Terms of Reference (TOR) for consultant External evaluation of SWAN 2011-2013 Development of 2014-2016 Strategy 1. Introduction and Purpose SWAN Strategy developed for the period of 2011-2013 which aimed at assisting SWAN Network in setting up as an independent organization has come to its evaluation stage. This evaluation should assess the work and achievements, internal structure and management. The evaluation should provide credible assessments, and practical and constructive recommendations which should enhance the work of SWAN Secretariat, Steering Committee and SWAN members within network in Central and Eastern Europe and Central Asia. The recommendations from evaluation process together with the input of the network members and Steering Committee members should be used as a base for the development of the new network strategy for 2014-2016. The primary audience of the evaluation report are SWAN Secretariat, Steering Committee and SWAN members. The secondary audience can potentially be donors and partners. 2. Background In 2011 in Budapest, SWAN members officially agreed on the formulation of SWAN strategy 2011-2013 and on the structure of SWAN, which served as a base for independent registration of the network as a regional organization called SWAN Foundation for the Human Rights of Sex Workers. 8 external and internal goals were set forth: 1. To expose violence against sex workers and mobilize policy makers, women, and health and human rights activists to advocate for reducing violence at national and regional levels; 2. To strengthen capacity in 1-2 countries to begin assessing strategies to decriminalize or de-penalize sex work; 3. To increase investment in sex work services and advocacy at national and regional levels; 4. To strengthen leadership and involvement of sex workers and their groups in decision making; 5. To establish clear SWAN governance structure, including development of an effective Secretariat; 6. To expand and strengthen the membership; 7. To intensify national advocacy activities through National Focal Points and funding for member activities; 8. To ensure sustainable, diversified funding. While the activities and advocacy efforts were implemented on national level by SWAN members and by SWAN network as a whole, and by SWAN Secretariat on regional level, no routine monitoring or interim evaluation took place. Partial external evaluation was done by UNFPA regional office in December 2013. 3. Scope of the Evaluation and Strategy Development The evaluation will consider all activities that have been implemented within the term and must address the following issues which should also be considered when drafting the 2014-2016 strategy: relevance and design; effectiveness; efficiency; sustainability and impact. The consultant will be required to work with SWAN members, Steering Committee, Evaluation Advisory Group and Executive Director as well as a number of key people/supporters in the region. 4. Description of Duties The Consultant reports on daily duties to SWAN Executive Director. In addition, the Consultant should closely work with Evaluation Advisory Group on evaluation process-related issues and with SWAN Steering Committee on issues related to strategy development.
The Consultant will be responsible for the design of methodology for evaluation and strategy development, data collection, assessment and reporting. The methodology should include overall goal, steps/stages of the process, tools to be used, time frame and description of roles of all parts of SWAN – members, Steering Committee and Secretariat. The methodology should fit the network structure, ensure representativeness of data and provide measures which will allow feedback from the network. The Consultant must take full responsibility for the contents of the report generated and ensure its independence and accuracy. The Consultant will be required to participate in a 4-day meeting with SWAN Steering Committee and Secretariat between March 4-7, 2014 in Budapest, Hungary at SWAN Regional office. The meeting will provide opportunity for evaluation of the roles and scope of work of the Steering Committee and Secretariat, as well as to discuss and set up the process for drafting the new strategy for 2014-2016.
5. Deliverables and Expected Results Based on its findings, the evaluation should draw conclusions, make recommendations and identify lessons learnt from the work of SWAN network in 2011-2013 to be incorporated in the new strategy. The following deliverables are expected from the consultant: 1) An inception report – should outline the evaluator’s understanding of the issues under evaluation, including the evaluation framework and detailed work plan with the timeline to be discussed and approved by the Executive Director and Advisory Group. The evaluation framework should include a matrix relating evaluation issues, questions and evaluation criteria, indicators, sources of information, methods of data collection and communication process; 2) A draft of evaluation report – should be presented to the Steering Committee for quality assurance and factual corrections ; 3) The final version of evaluation report; 4) Meeting with SWAN Steering Committee and Secretariat in Budapest; 5) A draft of strategy 2014-2016 to be discussed with the Steering Committee& Secretariat and approved by SWAN members; 6) Logical framework for SWAN 2014-2016; 7) Final version of strategy 2014-2016; 8) Draft of work plan for years 2014 and 2015, which should also include monitoring and evaluation framework in addition to actions to be taken by SWAN members and Secretariat. 6. Timeframe The total duration of the evaluation and development consultancy is 3 months and will take place primarily between February 1 and April 30, 2014. 7. Qualifications and Experience Education: Advanced university degree in related field. Experience: At least 5 years of experience in conducting evaluations and strategy development of nonprofit organizations; knowledge of network structure and specifics of its work; familiarity with the areas of human rights advocacy, legislation reform and sex work. Languages: Fluency in oral and written Russian or English. 8. Conditions of Service The Consultant will work under a standard consultancy contract and according to Hungarian labor legislation. The consultant will not be considered as staff member of SWAN Secretariat. A staff translator will be assigned to the Consultant to assist with translation (English and Russian) 5 hours worth/week.
Travel costs and shared accommodation for Budapest meeting and staff translation time will be covered by SWAN outside of the Consultancy contract. 9. Applying for Consultancy Applicants are required to submit the following: Letter of Interest to undertake the assignment, explaining why you are suited for this work, your work experience, especially evaluation experience; Detailed CV; A sample of recent evaluation report should be submitted as a reference. Applications with the above details should be sent to Aliya.rakhmetova@swannet.org . Deadline for submitting the application is January 26, 2014.