Subject: Independent Program Evaluation Services

Date: 21 July, 2025

Proposals due by: 12 August, 2025

Reference No: SEED-PL-25-004

SEED as a locally-registered NGO in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq (KRI) invites you to submit a proposal for the above‑referenced subject. SEED is seeking proposals for professional services to conduct final programs evaluation of SEED Programs. The Agreement will be for a period of two years and will initially include two program evaluations.

Future evaluations will be requested using task orders. Individuals and/or companies who wish to apply should indicate their interest according to the instructions and time frame provided below:

1) Submission of full proposal and required documents through email to proposals@seedkurdistan.org by 12 August, 2025. The email subject line must be “Independent Program Evaluation Services 2025 – name of person/company”.

2) If applicants have any questions regarding this Request for Proposals or its submission guidelines, these can be emailed to proposals@seedkurdistan.org by 28 July, 2025 with the email subject line “Independent Program Evaluation Services 2025- Question”. Phone calls will not be accepted.

3) Responses to questions will be generated in an official letter issued by SEED to all applicants by 31 July, 2025.

EVALUATION

Your proposal will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

#	Required submission	Criteria	Credits
1	Knowledge and Experience	Cover letter outlining how the candidate(s) meets the requirements outlined in the Scope of Work and highlighting the relevant qualifications, skills, languages, and experience of key personnel involved in the evaluation. – Experience on Similar Projects (USG Funded) – Experience in areas of programing (Protection, CP, GBV, Trafficking in person, human rights, reintegration, advocacy and capacity building) – Experience in the Middle East – Knowledge of the region – Language qualifications – International experience – Education background a degree in a related field to the scope of the assignment.	25 points
2	CV of candidate(s)	Previous relevant experience of the candidate(s) demonstrated through CV of all personnel to be assigned.	15 points
3	Technical proposal	A proposal outlining how programs will be evaluated and what is the recommended methodology and which team will be dedicated to that assignment	20 points
		Proposed completion schedule per each program with adherence to the timeline per the scope of work below.	10 points
4	Financial/cost proposal	The financial proposal should be all inclusive and submitted on a separate sheet for each assignment; each program should have a separate proposal sheet. Please note that the prices should be in USD and excluding VAT.	15 points
5	Previous research sample	Relevant writing sample of similar work submitted in recent year.	15 points
	Total Scoring		100

The procurement panel shall review and evaluate the applicants on the basis of their responsiveness to the evaluation criteria and other documentation provided, and point system specified in the table above. Each responsive Proposal will be given a technical score. A Proposal shall be rendered non‑responsive at this stage if it does not substantially respond to the RFP particularly the scope SEED is looking for, which also means that it fails to achieve the minimum technical score.

Language: All documents shall be submitted in English.

This RFP in no way obligates SEED to award a contract, nor does it commit SEED to pay any costs incurred in the preparation and submission of a proposal.

SCOPE OF WORK

Background

SEED is a locally-registered NGO in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. SEED’s mission is to protect, empower, and support the recovery of survivors of violence and others at risk. SEED is committed to delivering quality and holistic approaches, combining international expertise and local know-how to achieve results for the people of Iraq and Kurdistan. SEED’s programming focuses on four key objectives:

• ● The delivery of transformational, comprehensive MHPSS services including case management, mental health, and legal services, as well as psychosocial support activities;
• ● Strengthening the capacity of service providers through education, training, and capacity-building programs;
• ● Promoting policy and social change to strengthen the rights of, and protections for, vulnerable groups and individuals;
• ● Supporting the protection and recovery of survivors of trafficking, including through SEED’s shelter for victims of trafficking and those at risk, after-care services, and prevention work to reduce the risk of trafficking through public awareness, technical assistance, and advocacy for legal, regulatory, policy, process, and institutional changes.

SEED is committed to measure the success of its implemented programs and measure the results achieved and how they contribute to SEED’s overall goals. To this end, SEED seeks to engage a professional consulting individual or firm to conduct an independent end term evaluation of two programs funded by the U.S. Government, to assess progress towards intended results and evaluate the impact of the program.

Program Brief Overview

The programs aim to protect vulnerable groups including survivors of trafficking (SOTs), survivors of GBV, survivors of ISIS, children associated with armed groups, and marginalized communities through comprehensive protection and MHPSS services, awareness raising, and strengthened access to justice. Supporting government response through technical assistance and capacity building, while promoting gender equality, survivor rights, and long-term reintegration and recovery.

Donor: Will be shared after selection

Program Duration:

• ● 1st program: 28 months
• ● 2nd program: 34 months

Evaluation Timeline: 6 – 8 weeks starting September 2025.

Purpose

The purpose of these final evaluations is to assess the programs in terms of achieving its objectives; assess the implementation of the program against key evaluation criteria; assess the results, effects, and quality of the program; assess the sustainability of interventions beyond the program cycle; identify challenges and lessons learned; and provide concrete recommendations to strengthen future programming across SEED’s portfolio.

After the selection of the consultant; SEED will share the terms of reference for each assignment where further details will be provided to the consultant about the evaluation scope and areas to explore. The evaluation is expected to be conducted in the KRI governorates of Erbil, Dohuk and Sulaimania where the program was implemented.

Evaluation Scope

The evaluation of the programs shall be conducted in accordance with International Standards based on the OECD DAC, which include relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability.

Methodology

The program evaluations shall be both transparent and participatory, involving all relevant stakeholders, including SEED staff, implementing partners, clients and participants, trained government staff, and others as deemed relevant.

The consultant(s) is expected to use participatory evaluation methodologies and mixed data collection methods to complete this evaluation. The consultant(s) is expected to conduct in person or remote interviews, key informant interviews, and desk review of program data.

The methodology used must be gender sensitive, conflict sensitive, trauma informed, and respect the Do No Harm principle.

Timeframe

The framework agreement would be for two years and would include a minimum of two evaluations which would be conducted between Sep 2025 until Oct 2025 including remote work and time spent in the Kurdistan Region; The duration of each assignment will be around 55-60 consultancy days including travel (if needed) and delivery of the final report.

Deliverables

The following deliverables will be submitted by the consultant(s) for each of the 2 assignments:

1. 1. Inception Report. During the inception phase, the consultant will submit a draft inception report to SEED for discussion, feedback, and agreement, outlining:

1. a. Proposed evaluation design and its rationale
2. b. Data collection methods and tools
3. c. Work plan

A final version of the inception report, incorporating feedback from SEED, must be approved prior to beginning data collection.

2. 2. Presentation of Findings. During the analysis and reporting phase, the consultant will deliver an informative PowerPoint presentation to SEED, containing:

1. a. Key evaluation findings
2. b. A brief summary of the final evaluation report

3. 3. End Term Evaluation Report. During the analysis and reporting phase, the consultant will submit a draft narrative evaluation report to SEED for discussion and input. The evaluation report must be clear, concise, empirically grounded, and persuasive, no longer than 25 pages (excluding annexes), and in the described format:

1. a. Executive Summary
2. b. Program description, including implementation context
3. c. Evaluation purpose and scope
4. d. Evaluation design and data collection methods
5. e. Data and findings
6. f. Main conclusions

1. i. Relevance
2. ii. Effectiveness
3. iii. Impact (including main achievements)
4. iv. Coherence
5. v. Efficiency
6. vi. Sustainability

7. g. Best practices and lessons learned
8. h. Recommendations
9. i. Annexes

1. i. Terms of Reference

All deliverables should be submitted in English. In addition to the deliverables specified above, periodic check-ins will take place between SEED and the consultant to assess progress and exchange relevant information throughout the consultancy.

Responsibilities of the Consultant

In conducting the evaluation, the consultant(s) must:

1. 1. Coordinate with SEED’s Senior MEAL Manager and Project Manager and others program relevant staff and the program sub grantees.
2. 2. Compose an evaluation team that is capable of achieving required deliverables to a high level of quality within the specified timeframe. Any additional personnel should be mentioned in the proposal.
3. 3. Manage all logistics in coordination with SEED.
4. 4. Ensure the consultant and all personnel adhere to SEED’s Code of Conduct, Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA), and Child Safeguarding (CSG) policies.
5. 5. Submit all deliverables on time.
6. 6. In case of any delays or changes, inform SEED in a timely manner.
7. 7. Maintain strict confidentiality of all information gathered and findings.
8. 8. Utilize their own technology equipment and maintain a workable Zoom account and email account for communications.

Responsibilities of SEED

1. 1. Provide access to all relevant program data, policies, documents, and contact information for relevant stakeholders.
2. 2. Connect consultant(s) with key stakeholders and actors as required for interviews and meetings and keep them informed of the evaluation.
3. 3. Share PSEA, CSG and Code of Conduct policies and conduct briefing.
4. 4. Issue payment of the consultant fees upon satisfactory completion of the assignment within the stipulated time frame.
5. 5. Provide feedback/comments for draft inception report and data collection tools, draft report, and presentation.