Background
MENAACTION, established by youth from the MENA region, is a nonprofit organization designed to advocate for the rights of MENA youth. MENAACTION is for youth by youth, focusing on issues of policy, advocacy, democracy, and human rights. MENAACTION looks to build a vast network of young people in the region and MENA youth around the world, as it believes in the meaningful engagement of youth as stakeholders and active agents. MENAACTION is rooted in empowering voices in and from the MENA region to lead efforts to engage youth into decision making. Through a focus on youth and a combination of policy, advocacy, democracy, and human rights, MENAACTION provides a unique and distinct approach to addressing issues in the region.
With funding from the US Department of State, and in partnership with the US Embassy in Amman, MENAACTION is implementing the TAQASI Project. The TAQASI Project is a 6-month project that looks to provide targeted training for Jordanian journalists on identifying fake news, particularly content generated by Russian media outlets. In implementing this project, TAQASI is expected to result in strengthened capacities among journalists to detect, identify, fact-check, and verify fake news as well as the competence to raise public awareness on fake news disseminated on and by Russia in a way that avoids adverse consequences. TAQASI looks to fulfill the following objectives:
- Objective I: Equip Jordanian journalists with skills and tools to detect and identify fake news.
- Objective II: Establish journalist-led fact checking and verification mechanism of fake news.
- Objective III: Strengthen Jordanian journalists’ capacities and visibility to raise public awareness of fake news using fact-checked and verified sources.
Purpose of the Final Evaluation
MENAACTION is looking for a consultant to carry out an external final evaluation of the TAQASI Project. The purpose of the final evaluation is to:
- Assess the relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability of the TAQASI Project activities.
- Acquire and document success stories and lessons learned.
- Provide recommendations to inform future similar programming.
Scope of the Final Evaluation
Duration: The evaluation will cover the entirety of the TAQASI Project since its starting date of October 1, 2023, until its conclusion on June 31, 2024.
Geographic Location: The evaluation will cover the TAQASI Project activities implemented in Jordan.
Stakeholders to be Consulted: The consultant is expected to incorporate, engage, and consult with (a) the project beneficiaries (a total of 44 trained journalists); (b) project consultants (2 trainers, one media specialist, and one web developer); (c) project partner/ donor; and (d) project team members.
Methodology
The external final evaluation is expected to be structured in three phases: (a) an inception phase, which is anticipated to take one week; (b) a data collection phase, which is expected to take two weeks; and (c) a synthesis and reporting phase, which will culminate in the preparation and submission of a comprehensive evaluation report by June 2, 2024.
A mixed-methods approach will be employed to triangulate findings and ensure validity. The evaluation report will adhere to the OECD/DAC evaluation criteria, addressing aspects of relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability. The synthesis and reporting phase will culminate in the preparation and submission of a comprehensive Final Evaluation Report by June 13, 2024. The Final Evaluation Report is expected to be structured per the following:
- Executive Summary
- Introduction Section
- Evaluation Methodology
- Key Findings Sections
- Challenges Section
- Lessons Learned Section
- Recommendations Section
- Annexes including data collection tools and data collected
Deliverables
The evaluation consultant is expected to deliver the following:
- An Inception Report outlining the work plan, methodology, and data collection tools.
- First copy of the Final Evaluation Report to be presented to MENAACTION in a meeting.
- A Presentation summarizing key findings, conclusions, and recommendations, for dissemination to stakeholders during meetings or workshops.
- Final Evaluation Report incorporating feedback on the first copy.
- Any data collected during the evaluation, such as survey datasets and interview transcripts.
Timeframe
RFP issued: April 18, 2024
Deadline for questions: April 24, 2024
Proposal deadline: April 30, 2024
Selection of the evaluation consultant: May 5, 2024
Contracting the evaluation consultant: May 6, 2024
MENAACTION dispatches relevant project documents to the evaluation consultant: May 6, 2024
Inception Report delivery: May 13, 2024
First copy of the final evaluation report: June 2, 2024
Presentation of the first copy of the final evaluation report: June 3, 2024
Final Evaluation Report incorporating feedback: June 13, 2024
Qualifications
- Minimum of 5 years relevant professional experiences in conducting projects evaluations for NGOs.
- Strong analytical and methodological skills for qualitative and/or quantitative data collection and documentation of results.
- Evaluation Expertise: Strong evaluation skills are necessary to assess the effectiveness and impact of the TAQASI Project accurately. The evaluator should have experience in conducting program evaluations, including designing evaluation frameworks, data collection methods, and analysis techniques.
- Experience in Media and Journalism: The evaluator should have a strong background in media and journalism, preferably with experience in training journalists or working in newsrooms. This expertise will ensure a deep understanding of the challenges and nuances associated with identifying and combating fake news.
- Understanding of fake news landscape and knowledge of fact-checking practices are highly desirable. The evaluator should demonstrate knowledge of fake news trends and dynamics of its dissemination, including the roles of different actors and platforms and their implications for media literacy initiatives, along with experience in establishing fact-checking mechanisms and evaluating the credibility of information sources, particularly in the context of digital media and online platforms.
- Full fluency in English and in Arabic.
How to apply
Proposal Submission Guidelines
Interested applicants are expected to deliver a comprehensive proposal with two parts: a technical part and a financial part:
- The Technical Part of the Proposal should clearly outline the proposed approach, methodology, workplan, timeline, previous relevant experience, and CV(s). Applicants should demonstrate their expertise in media and journalism, including experience in evaluating media literacy and journalism related initiatives and fact-checking mechanisms, Preference will be given to proposals that showcase knowledge of the fake news landscape.
- The Financial Part of the Proposal should indicate the daily rate, proposed number of working days, and the total amount. The daily rate, number of working days, and total amount must be fully justified and reasonable. Applicants should provide a breakdown of expenses related to data collection, analysis, stakeholder engagement, and reporting. MENAACTION reserves the right to ask for a daily rate justification based on the evaluator’s qualifications and the complexity of the evaluation scope.
Please send the above-mentioned requirements in one PDF document, in an email to taqasi@menaaction.org ; with the email subject title: “TAQASI – External Final Evaluation”. The proposals are due no later than April 30, 2024, at 17:00 Amman time. MENAACTION will not accept any late bids.
Proposal Evaluation Criteria
In assessing the proposals, MENAACTION will utilize the following evaluation criteria and assign weights to each criterion:
- Technical Approach and Methodology (40%): The extent to which the proposed technical approach and methodology demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of the project objectives, alignment with the evaluation scope, and feasibility of implementation. Evaluation will focus on the clarity, innovativeness, and appropriateness of the proposed methods for assessing the project’s impact on combatting fake news in Jordan.
- Previous Relevant Experience (30%): Evaluation of the applicant’s previous relevant experience in media, journalism, fact-checking, and program evaluation. MENAACTION will consider the depth and breadth of the applicant’s experience, including specific examples of similar projects or initiatives successfully completed. Preference will be given to applicants with a proven track record in conducting evaluations in similar contexts and achieving measurable outcomes.
- Financial Proposal (30%): Assessment of the financial proposal’s clarity, justification, and reasonableness. MENAACTION will evaluate the proposed daily rate, number of working days, and total amount in relation to the proposed scope of work and the evaluator’s qualifications. The financial proposal should align with the proposed technical approach and demonstrate value for money. MENAACTION reserves the right to request further clarification or justification of costs as needed.