Midterm Evaluation Consultant

Context and justification of the need

The 2021 Joint Communication on a “Renewed Partnership with the Southern Neighborhood – A New Agenda for the Mediterranean” emphasizes the importance of promoting the role of women in society and the economy, as part of a renewed commitment to the rule of law, human rights, equality, democracy, and good governance. In line with the EU Gender Action Plan (GAP III), which aims to strengthen the EU’s contribution to achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) across its internal and external actions, the European Commission adopted in 2022 the “Women Empowerment Hub in Lebanon (WE-HUB)” initiative, funded under the Neighbourhood, Development and International Cooperation Instrument (NDICI – Global Europe).

The WE-HUB project is currently under implementation and aims to contribute to advancing gender equality in Lebanon through three specific objectives:

• SO1: Increase women’s leadership and participation in the political and public sphere
• SO2: Foster an enabling environment for improved engagement of women in the workforce
• SO3: Enhance legislative reforms and measures that protect women from all forms of violence

The expected results of the action are structured as follows:

Under SO1:

• Women feel more empowered to engage in political life
• Women are more visible in public spaces, gaining competencies, networks, confidence, and legitimacy
• Policy dialogue at the national level is strengthened, and the legislative framework is increasingly aligned with gender equality

Under SO2:

• Women and civil society actors are better equipped to address discriminatory social norms and gender stereotypes
• Evidence-based policies and recommendations are increasingly adopted by stakeholders to combat gender discrimination and inequalities
• Women have improved access to employment and entrepreneurship opportunities, particularly in non-traditional sectors

Under SO3:

• Protection actors provide improved, survivor-centered services to GBV survivors and strengthen coordination with NGOs
• Access to justice for GBV survivors is enhanced
• The legal framework for the protection of women from violence is increasingly enforced

The WE-HUB project is implemented by Expertise France and GIZ International Services. Expertise France leads the overall coordination of the project, including implementation of Components 1 and 3, as well as donor reporting, while GIZ is responsible for the implementation of Component 2.

The WE-HUB project is implemented by Expertise France and GIZ International Services. Expertise France leads the overall coordination of the project, including the implementation of Components 1 and 3, as well as donor reporting, while GIZ International Services is responsible for the implementation of Component 2. The project is implemented in close coordination with a range of anticipated stakeholders and partners, including GIZ International Services, Women Led SMEs, relevant private sector actors, Ministry of Social Affairs (MOSA), Ministry of Justice (MOJ), Lebanese University – Faculty of Arts and Architecture (LU), National Commission for Lebanese Women (NCLW), , Beirut Bar Association (BBA), the Tripoli Bar Association (TBA), Justice Without Frontiers (JWF), the Legal Task Force (LTF), , Expert Researchers, ,  Live Love Lebanon (LLL), as well as relevant public and private sector institutions .

At this mid-implementation stage, the project is undergoing a Mid-Term Evaluation to assess progress towards achieving its objectives, identify challenges and lessons learned, and provide actionable recommendations to improve implementation and inform the remaining phase of the project.

Objectives and desired results

The objective of the consultancy is to conduct strategic and analytical mid-term evaluation of the WE-HUB project to assess its progress, using the six standard DAC evaluation criteria, namely: relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, coherence, and sustainability. The evaluation will provide actionable, forward-looking recommendations for Phase 3. The evaluation is expected to go beyond descriptive analysis and provide critical insights and evaluative judgement.

The findings and recommendations will enable the project team to identify achievements, challenges, and gaps, and to adjust implementation strategies accordingly for the remaining project period.

The evaluation will focus on:

The specific evaluation questions as formulated below, are indicative. They outline what the evaluation should focus on, have a primary impact on the methodology that the selected evaluator will develop, and help direct the evaluation effort towards the expected areas to be covered by this mid-ter evaluation. The evaluation questions will be finalized during the framing phase of the evaluation with the evaluation committee[1].

Furthermore, the mid-term evaluation should consider whether gender equality and women’s empowerment were mainstreamed and consistently applied and achieved within the implementation

Mid-Term Evaluation

Purpose:
To assess the progress of the project against its objectives and indicators, evaluate the effectiveness of implementation to date, and identify lessons learned and areas for improvement.

Tasks:

• • Context and Progress Analysis:

The evaluation will also look at unintended (positive or negative) effects. This can be included in the progress and data analysis sections. Review the current status of women’s empowerment in Lebanon and assess progress made by the project in relation to its objectives.  It will be subject of both wars that took place in 2024 and the current war.

• • Assessment of LogFrame Performance:

Assess progress against the existing logframe indicators and targets, based on available monitoring data and evaluation findings.

• • Review of MEAL Data and Means of Verification (MoVs):

Examine existing datasets and MoVs to assess the availability, consistency, and reliability of data used to report on project indicators.

• • Data Collection:

Conduct field visits, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with beneficiaries, partners organizations, and stakeholders to gather qualitative and quantitative insights.

• • Data Analysis:

Analyze collected and existing monitoring data to assess progress against targets, identify trends, and evaluate early signs of change.

• • Assessment of Implementation:

Evaluate the relevance, effectiveness, and efficiency of project activities and partnerships.

• • Reporting of Findings:

Prepare a comprehensive mid-term evaluation report outlining methodology, findings, lessons learned, and practical recommendations to improve ongoing implementation.

Description of the assignment

Planned Activities

The evaluator will undertake the following activities:

• Conduct a comprehensive desk review of key project documents, including:

• Original logframe and indicators
• Baseline study report
• Progress reports and partner reports
• MEAL tools and datasets

• Develop an evaluation methodology and workplan, including data collection tools (KIIs/FGDs guides) – this methodology will be developed in an inception report that will be presented during a meeting with the evaluation committee to validate the methodology (data collection tools and sample (list of interlocutors or sample for survey if needed), data collection process and calendar, analysis plan…)
• Data Collection:
  • Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with different stakeholder groups, including:
• 2 days: KIIs with project team members (Expertise France & GIZ) (including KEs, trainers, and relevant departments) – approx. 6 KIIs A mix of individual and small group interviews can be used, especially for team members with similar roles.
• This will be further defined by the evaluator during the inception phase.
• 2 days: KIIs with grantee organizations – approx. 6 KIIs (2 grantees × 3 participants) Group interviews with each grantee (2–3 participants) can be organized to make data collection more efficient while capturing different perspectives. The final approach will be defined by the evaluator.
• 2-3 days: KIIs with partner stakeholders (e.g., TBA, BBA, NCLW, MOJ, MOSA) – approx. 5–7 KIIs
• 1 day: KIIs / FGDs with end beneficiaries (lawyers, women, CSOs, LU students, judges, women-led SMEs, etc.)
• 2 days: Reporting of primary data
• Conduct field visits and FGDs with beneficiaries across selected WE-Hub intervention ‎locations, while maintaining flexibility for the evaluator to ‎adapt the sampling and itinerary based on context, feasibility, security considerations, and ‎logistical constraints. Indicative locations and interventions may include:‎

Beirut and Mount Lebanon (BBA, ministries, private sector stakeholders, women-led SMEs), LU campuses such as Hadath, Furn El Chebbak, Tripoli, Deir El Qamar and Forn el Chebbak), Tripoli/North Lebanon (TBA, lawyers trained on GBV, North Connect activity, women-led SMEs) Bekaa and Saida/South (women-led SMEs / Chamber activities and private sector interventions), as well as selected JWF intervention areas (awareness sessions on civil rights and legal duties in GBV cases targeting women, school and university students, and community beneficiaries). As well as selected LLL interventions. 

The final sampling approach, field visit locations, and stakeholder selection shall be refined ‎by the evaluator during the inception phase in coordination with the evaluation committee.‎

• Review the MEAL system and analyze existing monitoring data and Means of Verification (MoVs).  In addition to datasets and MoVs, the evaluation will also assess MEAL processes and data management (e.g., data collection, validation, and reporting). This will help provide more practical recommendations.
• Assess project performance against:

• Outputs and targets
• Outcome-level indicators (based on available data and perception-based evidence)

• Evaluate project implementation using OECD DAC criteria and EU Evaluation Handbook principles:

• Relevance
• Effectiveness
• Efficiency
• Coherence
• Early signs of impact and sustainability
• Present preliminary findings and validate them with the project team Cross-Cutting Principles à

The evaluation will assess:‎

• Integration of gender equality (core objective) ‎
• Participation and inclusiveness ‎
• Ethics and confidentiality ‎
• Do no harm approach

The Specific Scope of Activities to be Covered by the Mid-Term Evaluation

The mid-term evaluation shall include an assessment of the following WE-Hub interventions implemented up to the date of the evaluation:

SO1 – Women’s leadership and participation in the political and public sphere

• Awareness campaign – partnership;
• Activities including Partnership with University, Art Exhibition and Communication Campaign Art exhibition

SO2 – Enabling environment for women’s engagement in the workforce

• SMEs Networking Activities in collaboration with the Chambers of Commerce in Tripoli, Saida, and Bekaa;
• Women Led SMEs Training in collaboration with AOU;
• Workshops and trainings to raise awareness of gender discrimination in the private sector
• Additional relevant SO2 interventions implemented under GIZ International Services, as applicable and further refined during the inception phase in coordination with the project team.

SO3 – Legislative reforms and protection measures for women

• Assessment on the gaps in the implementation of existing laws on GBV:
  • First Law: Combatting Trafficking in Persons Law, and activities including: related roundtables; recommendations report; National Event .  
• Assistance to GBV Survivors, activities including: GBV laws trainings targeting Tripoli Bar Association (TBA);  
• Capacity reinforcement of legal taskforce and establishment
• Awareness sessions about civil rights and legal duties in case of GBVs- Grant implemented by Justice Without Frontiers (JWF).

Anticipated Deliverables

By the end of the assignment, the consultant/team is expected to deliver the following deliverables in line with the WE-Hub project structure, components, and stakeholder engagement approach:

• An inception report validated by Expertise France, including the detailed evaluation methodology, sampling approach, workplan, stakeholder mapping, data collection tools (KIIs, FGDs, surveys, observation guides, document review templates), ethical considerations, limitations, and all relevant annexes. The inception package should also include a comprehensive learning/evaluation matrix linking the OECD DAC criteria, evaluation questions, indicators, data sources, methods, and stakeholders to be consulted.
• A structured evaluation matrix outlining the main and sub-evaluation questions per OECD DAC criterion (relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, impact, and sustainability), clearly tailored to the WE-Hub intervention components implemented by Expertise France and GIZ, including governance, grants, women’s empowerment activities, social innovation initiatives, access to justice interventions, and partnerships with local stakeholders.
• A stakeholder consultation and validation presentation summarizing preliminary findings, key achievements, challenges, lessons learned, unintended effects (positive and negative), and emerging recommendations related to the implementation of Components 1, 2, and 3 of the WE-Hub project. The presentation should include visualized findings, comparative analysis across components, and actionable priorities for the remaining implementation period.
• A draft evaluation report presenting evidence-based findings, analysis, conclusions, lessons learned, and practical recommendations grounded in the collected qualitative and quantitative data. The report should assess the effectiveness of partnerships and coordination mechanisms with key WE-Hub stakeholders, including local women-led organizations, public institutions, legal actors, universities, private sector actors, and community-based organizations.
• A set of clear, operational, and prioritized recommendations specifying short-term and medium-term corrective or strengthening measures, responsible actors, proposed timelines, and feasibility considerations to support adaptive management during the remaining implementation phase.
• A practical and actionable management/action plan developed in coordination with Expertise France, GIZ, and relevant partners, identifying concrete follow-up actions to improve implementation quality, coordination, monitoring systems, stakeholder engagement, sustainability measures, and overall project effectiveness during the remaining intervention period.
• A final validated evaluation report incorporating comments and feedback received from Expertise France, GIZ, local implementing partners, and relevant WE-Hub stakeholders. The final report should include an executive summary, methodology, limitations, findings per OECD DAC criterion, conclusions, lessons learned, recommendations, annexes, and all finalized supporting tools and materials.

Coordination

The evaluator will work under the direct supervision of the MEAL Officer and in close coordination with:

• The Project Manager
• Component Coordinators

The MEAL Officer will:

• Facilitate access to project documents and datasets
• Support coordination with partners and stakeholders
• Provide feedback on deliverables

Regular check-ins will be organized to ensure alignment of progress, challenges, and preliminary findings.

Place, duration and terms of performance

• Implementation Period: 40 working days
• Start Date: 13 July 2026
• End Date: 13 September 2026
• Assignment Location: Hybrid / Beirut, Lebanon

Required expertise and profile

Number of Experts: Individual Lead Evaluator or Evaluation Firm – selection will be defined on technical and financial proposal based.

Tenders should include:

• Technical outline: demonstrate an understanding of the project and the evaluation objectives methodology, composition of the evaluation team, CVs and similar experience of the team, detailed workplan, distribution of roles and responsibilities in the case of evaluation team
• Financial outline: overall budget for the evaluation, including the following: daily cost of each participant; breakdown of time spent on each intervention by participant and by phase; additional costs (services and additional documents); transport costs, logistics costs, translation costs; and proposed terms of payment.

Profile required of the main consultant or the team:

Qualifications and Skills:

• At least 5–7 years of professional experience in monitoring and evaluation with international organizations, including demonstrated experience in conducting project evaluations (baseline, mid-term and/or final)
• Proven experience in gender-focused projects, women empowerment, GBV, or related thematic areas
• Strong knowledge of evaluation methodologies, including qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis
• Familiarity with OECD DAC evaluation criteria and EU evaluation standards is highly desirable
• Experience working in Lebanon or similar contexts is a need
• Strong analytical, synthesis, and report-writing skills
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills, including experience conducting KIIs and FGDs
• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is required; knowledge of Arabic is a must.

Evaluation

Phase 1: Eligibility check

Verification of the administrative and supporting documents required under the application process.

Phase 2: Shortlisting

Eligible candidates will be shortlisted based on the qualifications, experience, and competencies outlined in the Terms of Reference (ToR).

Phase 3: Technical Assessment and Interview

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to submit a technical proposal outlining their methodology and work plan/schedule and will participate in an online interview.

Assignment reports

Final deliverables will include:

• Inception Report:

Including detailed methodology, workplan, data collection tools (KIIs/FGDs guides), and evaluation framework.

• Draft Mid-Term Evaluation Report:

Presenting preliminary findings, analysis based on evaluation criteria, progress against indicators, key challenges, and initial recommendations.

• Final Mid-Term Evaluation Report:

Following reporting EU standards and including:

• Executive summary
• Description of methodology and limitations
• Findings structured around evaluation criteria (relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, coherence, early impact, and sustainability)
• Assessment of progress against logframe indicators
• Key lessons learned
• Practical and actionable recommendations for the remaining implementation period
• A communicative synthesis
• Annexes (list of interviews, tools used, documents reviewed, etc.)