External evaluation of St Mary’s DCC “Whistle Stop School” project in the Eastern Cape

External evaluation of St Mary’s DCC “Whistle Stop School” project in the Eastern Cape

Background information

Kindernothilfe (KNH) is a children's rights organisation based on Christian values. Since its foundation in 1959, the organisation has been committed to the recognition of children and young people in situations of poverty and marginalisation as subjects of rights. In 2020, Kindernothilfe in Germany and its branches in Austria, Switzerland and Luxembourg protected and strengthened the rights of 1.9 million children and adolescents through 566 projects in 33 countries in Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe. KNH implements awareness raising, education and advocacy projects in line with development policies. The projects contribute to the realisation of children's rights through the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. Over the past ten years, Kindernothilfe has focused on promoting the Child-rights based approach (CRA) in order to change children's lives for the better in the long term.

St Mary’s Development and Care Centre (DCC) is based in Makhanda, Eastern Cape, where it provides development and enrichment programmes for young children. The DCC works in partnership with several local organisations, the most significant of which is GADRA Education.

KNH intends to support St Mary’s DCC in an external evaluation of its Whistle Stop School (WSS) project, which KNH has funded for over six years. The WSS is an early grade reading “pull-out programme” by local NGO, GADRA Education, in partnership with a local no-fee school. The WSS programme has been implemented since 2017.

Purpose of the evaluation

The purpose of this evaluation is to assess if, and to what extent, the projects’ stated purpose, objectives, strategies, implementation and impact have been achieved to date; and to enable WSS to improve service delivery for the benefit of the target groups by assessing the performance, impact and effectiveness of the projects.

Methodology

The consultant is expected to engage existing beneficiaries, previous beneficiaries, community stakeholders and partners, and existing staff and ‘volunteers’ to gather relevant information to inform their findings and recommendations. 

KNH, GADRA and Mary’s DCC expect that a combination of both qualitative and quantitative “inputs” will be used (including: direct observation; individual conversations and interviews; family discussions and interviews; focus groups discussions and analysis of existing quantitative data) and that findings and recommendations will be made on the basis of overall emerging trends rather than on isolated instances – whether positive or negative. At the same time, case studies should be used to illustrate emerging trends and findings – whether positive or negative.

Deliverables

• Initial briefing/Inception meeting: The consultant will meet with the WSS team and the KNH Country Coordinator in the second half of July 2023 on a date to be agreed upon via Zoom.

• An Inception Report: The Inception Report and fieldwork tools need to be approved by the end of July 2023.

• A Draft report and Final report: The draft report is to be submitted by latest 25 September 2023. The final report shall be submitted within one week after receipt of KNH and WSS feedback on the draft report. The deadline for completion of the assignment is by latest 20 October 2023.

• Presentation of key findings and recommendations: The consultant will present summarised key findings and recommendations to WSS and GADRA personnel, invited guests/stakeholders, and the KNH Country Coordinator, within a week after the draft report is submitted (date to be agreed) in Makhanda at St Mary’s DCC.

Time frames

KNH and GADRA’s WSS prefer the evaluation to be conducted and completed between July and October 2023. The fieldwork must be conducted during the week of 14-18 August or 21-25 August 2023 (to be agreed with the WSS). 

The Consultant’s application should include:      

- Their understanding of the TOR

- Suggestions on the methodology to be applied

- A proposed evaluation schedule

- CVs of key persons involved in the evaluation with their roles and responsibilities

- References on similar assignments already conducted.

A detailed financial proposal with a break-down of costs for professional fees, travel, per diems and other related costs.

Application deadline is 16 June 2023 at 22h00.

The full Terms of Reference (ToR) is available upon request from Phil Donnell: phil.donnell@kindernothilfe.com