PCI
A Global Communities Partner
Expression of interest to lead data collection for the final evaluation for the Food for Education project
- Introduction Project Concern International, a Global Communities Partner (PCl)’s integrated school feeding program, called Food for Education (FFE Ill), is funded by the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition (MGD) program. Since 2016, the program has provided school meals for more than 200,000 students in the Mara Region; Tanzania. The program has enabled vast improvements in 231 primary schools through an integrated package of interventions to improve students’ literacy outcomes, enhance their overall educational performance and improve students’ health and nutrition practices.
- Evaluation Scope and Objectives PCI is seeking a consultant or firm to lead data collection for a mixed-methods, cross-sectional final evaluation study. The consultancy is expected to begin early March 2021 and conclude by the end of June 2021, with an estimate of 30 days to execute responsibilities. The final evaluation purposes include: A) Assess the project strategy’s relevance and the validity of assumptions made during project design; B} Measure progress from baseline and midline, including the effectiveness, efficiency, and timeliness of interventions; C) Assess sustainability efforts; D) Document lessons learned, challenges, and unanticipated effects.
- Consultant Deliverables.
a. Prepare for data collection by reviewing and translating tools as appropriate.
b. Obtain study approval for all relevant GoT partners (NBS, COSTECH, PORLAG, etc.)
c. Prepare materials for training and Co-lead 5-day enumerator training, particularly for EGRA
d. Work with Evaluation Consultant to build surveys into mobile data collection platform
e. Collect an estimated 3500 surveys in 100 schools and submit clean quantitative data.
f. Collect qualitative data from an estimated 70 participants in Bunda, Butiama, Musoma, and Serengeti and translate all transcripts into English
g. Prepare a final data collection field report detailing data collection processes, lessons learned, and recommendations for future data collection or project implementation.
4. Consultant Qualifications The consultant(s} should have a good understanding and experience in the national school feeding sector plans and systems, and National education policies and strategies. The suitable candidate should possess a minimum of masters training in social I education and /or health sciences or related field, and have a minimum of five years’ experience in assessing education and development programs with:
a. Experience in administering literacy assessments such as the EGRA; gender analysis tools; education programs and public health; and in evaluating school feeding programs
b. Extensive experience leading project evaluations using quantitative and qualitative data
c. Extensive experience conducting data collection in Kiswahili and ability to communicate effectively in English; Knowledgeable of the Tanzanian context
d. Experience evaluating projects funded by the U.S. government/USDA strongly preferred.
5. Submission Information Interested candidates should submit the following by February 28, 2021: a) Letter of interest describing qualifications, b) CV of key team members, and c) A list of previous, relevant evaluations with the date and client contact information. Please send an electronic copy of the materials with the subject line “FFE Ill Data collection for the Final Evaluation” by email to Wilfred Donath, [email protected], and Amy Williams, [email protected]. Any questions or clarification questions should be submitted in writing through the same emails above.