Terms of Reference Ethiopia Voice Up Information(VIP) Project -Internews Ethiopia

Type of evaluation External final evaluation – (Summative)

Expected start/end dates Expected start date: October 20st, 2025

Expected end date: December 15th 1 2025

Application deadline October 15th 2025

Introduction

Internews Europe is an international nonprofit organization that works to ensure access to trusted, quality information that empowers people to make informed decisions and hold power to account. Operating in over 100 countries, Internews train journalists, tackle disinformation, and help media outlets become financially sustainable so that everyone has trustworthy information. For this evaluation, we focus on our mission to strengthen independent media and build healthy information environments in Ethiopia.
For more information about the organization please visit:
www.internews.org

I. Background Information

This Final Evaluation Scope of Work pertains to the 24-month Action titled Voice Up! Information for Peace in Ethiopia (VIP), implemented by Internews in partnership with the Ethiopian Institute of Peace (EIP) and two subcontractors. The VIP project was designed to contribute to sustainable peace, reconciliation, recovery, and social cohesion in Ethiopia, with a particular focus on conflict-affected areas (Amhara, Tigray, Afar and Benishangul regions.).

Through a multifaceted approach, the VIP project promoted peace education and culture by engaging universities, media outlets, and community radio stations, and by harnessing the influence of music, sports, and cultural expression. A key feature of the Action was the launch of an innovative national peace campaign aimed at fostering inclusive and gender sensitive dialogue and amplifying messages of unity and reconciliation.
Internews leveraged its extensive experience in media development and its established partnerships within Ethiopia to implement the project effectively, empowering local media and CSOs to serve as agents of peace, strengthen resilience, and promote recovery in conflict-affected areas.

The Action posits that: IF the capacity of media, community and campus radio stations is leveraged to roll-out an online and offline national peace campaign and radio programs focus on peace, social cohesion, SGBV and trauma counselling; AND IF radio stations’ programming is based on a feedback loop in the form of a community feedback mechanism; AND IF women- and youth-led CSOs and CBOs are mobilized and capacitated to use media, social media and other innovative outreach approaches as part of the peace-building campaign; THEN community based radio stations and CSOs will be empowered to deliver quality and reliable information promoting inclusive and gender-sensitive dialogue; AND THEN sustainable peace, reconciliation, recovery and social cohesion in Ethiopia will be promoted at the national, regional and local levels.

Project Objectives:

The main goal of this project is to contribute to sustainable peace, reconciliation, recovery, and social cohesion in Ethiopia.

I.1.1. The specific objective:
To strengthen inclusive and gender sensitive dialogue and rebuild social fabric at different levels, and particularly in conflict affected areas
I.2. Evaluation Scope

The evaluation will assess the project’s implementation from January 2023 to October 2025 ). It will focus on both the geographical coverage and the target groups engaged by the project. Geographically, the evaluation will encompass interventions carried out in the Tigray, Amhara, Afar, and Benishangul Gumuz regions, as well as activities conducted through national-level campaigns. The evaluation will also examine the extent to which the project engaged and benefited its key target groups, including media partners (particularly community and campus radios), civil society organizations (CSOs) with special emphasis on youth-led and women-led organizations universities, and broader community beneficiaries. The exact focus and scope as well as evaluation sub questions will be discussed and agreed during the inception phase.

Purpose/Objective

This final evaluation aims to assess the effectiveness, sustainability prospects, and key lessons learned from the VIP project’s media-centered peacebuilding approach in conflict-affected regions of Ethiopia. The Final Evaluation will focus on the following OECD DAC evaluation criteria relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability with particular attention to its contributions to peacebuilding and social cohesion, its outreach and engagement strategies, and its alignment with gender-sensitive and inclusive practices.
The specific objectives of this evaluation are to:
• Assess project achievements against intended outcomes and targets
• Evaluate the effectiveness of capacity building approaches for journalists
• Examine the sustainability of established media-CSO partnerships
• Identify factors that contributed to or hindered project success
• Document lessons learned and best practices for future similar media programs
• Provide practical recommendations for the european commision, Internews and other stakeholders for improving similiar programming approaches.
The evaluation findings will serve multiple stakeholder groups. For Internews management, the evaluation will inform strategic decision-making about future program design, and identify successful approaches for replication. For the donor, findings will be used to assess program effectiveness, and evaluate program sustainability. Local partners will apply findings to enhance, strengthen media-CSO collaboration, and adapt programming to the local context.
Evaluation Criteria and Questions
The evaluation should be based on the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development’s (OECD’s) six evaluation criteria focusing on relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability, paying particular attention to gender equality issues. The findings will inform adjustments and strategic decisions to ensure the project’s continued success and sustainability in the remaining period
Based on these criteria, the evaluation will address the following key questions:

Relevance

1. To what extent were the project’s interventions relevant to the needs and priorities of target stakeholders in conflict-affected regions of Ethiopia??
I. To what extent was the conflict- and gender-sensitive journalism training relevant to addressing the identified capacity gaps of community and campus radio stations??
II. To what extent were the multimedia peace campaign components (radio diaries, youth dialogues, influencer videos) relevant to community information needs and priorities?
III. To what extent was the CSO capacity building approach relevant to the advocacy, media engagement, and outreach needs of youth- and women-led organizations?
2. To what extent did the project respond to the specific needs of targeted groups (media actors in strengthening conflict- and gender-sensitive journalism, women and youth Led CSO’s in building capacity to conduct peace campaigns and use of innovative outreach approaches, and communities and vulnerable groups of youth and women in accessing quality information and psychosocial support)?
I. How relevant was the national multimedia peace campaign (radio diaries, youth dialogues, influencer videos) in addressing information gaps and fostering inclusive dialogue?
II. How did the project’s training and mentoring of youth- and women-led CSOs adequately respond to their needs for stronger advocacy, media engagement, and outreach capacity?

Coherence

3. How well did the project complement or add value to other interventions in Ethiopia?
I. To what extent was the VIP project consistent with other EU-funded and partner-led interventions in peacebuilding and media development?
II. How effective was the collaboration among Internews, EIP, subcontractors, CSOs, CBOs, universities, and media partners?
III. Did the integration of community feedback mechanisms strengthen synergies between radio stations, CSOs, and other actors working on peacebuilding?

Effectiveness

4. To what extent did the project achieve its intended results in supporting peace awareness and education campaigns through community and campus radio stations?
I. How effective was the conflict- and gender-sensitive journalism training in improving content quality?
II. To what extent did content production contribute to peace awareness and dialogue?
III. How effectively did the community feedback mechanism improve programming accountability?
5. To what extent did the project achieve its intended results in supporting peace awareness and education campaigns through youth- and women-led CSOs using social media and innovative approaches?
I. How effectively did CSOs address sensitive themes (trauma healing, SGBV) in their campaigns?
II. How effective were counter-disinformation interventions in reducing harmful narratives?
6. How did the community feedback mechanism strengthen accountability and improve programming?
I. How successful was the establishment of the feedback mechanism in improving content relevance, inclusivity, and responsiveness to community needs?

Efficiency

7. Were project resources used in a cost-effective, timely, and flexible way to address emerging needs?
I. How efficient were training, mentoring sessions, peace campaigns, and small grants managed and delivered across regions?
II. How did the consortium structure (Internews, EIP, subcontractors) enable smooth coordination and timely implementation of activities?
III. To what extent did the project leverage existing platforms, influencers, and community resources to maximize outreach and cost-effectiveness?
8. How did the multi-stakeholder structure (Internews, EIP, subcontractors) add efficiency or complexity?

Impact

1. To what extent did the project contribute to sustainable peace, reconciliation, and social cohesion in the targeted conflict-affected regions of Ethiopia??

I. What early signs of change do stakeholders report in relation to peacebuilding dialogue and media credibility?
II. What changes do stakeholders observe in the role of community and campus radios as peacebuilding actors?
III. What evidence exists of the project’s influence on community dialogue and engagement with peace-related content??
IV. To what extent do stakeholders perceive changes in misinformation, hate speech, or divisive narratives in their communities?
V. What unintended consequences or unexpected changes occurred as a result of project interventions?

2. How has the perception of media and CSOs as peacebuilding agents changed among communities?
I. How did the youth dialogues and CSO-led peace campaigns affect the participation of young people and women in local peacebuilding processes?
II. What changes were observed in the capacity of CSOs to advocate for peace, engage media, and mobilize their communities?

3. To what extent did project interventions contribute to reducing misinformation, hate speech, and divisive narratives?
I. How did the counter-disinformation activities reduce misinformation and hate speech in targeted regions?
II. How did the community engagement mechanisms (telegram groups, listening groups, CRS feedback mechanisms) contribute to reducing hate speech and promoting peacebuilding?

Sustainability

1. To what extent are the media partners, CSOs, and local institutions likely to sustain peacebuilding initiatives and continue promoting dialogue beyond the project?

I. Are community and campus radios likely to continue producing and airing peace-related content without external support?
II. To what extent have youth- and women-led CSOs developed the capacity and resources to sustain their advocacy and peacebuilding initiatives?
III. Has the feedback mechanism been institutionalized and adopted by radio stations and CSOs to ensure ongoing audience engagement and content relevance?

2. What strategies (e.g., mentoring, partnerships, linkages with universities/CSOs) are most likely to sustain peace education and campaigns in the future?

3. What risks or barriers exist that could undermine sustainability of outcomes?
These evaluation questions and sub questions are tentative and will be refined during the inception phase. The selected evaluator/ team will work with Internews to finalize the evaluation questions and with detailed sub-questions and appropriate data collection tools that ensure the evaluation achieves its intended purpose.

Evaluation Approach and Methodology

The methodological approach and overall evaluation design will be collaboratively developed and validated during the inception phase. Internews will be consulted on all significant decisions or adjustments to the evaluation process to ensure alignment with project expectations and priorities, while the evaluator will retain full independence and ensure the objective and impartial implementation of the agreed-upon methodology. Ideally, the evaluation will employ a mixed-methods design combining both quantitative and qualitative approaches to achieve the evaluation objectives. Data collection will draw from both primary and secondary sources. A thorough document review will examine program materials including project reports, monitoring data, and training materials. This internal review will be complemented by analysis of external.

Primary data collection will focus on gathering qualitative insights through in-depth interviews with program staff, partners, and stakeholders. These will be supplemented by focus group discussions with participating journalists and civil society representatives, as well as interviews with key stakeholders. The evaluation team may propose additional data collection methods based on the selected evaluation approach and specific information needs. The evaluation will propose a sampling strategy that ensures representation across regions, stakeholders, and demographics. Data collection will cover the four priority regions Tigray, Amhara, Afar, and Benishangul Gumuz as well as national-level initiatives. Sampling will include diverse stakeholder groups such as community and campus radios, journalists, CSOs, universities, youth groups, women’s associations, and vulnerable populations affected by conflict. The framework will also ensure gender balance and inclusivity by prioritizing the participation of women, youth, and survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, reflecting the project’s focus on trauma healing and social cohesion.

The detailed methodology, including sampling strategies and data collection tools, will be refined during the inception phase through collaboration between the evaluation team and Internews. This collaborative approach will ensure the methodology effectively addresses evaluation questions while remaining feasible within available resources and timeframes.

Deliverables, Timeline and Budget

The evaluation will be conducted in person over a period of approximately 25-35 working days between October and November 2025 organized in the following phases:

Deliverables

• The selected evaluator is required to produce the following deliverables:
• An inception report with detailed methodology and data collection tools as well as Evaluation Matrix
• An evaluation report around 40 pages + annexes.
• A PPT presentation (or similar) that summarizes the key findings and recommendations from the evaluation report.
• One learning dissemination session, in particular delivery of minimum one internal (Internews staff and other relevant stakeholders, to be determined) presentation of key findings and recommendations.
• Raw data is provided in easily digestible formats.

Suggested Timeline and Payment Structure

The evaluation will be conducted over a period of approximately 25-35 working days between October 20th 2025 and December 15th 2025. The phases, tasks, and deadlines are outlined below.

All deliverables must be submitted in English and follow Internews templates and quality standards, which will be provided to the selected evaluation team.

Phase Key Activities Deliverables Timeline Responsible Party

Phase 1: Inception

• Conduct desk review of project documents, materials, reports, research, and M&E data.
• Review relevant secondary sources
• Hold 2–3 initial interviews with Internews staff to clarify expectations
• Finalize inception report including detailed methodology, evaluation matrix, and data collection tools. Inception Report (including methodology, tools & evaluation matrix) Oct 20th – Oct 29th Consultant, Internews

Phase 2: Data Collection

• Conduct primary data collection, including KIIs, FGDs, surveys, case studies, and collection of social media metrics.
• Prepare data for analysis through transcription, cleaning, and validation. Raw Data Set, Field Notes, and Data Summary Oct 30th – Nov 18th Consultant

Phase 3: Analysis & Reporting

• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using triangulation techniques.
• Draft evaluation report presenting findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Finalize report incorporating stakeholder feedback. Draft Evaluation Report
Final Evaluation Report Nov 19 – Dec 8th Consultant

Phase 4: Dissemination & Learning

• Prepare a PowerPoint presentation (or similar) highlighting key findings, lessons learned, and recommendations.
• Conduct two stakeholder learning sessions to share results and promote utilization. Presentation Slides & Two Learning Sessions Reports Dec 9th – Dec 15th Consultant, Internews

Evaluator qualifications

• For this evaluation, the following qualifications are required:

Essential Competencies:

• Advanced degree (Master’s or equivalent) in Monitoring and Evaluation, Sociology, Journalism and Communication, Development Studies, or other related social science fields.
• Minimum of 10 years of proven experience in conducting evaluations, research, and assessments, preferably within the fields of media development, peacebuilding, and community engagement.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required, with excellent drafting and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated experience in designing and applying mixed-methods evaluation approaches, including quantitative and qualitative data collection, sampling techniques, and advanced data analysis.
• Proven track record in evaluating projects related to communication, journalism, community engagement, and peacebuilding, with the ability to translate findings into actionable recommendations.

Desired Competencies:

• Strong understanding of media development, social cohesion, conflict sensitivity, and gender-sensitive approaches, particularly in fragile and conflict-affected contexts.
• Extensive knowledge of Ethiopia’s political, social, and media landscape and the dynamics affecting peacebuilding and reconciliation initiatives.
• Experience using participatory evaluation techniques, community feedback mechanisms, and innovative outreach approaches, including the use of music, theatre, and sports in peace campaigns.
• Proficiency in one or more local languages such as Amharic, Tigrigna, or Afan Oromo would be a strong asset.

Roles and Responsibilities

The External Evaluation Team will lead the technical aspects of the evaluation, working under Internews guidance while maintaining independence in analysis and reporting. Their responsibilities include developing detailed evaluation design and methodology, conducting data collection and analysis, preparing evaluation deliverables following Internews templates, presenting findings to key stakeholders, maintaining ethical standards throughout the process. Management and coordination of the evaluation process will be led by the country Lead, who will serve as the primary liaison between the evaluation team and Internews stakeholders.

Required Application Documents:

Technical Proposal (2-3 pages) including:

• Statement of interest demonstrating understanding of the evaluation requirements
• Proposed methodological approach
• How the applicant’s qualifications match the requirements
• Proposed timeline and work plan

Supporting Documentation:

• Cost proposal with justification (separate from technical proposal)
• CV(s) for all team members
• Sample evaluation reports or links to previous relevant work
• References from two previous evaluation clients (to be provided if selected for further consideration)

All documents should be submitted in English, in PDF format, with clear file names indicating the content and applicant Evaluation Principles and Values.