Terms of Reference for the Evaluation of the Women Economic Empowerment Project. is available at We Effect in Zambia. Review the job description, requirements, closing date and application details below.

Terms of Reference for the Evaluation of the Women Economic Empowerment Project. 1. General information 1.1 Introduction We Effect Zambia and its partners (Women for Change, Heifer International (partnership ended after closing offices) Zambia, Zambia Land Alliance, and District Women Associations), with support from Sida through the Swedish Embassy in Zambia, began implementing the Women Economic Empowerment (WEE) Project in December 2019. The project already in its closure phase, will end in September 2026. It is being implemented in eight districts: Chadiza, Chipata and Lundazi in Eastern Province; Choma, Kalomo and Zimba in Southern Province; Kaoma in Western Province; and Mumbwa in Central Province. Over the course of its implementation, the WEE Project has reached approximately 20,170 direct beneficiaries across the districts, comprising women, men, and youth. Several social and economic empowerment structures were also established and strengthened such as, and including Women’s Organisation, VSLA groups, Business Clubs, Extension and Producer groups, Strengthened, Women land advocacy groups, and anti – Gender Based Violence (GBV) referral structures. Given the varying levels of implementation intensity and achievement across districts, the evaluation will be required to account for these geographic disparities in its sampling design and analysis. 1.2 Evaluation object: The evaluation object is the Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Project, implemented by We Effect Zambia and its current and former partners Women for Change, Zambia Land Alliance, Heifer International Zambia, and District Women Associations (DWAs). 1.2.1 Theory of Change Women in the target areas face persistent structural barriers that limit their economic empowerment, including constrained access to productive resources, financial services, and markets, as well as entrenched gender norms and unequal power relations. These challenges restrict women’s ability to generate income, control resources, and participate meaningfully in economic decision-making processes at household and community levels.The WEE project addresses structural and systemic barriers faced by women at household, community, and institutional levels that hinders their ability, as rights-holders, to claim and realize their socio-economic rights. We Effect’s theory of change for women’s economic empowerment is that for sustainable, long-term change to happen,we must place women and gender equality at the center of our work. We should LISTEN to women’s needs and priorities, BUILD on their existing capacities and SUPPORT women to mobilise,lead and take collective action for change. We Effect believes that we need to address the structural barriers that affect women including patriarchal gender norms that prevent them from realising and affirming their rights. If We Effect supports partner organisations to take a more transformative approach through a Human Rights-Based Approach that works to ensure women’s leadership and ownership of projects. If women lead and own projects, then they will be able to organise and mobilise and these projects will be more sustainable. The WEE project therefore seeks to address structural barriers—particularly patriarchal norms—that hinder women’s rights and opportunities. By strengthening women-led organisations and ensuring women’s ownership of development processes, the project aims to foster sustainability and long-term empowerment. To address the challenges faced by women’s groups, the project applies a three-sphere model ie the personal sphere, which focuses on individual empowerment by building women’s confidence, skills, and decision-making capacity. This addresses internalized barriers such as low self-esteem and limited financial control. The relational sphere which focuses on social norms and relationships by engaging men and community actors to promote gender equality, addresses cultural norms and power dynamics and strengthens women’s participation in agricultural value chains through skills, assets, and market access and the social sphere whose focus is centered on systems and structures to strengthen women-led organizations and DWAs ,promote land rights and tenure security and enhance access to financial services, including savings groups and insurance. This focus also encapsulates resilience to environmental and climate change by women, men and youth. The spheres are interlinked and do not stand in isolation, which reflects the experiences of women. The WEE project advanced working within the three spheres because this acknowledges the complexity of women’s economic empowerment and also recognizes fact that to affirm women’s socio-economic rights and empowerment, solutions go beyond economic advancement and must address the barriers that women face and build on women’s existing capacity and strength. 1.2.2 Project Objectives The overall objective of the WEE project is to advance women’s economic empowerment to ensure the capacity of women to participate in, contribute to and benefit from agricultural value chains and processes in ways that affirm the value of their contributions, respect their dignity, and promote equality in Eastern, Western, Southern and Central Provinces. The specific objectives are: 1. To increase women’s agency and decision-making power at household and community levels and address barriers to women’s economic empowerment. 2. To reduce institutional barriers that limit women’s economic advancement in agricultural value and market chains. 3. To strengthen women’s voices and collective power at the community level as well as increase access to, control of and ownership of productive (e.g. physical assets, land) and financial assets among women through women-led cooperatives, land tenure and financial inclusion. 4. To increase resilience to environmental and climate change by women, men and youth (male and female). 1.2.3 Project Outputs The project addresses barriers at household, community, and institutional levels through interconnected outputs as outlined below: Specific Objective 1: Increase women’s agency and decision-making power at household and community levels and address barriers to women’s economic empowerment. • Output1.1: Increased participation and leadership of women in the community • Output 1.2: Improved decision-making power at household level Specific Objective 1: Increase women’s agency and decision-making power at household and community levels and address barriers to women’s economic empowerment. · Output 1.1: Women have increasingly taken up leadership positions at community level · Output 1.2: Women have increased decision-making power at household level · Output 1.3: Women have increased access to SRHR and GBV services Specific Objective 2: Strengthen women’s economic empowerment in agricultural value chains · Output 2.1: Women have strengthened capacity to set up and manage viable businesses. · Output 2.2: Increase men’s active contribution towards ensuring women benefit from the agriculture sector. Specific Objective 3: Strengthen women’s collective power and access to productive and financial assets · Output 3.1: Women-led cooperatives, associations and groups have strengthened capacity in governance, financial and administrative systems · Output 3.2: Women-led cooperatives, associations and groups advocate and lobby for strengthened tenure security for women through certification of customary land rights. · Output 3.3: Women have increased access to financial services, established savings and loans groups using the VSLA model Output 4.2: Integration of environmental and climate-resilient practices · Output 4.1: Strengthened women’s resilience to the impact of climate change · Output 4.2: Targeted women and young women-led institutions have incorporated WEE project environmental integration action plan in agricultural practices. Together, these interconnected outputs are expected to contribute to a holistic transformation in women’s economic empowerment by simultaneously addressing skills, resources, agency, social norms, and institutional frameworks, thereby creating an enabling environment for lasting change. Please refer to the annexed documents for the Logical Framework Approach and the full list of activities and the intervention of Proposal. 1.2.4 Target groups The WEE project primary target group and rightsholders are women at community level and in the District Women’s Associations (DWAs). The initial project target was between 13,500 and 16,000 across the eight participating districts but was later adjusted to 20,170. The secondary target groups that have been served under the project include men at household level, farmer cooperatives, CBOs and traditional leaders. The transformative approach in the project has ensured the participation of young women, female headed households, married women, widows, elderly women, women living positively, women living with disabilities and other marginalised women who are involved in the agricultural value chains. In line with We Effect’s conceptual framework on WEE, men in DFAs, traditional leaders and religious leaders will be included as secondary target groups. The work with the secondary target groups has mainly focused on changing norms, attitudes and values that act as barriers to women’s economic empowerment. 1.2.5 Cross-Cutting Issues and Related Challenges The intervention operated within a context where several cross-cutting issues presented both risks and constraints to effectiveness, inclusiveness, and sustainability. Key challenges included: – Human Rights-Based Approach (HRBA)- While the intervention was guided by principles of participation, inclusion, accountability, and non-discrimination, rural communities continue to face structural barriers in accessing information, services, and decision-making space. Marginalized groups—particularly women, youth, and persons with disabilities—often have limited voice and agency in local governance and economic processes. Weak accountability mechanisms and limited awareness of rights can further constrain equitable access to programme benefits. Although this is being addressed by the WEE project and other stakeholders, progress is slow and accepted even by those marginalized. – Gender Equality and Inclusion – Deep-rooted socio-cultural norms continue to limit women’s control over productive resources, decision-making power, and participation in economic activities. Gender-based disparities in access to land, finance, inputs, and markets remain prevalent. In addition, unpaid care burdens disproportionately borne by women restrict their ability to fully engage in livelihood opportunities. Male dominance remains as an accepted social norm in most communities. Risks of gender-based violence (GBV) and exclusion of vulnerable groups (e.g., persons with disabilities, female-headed households, and youth) also pose challenges to equitable programme outcomes. – Conflict Sensitivity and Social Cohesion-Although the operational areas may not be characterized by widespread violent conflict, localized tensions can arise around access to resources such as land and agricultural inputs. Competition for project right holders and those with more power in society may exacerbate inequalities within communities if not carefully managed. Weak local conflict resolution mechanisms can pose risks to community cohesion and programme acceptance. – Environment and Climate Change- Rural livelihoods are highly dependent on agriculture which is prone to climate shocks., making beneficiaries vulnerable to climate variability and shocks, including droughts, floods, and erratic rainfall patterns. Environmental degradation, including soil erosion and deforestation, further undermines productivity and resilience. Limited access to climate-smart technologies, early warning systems, and sustainable natural resource management practices constrains adaptive capacity at household and community levels. 1.2.6 Project Implementation arrangements The project has been implemented with current and former technical partners and locally based civil society organisations (CSOs) including technical partners such as Women for Change, Heifer International Zambia and Zambia Land Alliance to ensure that rightsholders at community level access and benefit from the project. The project has also engaged involved technocrats and other short term subject experts to address specific issues. 1.2.7 Funds budgeted and spent The WEE Project had a total budget of 75,000,000 SEK 1.2 8 Geographical area: The project operates in eight districts across four provinces as outlined below: · Eastern Province: Chipata, Lundazi, Chadiza · Southern Province: Choma, Kalomo, Zimba · Western Province: Kaoma · Central Province: Mumbwa 1.2.9 Sida’s/other donors’ roles The intervention is implemented in rural communities and is closely aligned with ongoing donor- and government-funded initiatives operating within the same areas, particularly in women’s economic empowerment, agricultural value chains, and livelihoods development. It is well aligned with national priorities as articulated in Zambia’s Eighth National Development Plan (8NDP), contributing to key objectives related to poverty reduction, women’s empowerment, and economic diversification. Furthermore, the intervention complements and reinforces Government of Zambia social support and economic development programmes, especially those aimed at strengthening livelihoods, promoting inclusive growth, and enhancing social protection systems. Key government initiatives included the Constituency Development Fund (CDF), the Social Cash Transfer (SCT) programme, and agricultural support mechanisms such as the Farmer Input Support Programme (FISP), which is designed to improve smallholder farmer productivity and access to essential inputs. The intervention was also situated within a broader development landscape supported by multiple bilateral, multilateral, and private donors. Major bilateral partners include the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO), Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ), the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), and the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD). Multilateral and institutional donors include the European Union (EU), the African Development Bank (AfDB), and the World Bank, among others. Additional support is provided by UN agencies, philanthropic foundations, and private institutional donors such as the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Mastercard Foundation. Across Zambia, these development partners primarily fund programmes in key sectors including economic development and livelihoods (with a strong focus on women and youth), agriculture and food security, health, education and skills development, governance and human rights, and climate resilience. Gender equality and social inclusion are mainstreamed as cross-cutting priorities across most funding streams. 1.2.10 Project Challenges The evaluation should consider any contextual, operational, and external challenges encountered during project implementation and assess their influence on the achievement of intended outcomes and overall project performance if any. 1.2.11 Previous Evaluations Commissioned by Sida or others The Gender and Power Analysis-Conducted in July 2020.The aim of the Gender Power Analysis (GPA) was to analyse and identify specific barriers to economic empowerment faced by women in selected project sites for the Women Economic Empowerment project implemented by We Effect and its partners. Using participatory inquiry approach the study analysed the norms, attitudes and values integral to understanding issues that hinder women from affirming their socio-economic rights. The study sought to identify existing gender and power differences in access to and control of resources and decision making at household, community and institutional levels Baseline Study – Conducted in August 2020 to assess the initial status of women’s economic empowerment, including levels of awareness, access to resources and services, participation in economic activities, and existing gender dynamics to inform project design and implementation. Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) -Undertaken in October 2020. The purpose of the ESIA was to assess positive and negative impacts of the current agricultural practices (cropping and livestock rearing) and the potential impacts of the proposed interventions by We Effect. The inclusion of environmental and social assessments in women empowerment projects was central to ensuring economic growth and sustainable development. This also led to the inclusion of specific objective 4 in the project. Mid Term Evaluation – A mid-term evaluation of the WEE project was conducted in June 2023 to assess progress towards intended outcomes, relevance of the intervention, and the effectiveness of implementation approaches. The full document reports will be provided. 1.3 Evaluation rationale The WEE Project is approaching the end of its implementation period in December 2026. An End of Project Evaluation is being commissioned at this stage to: • Generate evidence on the project’s achievements, challenges, and lessons learned across all eight districts and four provinces. • Assess the extent to which the project has contributed to meaningful and sustainable change in the economic and social lives of women beneficiaries. • Provide actionable recommendations to inform We Effect Zambia’s future programming strategy, institutional learning, and potential new phases of WEE-related interventions. • Fulfil accountability obligations to Sida as the primary donor and to the communities served by the project. The evaluation is also expected to contribute to organizational learning across We Effect’s wider country and regional portfolio, particularly regarding the relevance and effectiveness of DWA-centred programming models for women’s economic empowerment in Zambia. 2. The Assignment 2.1 Evaluation purpose: Intended use and intended users The primary purpose of this End of Project Evaluation is to generate evidence-based findings on the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, and impact of the WEE Project. The evaluation findings will be used by Sida, its partners and other stakeholders to strengthen future programming, support learning for similar interventions and inform decision making for Sida and its partners. The primary intended users of the evaluation are: • We Effect Zambia’s Country Management Team and Programme Staff • District Women Associations (DWAs) and local implementing partners • Sida / Swedish Embassy in Zambia (as donor) • We Effect’s Global Programme teams The evaluation is to be designed, conducted and reported to meet the needs of the intended users and tenderers shall elaborate in the tender how this will be ensured during the evaluation process. Other stakeholders that should be kept informed about the evaluation include. · Ministry of Agriculture , Ministry of Community Development and Social Services, Ministry of Livestock &Veterinary Services · Other NGOs and development partners working on WEE in the target districts · Local authorities and government department One Stope Centers ,Victim Support Unit, Forestry departments 2.2 Evaluation scope The evaluation scope covers the full WEE Project as implemented from December 2019 to the point of project field activity closure (July-August 2026) and shall cover all four project-specific objectives and related outcomes. The scope is defined as follows: Time frame: December 2019 to the date of evaluation fieldwork (approximately August-September 2026). The evaluation will capture cumulative results across the project’s lifetime, with particular attention to sustainability and likely continuation of the benefits of post-closure. Geographical coverage: All eight implementation districts across four provinces — Chipata, Lundazi, and Chadiza (Eastern Province); Choma, Kalomo, and Zimba (Southern Province); Kaoma (Western Province); and Mumbwa (Central Province). Given varying levels of implementation intensity across districts, the sampling design must be purposive and account for geographic disparities. Target groups: Women, men, and youth directly reached by the project (approximately 20,170 direct beneficiaries), with primary focus on women beneficiaries and members of DWAs, VSLA groups, Business Clubs, Women’s Land Advocacy Groups, and anti-GBV referral structures. Findings shall be disaggregated by sex, age, disability status, and location where applicable. Thematic scope: The evaluation will cover all four specific project objectives, including women’s agency and decision-making, reduction of institutional barriers to economic advancement, collective action and asset ownership, and climate resilience. The evaluation must also assess cross-cutting themes of gender equality, human rights, and safeguarding.If needed, the scope of the evaluation may be further elaborated by the evaluator in the inception report. 2.3 Evaluation objective: Criteria and questions The objective/objectives of this evaluation is/are to Assess Performance Evaluate the relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability of the intervention in relation to its stated objectives, target groups, and intended outcomes. Inform Future Programming and Strategic Decision-Making Generate evidence-based findings and recommendations on the intervention’s performance, sustainability and future potential to inform decisions on future programming, funding, scaling, replication, and strategic direction. • Contribution to Organizational Learning Identify lessons learned, good practices, innovations, and critical success factors that can strengthen We Effect’s programming portfolio and contribute to Sida’s broader learning agenda and evidence-based development cooperation. The evaluation questions are: Relevance: Is the intervention doing the right thing? · To what extent has the intervention objectives and design responded to beneficiaries’ needs and priorities, and have they continued to do so if/when circumstances have changed? · Was the project a technically adequate solution to the development problem at hand? Does it eliminate the main causes of the problem? · To what extent were gender equality, the empowerment of women, disability inclusion and LNOB principles integrated in adaptive management and implementation of the project? Coherence: How well does the intervention fit? · How internally and externally coherent were WEE interventions with national and sub‑national policies and systems? Effectiveness: Is the intervention achieving its objectives? · To what extent did the project achieve its intended outcomes and contribute to the overall development objective, and how sustainable are the results likely to be after project completion? · To what extent did the project’s Theory of Change accurately reflect the actual pathways of change observed during implementation, and to what extent did the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) system effectively generate credible evidence to validate these pathways, support adaptive management, facilitate learning, and inform decision-making throughout the project lifecycle? · To what extent was risk management adequate, and to what extent has the implementation of the project been adjusted based on regular assessments of assumptions and risks? Efficiency: How well are resources being used? · To what extent were project resources used economically and efficiently to achieve the intended results, and was value for money demonstrated throughout project implementation? Impact: What difference does the intervention make? · What significant positive or negative, intended or unintended, long-term changes can be attributed to the project, and how have these affected the target beneficiaries and wider community? Sustainability: Will the benefits last? · what extent are the impacts achieved by the project likely to be sustained beyond the project period, and what factors are most likely to support or undermine their continuation? Questions are expected to be developed in the tender by the tenderer and further refined during the inception phase of the evaluation. 2.4 Evaluation approach and methods It is expected that the evaluator describes and justifies an appropriate evaluation approach/methodology and methods for data collection in the tender. The evaluation design, methodology and methods for data collection and analysis are expected to be fully developed and presented in the inception report. The evaluator is to suggest an approach/methododology that provides credible answers (evidence) to the evaluation questions. Limitations to the chosen approach/methodology and methods shall be made explicit by the evaluator and the consequences of these limitations discussed in the tender. The evaluator shall to the extent possible, present mitigation measures to address them. A clear distinction is to be made between evaluation approach/methodology and methods. A gender-responsive approach/methodology, methods, tools and data analysis techniques should be used[1]. Sida’s approach to evaluation is utilization-focused, which means the evaluator should facilitate the entire evaluation process with careful consideration of how everything that is done will affect the use of the evaluation. It is therefore expected that the evaluators, in their tender, present i) how intended users are to participate in and contribute to the evaluation process and ii) methodology and methods for data collection that create space for reflection, discussion and learning between the intended users of the evaluation. In cases where sensitive or confidential issues are to be addressed in the evaluation, evaluators should ensure an evaluation design that do not put informants and stakeholders at risk during the data collection phase or the dissemination phase. 2.5 Organisation of evaluation management This evaluation is commissioned byWe Effect. Country Office in Lusaka The intended user(s) is/are We Effect Zambia Country Office and Sida . The intended users of the evaluation form a steering group, which has contributed to and agreed on the ToR for this evaluation. The steering group is a decision-making body. It will approve the inception report and the final report of the evaluation and to evaluate the tenders. The steering group will participate in the two start-up meetings of the evaluation, one with Sida and another with We Effect partners, as well as in the debriefing/validation workshop where preliminary findings and conclusions are discussed. 2.6 Evaluation quality All Sida’s evaluations shall conform to OECD/DAC’s Quality Standards for Development Evaluation[2]. The evaluators shall use the Sida OECD/DAC Glossary of Key Terms in Evaluation[3] and the OECD/DAC Better Criteria for Better Evaluation[4]. The evaluators shall specify how quality assurance will be handled by them during the evaluation process. 2.7 Time schedule and deliverables (Subject to Change) It is expected that a time and work plan is presented in the tender and further detailed in the inception report.. The evaluation shall be carried out from 15th July 2026 to 4th September 2026. The timing of any field visits, surveys and interviews need to be settled by the evaluator in dialogue with the main stakeholders during the inception phase. The table below lists key deliverables for the evaluation process. Alternative deadlines for deliverables may be suggested by the consultant and negotiated during the inception phase. Deliverables Participants Deadlines (estimated) 1. Start-up Meeting (virtual or in-person Lusaka) We Effect Zambia, Sida/Embassy, Evaluation Team Week of 17th August 2026 2. Draft Inception Report Evaluation Team / We Effect Zambia and Sida Tentative By 24th August 2026 3. Inception Meeting & Report Approval Steering Group + Evaluation Team Tentative 28th August 2026 4. Comments from intended users to evaluators (alternatively these may be sent to evaluators ahead of the inception meeting) Tentative 5. Data collection, analysis, report writing and quality assurance Evaluators 28th August -11th September 2026 6. Debriefing / Validation Workshop We Effect Zambia, Partners, Sida/Embassy, DWAs 16th September 2026 7. Draft evaluation report We Effect Zambia, Partners, Sida/Embassy, DWAs Tentative 23rd September 2026 8. Comments from intended users to evaluators We Effect Zambia, Partners, Sida/Embassy, DWAs Tentative 30th th September 2026 9. Final evaluation report By 7th 0ctober 2026 10. Seminar Venue TBA Date TBA The inception report will form the basis for the continued evaluation process and shall be approved by We Effect before the evaluation proceeds to implementation. The inception report should be written in English and cover evaluability issues and interpretations of evaluation questions, present the evaluation approach/methodology including how a utilization-focused and gender-responsive approach will be ensured, methods for data collection and analysis as well as the full evaluation design, including an evaluation matrix and a stakeholder mapping/analysis. A clear distinction between the evaluation approach/methodology and methods for data collection shall be made. All limitations to the methodology and methods shall be made explicit and the consequences of these limitations discussed. A specific time and work plan, including number of hours/working days for each team member, for the remainder of the evaluation should be presented. The time plan shall allow space for reflection and learning between the intended users of the evaluation. The final report shall be written in English and be professionally proof read. The final report should have clear structure and follow the layout format of Sida’s template för decentralised evaluations (see Annex C). The executive summary should be maximum 3 pages. The report shall clearly and in detail describe the evaluation approach/methodology and methods for data collection and analysis and make a clear distinction between the two. The report shall describe how the utilization-focused approach has been implemented i.e. how intended users have participated in and contributed to the evaluation process and how methodology and methods for data collection have created space for reflection, discussion and learning between the intended users. Furthermore, the gender-responsive approach shall be described and reflected in the findings, conclusions and recommendations along with other identified and relevant cross-utting issues. Limitations to the methodology and methods and the consequences of these limitations for findings and conclusions shall be described. Evaluation findings shall flow logically from the data, showing a clear line of evidence to support the conclusions. Conclusions should be substantiated by findings and analysis. Evaluation questions shall be clearly stated and answered in the executive summary and in the conclusions. Recommendations and lessons learned should flow logically from conclusions and be specific, directed to relevant intended users and categorised as a short-term, medium-term and long-term. The report should be no more than 35 pages excluding annexes. If the methods section is extensive, it could be placed in an annex to the report. Annexes shall always include the Terms of Reference, the Inception Report, the stakeholder mapping/analysis and the Evaluation Matrix. Lists of key informants/interviewees shall only include personal data if deemed relevant (i.e. when it is contributing to the credibility of the evaluation) based on a case based assessment by the evaluator and the commissioning unit/embassy. The inclusion of personal data in the report must always be based on a written consent. The evaluator shall adhere to the Sida OECD/DAC Glossary of Key Terms in Evaluation[5]. 2.8 Evaluation team qualification The evaluation team shall include the following competencies: • An advanced degree (postgraduate level) in social sciences, gender studies, development studies, agricultural economics, or a relevant field. • At least 10 years of experience in conducting complex country and international programme evaluations, with demonstrated experience in Women’s Economic Empowerment, value chains, and agricultural development evaluations. • Demonstrated expertise and knowledge of the thematic areas relevant to the WEE Project, including agricultural extension; women’s economic empowerment; gender-based violence; governance and women’s leadership; agricultural value chains; and business/cooperative development. • Demonstrated experience with mixed-methods evaluation approaches including Theory-Based Evaluation, Utilisation-Focused Evaluation, Outcome Harvesting, and participatory qualitative methods. • Excellent analytical, writing, and communication skills in English. • At least 10 years of experience working with international organizations and donors (pass/fail threshold). It is desirable that the evaluation team includes the following competencies: • Local consultants with strong knowledge of Zambia’s agricultural, gender, and development context. • Female team members to lead data collection directly involving women beneficiaries. • Language capacity in local languages spoken in the target districts, or qualified translators. A CV for each team member shall be included in the call-off response. It should contain a full description of relevant qualifications and professional work experience. It is important that the competencies of the individual team members are complimentary. It is highly recommended that local evaluation consultants are included in the team, as they often have contextual knowledge that is of great value to the evaluation. In addition, and in a situation with Covid-19, the inclusion of local evaluators may also enhance the understanding of feasible ways to conduct the evaluation The evaluators must be independent from the evaluation object and evaluated activities and have no stake in the outcome of the evaluation. Please note that in the tender, the tenderers must propose a team leader that takes part in the evaluation by at least 30% of the total evaluation team time including core team members, specialists and all support functions, but excluding time for the quality assurance expert. 2.9 Financial and Human resources The maximum budget amount available for the evaluation is 400,000 SEK for this assignment, inclusive of professional fees, travel, per diem, and all related costs. This envelope is provided to enable consultants to submit realistic and comparable financial proposals. Invoicing and payment shall be managed according to the following: • 30% upon approval of the Inception Report. • 40% upon submission and presentation of the draft evaluation report at the validation workshop. • 30% upon submission and approval of the final evaluation report and evaluation brief. The contact person at We Effect is Albert Mutasa, at Sida/Swedish Embassy is Susan Chipeta. . The contact persons should be consulted if any problems arise during the evaluation process. Relevant project documentation will be provided by We Effect . Contact details to intended users (cooperation partners, Swedish Embassy, other donors etc.) will be provided by We Effect. The evaluator will be required to arrange own travel logistics and preparing visits and booking interviews with partnersincluding any necessary security arrangements. 3. Annexes Annex A: List of key documentation The following documentation will be made available to shortlisted consultants at or before the start-up meeting: • WEE Project Proposal / Programme Document (2019) • WEE Project Log Frame (including baseline data and indicator targets) • WEE Annual Reports (2020–2025) • Baseline Study Report • Gender and Power Analysis • Environmental Social Impact Assessment • Mid Term Evaluation • District Women Association (DWA) institutional capacity assessments • Relevant Sida strategy documents for Zambia • We Effect Zambia Country Strategy (current period) • Previous evaluations commissioned by We Effect or Sida on related programming Annex B: Data sheet on the evaluation object Annex C: Decentralised evaluation report template Annex D: Project/Programme document [1] See for example UNEG United Nations Evaluation Group (2014) Integrating Human Rights and Gender Equality in Evaluations http://uneval.org/document/detail/1616 [2] OECD/DAC (2010) Quality Standards for Development Evaluation. [3] Sida OECD/DAC (2014) Glossary of Key Terms in Evaluation and Results Based Management. [4] OECD/DAC (2019) Better Criteria for Better Evaluation: Revised Evaluation Criteria Definitions and Principles for Use. [5] Sida OECD/DAC (2014) Glossary of Key Terms in Evaluation and Results Based Management. Application email: procurement.zambia@weeffect.org

Requirements

required to account for these geographic disparities in its sampling design and analysis. 1.2 Evaluation object: The evaluation object is the Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE) Project, implemented by We Effect Zambia and its current and former partners Women for Change, Zambia Land Alliance, Heifer International Zambia, and District Women Associations (DWAs). 1.2.1 Theory of Change Women in the target areas face persistent structural barriers that limit their economic empowerment, including constrained access to productive resources, financial services, and markets, as well as entrenched gender norms and unequal power relations. These challenges restrict women’s ability to generate income, control resources, and participate meaningfully in economic decision-making processes at household and community levels.The WEE project addresses structural and systemic barriers faced by women at household, community, and institutional levels that hinders their ability, as rights-holders, to claim and realize their socio-economic rights. We Effect’s theory of change for women’s economic empowerment is that for sustainable, long-term change to happen,we must place women and gender equality at the center of our work. We should LISTEN to women’s needs and priorities, BUILD on their existing capacities and SUPPORT women to mobilise,lead and take collective action for change. We Effect believes that we need to address the structural barriers that affect women including patriarchal gender norms that prevent them from realising and affirming their rights. If We Effect supports partner organisations to take a more transformative approach through a Human Rights-Based Approach that works to ensure women’s leadership and ownership of projects. If women lead and own projects, then they will be able to organise and mobilise and these projects will be more sustainable. The WEE project therefore seeks to address structural barriers—particularly patriarchal norms—that hinder women’s rights and