Expression of Interest for Final Evaluation of the Project

Project Title: Vocational and agricultural training to promote employment and entrepreneurship in southwestern Ramechhap

Country: Nepal

Project Partner: Community Development Society (CDS)

Project area: Khadadevi Rural Municipality, Sunapati Rural Municipality and Manthali Municipality

Project Time frame: 01.09.2022 to 31.12.2025

Funding Partners: Childaid Network (CAN), Germany and German Federal Ministry for Economic Co-operation and Development (BMZ)

1. Background and rationale of the project

Nepal's dynamic young population is recognized as a tremendous asset, with their potential poised to be harnessed for the nation's growth. The empowerment of this youth demographic is considered a key national priority. Vocational education and training (TVET) is viewed as a powerful tool through which youth can be equipped with the skills needed for sustainable development and economic prosperity. The government's commitment to the expansion of local-level TVET programs is seen as a crucial step in this direction.

While access to high-quality, state-certified vocational training is currently often limited to urban centers, this challenge is understood as a significant opportunity. It is believed that by decentralized, market-relevant TVET programs being invested in, the talent of rural youth can be unlocked. This gap must be addressed to transform underemployment into productive engagement.

Particular promise is held by the agricultural sector, which is regarded as the backbone of the economy. If farmers and agri-entrepreneurs are equipped with modern skills and technologies, the sector can be revitalized. Through productivity being enhanced, market links being improved, and a shift towards value-added production being made, current challenges can be transformed into a story of resilience. Therefore, a focus on accessible, high-quality skills training is advocated as a fundamental investment in a more prosperous and self-reliant future for Nepal.

2. Description of the project

A three-year project is being implemented across three Palikas in Ramechhap district: Manthali Municipality, Khadadevi Rural Municipality, and Sunapati Rural Municipality. Most of the project area is in a challenging context characterized by difficult terrain, poor road infrastructure, and limited community access to modern agricultural knowledge, formal labor markets, and business development services.

The intervention directly addresses these barriers by focusing on economic empowerment through skill development. The primary objective is to create sustainable livelihood opportunities and strengthen local agri-enterprises. This is achieved by building the capacities of youth and farmers and establishing robust, self-sustaining networks. Key activities include providing career counseling and short-to-long-term vocational training to over 1,000 youth, delivering improved agricultural practice training to over 1,000 farmers, and actively strengthening newly formed entrepreneurial and farmers' networks within the project area.

3. Purpose of the evaluation

The project final evaluation intends to assess the project outcomes in terms of OECD/DAC criteria and on i) relevance, ii) effectiveness, iii) impact, iv) coherence, v) efficiency, and vi) sustainability (see Annex 1). It will demonstrate how the project output has contributed to the achievement of the overall project objectives as described in the relevant documents.

1. Scope of the evaluation

The project needs to be evaluated in the following areas:

• Success of the project regarding the set goals (according to the defined indicators);
  • Quality and success of the interventions (increase in income of youth and farmers); 
  • Quality and success of the activities with the vocational trainee groups and farmers groups; networks ability to function independently and leverage resource; 
  • Integration of the youth in the labor market, job placement, entrepreneurs and economic condition of entrepreneurs, service being provided by master farmers and service seeking attitude of farmers, and sustainability;
• Cooperation of implementing organization with government actors and other stakeholders; 
• Project management of implementing organization;
• Potential negative consequences or side effects stemming from the project;
• Sustainability approach of the project;
• Alignment of the intervention with national local, provincial and national priority;
• The evaluation will examine major 5 (five) outputs, assessing how well each output has translated into the intended outcomes (e.g. youth qualification, employment, business creation, farmer knowledge, group functioning, government support);
• The evaluation will trace the causal chain: from project inputs → activities → outputs → outcomes, and where possible, to broader impacts;
• It will also examine project performance over the full implementation period and compare with baseline; In addition to assessing the “what” (achievement of outputs/outcomes), the evaluation will analyze why (drivers, enablers, constraints), and how (processes, quality, implementation fidelity).
• The evaluation will incorporate crosscutting issues such as gender equity, social inclusion, environmental sustainability (in agricultural interventions), and institutional strengthening;
• It will include both quantitative and qualitative methods to provide depth ( data review, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, case studies);
• It should assess the cost‑effectiveness or value for money of interventions in each output area (i.e. whether similar or better results could have been achieved with different design or resource allocation);
• The evaluation must identify lessons learned, best practices, challenges encountered, and make actionable recommendations for future programming, scaling or replication.

4. Process

The consultant has to follow the DAC Guidelines and Reference Series regarding Quality Standards for Development Evaluation (ANNEX) during the whole process.

Phase 1: Desk Study and Inception

A kick-off meeting between the CAN, CDS and the contracted consultant(s) will clarify all open issues related to this assignment. The organization/consultant will be provided with all the relevant project data and project context related documents to get familiarized with the currently running project. The work plan developed at the end of this phase will finalize the methodology, data collection tools and site visit schedule. Before the inception meeting, the consultant/organization must submit an inception report that demonstrates their understanding of the ToR, contains a detailed field movement plan, outlines the chosen methodology and methods, and includes all proposed data‑collection instruments.

Phase 2: Facilitating evaluation and documentation of findings

The evaluation will start with a combined meeting with the CAN and the CDS, and will be followed by a field study of the project area. The Field Officer (of the project) will be mobilized to support the external evaluation team to data collection in the field.

Phase 3: Data Analysis and Reporting

Following the field visit, the collected data is to be analysed and the first draft version of the report to be written and submitted to the CAN for review and feedback. This feedback is to be included, where appropriate. After including the feedback, the final report shall be shared with CAN and CDS. Major findings shall be shared through a PowerPoint Presentation.

5. Deliverables

• Inception report: With understanding of ToR, detailing methodology, tools, and detailed work plan.
• Evaluation report: A comprehensive report containing the results of the evaluation, including an analysis of the project's achievements, challenges, impact and effectiveness. The report should be clear, concise, and evidence-based and present recommendations based on the evaluation findings.
• Executive summary: A summary of the evaluation report that highlights the key findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• PowerPoint presentation: A visual presentation of the evaluation report that provides an overview of the project, its goals and objectives, the evaluation framework, methodology, findings, and recommendations before submission of the final report.

6. Expert Profile of the organisation/ Consultants / Evaluation Team

The applying consultancy (individual/firm) is to be independent and impartial with no liabilities to any other organization or government entity regarding this evaluation.

Minimum requirements of consultant/evaluation team:

The team lead should have following minimum requirements:

• Qualified with relevant educational degree, OR wider experience (more than five years of experience) on vocational skill transformation, socioeconomic empowerment, policy research conduction, and report writing;
• High caliber knowledge of and experience in livelihood and vocational training program lead OR study related program;
• Previous experience of studies or project evaluations in the field of vocational training/livelihood/agriculture, ideally for BMZ projects;
• Professional level knowledge of English and Nepali;
• Demonstrated ability to effectively contribute to outcome- and impact-based evaluations, encompassing both assessment and learning components;
• Experience in participatory evaluation using both qualitative and quantitative methods, including mixed-method design, triangulation and synthesize skill;
• The general study can be performed by a single consultant or a consultant team. However, detailed knowledge of quality health project approaches is necessary to perform the study.

Tentative Timetable:

• Application to be submitted by 12th October
• Kick off meeting by 17th October
• Submission of inception report: Understanding of ToR, workplan, methodology and detailed budget 24th October
• Field visit and data collection 30th October
• Draft report submission by 14th November
• Finding presentation (PPT), and finalize evaluation report to be submitted by 21 November.

7. Management of the Evaluation Study

A contract will be concluded between the selected consultant (individual/firm) and the Childaid Network Foundation in Nepal. The latter will be responsible for payment according to the invoices. The consultant may further down delegate individual tasks to others within the scope of the agreed budget. CDS will facilitate the study on the ground and provide the necessary background and documents to carry out the study.

On the basis of the proposed time schedule outlined in chapter 6 of these Terms of Reference, the consultant will prepare an offer including:

• Applicant's experience conducting studies of a similar type of study/previous report and evidence (if available);
• Applicant's approach on conducting the study (methodology) against of ToR;
• Timetable;
• A breakdown budget including number of days and total costs with VAT;
• CV with references;
• Registration Documents: Firm registration certificate, PAN/VAT registration, and Tax clearance certificate (FY 2081/82).

8. Evaluation Criteria:

9. Reporting & Coordination:

The consultant will report to the Project Lead, CAN and CDS. Team lead from CDS will support study arrangements and facilitate coordination with local stakeholders.

10. Payments The total consultancy fee will be paid for in three installments:

1. 30% upon submission and approval of the Inception Report
2. 40% upon submission of the Draft Evaluation Report
3. 30% upon submission and approval of the Final Evaluation Report

Deadline for submission of Expression of Interest: Applications should be emailed to Childaid Network in Nepal (info.nepal@childaid.net) quoting the reference number of the call in the subject line on or before 12 October 2025.