Hiring Office: Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme Coordination Unit

Purpose of consultancy:

The purpose of this consultancy is to conduct a rigorous outcome-harvesting to identify and document the most significant impacts of the Spotlight Initiative African Regional Program. The consultant will work with relevant directorates of the African Union Commission, European Union, RUNOs, implementing partners, Civil Society Regional Reference Group (CSRRG), beneficiaries, and other stakeholders to collect outcomes, stories, and data that illustrate the transformative potential of the initiative. The final report will be a valuable resource for the program and its partners, providing insights into the program’s successes and challenges, and helping to inform future programming.

Background & Context

The Spotlight Initiative Africa Regional Programme is a tripartite partnership among the United Nations, European Union, and African Union, with an overarching aim to eradicate violence against women and girls, sexual and gender-based violence, and harmful practices on a continental scale. This initiative seeks to amplify and fortify existing strategies, notably the African Union (AU) Gender Strategy 2017–2027, Agenda 2030, Agenda 2063, and the Maputo Plan of Action. The first phase of the regional programme has been implemented starting from July 2020 by four Recipient United Nation Organizations (RUNOs), African Union Commission, and more than 30 regional/national implementing partners. The first phase of the programme is expected to be completed in December 2023.

Why Outcome Harvesting / Most significant change for the Spotlight Initiative Regional Programme

Outcome Harvesting is an innovative and participatory evaluation approach that focuses on the changes that a project or programme has contributed to, rather than the activities it has implemented. It is especially useful for complex and dynamic contexts, where the outcomes are often unpredictable and emergent.

The Spotlight Initiative Regional Programme for Africa aims to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls, with a focus on ending female genital mutilation (FGM) and child marriage. The programme works at the regional, national, and local levels, engaging a wide range of stakeholders, such as regional and national authorities, civil society organisations, traditional and religious leaders, women’s rights activists, youth groups, media, academia and communities.

Required expertise, qualifications, and competencies, including language requirements:

The consultant is expected to bring the following expertise, qualifications, and competencies:

• Master’s degree in development studies, monitoring and Evaluation, social sciences, or a related field.
• At least seven (7) years of experience in outcome harvesting and most significant change analysis.
• Strong critical analysis and demonstrated excellence in preparing reports in a clear and
• concise manner
• Excellent analytical and writing skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Experience working with international development organizations.
• Fluent in EnglishThe consultant is expected to bring the following expertise, qualifications, and competencies:

What to submit with the application:

SIARP Coordination Unit invites applications from consultants with the required skills and experience. The Application should comprise:

• A cover letter outlining relevant experience, and suitability for the consultancy (maximum 1 page)
• An outline of the methodology proposed for the assignment (maximum 2 pages)
• CV/company profile, including contact details for two referees/references