Terms of Reference
The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative
Job Title: End of Project Evaluation Consultant – Alternatives to Incarceration
Job Type: Short-term
Location: Middle East and North Africa (multiple locations)
Estimated Timeframe: March – May 2025
Organizational Background
The American Bar Association Rule of Law Initiative (ABA ROLI) is an international development program that promotes the rule of law by working with in-country partners to build sustainable institutions and societies that deliver justice, foster economic opportunity and ensure respect for human dignity. In collaboration with our in-country partners—including judges, lawyers, bar associations, law schools, court administrators, legislatures, ministries of justice, and human rights and civil society organizations—we design programs that are responsive to local needs and that prioritize sustainable solutions to pressing rule of law challenges.
Job Overview and Purpose of the Evaluation
The primary purpose of this end-of-project evaluation is to provide an independent assessment of the project’s achievements against its stated objectives, focusing on the contribution to goals, intended and unintended outcomes, and future programming needs. The evaluation will provide essential insights into both impact and outcome level questions, critical for demonstrating the overall value of the program to the Donor and Government partner.
Scope of Work
The consultant will be required to:
- Review project documents, including the project proposal, logical framework, progress reports, and monitoring data.
- Develop an evaluation framework and methodology, including data collection tools, in consultation with the project team.
- Conduct field visits to project sites to gather primary data through in-person meetings with stakeholders, beneficiaries, and partners.
- Where necessary, utilize remote data collection methods such as interviews, focus group discussions, surveys, and document review.
- Analyze both quantitative and qualitative data to assess the project’s performance against its objectives and intended outcomes.
- Assess whether the foundational change pathways have occurred, particularly regarding the expanded role of alternative sentences.
- Provide an assessment of the project’s impact on gender equality, marginalized groups, and any unintended consequences.
- Evaluate the sustainability of the project’s outcomes, including the capacity of local institutions to maintain and build on the project’s achievements.
- Prepare a comprehensive evaluation report with findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
Key Evaluation Questions
The evaluation should address the following key questions:
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Relevance: Were the project objectives aligned with the needs of the target beneficiaries and the broader context of rule of law and human rights in target country?
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Effectiveness: To what extent were the project’s objectives and outcomes achieved? What were the major factors influencing the achievement or non-achievement of these outcomes?
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Efficiency: Was the project implemented in a cost-effective manner? Were resources used efficiently to achieve the desired outcomes?
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Impact: What changes (positive or negative) have occurred as a result of the project? How has the project influenced the rule of law and human rights situation in the country
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Sustainability: What measures were put in place to ensure the sustainability of the project’s outcomes? Are there indications that project benefits will be sustained?
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Cross-cutting issues: How did the project address cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, inclusion of marginalized groups, and environmental sustainability?
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Lessons Learned: What are the key lessons that can be drawn from the project’s implementation? How can these lessons inform future interventions in similar contexts?
Deliverables
The consultant will be responsible for delivering the following:
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Inception Report: A detailed plan outlining the evaluation methodology, work plan, and data collection tools within two weeks of the contract start date.
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Draft Evaluation Report: A report summarizing preliminary findings, conclusions, and recommendations for review by the ABA program team.
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Final Evaluation Report: A comprehensive report, incorporating feedback from the draft report.
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Presentation of Findings: A presentation to ABA and potentially key stakeholders to discuss the findings and recommendations.
Consultant Qualifications
The ideal consultant(s) should possess the following qualifications:
- Advanced degree in law, human rights, international development, or a related field.
- Minimum of 10 years of experience in evaluating development projects, particularly in the areas of rule of law and human rights.
- Demonstrated experience in using both qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods.
- Familiarity with the socio-political context of the Arab Gulf Region.
- Strong analytical and report writing skills.
- Fluency in English is essential.
How to apply
Application Process
Interested candidates are invited to submit as one PDF file under the Resume option, the following documents:
- A cover letter explaining their suitability for the assignment.
- A detailed CV, highlighting relevant experience and qualifications.
- A proposed evaluation methodology and work plan.
- A financial proposal, including a breakdown of costs.
- At least two references from similar previous assignments.
Applications should be submitted electronically by January 15, 2025.