Hiring Office: Egypt Country Office
Purpose of consultancy: Consultancy to undertake an evaluation of the Girls Assets framework
Scope of work:
BACKGROUND
The United Nations Population Fund works to deliver a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe and every young person’s potential is fulfilled. We are also the leading United Nations agency that supports the Government of Egypt to generate population data for planning and decision making. We ensure the empowerment of women, adolescents and young people to live their dreams and fulfil their potential.
The Noura framework, initiated in 2021 by the UNFPA and the National Council of Women (NCW), is a national initiative to enhance the lives of adolescent girls in Egypt. Operating under the NPDEF, it adapts the global Girls Assets Building Framework (GAF) to the local context. GAF builds social, health, and economic assets, and enhances the cognitive well-being of young girls to help them make better life and reproductive health choices. It supports the SDGs, encompassing gender equality, health, education, and decent work and economic growth. The framework has been successfully implemented in 15 countries in the global south. The implementation of the NOURA programme is under the framework of the government’s efforts towards empowering women by creating safe space for girls and women to enhance their knowledge about their health.
Noura responds to the National Strategy for the Empowerment of Egyptian Women 2030, NPDEF and Decent life initiative, specifically focusing on the cultural messaging and awareness raising component and will contribute to SDG targets set in Egypt vision 2030.
The programme aims to ensure that adolescent girls in Egypt can enjoy their childhood free from child marriage and harmful practices, have access to social life skills and health services, and gain knowledge about Reproductive Health (RH) so that they can develop into their full potential. The programme’s 4 main outcomes are:
1. Egypt uses robust data and evidence on child marriage and adolescent girls to inform programming and fosters an enabling environment and policy framework.
2. Adolescent girls, at risk of and/or affected by child marriage, are better able to express and exercise their choices reversing the practice of child marriage or cope well within the married life.
3. Households and communities demonstrate positive attitudes and behaviours towards investing in and supporting adolescent girls.
4. Youth friendly services and access to information and resources for adolescent girls’ health related needs are enhanced.
PURPOSE AND SCOPE OF THE EVALUATION
UNFPA is seeking a qualified consultant to conduct an evaluation of the Girls Assets framework.
The evaluation will assess the project’s contribution to achieving development results at the country level, including constraining and facilitating factors of programme design and performance. The evaluation will apply appropriate methodology for assessing principle cross-cutting elements of equity and vulnerability, gender equality and human rights in the programmes/projects of this cycle. It will be based on the guiding principles, norms and standards for evaluations adopted at UNFPA.
Objectives and Scope of Work
i. Assess the extent to which intended outputs have been achieved, and the extent to which these outputs have contributed to the achievement of the outcomes (Effectiveness)
ii. Analyse the relevance of programme components in increasing access and use of RH and GBV services among target beneficiaries. (alignment to national and UNFPA, donor priorities; appropriateness and acceptability to users, and the existing systems etc.)
iii. Assess the potential for sustainability of the programme results and interventions.
iv. Examine the extent to which the programme was implemented efficiently; specifically, how funding, personnel, administrative arrangements, time and other inputs contributed to, or how it hindered the achievement of results.
v. Identify challenges, barriers which have impeded implementation of programme components; and enablers that have facilitated successful implementation of the NOURA Framework.
vi. Identify and document good practices and lessons learned during the implementation of the NOURA framework.
vii. The Consultant will provide a set of clear and forward-looking options leading to strategic and actionable recommendations for the design, delivery and monitoring of an integrated package for adolescent girls.
viii. The consultant is expected to document all initiatives, efforts, declarations made by the communities, which are intended to change negative social norms and improve access and/or the quality of RH/GBV services.
Specific Tasks
i. Undertake desk review and analysis of key background documents, including the Programme documents, Results framework, and Programme progress reports.
ii. Prepare and present an inception report detailing how the Consultants’ understanding of the TOR, their methodological approaches and budget for the evaluation.
iii. As part of (ii) above, include a matrix showing how the different objectives are going to be measured, including data sources and method of data collection and tools.
iv. Present an inception report.
v. Develop data collection tools for relevant data collection methods and sources identified in the inception report.
vi. Train Research Assistants in data collection tools
vii. Carry out data collection as per the agreed upon methodology in the inception report and assure quality of data at all sites.
viii. Conduct the data analysis to answer to the objectives of the research.
ix. Conducting briefing and debriefing on the completed mission’s phases
x. Present draft reports for approval
xi. Draft final report answering all the objectives of the evaluation research; including the use of data visualization approaches to optimize presentation of findings.
xii. Facilitate meeting, for discussion and validation, to present the main findings and recommendations of the evaluation and discussing the proposed action plan.
xiii. Develop a presentation with followed methodology, main findings, challenges and recommendations, after the validation process.
Note: The deliverables should be in English; with Arabic translation provided for the final drafts (report and presentation).
Timeframe
This evaluation mission should take place from September 2025 - February 2026.
EVALUATION CRITERIA AND PRELIMINARY EVALUATION QUESTIONS
Evaluation Criteria
In accordance with the OECD/DAC evaluation criteria (1) and UNFPA global evaluation guidelines (2) , the evaluation will examine the following evaluation criteria: relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and prospect for sustainability (3). It will also use the evaluation criterion of coherence to assess the extent to which the UNFPA and the NCW harmonised interventions under the NOURA framework with other actors, promoted synergy and avoided duplication amongst other partners.
[1] For detailed definitions of the OECD/DAC criteria, please see: https://www.oecd.org/dac/evaluation/daccriteriaforevaluatingdevelopmentassistance.htm
[2] https://www.unfpa.org/admin-resource/evaluation-quality-assurance-and-assessment-tools-and-guidance ; https://www.unfpa.org/admin-resource/evaluation-handbook-how-design-and-conduct-country-programme-evaluation-unfpa-2019
[3] The full set of OECD/DAC evaluation criteria, their adapted definitions and principles of use are available at: https://www.oecd.org/dac/evaluation/revised-evaluation-criteria-dec-2019.pdf
Relevance -→The extent to which the NOURA framework design was relevant for its different stakeholder groups (including primary beneficiaries) and to national policies of the government of Egypt, and Country Programme. How effectively the framework adapted its strategies and interventions to contextual changes to achieve results.
Effectiveness--→The extent to which the NOURA framework outputs have been achieved, including both intended and unintended effects, and the extent to which these outputs have contributed to the achievement of the programme outcomes.
Efficiency--→The extent to which the NOURA framework outputs and outcomes have been achieved in the most economic and timely way, including an assessment of how funds, expertise, personnel, and implementation modalities contributed to, or hindered the achievement of results.
Coherence--→ The internal and external coherence of the framework including the coherence between specific programme components, and other UNFPA programmes, and coherence with other partners’ implementing similar interventions in the implementation sites.
Sustainability--→The continuation of benefits from the NOURA framework after its termination, linked to their continued resilience to risks.
Impact --→The extent to which the framework has generated or is expected to generate significant positive or negative, intended or unintended, impact for its beneficiaries
Indicative Evaluation Questions
The evaluation questions presented below are indicative and preliminary. Based on these elaborate examples, at the inception phase, the evaluators are expected to prioritize the evaluation questions in consultation with the Evaluation Reference Group (ERG) and develop a final set of maximum 5-7 evaluation questions. The detailed examples here serve the purpose of illustrating, to the evaluators, key questions of interest to the ERG.
Relevance
a) To what extent was the NOURA framework programme aligned to Government of Egypt national priorities including Presidential initiatives of Haya Karima, the National Project for Development of the Egyptian Family (NPDEF), the United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework (UNSDCF), 2023-2027 SDGs, and UNFPA Strategic plans (2018 – 2021, 2022-2025)
b) To what extent has UNFPA been able to respond/adapt to changes in national needs and contexts? What was the quality of such a response?
c) To what extent has the programme integrated gender and human rights-based approaches?
Effectiveness
a) To what extent did the interventions under the NOURA framework, in all programmatic areas contribute to the achievement of planned results (outputs and outcomes), including the extent of reach of planned geographic areas and target groups successfully reached?
b) What are the key lessons learnt and best practices that can contribute to the knowledge base of the UNFPA and partners and be applied in future programme and policy development?
Efficiency
a) How and to what extent has the NOURA framework facilitated the use of its funding, personnel, administrative arrangements, time and other inputs to optimize achievement of results?
b) To what extent did the intervention mechanisms foster or hinder the achievement of the programme outputs? What adaptations were made to ensure the achievement of results?
Coherence
a) To what extent are the interventions in the NOURA framework interlinked, well integrated and complementary, have a synergistic effect and are linked with government programmes and projects implemented by other UN agencies and development partners in Egypt?
Sustainability
a) To what extent did the NOURA framework build capacity for Government structures and other partners to be able to maintain the change made by the programme interventions, if any? To what extent have the partnerships built by the implementation of the NOURA framework promoted national ownership of supported interventions, programmes and policies?
b) What are the lessons learned from the implementation of the framework? How can the lessons learned be used for strategic positioning for future programming?
c) To what extent has the programme contributed to Community monitoring, accountability and community ownership?
Coordination
a) To what extent has the NOURA Framework contributed to the functioning and consolidation of coordination mechanisms at national level?
Impact
a) To what extent the framework has generated or is expected to generate significant positive or negative, intended or unintended, impact for its beneficiaries?
The final evaluation questions and the evaluation matrix will be finalised in the design report.
APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY
Evaluation Approach
Theory of Change-Based Approach
The evaluation will adopt a theory-based approach that relies on an explicit theory of change, which depicts how the interventions in the NOURA framework are expected to contribute to a series of results (outputs and outcomes) that contribute to the overall goal of the framework. The theory of change also identifies the causal links between the results, as well as critical assumptions and contextual factors that support or hinder the achievement of desired changes. A theory-based approach is fundamental for generating insights about what works, what does not and why. It focuses on the analysis of causal links between changes at different levels of the results chain that the theory of change describes, by exploring how the assumptions behind these causal links and contextual factors affect the achievement of intended results.
The theory of change will play a central role throughout the evaluation process, from the inception and data collection to the analysis and identification of findings, as well as the articulation of conclusions and recommendations.
Contribution Analysis
As part of the theory-based approach, contribution analysis (4) will be employed as overall analytical framework of this evaluation to identify the contribution that NOURA framework have made the observed set of changes (i.e. positive/negative, intended/unintended effects) among targeted beneficiaries and communities. Specifically, the evaluators will use a contribution analysis to explore whether evidence to support key assumptions exists, examine if evidence on observed results confirms the chain of expected results in the theory of change, and seek out evidence on the influence that other factors may have had in achieving desired results.
[4] Contribution analysis is a methodology used to identify the contribution a development intervention has made to a change or set of changes. The aim is to produce a credible, evidence-based narrative of contribution that a reasonable person would be likely to agree with, rather than to produce conclusive proof. https://www.intrac.org/wpcms/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/Contribution-analysis.pdf
[5] Document available at: http://www.unevaluation.org/document/detail/1914.
[6] Document available at: http://www.unevaluation.org/document/detail/102.
[7] Document available at: http://www.unevaluation.org/document/detail/100.
[8] Document available at: http://www.unevaluation.org/document/detail/980.
Methodology and Tasks
The consultants will detail their methodological approach in their Inception report, as per the TOR, including the tools they will use. The methodology and approach must incorporate human rights and gender equality perspectives.
The evaluation consultant shall develop and conduct the evaluation in accordance with the UNEG Norms and Standards for Evaluation (5) , Ethical Guidelines for Evaluation (6), Code of Conduct for Evaluation in the UN System (7) , and Guidance on Integrating Human Rights and Gender Equality in Evaluations (8).
The methodological design of the evaluation shall include in particular: (i) a theory of change; (ii) a strategy for collecting and analyzing data; (iii) specifically designed tools for data collection and analysis; (iv) an evaluation matrix; and (v) a detailed evaluation work plan and agenda for the field phase.
Duration and working schedule:
The assignment will be undertaken within 180 working days, in any case not later than 28th of February 2026.
The evaluation team will share workdays (person-days) as per the following tentative plan:
Task/ # of Days
1. Inception Phase - writing inception report 10
2. Development of tools 10
3. Testing/ validation and refinement of the draft tools 6
4. Data collection 30
5. Data entry and analysis 20
6. Report writing 10
7. Validation and Report Submission 4
Total – Consultancy (working-days) 90
Payment schedule
The consultant will receive 20% upon submitting the inception report and 30% upon submission of a draft report of the survey.
The balance of 50% will be paid upon submission and acceptance of the final report
.Place where services are to be delivered:
Sohag and Assiut Governorates; where the NOURA framework is implemented.
Delivery dates and how work will be delivered (e.g. electronic, hard copy etc.):
Deliverables
● Inception Report - detailing the research methodology including sampling procedures, data collection tools, data analysis plan and detailed work plan and schedule.
● PowerPoint presentation of the inception report. The PowerPoint presentation will be delivered to present the contents of the inception report and the agenda for the field phase. Based on the comments and feedback of the ERG, the evaluation consultant will develop the final version of the inception report.
● PowerPoint presentation for debriefing meeting with the CO and the ERG. The presentation provides an overview of key emerging findings of the evaluation at the end of the field phase. It will serve as the basis for the exchange of views between the evaluation consultant, UNFPA CO staff (incl. senior management) and the members of the ERG who will thus have the opportunity to provide complementary information and/or rectify the inaccurate interpretation of data and information collected
● Draft report for comment and feedback
● Produce an acceptable quality of the final evaluation report
● PowerPoint presentation of the evaluation results. The presentation will provide a clear overview of the key findings, conclusions and recommendations to be used for the dissemination of the final evaluation report.
● Cleaned-up datasets in EXCEL format
Monitoring and progress control, including reporting requirements, periodicity format and deadline:
Monitoring and Reporting
The consultants will provide periodic updates (in writing) on progress of the assignment, at a frequency to be agreed upon by the M&E and technical teams from UNFPA.
Supervisory arrangements:
Management of the Evaluations
The consultant will work under the direct supervision of the M&E Specialist and Youth & Adolescents Specialist, with technical support from the Youth & Adolescents, Gender and RH thematic area. Moreover, National Council for Women is the partner entity that will be overseeing the whole evaluation process.
Expected travel:
The consultants will be expected to travel widely, to the NOURA framework sites.
Required expertise, qualifications and competencies, including language requirements:
Education:
Advanced university degree in gender, health, population, demography and/or other related social science field.
Required Experience and Qualification
- Substantive knowledge of Gender and Youth & Adolescents as thematic areas
- Good knowledge of the national development context
- 10 years’ experience in conducting complex evaluations in the field of development aid for UN agencies and/or other international organisations including experience in leading evaluations
- Extensive knowledge and experience in the application of quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods with a strong gender focus
- Good knowledge Egypt’s national development context
- In-depth knowledge of evaluation methods, data collection and analysis
- Excellent data analysis skills in qualitative and quantitative methods
- Experience in carrying out country programme evaluations
- Familiarity with UN operations
- Experience as evaluation team leader in a related assignment(s)
- Excellent analytical, writing and communication skills
- Excellent written and spoken English and Arabic languages
- Proven experience in policy development and analysis around reproductive health, gender, population issues and poverty reduction strategies is highly desirable
- Experience and understanding of UN programming processes. Knowledge of UN reforms is highly desirable.
- Experience on evaluation of UN supported programmes will be an added advantage.
- Expertise in developing or updating M&E Results Framework
- Excellent analytical skills including summarising data into preliminary findings
Inputs / services to be provided by UNFPA or implementing partner (e.g support services, office space, equipment), if applicable:
UNFPA will provide relevant documents required to support the evaluation
Required Competencies:
Values:
Exemplifying integrity,
Demonstrating commitment to UNFPA and the UN system,
Embracing cultural diversity,
Embracing change
Core Competencies:
Achieving results,
Being accountable,
Developing and applying professional expertise/business acumen,
Thinking analytically and strategically,
Working in teams/managing ourselves and our relationships,
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