Terms of Reference for Programme Evaluation – August 2025

During January 2023 – September 2025 We Effect implemented a multi-country programme covering Kenya, Uganda and Tanzania. The programme was implemented in partnership with 36 partner organizations (POs) including a mix of member-based organizations, local NGOs and academic institutions with special focus on cooperatives development. However, due to changing funding dynamics, the partnerships were reduced within the second year of implementation to remain with about 21 POs by July 2025. The POs included three categories namely;

Core POs: these are those focused on specific agricultural value chains such as farmers cooperatives, or members networks. Coooperatives focused on addressing adequate housing challenges for their members fall under this category.

Technical POs: these are specialized in a specific sector including gender equality/ women’s rights or financial inclusion and support core partners to enhance their capacities in the respective sector;

Strategic POs: these are mainly advocacy organizations that are able to bring together the core partners, pick advocacy issues and present them at strategic levels to duty bearers. One of the main adjustments of the programme was complete removal of the adequate housing, gender equality and financial inclusion focused technical organizations. However, this was not to mean that the components were dropped from the programme but different modalities of their realization were designed. Another important adjustment was the need that arose to conclude the programme by September 2025 and re-design a programme under new funding agreement which will commence from October 2025. Thus, what was planned to be a mid-term evaluation will now serve as kind of terminal evaluation which will also inform the new programme to be implemented as a continuation of the LRF programme. Thus, this evaluation will not only measure success but also be critical source of lessons as a new programme is rolled out.

The programme aimed at making major contribution towards realization of the organizational vision of achieving a sustainable and just world free from poverty. This was expected to be realised through expanding the availability of profitable and sustainable livelihood opportunities and applying all-inclusive approaches to ensure vulnerable and commonly marginalised groups were particularly reached with these opportunities. Specifically, the programme had special focus on enhancing the right to food in the three targeted countries by ensuring that the food systems are just and sustainable to ensure food security and above all food sovereignty, especially for smallholder farmers and other vulnerable/ marginalised groups in targeted communities.

This terminal evaluation will assess programme progress, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability, while providing critical insights to shape future programming. It replaces the originally planned mid-term evaluation and will serve as a foundation for the next phase of programming from October 2025 onward.

Specific Objectives of the Evaluation

The programme is currently being implemented in East Africa through partner organisations and will cover the period 2023 to 2025.  The assignment envisages a participatory process with the programme target groups and other informants/ stakeholders in the entire region that have been actively engaged or have a role to play towards realization of the programmes objective. Expected is the consultant(s) to visit a representative of agreed upon sample of the target population of Pos, stakeholders taking time and logistics limitations into consideration. The programme target groups hence the evaluation respondents include but not limited to members of POs, elected leadership (board members), staff of partner organisations, We Effect staff, relevant Government departments/agencies, community leaders and any other who may be identified in the course of the study.

The selected consultant(s) will:

Interested and qualified firms/consultant(s) are invited to send in their expression of interest, a financial quote (including number of days, daily rates, and any other resources required for the consulting team), and a detailed CV of the consultants.

Please submit your application to [email protected] and copy [email protected] no later than 11th August 2025, 10:00 EAT.
Kindly note that application materials are non-returnable. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the next steps in the application process.

We Effect has a zero-tolerance policy on corruption. All bidders and We Effect agents are expected to avoid any form of corruption, including bribery, canvassing, nepotism, illegal gratuities, or abuse of power for personal gain. Both parties must work to prevent, detect, and act against all forms of corruption and irregularities.

Any misconduct by a bidder will lead to immediate disqualification. We Effect staff or their agents found involved will be subject to disciplinary measures under the organizational anti-corruption policy.