TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR END OF PROJECT EVALUATION FOR THE FAIR, GREEN AND GLOBAL (FGG) III PROJECT (REF: AAIU/SRVCS/2025/011/FGGIII)
Background
ActionAid is an international development agency operating in over 47 countries across Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Caribbean. Its mission is to achieve social justice, gender equality, and the eradication of poverty by working alongside people living in extreme poverty and exclusion, as well as their communities, organizations, activists, social movements, and supporters.
In Uganda, alongside its child sponsorship programs and various other initiatives, ActionAid is implementing a five-year Fair, Green and Global (FGGII) project titled “Improving state, corporate accountability and increasing civil society engagement”, funded by the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs through ActionAid Netherlands for the period 2021-2025.
The project’s overall aim is to increase the power and influence of smallholder farmers, communities, civil society, and especially women in policy and decision-making processes that hold state, corporations, and private sector actors accountable on sustainable agricultural trade and value chains. It specifically focuses on i). Strengthening capacities of target Civil Society Actors for lobbying and advocacy, ii). Setting agendas and building momentum towards policy and practice change, iii). Influencing policy and practice change, andiv). Defending and expanding civic space.
ActionAid Uganda addressed these issues by working with Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) whose rights have been violated by corporations operating large-scale investment plantations. The organization also focused on women’s land and labor rights violations resulting from land grabs and supported advocacy efforts related to global tax justice.
Against this background, ActionAid International Uganda (AAIU) intends to conduct an end-of-projectevaluation for the FGG III project to assess performance against set targets, document key achievements and successes, identify challenges encountered, and generate recommendations to inform future similar interventions.
Overall Objective of the Evaluation:
To assess the effectiveness, relevance, efficiency, impact, and sustainability of the project in empowering smallholder farmers, communities, civil society actors, and women to influence policy and decision-making processes related to sustainable agricultural trade and value chains.
Specific Objectives:
Specifically, the evaluation intends to.
- Assess Capacity Strengthening Outcomes by evaluating the extent to which the
project has enhanced the lobbying and advocacy capacities of target Civil Society Actors, including their ability to engage in policy processes and represent the interests of smallholder farmers and marginalized groups.
- Examine Agenda Setting and Momentum Building by assessing the effectiveness of strategies used to set agendas and build momentum towards policy and practice change in agricultural trade and value chains.
- Evaluate Policy Influence by determining the degree to which the project has contributed to influencing relevant policy and practice changes at local, national, or regional levels, particularly in relation to corporate accountability and sustainable agriculture.
- Analyze Civic Space Engagement by examining the project's role in defending, preserving, andexpanding civic space, especially for communities, women, and Human Rights Defenders (HRDs) affected by land and labor rights violations.
- Examine the project's contribution to advancing gender equality, particularly in empowering women toparticipate in decision-making processes, safeguarding women’s land and labor rights, and addressing systemic gender-based inequalities within agricultural value chains and civic spaces.
- Review Cross-Cutting Issues by assessing how the project has addressed gender equality, power dynamics, and inclusion of marginalized voices, particularly women and youth, across all interventions.
- Document key achievements, challenges, lessons learned, and best practices to inform future programming and advocacy strategies within ActionAid and among its partners.
Scope of the Evaluation:
The end-of-project evaluation for the Fair, Green, and Global (FGG III) project will cover the full implementation period from 2021 to 2025 and will assess the project’s performance across all targeted regions and thematic focus areas in Uganda. The evaluation will focus on both the strategic and operational dimensions of the project, including its relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability.
Geographic Coverage
Assess project implementation and results across the key regions and communities where the FGG III project has been operational in Uganda, particularly where smallholder farmers, civil society actors, women, and HRDs were engaged. These locations include Benet community in Kween District, Apaa community in Amuru District, Alebtong women group in Alebtong District, Mutu community in Kole District, Mutunda and Nubian communities in Kiryandongo District, and Kaweri and Madudu communities in Mubende District.
Thematic Areas
Evaluate progress and outcomes related to the project’s five core thematic focus areas:
- Strengthening the lobbying and advocacy capacity of Civil Society Actors (CSAs)
- Agenda setting and building momentum for policy and practice change
- Influencing policy and practice to improve state and corporate accountability in sustainable agriculture and trade
- Defending and expanding civic space for marginalized communities, especially women and HRDs.
- Advancing Gender Equality.
Stakeholder Engagement.
This includes diverse stakeholder perspectives, including smallholder farmers, women’s groups, local civil society organizations, HRDs, government actors, and private sector representatives. The evaluation will assess the extent and quality of stakeholder participation and collaboration.
Cross Cutting Issues.
Examine how cross-cutting issues such as gender equality, inclusion, environmental sustainability, and power dynamics were integrated and addressed throughout the project lifecycle.
Results and Impact Assessment.
Review project outcomes against the intended objectives and indicators, capturing both qualitative andquantitative results. This includes assessing the extent of capacity improvements among partners andbeneficiaries, as well as tangible changes in policy, practice, and civic space engagement.
Documentation of Good Practices and Lessons Learned.
Identify and document innovative approaches, good practices, and key lessons that emerged during project implementation to guide the design and implementation of future interventions.
Forward Looking Recommendations.
Provide actionable recommendations for ActionAid Uganda and its partners on how to enhance similar programming in the future, including suggestions for scaling up, improving partnerships, and sustaining results beyond the project period.
Timeline and Expected Deliverables.
The end-of-project evaluation will be conducted over a period of approximately eight
(8) weeks to allow sufficient time for data collection, analysis, stakeholder engagement, and validation of findings.
| Weeks | Task | Deliverable |
| Week 1 | Inception phase | Inception Report |
| Week 2 – 3 | Desk review and tools finalization | Finalized data collection tools and fieldwork schedule. |
| Week 4 – 5 | Field data collection | Preliminary fieldwork summary report highlighting emerging findings. |
| Week 6 | Data Analysis and Drafting of Report | Draft Evaluation Report submitted to AAIU for feedback. PowerPoint presentation of key findings to AAIU and stakeholders. |
| Week 7 | Validation Workshop | Validation Workshop Report summarizing stakeholder input and validation feedback. |
| Week 8 | Finalization and Submission | Final Evaluation Report (max 40 pages excluding annexes), including: Executive Summary; Background and methodology; Key findings by evaluation objective;Lessons learned and good practices;Conclusions and recommendations; Annexes (tools, list of participants, references, photos, etc.) Summary Brief (2-4 pages) – outlining key findings and recommendations for broaderdissemination. Print 4 hard copies of the final report and send an electronic copy of the final report on email. |
Qualifications and Experience:
ActionAid International Uganda is looking for a competent consultant/ resource person with requisite training, knowledge, skills, proven experience in undertaking similar assignments. Applications from individuals or teams are welcome and will be assessed on their ability to demonstrate the followingqualifications and competencies:
EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR FGG III END OF PROJECT EVALUATION CONSULTANCY
To ensure a transparent, competitive, and merit based selection, the evaluation of proposals will be based on Technical (70%) and Financial (30%) assessments.
1. TECHNICAL ASSESSMENT (70%)
| Sn | Criteria | Weight (%) | Scoring Basis |
| A. Consultant’s Qualifications & Experience (30%) | |||
| 1 | Academic Background | 10 | Advanced degree (Master’s preferred) in International Relations, Development Studies, Law, Human Rights, or related fields |
| 2 | Relevant Experience | 20 | 5-7 years in end-of-project evaluations, particularly in business & human rights, land rights, corporate accountability, or sustainable agriculture. Experience with INGOs in Uganda/East Africa.
|
| B. Proposed Methodology & Approach (30%) | |||
| 3 | Evaluation Framework | 10 | Clear DAC criteria (Effectiveness, Relevance, Efficiency, Impact, Sustainability) + Gender & Inclusion Lens |
| Data Collection & Analysis | 10 | Mixed methods approach (quantitative + qualitative). Inclusion of marginalized voices (women, HRDs, smallholder farmers). Risk mitigation strategies (e.g., fieldwork challenges, data gaps). | |
| Stakeholder Engagement | 5 | Plan for validation workshops, CSO/community consultations | |
| Innovation & Contextual Fit | 5 | Use of participatory tools (e.g., FGDs, case studies, policy analysis). | |
| C. Past Work Samples & References (10%) | |||
| Sample Reports | 7 | Submission of 2-3 past evaluation reports (similar scope). | |
| Client References | 3 | Testimonials from previous INGO/development partners | |
- FINANCIAL ASSESSMENT (30%)
| Sn | Criteria | Weight (%) | Scoring Basis |
| A. Consultant’s Qualifications & Experience (30%) | |||
| 1 | Cost Effectiveness | 20 | Realistic budget (daily rates, fieldwork costs) |
| 2 | Transparency & Justification | 10 | Clear breakdown of expenses (travel, tools, workshops) Endeavour to quote in Ugx |
Deadline of bids submission: 9th June 2025| 16: 00Hours.
Submit proposals to: Email: Procurement.Uganda@actionaid.org
Payment: 25% of the payment will be made upon signing of the contract and 75% upon accomplishment of the assignment and submission of all the expected deliverables.
Child protection, sexual harassment, exploitation, abuse, and safeguarding standards:
The service provider shall adhere to child protection, fraud, and safeguarding standards regarding theprotection of children, women, young people and adults from abuse, exploitation, and neglect. ActionAid International Uganda maintains a corruption free environment, for all complaints relating to fraud and Corruption involving ActionAid international Uganda staff in the administration of this contract, report to the email addressesWhistleblower.Uganda@actionaid.org /Safeguarding.Uganda@actionaid.org
Expression of Interest:
Candidates should submit a detailed expression of interest clearly highlighting a refined methodology for the assignment and risk mitigation strategy, as well as relevant credentials, a budget for consultancy fee using daily fees and other relevant expenses related to the task, a CV or CV’s if more than one consultant in the team, examples of similar work done and clear breakdown of the financial proposal for the assignment.
Kindly, note that ActionAid will not be responsible in any way for any costs incurred in the preparation or submission of the documents. Submission of a proposal does not give any guarantee of award of this consultancy. Any person who calls or solicits for financial details of the assignment will be disqualified. Interested persons who meet the set selection criteria should submit detailed technical and financial proposals to Procurement.Uganda@actionaid.org
Submission of Proposals
All proposals Must be Submitted in two different files labeled as technical proposal and FinancialProposal. Kindly ensure that this is correctly done to ensure that your proposals are not disqualified at the preliminary stage of evaluation.
Not later than 9th June 2025, 16:00Hrs
AAIU will evaluate proposals and award the assignment based on technical and financial feasibility. AAIU reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal received without giving reasons and is not bound to acceptthe lowest, the highest or any other applicant.