Overview
GNI is seeking a consultant with significant experience in evaluating and reviewing human rights and advocacy programs for Civil Society Organizations especially those funded by US donors to undertake an independent evaluation of its five-year project, Sustaining Multi-stakeholder Networks for Internet Freedom (SuNI).
Launched in 2018, originally as the Enhancing Multistakeholder Collaboration for Internet Freedom (EMSIF), SuNI is funded by the Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor at the U.S Department of State, and seeks to promote global Internet freedom by empowering civil society organizations in the Global South to engage more effectively with information and communication technology (ICT) companies to counter problematic policy trends, while developing a sustainable approach to multi-stakeholder digital rights policy coalitions.
The project brings diverse civil society organizations from Latin America, Africa, and Asia into GNI, while supporting multi-stakeholder collaboration in support of freedom of expression and privacy rights at the regional level. The two overarching objectives of the project include:
- Improve the ability of CSOs to advocate for digital rights and improve ICT company practices.
- Build and support regional coalitions of the private sector and civil society participants that collaboratively advocate for laws and policies that promote Internet freedom.
Evaluation Purpose and Objective
This evaluation is designed to help GNI assess the project across various metrics as defined by the project. This includes assessing the project’s success in accomplishing its stated objectives, its responsiveness to change and challenges, and where/how it could be improved for future programming. The final evaluation report will examine the impact of the project activities as well as the sustainability of results.
Scope of Work
This work will include an evaluation of the entire duration of the project (August 2018 – April 2023) and will consist of the following phases:
Inception phase
- Workplan: Initial discussion with key GNI staff to identify internal priorities, lines of inquiry, and sensitivities to inform the development of a draft evaluation work plan, metrics, and methodological framework for the work.
- Synthesize Progress Reports: Through a desk review, synthesize and analyze past quarterly progress reports towards understanding key accomplishments across the life of the project, notable challenges, and compilation of deliverables and reports.
Primary data collection
- Surveys: To understand the program, challenges faced, and impacts, as well as to gather feedback from a wide range of project participants, the evaluator will formulate a survey or questionnaire to be disseminated with identified project partners.
- Interviews: Additionally, the evaluator will conduct a series of in-depth interviews with a selection of program partners including fellows, mentors, leaders of the Collaborative Policy Coalitions, and companies.
It is expected that interviews/surveys with approximately 15-20 project partners and GNI members will be conducted.
Final analysis and write-up: The final product will be an evaluation report that consists of:
- Summary and analysis of work completed and results achieved for the project duration.
- Learnings highlighting key achievements, strategies, challenges, impacts of the project, and lessons learned.
- Short case studies (maximum 4) that highlight aspects of the project that do not fit into identified metrics or reporting structures, but that demonstrate the effectiveness of the project.
- Recommendations for what future programming could consider with respect to content, process, and strategy.
Meeting and finalizing report: Hold meetings with the Programs Associate, Managing Director, and Executive Director to discuss preliminary findings and incorporate comments from GNI staff.
Presentation: Presentation of the final report with GNI staff.
Estimated Timeframe
The evaluation will comprise an estimated 20-25 days of work that can span across 2-3 months.
- Timeframe: February 1st, 2023 – April 15th, 2023
- Total Days of Work: Approximately 20-25 days total
- Requested Budget: Not to Exceed $10,000
Qualifications
- Demonstrated experience conducting evaluations of advocacy and human rights programs, particularly for US donors. Prior experience evaluating programs funded by DRL is highly preferred.
- Experience with qualitative and quantitative M&E data collection and analysis methods;
- Experience in the field of digital rights, data protection, and internet freedom is preferred.
- Strong facilitation, presentation, writing, and communication skills;
- Fluency in both written and spoken English is required. Proficiency in Spanish is a plus.
Application Process
Please indicate your interest in this RFP by emailing < [email protected]> with “Project Eval RFP” in the subject line and include:
- Resume
- Portfolio of work
- Names of 2 references from evaluated organizations.
The deadline for applications is December 16th, 2022.