Mid-term evaluation Consultant

Terms of Reference (ToR) 

Mid-Term Evaluation 

WECF International Programmes 

 

1. About the WECF Programmes 

WECF is an international network of ecofeminist organisations, working with strategic regional partners in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Latin America and the larger European region. WECF’s multi-annual strategy provides the framework for its work, including its main multi-annual global programs, the WomenPower2030 programme which is funded by the EU as well as its Global Ecofeminist Climate Action Fund that provides the co-funding for WomenPower2030. 

The programmes aim to strengthen Ecofeminist movements and civil society organisations, to jointly advance gender equality, strengthen women’s leadership, and promote feminist policy in the context of sustainable development and climate justice. The programmes support feminist civil society organisations (CSOs), particularly women-led groups, through capacity building and small grant programmes, to influence policies and advocate and demonstrate best practices for inclusive and gender-just implementation of the 2030 Agenda and climate policies. 

After 2 years of programme implementation, WECF is commissioning a mid-term evaluation. 

2. Purpose of the Evaluation

The purpose of this assignment is to provide a targeted and practical assessment of progress of the programmes and generate actionable insights to inform the remaining implementation period.  

 

Specifically, the evaluation aims to understand what has worked best to strengthen ecofeminist civil society organisations, what lessons can be drawn, and what needs to be adapted in view of the changing geo-political environment. Thus, the evaluator(s) will be required to: 

 

• Assess progress towards key objectives and results  

• Identify strengths, gaps, and areas for improvement, and capture key lessons learned  

• Identify good practices and analyse the challenges faced by sub-grantees in a changing context  

• Identify key new challenges and risk management measures 

• Document impact stories of sub-grantees and provide actionable recommendations for programme adaptation  

• Provide strategic recommendations for strengthening and scaling up ecofeminist CSO, including in relation to key UN and EU policies (Gender Action Plan, Global Gateway). 

• Better understand opportunities from strategic coordination with the larger feminist movement, as well as strategic partnerships e.g. with other CSOs, cooperative associations, (local) authorities, trade unions, funders and philanthropy. 

 

3. Specificobjectives of the Evaluation 

The evaluation will: 

 

• Review the relevance of the programmes and in the current context  

• Assess progress against selected result indicators 

• Analyse selected programme components, including:  

• Advocacy and policy impact 

• Capacity strengthening and sub-granting mechanisms 

• Impact of feminist communication and narratives   

• Assess partner engagement and collaboration  

• Examine inclusivity and outreach to marginalised groups  

• Provide recommendations for adapting the Ecofeminist Movement Building Fund’s design and support mechanisms to more intentionally foster cooperation, up-scaling and financial sustainability of network partners. 

• Recommendations for a reduced number of key indicators aligned to WECF’s strategic areas Action, Advocacy and Awareness. 

 

4. Scope of Work

The evaluation will follow a focused and realistic scope, aligned with the available level of effort. 

It will cover: 

• Selected countries and partners (to be agreed during inception phase)  

• Key programme components (advocacy, capacity strengthening, sub-granting)  

• Activities implemented between 01 January 2024 and 31 December 2025  

• Targeted sub-grantee impact assessment (ca 20 in total), this will include identifying impact stories, good practices, key challenges, and scaling potential, including opportunities to connect sub-grantees with local authorities, private sector actors, and EU Global Gateway funding mechanisms. 

 

5. Key Evaluation Questions

The consultant is expected to address the following guiding questions: 

 

Relevance: 

• How relevant are the programmes to the needs of WECF ecofeminist network partners and grassroots grantees?  

• How well does it align with current policy and socio-political contexts?  

 

Effectiveness: 

• To what extent are selected objectives being achieved?  

• How effective are key strategies (advocacy, capacity building, sub-granting)?  

• What good practices of upscaling to achieve sustainability of partners exist? 

 

Efficiency: 

• Are resources being used efficiently in relation to results?  

 

Early Impact: 

• What types of changes can already be observed (policies, feminist narratives, institutional)?  

 

Inclusion & Gender Equality: 

• How effectively does the programme address intersectionality?  

 

Sustainability: 

• What is the potential for sustaining outcomes beyond the project period?  

 

 

Sub-grantee Impact & Scaling (under WP2030 and EMB) 

• What impacts have sub-grantees generated within their communities? (including documentation of selected impact stories)  

• What good practices and innovative approaches have emerged from sub-grantee initiatives?  

• What key challenges have sub-grantees faced during implementation?  

• What is the potential for scaling up successful initiatives?  

• What opportunities exist to connect sub-grantees with EU Global Gateway or similar funding mechanisms? 

 

6. Methodology

The consultant is expected to apply a light, focused mixed-methods approach, proportionate to the available level of effort. 

Desk Review: 

• Review of key programme documents, reports, and MEL frameworks  

Data Collection 

A limited number of key informant interviews (KIIs) with:  

• WECF team (can be done through in-person meeting in Utrecht)  

• Selected partners (can be done through in-person meeting in Utrecht) 

• Selected stakeholders (Online) 

• Targeted consultations with sub-grantees and beneficiaries (for WP2030 and EMB Programmes)  

• Optional short surveys (if relevant and efficient)  

 

In-Person Engagement 

Participation in one in-person meeting in Utrecht (5 June 2026)  

• To conduct in-depth interviews with partners and WECF team  

• To support reflection and validation discussions  

 

Validation 

• A light online validation session to present preliminary findings  

7. Deliverables

The consultant will deliver: 

 

Inception Note (brief): 

• Proposed methodology  

• Work plan  

• Agreed scope and evaluation report outline  

 

Data Collection Summary:  

• Key insights from interviews and consultations  

 

Draft Evaluation Report (concise):  

• Key findings  

• Analysis 

• Practical and strategic recommendations, including:  

• Scaling-up pathways for sub-grantees  

• Opportunities to access EU Global Gateway and other relevant funding streams 

 

Final Evaluation Report:  

• Incorporating feedback from WECF and partners  

 

Presentation of Findings (Online):  

• Presentation for internal and partner use  

 

Storytelling Outputs (separate report for the EMB Project): 

• A set of short impact stories and quotes suitable for communication and outreach purposes 

• Optionally: short Video format can be considered 

 

8. Timeline and Level of Effort

The assignment will take place between: May – July 2026 

The estimated level of effort is: Approximately 16-24 working days, depending on the consultant’s proposed methodology and work plan, and aligned with the available budget. 

9. Required Qualifications

The consultant (individual or team/company) should have: 

• Proven experience in evaluating international development programmes  

• Expertise in gender equality, feminist approaches, and/or climate/sustainability  

• Experience working with civil society organisations and multi-country programmes  

• Experience with qualitative and participatory methodologies  

• Strong analytical and report writing skills  

• Language Requirements: 

• Excellent written and spoken English (required)  

• Knowledge of Spanish is considered an asset  

 

10. Reporting and Coordination

The consultant will report to the Programme Manager at WECF and work closely with the WP2030 coordination team. 

11. Ethical Considerations

The consultant must: 

• Ensure informed consent and confidentiality  

• Apply gender-sensitive and inclusive approaches  

• Follow safeguarding principles  

 

12. RequestedBudget 

This requested budget should include: 

• Professional fees  

• Travel to Utrecht (Travel expenses will be covered by WECF)  

• Any other relevant costs  

 

The proposed methodology and scope of work should be aligned with the available budget and estimated level of effort (approx. 16-24 working days). 

 

13. Application Process

Interested applicants should submit: 

• Technical proposal (methodology and approach) – ca. 1-2 pages 

• Financial proposal – ca 1 page 

• CV(s) of evaluator(s) 

• Short description or links to previous evaluation work – max 1 page 

 

14. How to Apply

Please submit your application by 30 April 2026 to: wecfvacancyint@wecf.org 

Subject line: “Proposal Submission – Mid-Term Review WECF” 

For any process-related questions contact: womenpower2030@wecf.org 

For more information: Request for Proposals: Mid-Term Evaluation Consultant – WECF