Location: Nepal, Kenya, Ethiopia and in Ireland

Organization: ActionAid Ireland

Deadline: 31 March 2026

Job Description

ActionAid Ireland is seeking applications from suitably qualified consultants to conduct an evaluation of the Women’s Rights Programme III (WRPIII) funded under Ireland’s Civil Society Partnership for A Better World (ICSP) scheme. The WRPIII programme receives a budget of €950,000/annum over five years (2023-2027) to work with the furthest behind first, particularly women and girls in Nepal, Kenya and Ethiopia and in Ireland through a global citizenship education programme (to be evaluated separately). Applications to be submitted by close of business on 31st March 2026. Below is Full details.

BACKGROUND

ActionAid Ireland is an independent member of the ActionAid Federation, a global federation with a presence in 71 countries across Africa, Asia, Europe and the Americas. Globally, ActionAid works to strengthen the capacity and agency of people living in poverty and exclusion, especially women, to assert their rights. ActionAid works with communities, civil society organisations, women’s groups and networks, social movements, and other allies, to overcome the structural causes and consequences of poverty and injustice

ActionAid Ireland’s Women Rights Programme III (WRPIII) is a five-year programme (January 2023 – December 2027) funded by Irish Aid under Ireland’s Civil Society Partnership for A Better World (ICSP). The WRPIII programme prioritises working with the furthest behind first, particularly women and girls in Nepal, Kenya and Ethiopia and engages the Irish public on global citizenship education and awareness raising.

The ICSP supports 10 Irish civil society partners and is made up of four funding streams: long term development, chronic humanitarian crises, acute humanitarian crises, and global citizenship education. An allocation of climate financing is integrated into the programme. The ICSP contribute to Ireland’s foreign policy priorities; particularly Ireland’s overseas development policy, A Better World. The Flagship Outcomes and process outcomes developed in 2024 articulate the specific outcomes ICSP aims to achieve and have been used in annual reporting across the 10 agencies since 2025.

ActionAid Ireland is in receipt of long-term development, climate, and global citizen education funding from ICSP with a grant of €950,000 per annum over a five-year period. The work builds on two previous multiyear grants from Irish Aid.

ActionAid Ireland seeks applications to conduct an evaluation in the fourth year of the programme in line with Irish Aid guidelines. The programme evaluation and report are to be completed by the end of 2026 using evidence and data from the first three years of the programme with supplementary information from 2026. The evaluation is being conducted in the programme’s fourth year to assess performance and delivery of the ICSP programme against selected OECD DAC criteria, to gather lessons and good practice that can inform the design of the successor to ICSP, and to inform future programme design by ActionAid Ireland. While this review will look at alignment across streams, it will not specifically focus on GCE, which will be conducted separately.

The Women’s Rights Programme III

The Women’s Rights Programme III aims to contribute to gender justice at all levels of society and ensure women live in safety, economic security, and resilience. The programme seeks to promote transformational change through participatory and empowering approaches working on gender-based violence, women’s economic empowerment, and climate justice.

Gender transformative approaches are promoted to achieve change at the individual, collective, cultural, and structural levels, working with women’s rights organisations and women’s networks and

groups using a feminist approach. This includes working with men and boys in support of women’s rights and addressing the structural drivers of gender inequality through policy engagement on state accountability for gender responsive public services.

 

Specially the programme aims to:

• Prevent and reduce violence against women and girls.
• Increase safety of women and girls through survivor centred approaches.
• Improve women’s economic well-being and access to public services.
• Address the impact of climate change on women and girls.
• Support women’s organisations and activism.
• Demand accountability for women’s rights.

EVALUATION OBJECTIVES

The evaluation will be guided by the OECD-DAC evaluation criteria with a primary focus on relevance, effectiveness, and sustainability. These criteria have been selected based on Irish Aid guidance and to allow for in-depth analysis over breadth, given the available resources.  Irish Aid has stipulated several core questions across all 10 agencies to ensure that the results can collectively inform the next grant cycle and these form the basis for the evaluation.

In accordance with the guidelines, the evaluation will also explore the integration of the thematic and process outcomes of ICSP with an emphasis on the themes of furthest behind first and locally led development.  As acute and chronic crises funding streams were not secured, this evaluation will not focus on the Nexus outcome[1]. However, some insights will be sought on how/if the programme of work was informed by a nexus approach and responded to changing contexts during implementation including humanitarian crises and/or threat thereof.

The overarching objectives of the final evaluation are the following:

1. To examine the extent to which the programme design and interventions remained relevant to the lived realities, needs, and priorities of marginalised women and girls, in complex and evolving contexts.
2. To evaluate the extent to which the programme is effective and has achieved its intended results, and the factors that facilitated or hindered achievement over the implementation period.
3. To assess the extent to which capacities, relationships, and systems strengthened by the programme are likely to be sustained beyond the programme period
4. To draw out explicit lessons and practice (including through case studies) to inform both ActionAid’s programming and Irish Aid’s design of the successor to ICSP particularly in relation to the process outcomes.

 

GUIDING QUESTIONS

Below are the broad evaluation questions to be explored during the evaluation and will be fleshed out further in the inception phase.

OECD criteria	Objective	Evaluation questions
Effectiveness	To evaluate the extent to which the programme achieved its intended results and the factors that facilitated or hindered achievement over the implementation period.	1.       How has the WRP III addressed the needs of rights holders/women and girls in Kenya, Ethiopia, and Nepal? 2.       Is there evidence that WRP III has been effective in achieving anticipated results at multiple levels (micro/meso/macro)? 3.       What has enabled or hindered progress, and in what way have ICSP Outcomes and in particular WRP III’s Gender Transformative Approach contributed to empowerment and deep-rooted change? 4.       To what extent can the emerging results be attributed to ICSP funding? 5.       To what extent and how is WRPIII delivering impactful and coordinated development, climate action, humanitarian response, and Global Citizenship Education and how is this contributing to results?
Relevance	To examine the extent to which the programme design and interventions remained relevant to the lived realities, evolving needs, and priorities of women and girls, particularly the marginalized, throughout the programme lifecycle.	1.       How has the WRPIII programme delivered and enhanced commitments to locally led development? What is the outcome and impact of this approach? 2.       How has the programme addressed the needs of the furthest behind first and to what extent has ICSP facilitated and enhanced this? 3.       How has the programme adapted to changes in the external context including to climate change and to what extent has the programme been able to respond to emerging needs and humanitarian crises with ICSP funding including where context required, to adopt a nexus approach?
Sustainability	To assess the extent to which capacities, relationships, and systems strengthened by the programme are likely to be sustained beyond the programme period	1.       What levels of ownership and capacity have been developed among women and girls, and partners to sustain programme results? 2.       What key risks and enabling factors are likely to influence the sustainability of programme outcomes in the medium to long term?

 

EVALUATION APPROACH AND METHODOLOGIES

This evaluation will adopt a feminist monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) approach, prioritising learning with women and girls (rightsholders) and partners. Participation and co-creation are essential. Inclusive power-sharing approaches, intersectionality, care, and well-being should be applied in the approach and methodology. In line with feminist methodologies, the data collection process should be creative and participatory and seek to engage and empower rights holders rather than extract information.

An Evaluation Reference Group will be established with representatives of ActionAid Ireland and from ActionAid ICSP country programmes. Representatives from ActionAid Ireland ICSP programme countries should contribute to the development/review of the methodology and tools.

Since WRP III is a multilingual and inclusive programme, careful consideration should be given to translation, and the ability of rightsholders and partners to engage. The budget provided should cover these considerations.

Both quantitative and qualitative methods will be used, following participatory approaches.  The approach employed should seek to include the voices and insights of rights holders, including through case studies and stories of change, and where possible, ensure their active participation in the evaluation process from inception to reporting.

Data Analysis and Validation: The consultant(s) should propose appropriate data analysis, triangulation and validation methods to ensure validity and reliability of results and learning and appropriate feedback loops.

Safeguarding and Ethical Principles: The evaluation will be conducted in line with ActionAid’s safeguarding policies and feminist values, ensuring the dignity, safety, and agency of all participants, particularly women and girls. The evaluation team will adhere to and sign ActionAid’s Code of Conduct and safeguarding standards, including protection from sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment (PSEAH), and will apply a rights-based, survivor centred approach.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): The evaluation team may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support tasks such as data organisation, transcription, translation, or synthesis; however, AI will not replace human judgment in analysis, interpretation or report writing. Any use of AI must comply with ActionAid’s data protection, safeguarding, and ethical standards, ensuring that sensitive or personally identifiable information is not uploaded to unsecured platforms. The evaluation team will remain fully accountable for the accuracy, integrity, and confidentiality of all outputs, and any AI-assisted processes will be transparently disclosed in the methodology.

 

PHASES AND INDICATIVE TIMELINES

The evaluation is expected to take approximately 25-30 days. The process is expected to commence in April 2026 and conclude by September/October 2026 and should include the following steps:

Expressions of Interest: Application to be submitted by March 31^st with the contract award expected by April 25th

Phase I: Inception phase: inception meetings including desk review of key documents, interviews with key informants, and evaluation reference group. Submission of inception report. By May 31st

Phase II: Data collection phase: desk review and at least one country visit and online interviews or other data collection methods (scope and scale of country visits to be agreed based on budget). The use of locally based consultants with a lead consultant will also be considered. Data collection will include mixed methods that are participatory and should include case studies. By July 31^st

Phase III: Data analysis and reporting phase: Data analysis and sharing of preliminary findings with presentation of draft findings and short report to the evaluation reference group.  This will be followed by a validation of results, including at country level.  By August 31st

Phase IV: Finalise draft evaluation report based on feedback from the Reference Group, country teams and validation workshop:  By mid-September. Submission of the final report. By September 30^th with any factual corrections by mid-October.

 

Deliverables:

• Inception report with a conceptual framework, revised methodology and evaluation design including evaluation matrix, tools and workplan.
• Preliminary findings to be presented in PowerPoint and short report – approx. 8 pages
• Final evaluation report with an executive summary, methodology, key findings, lessons learned, good practice and recommendations based on the core evaluation questions. The report will be no more than 30 pages excluding annexes. A full list of stakeholders and individuals consulted will be included.

Geographical scope: Kenya, Ethiopia and Nepal. A global citizen education component is implemented in Ireland. This will be a small discrete piece of analysis (which will be contracted separately). However, the consultancy will consider alignment issues as outlined in the questions, and some cross-over with the GCE piece is expected.

The following presents the draft anticipated deliverables and responsibilities for the evaluation. To be reviewed and finalised based on the proposals.

Stage	Deliverable	Responsible parties
Initial Planning Process	Signed evaluation contract	ActionAid Ireland
	Gather documents related to the project, including the initial programme document, progress reports, programme monitoring and results frameworks etc. Include technical guidelines and other relevant publications.	ActionAid Ireland
	Co-creation workshop with the final evaluation reference group	Evaluation Team
	Inception report as outlined above. Informed by the desk review of relevant documentation, preliminary interviews, co-creation workshop etc.	Evaluation team
	Approve inception report, final methodology, evaluation tools and workplan. Facilitation of contact between evaluators and focal points/interviewees in countries.	ActionAid Ireland
Consultations	Facilitation of travel to and within country for data collection (scope to be agreed based on budget and approach) Visits to programme sites or activities (tba)	Action Aid Ireland & consultants
	Data collection in country using participatory methodologies and interviews with relevant stakeholders	Evaluation team with support AA in country
Reporting	Draft Report of Evaluation. A draft report summarising key findings, lessons learned and draft recommendations	Evaluation team
	Review of the draft report	Reference group and country team
	Validation workshop	Evaluation team with country teams, rights holders
	Preparation of final report of evaluation for final review and sign off	Evaluation team
	Final corrections and Management Response	Action Aid Ethiopia, Kenya, Ireland and Nepal

CONSULTANTS PROFILE

Desired qualifications and skills:

1. A senior consultant with 10 years’ experience in programme evaluations in women’s rights/ social justice/ human rights / climate/ gender context and proven accomplishment in undertaking evaluations including leading donor funded multi-country programmes.
2. Relevant postgraduate degree in a relevant discipline (gender, public health, development and social studies, sociology, monitoring and evaluation).
3. Demonstrated experience and expertise in designing feminist MEL processes using participatory and inclusive tools.
4. Strong analytical capacity to review and analyse qualitative data
5. Experience in working with theories of change particularly in rights based and gender programmes seeking to bring about transformational change.
6. Good understanding and demonstrated experience in evaluating gender equality, diversity and inclusion and human rights related programmes,
7. Sensitive to the cultural and societal context of each country/region.
8. Excellent written and spoken English. Competence in another of the WRP III implementation languages (Kiswahili, Amharic, and Nepali) would be an advantage.
9. An understanding of ActionAid and/or human rights-based approaches will be an added advantage

PROPOSAL

To be considered for this opportunity, please submit an Expression of Interest that includes (a) a technical proposal (b) a financial proposal and (c) proposed consultant(s) and availability. The submission should include a cover note and summary CVs of the consultant(s). Parts a-c should be no more than 6 pages.

• Technical offer: To include a proposed approach and methodology for the evaluation as well as an evaluation planning matrix/work plan. The proposal should outline the experience of the consultant(s) against the TOR and the skills required.

 

• Financial offer: An overview of the costs of services proposed in an appropriate cost table. These costs will cover the charges of the applicant as well as all other direct and indirect costs incurred. The applicant will specify the costs of transport, reproduction of documents, and all other costs related to the execution of the evaluation, including translation services. The costs proposed in the financial offer should not exceed EUR 20,000 inclusive of taxes and any other charges.

 

• Consultants: The document should be accompanied by up-to-date CVs of the core evaluation team (showing background and experience). Please note that any shortlisted applicants will be required to subsequently submit previous work samples in English.

 

Selection Process:

The consultants will be assessed based on technical proposal (40%), financial proposal (20%) and relevant qualifications of the proposed team (40%). Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed as part of the final selection process.

 

How to Apply

Submit your proposal to: Mary.Kuira@actionaid.org  cc’d to: Finola.Finnan@actionaid.org  with the application title “WRP III Evaluation Consultancy”. Please send in your application no later than close of business on 31st March 2026.

ANNEXES

Annex 1: OECD DAC criteria https://www.oecd.org/en/topics/sub-issues/development-co-operation-evaluation-and-effectiveness/evaluation-criteria.html

Annex 2:

Guidance Note on ICSP Partners’ Drafting of ToR for an Independent Evaluation, December 2025 Flagship Outcomes:

Thematic Outcomes

1. Women and girls are empowered to participate in economic, public, political and social life.
2. Women and girls have improved access to health, education and social services in development and humanitarian settings.
3. Communities most at risk and vulnerable to climate change are better able to mitigate, adapt and respond to its impact.
4. Governance institutions are strengthened to deliver effective services to communities, in particular in fragile and conflict affected contexts.
5. Government institutions, civil society organisations, and communities have increased awareness, capacity and networks and/or have taken actions to demand, respect and protect rights and lead local development.
6. Communities and institutions have increased preparedness and response capacities.
7. Communities have increased resilience to all forms of external shocks.
8. Acute humanitarian needs of crisis affected communities are met in a timely manner.
9. Food systems are strengthened in the delivery of food and nutrition security for all, in ways that support economic development, positive social outcomes and protect the natural environment.
10. The Irish public is aware, understands, and takes action on global justice issues.

Process Outcomes

1. Marginalised and vulnerable individuals and communities- the furthest behind- are prioritised and placed at the centre of programmes, partnerships and approaches.
2. Development, humanitarian and peacebuilding interventions are coordinated to help build peaceful and resilient communities, and to reduce humanitarian need.
3. Local actors are empowered to represent, and deliver services to, communities and people.