Final Evaluator- RAPTOR

ABOUT THE PROJECT

Internews’ Internet Freedom and Resilience programs advance the digital safety of partners and advocate digital rights and protections for the world’s most vulnerable populations. From funding local internet rights advocacy initiatives and open source technology development to designing cutting-edge approaches to organizational security, we focus on local and regional needs and connect them at the global level to demand an inclusive, safe, open web. In addition, we provide technological support to media outlets and human rights defenders and pilot cutting-edge approaches to analyzing and responding to closing civic space.

ABOUT THE OPPORTUNITY

Our team is looking for an external evaluator for a highly technical US government funded project that is focused on combating censorship, with a focus on development of technical tools that enable circumvention of advanced censorship tactics. The contractor will write a final evaluation report assessing the performance and success of the project, as well as the project team’s overall approach.

The final evaluation report will examine the impact of project activities on beneficiaries as well as the sustainability of results.

The evaluation will be theory-driven, based on the OECD/DAC evaluation criteria (efficiency, potential for impact and sustainability), and include elements of both quantitative and qualitative analysis. The evaluation should pay particular attention to gender, marginalized, and at-risk groups.

The project is global and the evaluator should be willing and able to conduct virtual interviews with partners and other members of the community located in multiple time zones.

LOGISTICS

Internews has offices in Arcata, CA, Washington, DC and London, UK. Ultimately this is a remote-based role and candidates based anywhere in the world will be considered. However, there are some locations where Internews does not support remote work.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply soon.

This is a limited-duration position, with an expected duration of approximately one month. The estimated budget for this role is US $9,000.

OUR COMMITMENT TO FOSTERING A CULTURE OF BELONGING

We are an organization of dynamic, mission-driven individuals who are passionate about our core values and about supporting positive change in the world. We pride ourselves on our commitment to innovation and flexibility. We believe that diverse teams are strong teams and work to support an ethic of belonging, dignity, and justice for all people. Our current team includes a mix of genders, parents and non-parents, and people of multiple races, nationalities, ages, sexual orientations and socioeconomic backgrounds. We are an EEO employer and encourage candidates of all races, genders, ages, orientations, ethnicities, and national origins to apply, and welcome those with alternative backgrounds and experiences.

EVALUATION OVERVIEW

Inception phase:

• Evaluation Planning: Initial discussion with key project team stakeholders to identify internal priorities, lines of enquiry, and sensitivities. Based on this activity, the contractor will draft an evaluation workplan and methodological framework, detailing the qualitative and quantitative tools and evaluation questions to be used during the primary data collection phase. This workplan and framework will be shared with the Senior Program Officer for review.
• Desk Review: Review and analysis of project documents, including: proposal documents, quarterly narrative reports, and partner reports.
• Primary data collection:
• • Data Collection: Design online survey(s), send to project partners/beneficiaries, analyze results. Evaluator should determine with the program team how the survey will be deployed safely.
    – Conduct in-depth interviews: Conduct remote interviews with key project partners and community members after results of online survey have been received and analyzed. Evaluator should determine with the program team how the interviews will be conducted safely.

Final analysis and write up:

• Draft report writing: Synthesize findings and draft report detailing the answers to the evaluation questions, findings, and recommendations.
• Meeting and finalizing report: Prepare and hold meeting with Program Director and Program Officer to review preliminary findings. Incorporate final comments by the Senior Program Officer.

EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

• Evaluation workplan and methodological framework, to include relevant documentation and:
  • Literature review
  • Draft methodology
  • Data collection tools
  • Outline of report structure
  • Final: due by March 30, 2024
• 10-15-page final report (excluding appendices) including narrative description of results achieved, operational lessons, and recommendations for future programming.
  • Reports should contain a concise Executive Summary of core findings and recommendations, the latter being specific and action-oriented, and tailored to all relevant stakeholders. Reports should also include a methodology section, making explicit any limits to the evaluation. Where appropriate, reports will include illustrative graphics and charts summarizing project data.
  • Appendices will include (among other items) cross tabulations from quarterly reports and interviews, so readers can clearly see data that supports the findings and conclusions.

QUALIFICATIONS WE’RE LOOKING FOR

REQUIRED

• Fluency in both written and spoken English required
• Demonstrated experience conducting evaluations of advocacy and human rights programs, particularly for US donors
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative M&E data collection and analysis methods
• Strong facilitation, presentation, writing and communication skills

PREFERRED

Note: Candidates who do not have these preferred qualifications, but who are interested and willing to learn, are encouraged to apply.

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field, graduate degree preferred
• Experience in the field of digital rights and internet freedom preferred