Terms of Reference

Title of Consultancy: Open call for an independent consultant or a team of consultants for the project’s mid-term review evaluation

Application Closing Date: 16 December 2024

Consultancy Start and End Date: 13 January to 12 March 2025 (approximately 15 working days)

Location of Consultancy: Remote (home-based)

Kosova Democratic Institute (KDI), an accredited chapter of Transparency International in Kosovo, is a non-for-profit organization, and its work is guided towards a corruption free environment where institutions, business and citizens exercise their rights and roles with integrity and dignity. Its mission is to support the development of participatory democracy and the fight against corruption in Kosovo and the region through promotion of transparency, accountability and integrity at all levels and sectors of society.

KDI is seeking an independent evaluator/consultant to conduct the mid-term review evaluation of the EU-funded action “Integrity Watch in the Western Balkans and Turkey: civil society combating corruption with political integrity data” implemented in the Western Balkans and Türkiye by national chapters of Transparency International (TI). This regional project is led by KDI based in Kosovo in partnering with Transparency International chapters in Bosnia and Herzegovina, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye, whilst Transparency International Secretariat based in Berlin provides thematic and technical support.

The project aims to empower citizens and civil society actors organized at large in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Kosovo, North Macedonia, Serbia and Türkiye to hold their political office holders to account for the integrity of political finance, law-making and resource allocation. Hence, strengthened political integrity shall foster more public decisions consistent with the common good.

For more details of this consultancy, please download HERE the Terms of References.

Deliverables

The consultant or team of consultants is expected to deliver:

• An inception report outlining the proposed methodology, stakeholders, data collection tools and timeframe of planned actions.
• A draft evaluation report for review and comments by KDI, including annexes.
• A design, facilitation and documentation of a participatory/validation workshop, incl. PowerPoint presentation, to discuss and validate the draft report at the project meeting (remotely), and develop recommendations and an action plan.
• A final mid-term review report. The report should include lessons-learned and action-oriented recommendations according to the evaluation criteria listed above with a suggested action plan for each recommendation.

The final report should not be longer than 20 pages, excluding the annexes and the executive summary. All evaluation deliverables are to be submitted in English, in electronic form, in accordance with the agreed deadlines. The consultant is responsible for the quality of the final product, including editing and quality control of language.

Selection criteria

Applicants should have the following skills and experience:

• Substantial experience in conducting evaluations, including in the anti-corruption field.
• At least 5 years of proven relevant professional experience in an international development environment, of which at least 3 years should be in Monitoring & Evaluation of multiple country projects & programmes.
• Proven experience in the conceptualization and facilitation of participatory workshops.
• University degree in social sciences or a related area. A post-graduate degree in project management, and/or related fields would be an advantage.
• Highly motivated and committed to the values of transparency and integrity.
• Regional experience and a good understanding of political and socio-economic issues in the Western Balkans and Türkiye, as well as the EU enlargement policy priorities in the region, would be an advantage.
• Experience with the evaluation of EU-funded projects is desirable but not necessary.

Submission of applications

Applications must be submitted in English by email to [email protected] not later than 16 December 2024. Please indicate “IW WBT Mid-Term Review Evaluation” in the subject line of your email application.

Applications should contain these documents:

• A proposal of how the assignment will be approached, including a budget and tentative timeline. The consultant(s) should provide their estimated total fee as a lump sum or as standard daily rates before any VAT or other charges.
• A letter of motivation, focusing on concrete examples relating to the necessary skills and experience requested in this Terms of Reference.
• Curriculum Vitae with a full description of the applicant’s profile and experience.
• Contact details for at least two independent referees with in-depth and proven knowledge of the applicant’s expertise and relevant work experience.
• A sample evaluation, as the first author, published in the last 3 years.
• A completed VAT Form for Tenders/Vendor Form. The link to this document is available HERE.

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted and that it is unfortunately not possible to provide individual feedback on applications.

KDI retains the right to reject any or all the applications and/or to enter into additional negotiations with one or more of the tendering parties.

This activity is funded by the European Union. Its content is the sole responsibility of Kosova Democratic Institute (KDI) and its partners, and does not necessarily reflect the views of the European Union.