Link Community Development International
Terms of Reference
For
External evaluation
Of
Support to the Inspection and Advisory Services (SIAS)
Project background
Link Community Development (Link) is a group of international non-governmental organisations (NGOs)
committed to helping improve education delivery in developing countries, in partnership with national,
regional and local education departments. Link facilitates projects to build the capacity of schools and
increase access to quality education for communities in rural areas. Link was established in Malawi in 2006
and works in partnership with the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology (MoEST) and Dedza District
Education Office to improve the quality of education in Malawi.
In 2013 we were awarded a grant by the Scottish Government for the Support to the Inspection and
Advisory Services (SIAS) project, working in partnership with the national Directorate of Inspection and
Advisory Services and with practice-based training in Dedza District. The project started in April 2013 and
will be completed in March 2016. The overall objective of SIAS is to improve the provision of quality
education to the children of Malawi by supporting the Ministry of Education, Science and Technology to
develop (1) a cadre of professionally trained, knowledgeable inspectors, able to effectively inspect schools
and to monitor school improvement throughout Malawi, and (2) a cadre of professionally trained,
knowledgeable PEAs, able to effectively support school improvement throughout Malawi. This is in line
with MoEST policy as expressed in the National Education Sector Plan (2008–2017) to: expand equitable
access to education to enable all to benefit; improve quality and relevance of education to reduce drop-out
and repetition and promote effective learning; and improve governance and management of the system to
enable more effective and efficient delivery of services.
The anticipated outcome of the project is an improved model of comprehensive, integrated inspection and
advisory services established to effectively evaluate, monitor and support school improvement in Malawi
(piloted in Dedza District in 19 primary and 5 secondary schools). The anticipated impact of this is improved
inspection and supervision visits based on harmonised/ new National Education Standards in Dedza.
The project is fully aligned with Government policy (National Education Sector Plan, Education Sector
Improvement Plan II) and works through existing structures so as to generate relevant learning. It has been
designed in partnership with the education department at all levels. Project partners are Link Malawi, Link
International, the Department of Inspection and Advisory Services (DIAS) and the Dedza District Education
Office.
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Link Community Development International
Purpose of the evaluation
SIAS is drawing to a close and Link requires an evaluation of the project impact. The evaluation aims:
1. To determine the performance of SIAS against stated project objectives (impact, outcome and outputs)
2. To determine the wider impact, positive or negative, of SIAS in relation to the overall goal
3. To determine the relevance of SIAS in terms of Malawian education policy and objectives
4. To determine if the intervention has put in place mechanisms to ensure sustainability
5. To determine the effectiveness and efficiency of programme delivery
Key areas of interest will be

Impact and results

Empowerment of direct and indirect beneficiaries

Value for money (Effectiveness, Efficiency and Economy)

Innovation

Sustainability

Additionality

Realisation of Risks

Contribution to Government of Malawi and Scottish Government Objectives and to the Millennium
Development Goals

Lesson Learning (Empowerment and Advocacy, Equity, Capacity building, Monitoring & Evaluation)

Recommendations for future interventions
Methodology
The evaluation should be structured as a participatory process, with beneficiaries fully involved in the
investigative process. The methodology will be finalised by the consultant, but we anticipate the necessity to
review existing documentation, sample schools for the fieldwork, and employ a variety of participatory
methodologies to engage with key stakeholders at international, national, district, zone and school levels.
The consultant will also engage with staff from Link Malawi and Link International.
It is expected that the evaluator would engage with some or all of the following:

At National Level: Director and Senior Inspectors and Advisors at DIAS

At District Level: The District Education Manager

At Zone Level: Primary Education Advisors

At School Level: Headteachers; Teachers; Learners; School Management Committees; PTA members;
Mother Group members; parents.
Responsibilities of Link Community Development
Link will make available all relevant documentation as soon as the consultancy is agreed. This will include:
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Link Community Development International
1. SIAS Original Full Proposal and amendments agreed with Scottish Government
2. SIAS bi-annual reports to the Scottish Government Fund Manager
3. District, zone and school improvement reports and plans
4. Background documentation such as MoEST policy documents
Link will arrange and pay for transport to and from Malawi and accommodation in Malawi during fieldwork.
During fieldwork in Malawi Link will provide transport for the consultant within and between Lilongwe and
Dedza using Link vehicles and a Link driver. Link will set up meetings with interviewees as requested by the
consultant and the consultant will be accompanied by Link staff who speak English and Chichewa and are
able to translate as required. Link will facilitate printing of documents for fieldwork on request.
Outputs / Deliverables

Final Evaluation Framework prior to commencing the field work outlining a schedule for the evaluation
activities and methods to be utilized, including all data collection tools to be used

Verbal feedback to Link Malawi on completion of fieldwork

A draft report to be submitted to Link Malawi and Link International on return from Malawi

Skype meeting with Link Malawi Programme Director and Link International Programme Director to
feedback / discuss draft report

Final report (within 2 weeks of draft report) of no more than 30 pages

An executive summary of the Final Evaluation report (max 2 pages) outlining key findings, lessons
learned and recommendations for distribution.

Annexes including data collection instruments as well as lists of respondents, etc.
Timeframe
The anticipated timeframe is as follows:
Task
Time
Preparation (Evaluation Framework & tool development)
3 days
Field work
5 days
Report-writing and feedback
4 days
Total
12 days
The evaluation is to be conducted during March 2016 with a final report agreed with Link Community
Development by 15th April 2016.
Remuneration
The consultant will be paid at a daily rate of £285 for the number of days specified in the timeframe.
The costs of meals and other sundry costs during fieldwork will be reimbursed as outlined in the Consultant
Pack.
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Link Community Development International
Consultant Profile
The ideal candidate to undertake this evaluation will

Have a post-graduate qualification in development, education, M&E or a related field

Have in-depth knowledge of the education sector in developing countries

Have experience of working in the development sector in a developing country

Past experience of Malawi and sub-Saharan Africa an advantage

Have undertaken evaluations of a similar nature

Excellent analytical skills

Excellent communication skills
Application Process
Interested candidates should submit an expression of interest including proposed methodology, along with
a curriculum vitae, and an expected costing for the attention of Samantha Ross at samantha@lcd.org.uk.
Comments on the proposed approach are welcome. Closing date for applications: 5pm, Wednesday 27th
January 2016. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.
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