END-OF-PROJECT EVALUATION OF THE CITE YOUTH MEDIA PROJECT

TERMS OF REFERENCE

END-OF-PROJECT EVALUATION OF THE CITE YOUTH MEDIA PROJECT

1. Background

The Centre for Innovation and Technology (CITE), with support from Bread for the World, implemented the Youth Media Project from November 2023 to November 2026. The project sought to strengthen freedom of expression and young people’s access to information through alternative media platforms.

The project engaged young people, particularly young women and those from underserved communities, through media and digital journalism training, mentorship, youth-led content production and opportunities for civic participation. The evaluation will cover activities implemented in Bulawayo, Gwanda and Umzingwane.

2. Purpose of the Evaluation

This independent end-of-project evaluation will assess the project’s relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, outcomes, impact and sustainability; examine its contribution to the intended objectives; and generate evidence-based lessons and actionable recommendations for future programming.

3. Specific Objectives

• Assess the relevance of the project to the needs of young people, particularly young women and underserved communities.
• Assess the extent to which planned outputs and outcomes were achieved, using the project results framework and available baseline and monitoring data.
• Examine the project’s contribution to young people’s participation in public dialogue, access to reliable information and exercise of freedom of expression.
• Assess implementation efficiency, including the timeliness of activities, resource utilisation and value for money, to the extent supported by available evidence.
• Assess gender equality, safeguarding, accessibility and the meaningful inclusion of young women and participants from underserved communities.
• Assess the likelihood that results will be sustained, identify intended and unintended outcomes, and recommend practical improvements for future interventions.

4. Scope of the Evaluation

The evaluation will cover the full implementation period, November 2023 to November 2026, and activities in Bulawayo, Gwanda and Umzingwane. It should assess the following dimensions, drawing on project objectives, indicators and documented results:

• Project relevance and design
• Effectiveness and achievement of outputs and outcomes against agreed indicators
• Contribution to youth access to information, freedom of expression and civic participation
• Implementation efficiency, coordination and resource use
• Gender equality, youth safeguarding and meaningful inclusion
• Sustainability, local ownership and prospects for continued use of acquired skills
• Lessons learned, unintended outcomes and prioritised recommendations
• Equity of outcomes across locations and participant groups, where the data permit

5. Evaluation Methodology

The team of consultants should propose a rigorous, feasible mixed-methods or qualitative-led methodology, explaining the evaluation questions, sampling strategy, data sources, analysis methods and limitations. Methods may include:

• Desk review of project proposals, results frameworks, reports, monitoring data, budgets and relevant media outputs
• Key informant interviews with CITE staff, project partners, mentors and other relevant stakeholders
• Focus group discussions or individual interviews with youth participants, including young women and participants from underserved communities
• A participant survey, where justified by the evaluation questions and available resources
• Content review of selected youth-produced media outputs and analysis of available reach, engagement and audience feedback data
• Case studies of participant experiences and examples of changes in skills, confidence, content production or civic engagement, where evidence is available

The evaluation must use participatory, youth-friendly, gender-responsive and conflict-sensitive approaches. The consultant must obtain informed consent; protect confidentiality and personal data; put in place appropriate safeguarding and referral arrangements; and seek parent or guardian consent and young people’s assent where required for participants under 18. Findings should be triangulated across sources, with limitations clearly disclosed.

The proposal should explain how findings will be disaggregated by location, gender and age where feasible, and how the evaluator will avoid overclaiming attribution where only contribution can be established.

6. Expected Deliverables

• An inception report setting out refined evaluation questions, methodology, sampling plan, data collection tools, ethical safeguards, analysis plan and detailed work schedule
• Finalised data collection tools and consent materials, approved before fieldwork
• A presentation of preliminary findings, including emerging conclusions and evidence gaps
• A draft evaluation report, including an executive summary, methodology and limitations, findings, conclusions and prioritised recommendations
• A validation meeting with CITE to discuss the factual accuracy and practical implications of findings, without compromising the evaluator’s independence
• A final evaluation report incorporating agreed factual corrections, with evidence-based recommendations, a management action matrix and an annex of data collection tools
• A concise presentation or summary of the final findings suitable for CITE management and the donor

7. Duration

The assignment is expected to take approximately 25–30 working days. The consultant must propose a realistic schedule covering inception, fieldwork, analysis, validation and final reporting, with dates agreed during contracting.

8. Consultant Qualifications

• Relevant postgraduate qualification in media, journalism, development studies, social sciences, monitoring and evaluation, or a related field
• Demonstrated experience conducting project or programme evaluations
• Experience evaluating youth-focused media, freedom of expression, civic engagement or development initiatives
• Demonstrated competence in qualitative and quantitative research, participatory methods and ethical engagement with young people
• Strong analytical, report-writing and communication skills, including the ability to present actionable recommendations
• Knowledge of the Zimbabwean context; experience in Bulawayo and/or Matabeleland is an advantage
• Ability to conduct interviews in relevant local languages, directly or through qualified research assistants, is an advantage.

9. Reporting and Coordination

The team of consultants will report to a designated CITE focal person and coordinate with the project team. CITE will provide relevant project documentation and facilitate introductions to stakeholders and participants. The team of consultants will remain responsible for independent analysis, confidentiality and the quality of all deliverables.

All evaluation data and outputs must be handled securely and shared with CITE in agreed formats, subject to participant consent and confidentiality commitments.

10. Application Requirements

Interested consultants should submit:

• A technical proposal demonstrating understanding of the assignment and setting out the methodology, sampling approach, ethical safeguards, team roles and work plan
• An itemised financial proposal, including fees, travel, fieldwork and applicable taxes
• CV(s) of the consultant or evaluation team
• At least two examples of comparable evaluation assignments or referees who can verify relevant experience

11. Submission

Applications should be submitted as follows:

Email: abigirl@cite.org.zw

Subject line: Application – End-of-Project Evaluation of the CITE Youth Media Project

Deadline: 17 November 2026

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

CITE reserves the right to accept or reject any application and to request clarification or additional information from prospective consultants.