Consultancy to review progress against ARASA’s Strategic Plan (2019-2022) and mid-term evaluation of ARASA’s SRHR Programme
Deadline for submission: 28 February 2022
Background and Context
The AIDS and Rights Alliance for Southern Africa (ARASA) was established in 2002 to galvanise a movement of progressive civil society actors to advance a human rights-based response to HIV in southern Africa. In 2019, ARASA adopted a new strategic plan, with the goal to promote respect for and the protection of the rights to bodily autonomy and integrity for all in order to reduce inequality, especially gender inequality and promote health, dignity and wellbeing in southern and east Africa. The implementation of ARASA’s Strategy for 2019-21 IS anchored in the core principle of respect for and protection of the rights to bodily autonomy and integrity. Also in 2019, ARASA received funding for a 3-year programme titled “My Body is not a Democracy” and focused on promoting sexual and reproductive health and rights through a bodily autonomy and integrity framing, which operationalised a significant component of ARASA’s Strategic Plan.
ARASA’s Theory of Action / Programme Theory
We are convinced that, in order to protect and promote the rights to bodily autonomy and integrity to achieve health, dignity and wellbeing for sustainable development in southern and east Africa, ARASA should recruit, retain and develop competent and skilled staff; mobilise sufficient and sustainable resources; coordinate a sustainable partnership of like-minded progressive national and regional civil society organisations; forge and strengthen partnerships with strategic regional and international partners; and engage at the regional and international levels with key influencers[1] in political, health and financing institutions in an approach that elevates key and emerging policy issues from local and national levels to regional and international platforms.
We believe that this should be supported by capacity strengthening efforts and the provision of technical assistance for policy makers and civil society at the regional levels along with the creation of spaces for inclusive and meaningful horizontal learning, dialogue, networking, consensus building, solidarity and collaborative advocacy action. Also, at the regional level, ARASA should spearhead advocacy and provide evidence and policy options to key influencers.
This will result in increased coordination, understanding, capacity, agency and strategic alliances amongst civil society, which will be used to mobilise communities at the local level and to advocate to national decision-makers for positive changes to laws, policies and financial allocations. Likewise, key influencers at national and regional levels will have increased understanding of the need for human rights to be respected and protected if health, dignity and wellbeing are to be enjoyed by all in southern and east Africa and use this to work towards positive changes to laws, policies and financial allocations.
As a result of the civil society advocacy for positive changes and subsequent positive changes in law and policy spearheaded by key influencers, young women, youth and marginalised people will enjoy respect for bodily autonomy and integrity; human diversity and dignity; agency for health; gender equality and equity. This will ultimately result in health, dignity and wellbeing in southern and east Africa.
Purpose of Consultancy
ARASA wishes to engage a consultant(s) to conduct a review of progress against the Strategic Plan (including a mid-term evaluation of the “My Body is not a Democracy” programme – See Annexure B: ToR for mid-term evaluation of the “My Body is not a Democracy” Programme) and submit a comprehensive evaluation report reviewing:
- progress made to date against the Strategic Plan, its goal, outcomes and related targets; and
- progress against the goals, outputs and anticipated outcomes of the “My Body is not a Democracy” programme.
The evaluation will cover the period 1 January 2019 to 31 December 2021 and will allow ARASA to make appropriate adjustments for the further implementation of the Strategic Plan as well as for the potential review of the Strategic Plan.
The objectives of the review are:
- To review progress made to date against the goal, outcomes and outputs of the Strategic Plan as defined in the Results Framework (including the quantitative and qualitative targets/ indicators of “My Body is not a Democracy Programme”) to assess the extent to which there has been progress against these matrices during this period.
- To assess the extent to which the ARASA’s new strategic direction has gained traction at national and regional levels with ARASA partners and key stakeholders and whether it is making the anticipated contribution towards the realisation of sexual and reproductive health and rights in southern and east Africa and ultimately the reduction of inequality, especially gender inequality and promotion of health, dignity and wellbeing for sustainable development in southern and east Africa.
- To analyse the soundness of ARASA’s Theory of Change to achieve the goals and outcomes identified in the Strategic Plan.
- To analyse which, if any contextual changes may have influenced the implementation of the Strategic Plan and / or whether the organization has adapted appropriately to the changing context to deliver on the Strategic Plan and what, if any changes are needed to continue to do so during the remainder of the Strategic Plan period.
- To draw lessons (including on challenges and obstacles faced) and make recommendations for the implementation of the Strategic Plan during the remainder of the Strategic Plan period and for a potential review of the Strategic Plan.
Duration and Timelines
The work should begin no later than one week after signature of the contract and should be completed between 1 and 31 March 2022. Consultants are expected to commence work immediately following contracting.
Reporting
Although the consultant will work with several members of the ARASA Team, they will liaise primarily with the M&E Officer, Maggie Amweelo (maggie@arasa.info) for reporting and other matters.
How to apply
Interested parties can send an expression of interest that includes the following to felicita@arasa.info and cc maggie@arasa.info:
- Cover letter outlining
- Consultant’s professional background;
- Relevant skills, experience and qualifications;
- Example of similar work undertaken, not older than 5 years,
- Suggested methodology;
- Estimated number of days required for the work;
- The consultant’s daily rate and availability during the stipulated period
- An updated Curriculum Vitae (of no more the 3 pages which shows experience with similar assignments)
Kindly put “Expression of interest: Review of Progress Against ARASA’S Strategic Plan” in the title/ subject of the email.
The closing date for the submission of expressions of interest is close of business on 28 February 2022.For further details on the scope of work, deliverables and how to apply, see the full terms of reference at: