TERMS OF REFERENCE (TOR) FOR RECRUITMENT OF A FIRM/CONSULTANT FOR THE ENDLINE ASSESSMENT

1. Background

Rwanda Civil Society Platform (RCSP) is an apex national non-governmental organization (NGO) that represents a coalition of 14 umbrella organizations, serving as a crucial bridge between civil society and Governmental structures. Established in 2004, RCSP has consistently aimed to strengthen its capacity to effectively coordinate and represent diverse civil society organizations (CSOs) across Rwanda. The mission of RCSP is to empower its members by facilitating citizen participation and advocating for sustainable development through constructive dialogue, debate, and advocacy at both national and international levels.

In pursuit of its mission, RCSP has been actively engaged in promoting good governance, civic engagement, and democratic participation among Rwandan citizens. In 2024, RCSP implemented the "Bridging Information, Accountability and Civic Participation during Election Processes in Rwanda 2024 Elections" project, a key initiative designed to enhance transparency, accountability, and civic engagement during the election processes.

This project was strategically implemented to address the critical gaps in information dissemination, accountability mechanisms, and civic participation observed during previous election cycles in Rwanda. By engaging citizens more directly in the democratic process, the project aimed to:

1. Educating the public to know the importance of elections, and their role in those elections;
2. To impart knowledge to different categories of citizens to help them actively participate in elections.
3. To promote accountability of all stakeholders in the electoral process through dialogue.

The project involved extensive collaboration with multiple stakeholders, including civil society organizations and Government institutions. Throughout its implementation, the project utilized a variety of methods such as public forums, media campaigns, and community outreach initiatives to achieve its objectives.

As the project nears its conclusion on September 30, 2024, RCSP is committed to conducting a thorough endline assessment to evaluate its overall impact. The endline assessment will provide critical insights into the effectiveness of the project’s strategies, the extent to which its objectives were met, and the sustainability of its outcomes. This assessment will not only document the achievements and challenges encountered but will also guide future programming efforts aimed at further strengthening democratic processes in Rwanda.

RCSP is seeking the services of a qualified and experienced firm/consultant to conduct an endline assessment that reflects the impact of the project and provide insights into future initiatives.

2. Objectives

The endline assessment aims to evaluate the project's effectiveness in enhancing civic participation, accountability, and information dissemination during the 2024 election processes in Rwanda. Specifically, the objectives of the assessment are to:

1. Assess the level of citizens' awareness and engagement in the political process compared to baseline data.
2. Evaluate the impact of the project on citizens' understanding of their democratic rights.
3. Analyze the effectiveness of information dissemination strategies and accountability mechanisms introduced during the project.

3. Scope of Work

The assessment will cover the same geographical areas as the baseline, which include eight districts: Burera, Gicumbi, Rusizi, Nyamasheke, Nyaruguru, Nyamagabe, Kayonza, and Nyagatare, as well as the City of Kigali. The firm/consultant will be required to:

1. Review existing project documentation, including the baseline assessment report and progress reports.
2. Develop and implement a comprehensive methodology for data collection, which may include surveys, interviews, and focus group discussions.
3. Compare findings with baseline data to assess progress and identify areas for improvement.
4. Provide actionable recommendations for future initiatives.

4. Firm/Consultant's Tasks

The firm/consultant will be expected to:

1. Review relevant literature, reports, and documents related to the project.
2. Design a detailed methodology for the endline assessment, including data collection tools and sampling strategies.
3. Conduct fieldwork, including interviews, surveys, and focus group discussions with project beneficiaries and stakeholders.
4. Analyze the collected data and prepare a comprehensive assessment report.
5. Present findings to RCSP and key stakeholders.

5. Deliverables

The firm/consultant will be required to submit the following:

1. An inception report detailing the methodology, tools, and work plan.
2. Draft survey instruments and interview guides for review and approval.
3. Raw data from fieldwork.
4. A comprehensive endline assessment report, including findings, analysis, and recommendations.

6. Timeline

The endline assessment is expected to be completed within 15 days from the commencement date. A detailed timeline, including milestones, will be agreed upon between the firm/consultant and RCSP.

7. Profile and Competencies Required

The ideal firm/consultant should possess the following qualifications:

1. A Master’s degree or higher in governance, social sciences, or a related field.
2. Proven experience in conducting endline or baseline assessments or similar research projects.
3. Expertise in political science, civic engagement, or related fields.
4. Strong analytical and research skills.
5. Excellent communication and report-writing abilities.

8. Financial Offer/Budget

The financial offer should be inclusive of all taxes. Applicants are required to submit a detailed financial proposal, outlining the cost structure for the entire assignment, including any applicable taxes.

9. Reporting

The firm/consultant will report directly to the RCSP Executive Secretary throughout the duration of the assignment.

10. Proposal Submission

Interested firm/consultant should submit their proposals via email to info@rcsprwanda.org by September 3, 2024, before 5:00 P.M. The submission should include:

1. A cover letter.
2. A curriculum vitae (CV).
3. Samples of previous relevant work.
4. A detailed financial proposal (inclusive of taxes).

RCSP reserves the right to reject any or all proposals received and only the winner will be contacted for further processes.