International Consultancy: Endline evaluation of the Youth Health Enhancement to Harness the Demographic Dividend in Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and the Gambia Project

Background

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) is the lead United Nations agency dedicated to realizing a world where every pregnancy is wanted, every childbirth is safe, and every young person's potential is fulfilled. The UNFPA Western and Central Africa Regional Office (WCARO) has implemented a multi-country initiative, the Youth Health Enhancement to Harness the Demographic Dividend (YE4DD) project, across Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and The Gambia. The project seeks to enhance the quality of life for approximately 350,000 young women and men by facilitating equitable access to high-quality health services. It is organized around three interconnected components: (1) Youth Health: ensuring the availability of and access to adolescent and youth-friendly health services to improve well-being; (2) Youth Empowerment: establishing an enabling environment for youth empowerment and leadership; and (3) Social and Behaviour Change (SBC): addressing social and cultural constraints through communication and advocacy. A mid-term assessment was conducted in 2024-2025. This endline evaluation will assess the project's final achievements and generate evidence to guide future programming.

As the YE4DD project approaches its conclusion in December 2026, a comprehensive endline evaluation is contractually required under the original project agreement. It is necessary to: ascertain the extent to which the project achieved its intended objectives and outcomes; measure progress relative to baseline and mid-term findings; capture lessons learned and promising practices for potential replication and scaling; ensure accountability to the donor (AICS) and other stakeholders; and inform the design of subsequent interventions addressing youth health and the demographic dividend in the region. The primary purpose of this endline evaluation is to produce an independent, evidence-based assessment of the project's relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability.

Objectives

The specific objectives of the endline evaluation are:

   - To assess project performance against the OECD/DAC criteria of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, and sustainability.
   - To document good practices, lessons learned, and innovative approaches suitable for replication or scaling.
   - To provide practical, actionable recommendations for future youth health programming in the region.

Scope of Work

The findings of this evaluation are intended for use by UNFPA country offices (Guinea,Guinea-Bissau, The Gambia) and WCARO; the Governments of Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and The Gambia; implementing partners and youth networks; the Italian Agency for Development Cooperation (AICS); and other stakeholders engaged in youth health and demographic dividend initiatives in West and Central Africa. The matrix below specifies the primary intended use for each stakeholder group.
 

Geographical and Thematic Scope

The evaluation will cover the entire duration of the YE4DD project (2020–2026), including both the original implementation period and the no-cost extension period. The geographical scope encompasses all project intervention areas: the Mamou region in Guinea; the Bafata, Gabu, and the autonomous sector of Bissau (SAB) in Guinea-Bissau; and Upper River Region (URR), the Central River Region (CRR), and the Lower River Region (LRR) in The Gambia. The evaluation will assess all three project components and will explicitly consider cross-cutting issues, including gender equality, inclusion of marginalized groups (e.g., persons with disabilities, out-of-school youth), and humanitarian sensitivity.

Evaluation Criteria and Questions

The evaluation will be guided by the OECD/DAC criteria. The following questions will structure the inquiry:

 

Evaluation Methodology and Approach

Approach: The evaluation will adopt a theory-based approach to examine causal pathways linking project activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact. A participatory approach will be employed, engaging key stakeholders at regional, national, and sub-national levels, including government representatives, implementing partners, youth networks, and, importantly, young women and men, adolescent girls, and marginalized groups. A mixed-method approach will be utilised, combining qualitative and quantitative data collection methods to ensure validity and triangulation of findings.

Methodology: The evaluation team will develop a detailed methodology during the inception phase, which shall include: a desk review of project documents (proposal, progress reports, mid-term assessment report, financial reports, M&E data, stakeholder mapping); quantitative data analysis using project M&E data, including indicator tracking tables, beneficiary counts, and pre/post-training assessments; qualitative data collection through key informant interviews (KIIs) with stakeholders at regional, national, and sub-national levels; focus group discussions with young people (disaggregated by age, gender, and vulnerability status) in selected project sites; field visits to a sample of project intervention sites in each country (subject to security and access approvals); and a virtual validation workshop to present preliminary findings to stakeholders.

The evaluation team will develop a methodology that lays the foundation for providing valid, evidence-based answers to the evaluation questions and for offering a robust, credible assessment of the project outcomes and UNFPA's contribution. The methodological design of the evaluation shall include in particular: (i) a critical review of the country programme theory of change; (ii) an evaluation matrix ; (iii) a strategy and tools for collecting and analyzing data; and (iv) a detailed evaluation work plan and fieldwork agenda.

Ethical Considerations

The evaluation will be conducted in accordance with the UNEG Norms and Standards for Evaluation,1 Ethical Guidelines for Evaluation,2 Code of Conduct for Evaluation in the UN System3, and Guidance on Integrating Human Rights and Gender Equality in Evaluations.4 When contracted by the UNFPA WCARO CO, the evaluators will be requested to sign the UNEG Code of Conduct5 prior to starting their work.

Informed consent: Written or verbal informed consent will be obtained from all participants. For participants under 18, parental or guardian consent will be obtained in addition to adolescent assent. Participants will be informed of their right to withdraw at any time without consequence.

Confidentiality and anonymity: Data collection procedures will prioritize confidentiality. Interviews and focus groups will be conducted in private settings. All data will be anonymized and stored securely, with access restricted to the evaluation team.
Safeguarding: Specific attention will be given to safeguarding vulnerable groups, including adolescent girls, young people with disabilities, and survivors of GBV. Protocols will be in place to respond to disclosures of harm or abuse, including referral pathways to local support services.

Cultural sensitivity: Data collection methods will be adapted to local contexts, with attention to gender dynamics. Engagement with community leaders will be conducted respectfully.

Do no harm: The evaluation will minimize any risk of psychological distress. Participants will not be pressured to answer sensitive questions. Referrals to SRHR and psychosocial support services will be made available.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): AI technologies cannot be used in the management and conduct of the evaluation unless a prior written agreement is obtained from the evaluation manager. Under this prior agreement, the consultant is obligated to disclose the use of AI tools in evaluations, uphold ethical standards, and ensure the accuracy of their application.

Prior approval for utilization of AI tools: The use of AI tools must be explicitly agreed upon and approved in writing by the evaluation manager
  - Declaration of AI tool use: If the use of AI tools in evaluation is agreed upon with the evaluation manager, the evaluator must be transparent and declare their use in evaluation and other work-related tasks, specifying the nature of the AI usage. The AI tools utilized in work-related tasks must include only those tools that are vetted by EO
  - Verification of accuracy: The evaluator commits to diligently checking the accuracy of AI-generated results and assumes full responsibility for their reliability and validity
  - Ethical and responsible use: The evaluator is obligated to uphold ethical principles for the use of AI in work-related tasks, as well as relevant regulations governing its use in the UN system. This includes the Digital and Technology Network Guidance on the Use of Generative AI Tools in the UN System, Principles for the Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence in the United Nations System, and UNFPA Information Security Policy. The consultant commits to employing AI tools that adhere to principles of non-discrimination, fairness, transparency, and accountability. The consultant will adopt an approach that aligns with the principle of ‘leaving no one behind’, ensuring that AI tool usage avoids exclusion or disadvantage to any group.

Theory of Change

The YE4DD project is predicated on the premise that harnessing the demographic dividend requires strategic investments in young people's health, empowerment, and the enabling environment. 

The project's Theory of Change is articulated as follows:

If young people (aged 10-24) have access to quality, youth-friendly sexual and reproductive health services (Component 1), and if they are equipped with leadership skills and economic opportunities through empowerment platforms and value chain development (Component 2), and if social and behavioural change communication addresses harmful norms and creates demand for services (Component 3), then young people will be healthier, more empowered, and better positioned to contribute to economic growth. 

The causal pathways are:

    1. Pathway 1 (Health): Training health providers + equipping youth-friendly spaces + integrating CSE and SRHR services → increased uptake of family planning, reduced adolescent pregnancy, improved SRH outcomes.
    2. Pathway 2 (Empowerment): Leadership training + business skills + value chain support + youth networks → increased youth participation in decision-making, improved livelihoods, reduced vulnerability.
   3. Pathway 3 (Enabling environment): SBC campaigns + engagement of religious/traditional leaders + advocacy → reduced child marriage and FGM, increased health-seeking behaviour, supportive social norms.

Key assumptions underpinning the ToC include: 

(i) political stability enables implementation; 

(ii) government partners prioritize youth health despite competing demands; 

(iii) COVID-19 and other health emergencies do not derail implementation; 

(iv) young people are willing and able to access services when available. The evaluation will test the validity of this ToC by examining which causal pathways were most effective, which assumptions were held, and which contextual factors influenced the results.

Limitations

The evaluation team will be required to explicitly identify and discuss potential methodological limitations and biases. All limitations will be documented in the final report, with an explanation of their implications for confidence in findings.

Deliverables

Timeline

The evaluation will be conducted in four phases:

  - Phase 1: Inception (June – July 2026): Kick-off meeting with UNFPA WCARO and country office focal points; desk review of project documents; development of stakeholder mapping and the evaluation matrix; development of data collection tools; submission of the Inception Report (including methodology, work plan, and data collection tools).
  - Phase 2: Data Collection (July – August 2026): Data collection; key informant interviews with stakeholders; focus group discussions with young people; field observations at selected health facilities and project sites; regular check-ins with the UNFPA WCARO Evaluation Team.
  - Phase 3: Analysis and Reporting (September - November 2026): Drafting of the Preliminary Findings Presentation for stakeholder validation; validation meeting to present findings and receive feedback; incorporate feedback to finalize and submit the Final Evaluation Report.
  - Phase 4: Finalization and dissemination (November - December 2026): Development of the management response. Distribution of the final approved evaluation report to stakeholders.
The consultancy is expected to span approximately 6 months, comprising 65 working days. 

The indicative breakdown by phase is as follows:

Place(s) where services will be delivered

Services will be delivered home-based, with travel to Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and The Gambia. If travel is approved, in-country stays will be limited to a maximum of 7 consecutive days (5 working days + 2 travel days) per country. Virtual participation in meetings and workshops will be accommodated as needed.

Supervisory arrangements:

The consultant will report to the Evaluation Manager (Regional PME Advisor), and will work in close collaboration with the Regional Gender and Human Rights Advisor, the Regional Adolescent and Youth Specialist, and country office focal points in the project countries. Regular virtual meetings will be scheduled (weekly during active phases, bi-weekly during reporting) to provide progress updates and address emerging challenges. Deliverables will be reviewed for quality and completeness before payment authorization.

Qualifications and Experience 

a) Education 

Advanced university degree (Master's or equivalent) in public health, social sciences, international development, evaluation, demography, or a related field.. 

b) Work Experience and Skills 

● Minimum of 8–10 years of progressively responsible experience in conducting evaluations, including experience in evaluating multi-country projects, preferably in adolescent/youth health, SRHR, youth empowerment, or demographic dividend. 

● Strong knowledge of OECD/DAC evaluation criteria and results-based management. 

● Proven experience in mixed-method evaluation design and implementation (qualitative and quantitative). 

● Familiarity with UNFPA's mandate, including sexual and reproductive health, gender equality, and youth empowerment. 

● Experience working with government partners, UN agencies, CSOs, and youth networks. 

● Excellent analytical, writing and communication skills. 

● Proven ability to work independently, manage complex timelines across multiple countries, and deliver high-quality outputs under pressure. 

● Familiarity with the country context of Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, and The Gambia is an asset.

c) Languages 

● Fluency in English (verbal and written) 

● Working level of French is essential 

● Knowledge of Portuguese is an asset (for Guinea-Bissau) 

● Knowledge of local languages spoken in the three countries is an advantage. 

d) Core Values and Competencies 

● Commitment to UNFPA's mandate, including human rights, gender equality, and leaving no one behind. 

● Cultural sensitivity and ability to work respectfully with diverse communities, including youth, women, and marginalized groups. 

● Demonstrated self-awareness and ethical awareness, particularly regarding safeguarding, PSEA, and child protection. 

● Ability to build and maintain strong partnerships with a wide range of stakeholders. 

● Strategic thinking and action, with a focus on practical, actionable recommendations. 

● Capacity to manage ambiguity and complexity with flexibility and creativity Results-driven orientation, balancing quality and timeliness

Management and work arrangements

The evaluation will be conducted jointly by the selected consultant and the UNFPA WCA Regional PME Adviser. This arrangement combines independent technical expertise with institutional knowledge, ensuring methodological rigour, adherence to adherence to UNFPA evaluation standards, stronger ownership and utilisation of findings, and a cost-effective use of resources. Working as an integrated team throughout the process - from design and data collection to analysis and reporting - will help ensure that the evaluation findings are both robust and practical for programme improvement and decision-making. 

UNFPA will provide: 

● All relevant project documents (proposal, progress reports, M&E data, mid-term assessment report, financial reports). 

● A stakeholder mapping and contact list for each country. 

● Logistical support for arranging interviews and focus group discussions (scheduling, invitations, venue arrangements where needed). 

● Office space if needed during in-country visits. 

● Access to virtual meeting platforms (Zoom/G-meet) for remote data collection and validation workshops, and an email address for the contract duration.

Payment Terms 

Professional fees are payable upon satisfactory completion of deliverables as follows:
●30% upon approval of Deliverable 1 (Inception Report)
●30% upon approval of Deliverable 2 (Draft Evaluation Report)
●40% upon approval of Deliverable 3 (Final Evaluation Report) 

Travel: The consultant will be responsible for arranging their own travel, including daily Subsistence Allowance, transport, accommodations, etc. 

Equipment: The consultant will use their own computer and equipment. Reliable internet access is required for remote coordination. 

Working hours: Regular virtual meetings will be scheduled. The consultant should be available during GMT working hours. 

Visas and insurance: The consultant is responsible for securing any required visas and maintaining valid health insurance throughout the contract. UNFPA will support the issuance of introduction letters to the visa Office. 

Policies: The consultant will be required to adhere to UNFPA's policies on Prevention of Sexual Exploitation and Abuse and child safeguarding. 

Document sharing: The consultant is expected to share with UNFPA WCARO a Google Drive folder containing all relevant documents, data, and materials developed for this assignment.

Application process:

Interested applicants should submit a comprehensive application containing the following three components at mendy@unfpa.org:
1.Technical Proposal should include: 

           a) a cover letter; 

           b) concise CV(s) detailing relevant experience, and 

           c) proposed methodology and approach.

2.Financial Proposal: A detailed and all-inclusive fee structure specifying the total cost, which must encompass experts' fees, necessary travel and logistics, translation, and any other potential costs related to the assignment.

3.Samples of Previous Work: 1-3 examples of previous similar evaluation work that demonstrate capability in projects of a similar nature.

Interested applicants may propose a team-based approach by engaging additional experts, as required (e.g. interpreters, thematic specialists or data analysts), to cover the full range of competencies needed for the assignment. In such cases, both the technical and financial proposals should clearly specify the roles and responsibilities of each team member, the estimated number of working days, and all associated fees, costs and expenses.
The proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
●Technical expertise and experience (e.g., qualifications, experience in conducting similar evaluations etc).
●Rigour of the methodology and approach.
●Work plan, timeline and budget.