Kenya: Consultancy Opportunity for End of Project Evaluation of an Early Childhood Development Project

Organization: Parenting in Africa

Country: Kenya

Closing date: 10 May 2016

1.0 Introduction:

Parenting in Africa Network (PAN) is a Pan-African Network of organizations, individuals and institutions keen to promote ‘skilful’ parenting practices in Africa for the overall wellbeing of children and their families. The network creates and facilitates interactive platforms for learning, sharing and also indulges in advocacy of various topical issues surrounding parenting. To date, PAN has successfully managed to build and disseminate knowledge on various aspects of parenting in Africa.

1.1 Background and Project Description

The family forms the most important structure where children are shaped and prepared to face the external world. As noted in the declarations of the 27th sessions of the UN General Assembly; ‘The primary responsibility for the protection, upbringing and development of children rests with the family.1 Thus, parenting is a very important ingredient in molding behavior and imparting social skills during the formative years, necessary in instilling morals, self-discipline and responsibilities in children.

PAN’s 2012 research, identified teachers as important actors in the safety, growth and wellbeing of children. Early childhood learning centres were thus highlighted as an important service structure that provide the missing link in integration of parents in the holistic development of their children especially in the critical formative age and window of opportunity (age 0-8).

In light of this, PAN has, in collaboration with its partners – ACDT (Action for Child Development Trust) and Daraja Civic Initiatives Forum – been pushing for the involvement of parents in the development and education of children in their early ages. The project has covered Navakholo and Bunyala in Kakamega county, Butula in Busia county and Embakasi area in Nairobi county.

2.0 Purpose of the Evaluation.

The purpose of this consultancy shall be to conduct an assessment of the design of ECD integrated model and the extent to which the project achieved its intended outcomes. The exercise is aimed at supporting learning within the project, the network members and its key stakeholders.

2.1 The specific objectives of the assignment are:

1. 
   

   Examine the soundness of the project design and its implementation efficiency

   
   


2. 
   

   Analyze the extent to which the desired outcomes of the project have been achieved

   
   


3. 
   

   Analyze the possible impacts that could have been influenced or contributed to by the project on legislative developments and or enhanced learning and development space for children in ECD centers.

   
   


4. 
   

   Analyze challenges encountered and critical risk factors that could have affected the project and its implementation context.

   
   


5. 
   

   Examine the equity considerations in the design and implementation of the project.

   
   


6. 
   

   Examine the value for money worth of the project

   
   


7. 
   

   Analyze potentials for sustainability of the project

   
   


8. 
   

   Analyze and document the best or promising practices emerging from the project which could be replicated in similar interventions in future.

   
   


9. 
   

   Identify important lessons that could be learnt from the project process and come up with. Recommendations for improvement of the project strategy in future.

   
   


10. 
    

    Analyze the perceptions of key boundary partners on the project, including the relevant Government departments, implementing partners. CSOs working on ECDE

    
    

3.0 Scope of evaluation.

Efficiency: Examine how optimally resources were used to maximize realization of desired

Outputs.

Effectiveness: Progress made by the project in realization of outcomes; both intermediate and

Long term.

Equity: Extent to which the project considered the needs of special interest groups in its design and implementation.

Sustainability: Prospects of continuity of the project initiatives as well as its benefits

Impacts: What are the long term benefits that have been realized from this area of engagement, and how did this project contribute to those benefits?

6.0 Key Deliverables

The following will be the key deliverables during this assignment;

i. Inception Report: To be given soon after the inception meeting

ii. Data collection tools: To be provided alongside the inception report for timely review by the

Project team.

iii. Draft Report: This should come after analysis of the data collected and should be subjected to a stakeholder’s validation feedback.

iv. Final Report: This will be expected within not more than one week after the validation meeting.

8.0 Required Qualifications

This consultancy is open to an individual consultant or a firm. The lead consultant must possess a minimum of the following qualifications;

i. Minimum of a Master’s degree in a relevant field; including Social Sciences, Applied Research, Early childhood development studies, education or any other relevant field.

ii. Minimum of 5 years of experience in conducting program evaluations. Preference will be given to those who have a minimum of 5 years of experience in evaluating education programs

iii. Excellent evaluation design and data collection and analysis skills.

iv. Excellent report writing and facilitation skills.

How to apply:

Interested consultants or firms should express their interest by submitting both the letter of interest, technical proposal and financial proposal, addressed to: info@parentinginafrica.org, by 10^th May 2016. Only shortlisted persons will be invited for an interview.