TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR) MID-TERM PROGRAM REVIEW Scaling inclusive EdTech solutions in Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Reach for Change (RfC), in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation, is implementing a three-year catalytic acceleration program aimed at scaling inclusive EdTech solutions in Ethiopia. This initiative seeks to empower growth-stage EdTech enterprises to scale impactful solutions that enhance inclusive education, particularly for under-served groups such as girls, youth with disabilities, displaced learners, and rural communities.

The program aims to support 36 EdTech enterprises over three years through coaching, peer-learning, expert support, investment advisory, and sub-grants and so far we have reached 24 EdTech enterprises. Alongside enterprise support, the program also focuses on ecosystem development by engaging with key stakeholders including government ministries, academia, and the private sector.

RfC is conducting a Midterm Review (MTR) to assess progress, document lessons, identify areas for improvement, and inform strategic improvement. This ToR outlines the scope, objectives, methodology, and deliverables of the MTR consultancy.

Objectives of the Mid -term Review

The overall objective of the MTR is to assess the effectiveness, relevance, efficiency, and sustainability of the project implementation at its midpoint and to inform adaptation for the remaining period. Specifically, the MTR aims to:

• Assess progress towards achieving project outcomes and milestones outlined in the proposal.
• Evaluate the quality and effectiveness of the support provided to EdTech enterprises.
• Identify best practices and critical success factors contributing to performance.
• Examine challenges and constraints faced during implementation.
• Analyze the effectiveness of the program’s ecosystem engagement and partnerships.
• Measure how EdTech innovations have improved teaching practices, learner engagement, and educational outcomes
• Review progress in identifying and scaling impactful EdTech solutions and assess barriers to broader adoption.
• Evaluate the program’s contribution to gender equity, and social inclusion (GESI)youth inclusion, and support for disadvantaged groups.
• Facilitate a reflective learning process among stakeholders through a participatory workshop.
• Recommend adjustments and enhancements for the remaining phase of implementation.

Scope of the Review

Document Review: Review key documents including the program proposal, Theory of Change (ToC), MEL framework, cohort progress reports, learning products, communications outputs, and relevant government policies.

Stakeholder Consultations: Conduct key informant interviews (KIIs), surveys and/or focus group discussions (FGDs) with:

• RfC Ethiopia EdTech Companies (all 11 EdTechs, of these 3 are located in the regions, i.e. Jimma, Mekelle and Jiggiga. All travel related costs will be covered by Reach for change)
• Reach for Change Mastercard Foundation project staff
• Government partners (e.g., Ministry of Education, AA BoFED, BOLS )
• Ecosystem actors (private sector, Start up hubs and media, academia, civil society, investors)

Learning Workshop:

• Design and facilitate a participatory midterm review workshop involving key stakeholders, serving as validation and gathering further insights on the way forward
• Use participatory learning tools such as outcome harvesting, appreciative inquiry, and SWOT analysis.

Synthesis and Reporting

• Analyze qualitative and quantitative data collected.
• Draft a comprehensive report summarizing findings, key lessons, promising practices, and recommendations.

METHODOLOGY

The consultant is expected to propose an appropriate, gender-sensitive, and participatory methodology, deploying mixed data collection methods. This may include:

• Document review
• Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with RfC staff, EdTech fellows, learners and stakeholders
• Focus Group Discussions (FGDs)
• Surveys or feedback tools
• Workshop facilitation tools and reflection exercises

All methods should comply with ethical standards (informed consent, confidentiality, non-discrimination, etc.) and adhere to RfC’s Code of Conduct and safeguarding policy.

4. DELIVERABLES/OUTPUTS AND TIME FRAME

The assignment will be conducted over a period of 1 month, starting from the signing date of the contract . Key deliverables include:

 

Step	Activities	Deliverables
1	Introductory briefing and contract signing	Agreement signed
2	Development of Inception Report (methodology, tools, timeline, review questions)	Inception Report and presenting to internal team
3	Data collection and analysis	Draft Review Report
	Submission of 1st draft report	Incorporate comments from the report
4	Facilitation of learning workshop with key stakeholders	Workshop delivery and incorporating insights from participants
5	Submission of final report incorporating feedback and learning reflections	Final Review Report (internal and external versions)
6	Annexes (tools, stakeholder lists, transcripts/summaries, reviewed materials)	Final Annexes

 

ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Roles and Responsibilities of the Consultant

• Participate in briefing and consultative meetings on the assignment at RFC in Addis Ababa
• Review relevant documents of the project
• Closely work with RFC Impact and the program team to clearly understand the nature of the task and address challenges timely if there is any.
• Developing a comprehensive inception report to guide the baseline
• Outline the roles of each of the team members proposed to undertake the consultancy work
• Develop data collection tools and share them with the RFC team.
• Refine the data collection tools based on the comments of the RFC team.
• Provide quality and professional services in managing, coordinating and supervising the whole process.
• Prepare and submit a comprehensive, well-structured draft report of the assessment to RFC for review and comment.
• Facilitate validation workshop to share the findings with key stakeholders and incorporate their views.
• Review and incorporate feedback received from RFC.
• Produce and submit the final report in hard and soft copies with two versions (one for internal purposes and an edited version for external sharing)

Responsibilities of RfC

• Facilitate induction session on project for the consultant.
• Provide the necessary information and reference documents for the consultant
• Provide comments/feedback on the comprehensive inception reports and approve the design and tools to be applied.
• Provide the list of potential beneficiaries and key stakeholders, facilitate the organization of
• Ensure that the comments/feedback given on the draft report are fully incorporated in the final report.
• Facilitate payments for the consultant as per the agreed terms and conditions.
• Support and facilitate debriefing and consultation sessions after data collection at all levels.
• meetings and assist with the data collection.

PROFILE OF THE CONSULTANT

This assignment will be commissioned to a qualified firm or individual consultant who has the following qualifications.

• Proven technical expertise and experience in educational and/or digital learning projects midterm review/assessment or sustainability assessment in general.
• Experience and familiarity with business development, and impact measurement support specifically Education and Inclusive digital education.
• Proven experience in conducting similar assessments.
• Experience of coordinating diverse teams and communicating with individuals/groups at all levels.
• Knowledge and experience of using participatory methodologies.
• Experience on quantitative and qualitative research methods and analysis.
• Strong analytical, presentation and writing skills in English language.