Job Title

Terms of Reference for the Midterm Review of the Regional Partner Capacity Strengthening Project Phase 2 (RO02-005)ChildFund Australia is an independent international development organisation that works to reduce poverty for children in developing communities. We partner to create community, and systems change which enables children and young people in vulnerable situations, to assert and realise their rights.At ChildFund Australia, we want every child and young person to be able to say: "I am safe. I am educated. I contribute. I have a future."At ChildFund Australia we directly manage and implement programs with a range of local partners in Cambodia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, TimorLeste, Vietnam, and other countries in the Pacific. We also manage projects delivered by partner organisations throughout Asia, Africa, and the Americas.ChildFund Australia believes that future success and effectiveness depends on expanded, authentic and reciprocal local partnerships. We aim to prioritise the voice and visibility of local partners, especially youthled organisations and networks, in our regular development programming and emergency response.Organisational contextThe new phase of the Partner Capacity Strengthening Project (20242028) builds directly on the findings, lessons and momentum of the previous RO02002 project, while shifting toward a deeper, more strategic investment in locally led development.BackgroundPartners from, Myanmar, TimorLeste and Vietnamthrough extensive validation workshopsconfirmed three priority areas requiring transformational strengthening: Gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI), Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), and grants acquisition and management. These became the core pillars of the new phase.Internally, ChildFund Australia''s commitment to transitioning toward more partnerled modalities, the exit from child sponsorship, and broader resource constraints are driving substantial changes to operating models and structures across both Australian and Country Offices. Externally, the global decline in Official Development Assistance (ODA) has altered the funding landscape considerably, underscoring the need to reassess implications for partners'' evolving priorities, operational pressures, and capacitystrengthening needs.This current phase reflects not only ChildFund Australia''s strategic commitment to devolving power, strengthening civil society leadership, and embedding inclusive, evidencebased practices, but also an adaptive response to significant internal transformation and external global aid shifts.PurposeThe primary purpose of this midterm evaluation is to assess how well the project''s capacitystrengthening model is working in practiceacross coordination, the various methods used, level of shared ownership, and resource useand to generate actionable recommendations for shifting sustainable management to ChildFund Australia''s Country Offices and shared decisionmaking to Country Offices and partners, strengthening partner leadership, decisionmaking and capacities in line with emerging partner priorities.Scope of EvaluationThe evaluation will take place from March to May 2026 with a view to completing the report by 15 June 2026. It will assess project achievements, challenges, lessons learned, sustainability, and early signs of impact over the life of the project.Review processes and outcomes directly linked to capacity strengthening in MEL, GEDSI, grants.Review the small grants mechanism for capacitystrengthening application and institutionalisation.Review internal ChildFund systems and processes impacting delivery and adaptiveness.Exclude a full effectiveness evaluation of downstream project outcomes beyond capacitystrengthening outcomes.Exclude a deep financial audit beyond efficiency judgments and VfM signals.Evaluation QuestionsHow effective is the project''s capacitystrengthening modelacross methods, coordination, and resourcingin building and sustaining MEL, GEDSI, and grants capabilities among partners, and whether these remain key priorities?To what extent do ChildFund''s internal systems, processes, and emergent role in locally led development enable effective, adaptive, and partnerled capacity strengthening?In light of significant organisational changes, what adjustments are needed to shift sustainable management to country offices and shared decisionmaking of the project to country offices and partners, and strengthen the sustainability and impact of capacity strengthening throughout the second half of the project?MethodologyThe midterm review will be led by an external consultant and managed by the Learning and Effectiveness Lead, with technical input from the GEDSI Adviser and the Grants Adviser. The review will employ a mixedmethod approach, including desk review, Key Informant Interviews (KIIs), group interviews, and reflection workshops with staff, partners, regional teams, and Country Offices, primarily through remote modalities.Deliverables and Indicative TimetableThe consultancy will deliver:Consultancy commencement, introductions and planning.Desk review.Inception report.Interviews with Sydney staff, CSO partners, Country Directors, Heads of Program, MEL and GEDSI teams.First draft of findings and recommendations.Review phase of the draft.Validation workshop and presentation of findings.Final report.Estimated duration: 11 days.Management and Reporting ArrangementThe Consultant will report to Ronnie Alonzo, ChildFund Learning and Effectiveness Lead. All reports must be written in English and provided in an electronic format (Microsoft Word).ConfidentialityAll discussions and documents relating to this Terms of Reference will be treated as confidential by the parties.Child SafeguardingThe Consultant will undertake the services to a high standard, promoting the best interests of ChildFund, protecting its reputation, and working consistently with its mission, vision and policies. ChildFund Australia has a zerotolerance policy to abuse, exploitation and harassment in all its forms.CounterTerrorism and AntiMoney LaunderingChildFund Australia acknowledges its obligation under Australian laws relating to counterterrorism and antimoney laundering. The consultant is required to provide information for screening before engagement, including name, date & place of birth and ID number.Conflict of InterestThe Consultant must declare any financial, personal or family interest that may impact the work of ChildFund.Fraud and Corruption Prevention and AwarenessChildFund Australia has a zero approach to fraud and corruption act. The consultant must comply with ChildFund Australia''s fraud and corruption prevention and awareness policy and act against any form of fraud or corruption.InsuranceThe successful consultant must have in place appropriate insurance arrangements, including travel insurance.Acknowledgement and DisclaimerChildFund, its Board and staff make no express or implied representation or warranty as to the currency, reliability or completeness of the information contained in this ToR. Nothing in this ToR should be construed to give rise to any contractual obligations until a formal written contract is executed between ChildFund and a selected consultant.Selection Criteria for ConsultantThe Expression of Interest should include resume, referees, proposal containing competence for the required work, professional fee, approaches and methodologies, and timeline based on the Terms of Reference. Submit EOI and relevant documents by 5PM AEST, 16 February 2026 to Ronnie Alonzo at [email protected]. #J-18808-Ljbffr