches to capacity strengthening in current and future program design

Research questions

The research should have a focus on the following questions:

Primary Question:

• To what extent did the capacities of CSOs part of the FAIR for ALL program increased over the course and as a result of the program?

Sub-questions:

• Do the observed changes in CSOs’ capacities have an effect on the outcomes/impacts achieved by the programme?
• Does mutual capacity strengthening between partners also have an effect on the outcomes/impacts achieved by the programme?
• What are the capacity strengthening efforts in FAIR for ALL that are meeting partners' (including grassroot organisations) needs? What is working well? What challenges remain?

Additionally, would like the consultant to also touch upon the following secondary questions:

• What recommendations can we draw from research on diverse approaches to capacity strengthening, especially those rooted in indigenous, localised and decolonised knowledge? How can these integrate into current and future programs?
• What methodologies are being used internally within FAIR for ALL and externally among similar programs to reliably collect data on CSOs’ capacity strengthening? How can these external methodologies be adapted to a programme like FAIR for ALL?
• What can we learn from the other FAIR for ALL Consortium Partners on CSOs' capacity strengthening?

Methodology and deliverables

The consultant should propose an appropriate, participatory methodology to answer the Research Questions. The methodology is open to discussion with the team commissioning the research. The key deliverables expected from the study include:

• Short inception report with summary of workplan and methodology.
• A draft report, in editable format, including:
  • Executive summary that can be used as standalone document.
  • Explanation and justification for methodologies, including limitations.
  • Documentation of findings (without identification of specific individuals) and general conclusions.
  • Recommendations, including practical ways to implement new methodologies/actions into current and future projects.
  • Appendices: Signed ToR and inception report; List of documents used; List of participants/interviewees and locations (if any) visited; Questionnaires or scripts for interviews or focus group discussions; Raw datasets (interview notes, data worksheets, etc.).
• (Online) Validation workshop, including summary of findings and participants.
• Presentation of findings (webinar).
• Final report in line with the above requirements, including handover of data collected.

This research is envisioned to be predominantly desk research in line with our ways of working remotely. However, this can be adjusted according to arising needs.

Data and tools available

• Capacity Assessment Tool (CATool) data
• Indicator data
• Outcome statements
• Reports from Mutual Capacity Strengthening Fund activities
• Annual plans and reports
• Baseline and Midterm report
• Research on MCS approach
• Additional resources as identified

Estimated time and budget allocation

The research should be completed by November 15, 2024. The budget allocated for this project inclusive of VAT is 20,000 euro. Cost will factor in the selection process.

Management arrangements

The research commissioning manager will be the first point of contact for the researcher(s) and ensure the researcher(s) have access to documents, people and other information needed. The commissioning manager will coordinate communication with FAIR for ALL stakeholders, such as the FAIR for ALL Capacity Strengthening Specialist and FAIR for ALL Program Manager and provide a quality check on the deliverables.

How to submit a proposal and selection process

Proposals should contain:

• The consultants’ understanding of these Terms of Reference.
• Description of the proposed approach, including methodology and data collection methods.
• Workplan, with timeline, expected deliverables, and key moments of consultation with stakeholders needed to actively participate.
• List of perceived risks and mitigation strategies.
• Summary of expected roles and responsibilities of the consultant(s), including CVs.
• Summary of two relevant assignments previously performed by the consultants, including references.
• Copy of the registration with a Chamber of Commerce however, this is not limited to Dutch registration. Applicants are expected to send registration documents.
• Total budget (in Euro, including `VAT) with a cost breakdown in days or hours spent and the related fees for the tasks (making the distinction for each consultant). Any costs for accommodation, meals and transport, which are included in this budget shall be estimated. Actual costs shall be reimbursed in accordance with Oxfam Novib´s expense policy for consultants.

Proposals should be submitted via the application portal only and the deadline for submission is 21 April 2024. Any questions, remarks or requests for clarification can be sent to the federico.costantini@oxfamnovib.nl  and eva.hendriks@oxfamnovib.nl

The selection will be completed by the evaluation commissioning manager (the FAIR for ALL Capacity Strengthening Specialist) and additional relevant FAIR for ALL staff. Interviews will be held with one or more potential candidates to seek further clarification on the submitted quotations, proposal and previous experiences.

The selected consultants are expected to be available to start immediately after their selection.