CALL FOR TECHNICAL & FINANCIAL PROPOSALS

TERMS OF REFERENCE

CONSULTANCY FOR THE MIDTERM EVALUATION OF THE “QUALITY AND INCLUSIVE EARLY CHILDHOOD EDUCATION SERVICES FOR ALL CHILDREN PHASE 2” (QAIECE 2) PROJECT IN THE NORTH EAST REGION OF GHANA

Organizational Context

Children Believe (CB) is an International Non-Governmental Organization that provides children with the tools and training they need to access education, overcome barriers and be a voice for change. Driven by a common belief that creating access to education is the most powerful tool children can use to change their world, we focus on breaking barriers to inclusive and quality education for girls and boys. Children Believe prioritizes early childhood development (including early learning) in its work in Ghana in recognition of the importance of “starting right” under our Centre of Excellence initiative.

Children Believe (CB), in partnership with ChorogUsan for Children and AG CARE, is implementing the “Quality and Inclusive Early Childhood Education Services for all Children Phase 2 (QAIECE 2)” Project. Building on the achievements of Phase 1 of the QAIECE project, Phase 2 scales and deepens interventions aimed at ensuring equitable, inclusive, and quality Early Childhood Education (ECE) in the North East region of Ghana.

Project Background

Financed by KOICA, the QAIECE 2 project is implemented in the East and West Mamprusi Municipalities of the North East region by a consortium of organizations: ChorogUsan for Children, Children Believe, and AG CARE.

The QAIECE 2 project seeks to improve quality public kindergarten basic education opportunities to support the physical, cognitive, and socio-emotional development of 4–5-year-old children in targeted municipalities. The project focuses on three key outcomes:

• To enhance quality and inclusive ECE educational environment.

• To improve teaching capacity of teachers.

• To strengthen the support system of parents/caregivers and the government to implement ECE.

A Baseline Study was conducted at the onset of the project to establish benchmark data for key performance indicators against which project progress is being measured.

Purpose of the Midterm Evaluation

The project is now approaching its midpoint of implementation. The midterm evaluation seeks to assess progress against baseline values, evaluate intervention effectiveness and identify gaps requiring corrective action.

Specifically, the Midterm Evaluation seeks to:

• Assess project progress in comparison to established baseline and targets.

• Evaluate the implementation of baseline recommendations (e.g., play based teaching, PTA/SMC engagement, campaigns for enrolment, redistribution of teachers).

• Assess improvements in KG enrolment, developmental readiness, classroom standards, teaching practices, parenting skills, and supervision.

• Evaluate the effectiveness, efficiency, and relevance of project interventions implemented thus far.

• Document lessons learned, best practices, intended or unintended consequences of the project and sustainability progress.

• Identify immediate gaps, implementation bottlenecks, and challenges hindering progress.

• Provide actionable recommendations to inform adjustments in strategy and operations for the remaining implementation period to ensure the achievement of end-of-project targets.

Scope of the Work

The Consultant is expected to conduct a comprehensive midterm evaluation by refining data collection tools, collecting data, analyzing data, writing, and submitting a high-quality report. The study will cover selected supported schools and communities in the East and West Mamprusi municipalities. The evaluation process involves a combination of quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods.

The scope involves:

• Refine and validate data collection tools, ensuring comparability with baseline instruments.

• Review updated relevant project documents, including the baseline report, quarterly/annual progress reports, and current administrative GES data

• Collect quantitative and qualitative data from KG learners, teachers, parents/caregivers, SMC/PTA members, and GES officers.

• Conduct structured evaluations (NER, developmental readiness, classroom standards, teaching practices, parenting efficacy, supervision).

• Facilitate FGDs and KIIs to explain quantitative trends and capture stakeholder perceptions.

• Assess implementation of baseline recommendations and sustainability measures.

• Analyze data and prepare a comprehensive midterm report comparing baseline, midterm values and targets.

Methodology

The Midterm Evaluation will be conducted by employing a mixed method approach consistent with the baseline survey:

• Quantitative Methods: Structured evaluations, classroom observations, and school facility checklists, will be used.

• Qualitative Methods: Qualitative data will be collected through Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) to explain the 'how' and 'why' behind the quantitative trends and to capture stakeholders' perceptions of project change and effectiveness.

• Sampling: The sampling technique and sample size calculation must ensure statistical power for comparison with the baseline data. The Consultant should aim to track the same schools/households interviewed at baseline (if feasible) or use an identical sampling framework. Target groups include KG Teachers, Headteachers, caregivers, SMC/PA members, and GES officials (SISOs, Coordinators).

Purposive sampling will be used for FGDs and KIIs among project beneficiaries and institutional stakeholders.

• Tool Refinement and Validation: While maintaining consistency with baseline tools, the Consultant will review and refine instruments to address specific midterm learning questions. All refined tools will be finalized in consultation with Children Believe and ChorogUsan for Children during the inception phase. Pre-testing is required.

• Gender and Inclusion: All findings must be disaggregated by sex and consider disability and vulnerable groups.

• Quality Assurance: Consultant must outline Quality Assurance protocols (training of enumerators, daily data checks, online monitoring, pre testing, and corrective feedback loops).

Key Deliverables and Timelines

Duration and Timeline

The consultancy is expected to be completed by 10th December, 2027 from the date of signing the contract. A detailed timeline will be agreed upon during the inception phase.

Management, Communication and Reporting

• The Consultant will work directly with the MELKs Officer, with oversight provided by the Country Director of Children Believe and Project Manager-QAIECE 2. AG CARE team will provide field coordination support.

• All communications related to the assignment shall be conducted in a clear, timely, and professional manner. The Consultant will maintain close collaboration with the MELKs Officer and copy the Country Director and Project Manager on all critical communications.

All reports must be in English, electronic format (MS Word). Raw data sets (Excel/SPSS), transcriptions, and kobo forms (if used) must be submitted as separate attachments.

The final Midterm Evaluation Report must follow the prescribed format:

• Cover page

• Table of Contents & Abbreviations

• Executive summary

• Indicator Tracking Table (showing Baseline, Midterm Actual, and Targets)

• Introduction/Project Background

Purpose and Specific Objectives of the Midterm Evaluation

• Methodology (detailed sampling, limitations, and challenges in comparison with Baseline)

• Key Findings and Comparative Analysis (Comparison against Baseline and indicator Target is mandatory):

• Outcome 1: Enhanced quality and inclusive ECE educational environment.

• Outcome 2: Improved teaching skills/capacity of teachers.

• Outcome 3: Strengthened support system of parents/caregivers and the government.

• Testimonials/Case Studies

• Conclusion (Assessment of progress towards end-line targets)

• Actionable and Strategic Recommendations (for the remainder of the project)

• Annexes (Tools, qualitative notes, specific data tables).

Ethical Considerations, Confidentiality, and Child Safeguarding

All activities must adhere to Children Believe and ChorogUsan’s child protection, safeguarding, and PSEA policies. The Consultant must obtain informed consent, ensure data confidentiality, and avoid harm to participants. Explicit consent must be sought for taking photographs/videos. Data must be anonymized where appropriate.

Consultant Profile

Essential Qualification and Experience

• PhD in Education, Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or related field, with strong experience in conducting complex evaluative research in developing countries particularly in West Africa.

• Strong expertise in implementing mixed-methods research designs specifically for midterm or end-line evaluations, including statistical analysis for comparison.

• At least 5 years’ experience in monitoring and evaluation, and conducting evaluations utilizing quantitative and qualitative research methods including data collection techniques and analysis in Education

• Strong experience in education, especially Early Childhood Development, Gender, Disability Inclusion and Community Development

• Familiarity with the development context of Northern Ghana; relevant local language skills are an added advantage.

• Flexible and able to adapt to a multi-cultural environment and complex situations, with demonstrable high level of interpersonal and cross-cultural skills

• Good experience in collaboration and interaction with communities and government bodies from local to national level especially the Ghana Education Service

• Proven ability to manage data collection teams, ensure data quality in real-time and produce high-quality professional reports in English.

• Strong facilitation skills, particularly with children and community members.

• Self-driven, time conscious, strong organizational and planning skills, with the ability to work independently or in a group, as well as under pressure.

• The consultant shall be devoid of any criminal acts or suspicion of any criminal conduct prior to engagement.

Proposal Submission

Interested consultants must submit;

• Technical proposal detailing their understanding of the ToR, methodology and approach to baseline comparison.

• Work plan with financial proposal indicating professional fees and related costs.

• CVs of core team members.

• Contact details of at least two professional referees.

• At least one sample report of similar evaluation.

• Risk and mitigation plan for fieldwork and data collection.

• Both individual Consultants and/or consultancy firms are encouraged to apply

Submissions should be addressed to zadumpo@childrenbelieve.ca and copy jnzakaria@childrenbelieve.ca by 14th August, 2026 with the subject “CONSULTANCY FOR MIDTERM EVALUATION”