Terms of Reference (ToR) for Developing a Summative Report Using an Evidence-Based Approach

Introduction

The “We Cannot Wait: Towards an Inclusive and Diverse Women’s Movement in the Greater Horn of Africa (WCW)” consortium seeks to build a strong and inclusive women’s movement capable of driving systemic change. The WCW consortium comprises five partners: the Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA) Network (lead applicant), Musawah, the Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA), the Uganda Association of Women Lawyers (FIDA-Uganda), and the NAGAAD Network.

This project leverages the complementary expertise of its partners and years of shared regional experience to strengthen the women’s movement, advocate for inclusive feminist legal frameworks, and unite women’s organizations to advance a gender-focused agenda. The consortium operates in Somalia, Uganda, Sudan, South Sudan, and Ethiopia, with regional coordination by SIHA Network and Musawah. In Ethiopia, EWLA will implement activities from its Addis Ababa head office, extending to Afar, Somali, Bahidare, Adama, Assosa, Gambella, and Dire Dawa.

Background

The Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA) is concluding its five-year regional project, We Cannot Wait (WCW), implemented in collaboration with SIHA from 2021 to 2025. As the project enters its phase-out stage, EWLA must produce a comprehensive final report grounded in its Theory of Change (ToC), which maps the project’s pathways from activities to long-term impact. The report will rigorously assess performance using the Performance Indicator Tracking Sheet (PITT) to measure progress against predefined targets, such as legal aid services delivered, policy advocacy outcomes, and shifts in gender norms.

Crucially, the report must demonstrate the result chain (linking inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact) while triangulating data (e.g., surveys, case studies, stakeholder interviews) to distinguish EWLA-SIHA’s direct attribution (e.g., specific policy changes) from its broader contributions (e.g., heightened public awareness of gender justice) within the region’s socio-political context. This analysis will validate the project’s effectiveness, ensure stakeholder accountability, and inform future interventions by highlighting successes, lessons learned, and areas requiring adaptive strategies to sustain progress.

Objective

To develop a high-quality terminal report for the 5-year project by identifying best practices, documenting success stories, integrating storytelling, and measuring progress through the Performance Indicator Tracking Sheet (PITT). This will be achieved by aligning the report with the project’s Theory of Change (ToC) to ensure a clear linkage between activities, outcomes, and long-term impact.

Specific Objectives:

• Review annual reports, collect success stories, document best practices, analyze mid-term evaluations, and compile advocacy workshop materials, training data, and pre- and post-test results.
• Review and link the Theory of Change (ToC) of the WCW project, triangulate strategic assumptions, and integrate indicators from the three project outcomes.
• Measure and track progress using the PITT to ensure alignment with project goals.
• Identify and develop best practices, success stories, and storytelling materials structured around the project’s specific outcomes.

Scope of Work

The final report will deliver a comprehensive, outcome-level analysis. Accordingly, its scope will incorporate the following elements:

• Collaboration Assessment: Evaluate the contributions and impact of Women’s Rights Organizations/Associations throughout the project lifecycle, including measurable improvements.
• Before-and-After Analysis: Apply retrospective design approaches to track changes among target groups and assess the project’s influence.
• Gender-Responsive Justice Systems: Assess progress in government sectors on gender equality, including reforms such as revising, amending, or adopting laws/policies related to women’s empowerment.
• Documentation: Produce best practices, success stories, and storytelling narratives aligned with the project’s findings and outcomes.
• Community Impact: Assess improvements in awareness and behavior among communities, faith-based organizations, and community-based organizations regarding gender equality and women’s empowerment, linking findings to project outcomes.
• Pathways of Change: Triangulate and track the project’s Pathways of Change to validate impact.
• Evidence-Based Reporting: Collect survey data from implementing regions to ensure robust validation of results.
• OECD DAC Evaluation: Assess the project against the seven OECD DAC criteria (Relevance, Coherence, Effectiveness, Efficiency, Impact, Sustainability, and Equity).

Methodology

The report will employ the following methodologies:

• Participatory and Inclusive Approach: Engage marginalized and disadvantaged groups in data collection and analysis.
• Before-After Analysis: Use retrospective methods to assess improvements among target groups.
• Case Study Analysis: Complement quantitative data (e.g., surveys, PITT) with qualitative case studies and best practices.
• Document Review: Analyze annual, interim, and evaluation reports to validate results.
• Survey Data: Collect and review survey questionnaires from all implementation regions, with input from MEL personnel.
• Attribution vs. Contribution Analysis: Differentiate direct project attribution from broader contributions using result chain tracking.
• Key Informant Interviews: Engage purposefully selected stakeholders, including feminist movements, religious leaders, law enforcement, ministries, and youth representatives.

Expected Deliverables

• Inception report with detailed workplan and methodology.
• First draft of the Evidence-Based Terminal Report (5-Year).
• Final Evidence-Based Terminal Report (soft and hard copies).
• Validation workshop materials.

Consultant Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of experience in strategic documentation and report writing.
• Background in development, public policy, communications, or related fields.
• Strong analytical, writing, and data visualization skills.
• Familiarity with results-based reporting and stakeholder engagement.
• Fluency in English and Amharic.