BACKGROUND

Paradigm Initiative (PIN) is a pan-African non-profit organisation dedicated to advancing digital rights and inclusion. Through policy advocacy, capacity building, research, and strategic litigation, PIN bridges the digital divide and promotes a rights-respecting digital environment across the continent.

With regional offices in Nigeria, Kenya, Senegal, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and Cameroon and active engagement in other African countries, PIN equips underserved communities, particularly young people, with the knowledge and opportunities needed to thrive in the digital age. Our work spans digital rights protection, internet freedom, and digital inclusion, ensuring equitable access to digital tools and opportunities.

PIN’s initiatives include the Digital Rights and Inclusion Forum (DRIF), grassroots digital literacy programmes, and creative advocacy through short films and publications. We collaborate with policymakers, civil society, and local communities to drive meaningful policy reforms and safeguard human rights in the digital space.

Beyond Africa, PIN expands its impact by collaborating with partners to promote digital inclusion and rights on a global scale. Our dedication to systemic change through strategic advocacy, legal interventions, and innovative ICT solutions advances our mission to build a more inclusive, secure, and open digital future.

PURPOSE

PIN seeks experienced individuals or firms to independently evaluate its processes, programs, and projects implemented between 2021 and 2024. This evaluation will assess PIN’s initiatives’ effectiveness, efficiency, relevance, impact, and sustainability, providing evidence-based insights to strengthen future programming and organisational growth.

SCOPE OF WORK

This assignment aims to conduct a comprehensive and independent evaluation of Paradigm Initiative’s (PIN) processes, programs, and projects implemented with a focus on assessing their alignment, performance, and contribution to PIN’s mission and strategic goals. The evaluation will cover the following key areas:

1. Alignment with Strategic Management Plan: Assess how PIN’s processes, programs, and projects align with its Strategic Management Plan and contribute to its mission and strategic objectives.
2. Effectiveness of Programs and Projects: Evaluate whether PIN’s initiatives have achieved their intended outcomes and the extent of their impact on target beneficiaries.
3. Efficiency of Organisational Processes: Examine PIN’s internal workflows, operational structures, resource allocation, and operational systems to determine their effectiveness and efficiency.
4. Relevance of Interventions: Analyse whether PIN’s programs and projects address key digital rights and inclusion challenges and remain relevant to evolving sectoral needs.
5. Sustainability of Outcomes: Assess the long-term impact of PIN’s initiatives and the likelihood of sustaining results beyond project lifecycles.
6. Stakeholder Engagement: Gather insights from beneficiaries, partners, funders, and staff to understand their perspectives on PIN’s work and its impact.
7. Lessons Learned and Best Practices: Identify key takeaways, successful strategies, and areas for improvement that can inform future programming.
8. Accountability and Transparency: Evaluate PIN’s monitoring, evaluation, and reporting mechanisms to ensure accountability to stakeholders and funders.
9. Actionable Recommendations: Provide practical and strategic recommendations to enhance the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of PIN’s future programs, projects, and internal processes.

DESIGN

The evaluation will be conducted through a structured and systematic approach to ensure a comprehensive assessment of PIN’s processes, programs, and projects. The selected evaluator(s) will be responsible for the following:

• Develop a rigorous evaluation plan: Design an appropriate methodology, including qualitative and quantitative approaches, and establish data collection tools and systems to ensure a robust evaluation process.
• Submit an Inception Report: Provide a detailed Inception Report within five days of the evaluation start date, outlining the evaluation objectives, work plan, schedules, and proposed methodology.
• Conduct an independent evaluation: Assess the impact and effectiveness of PIN’s interventions on intended beneficiaries, examining how processes, programs, and projects contribute to the organisation’s strategic goals.
• Present evaluation findings: Share preliminary results and key insights with PIN Leadership by 29 August 2025, providing an opportunity for discussion and feedback.
• Submit the final evaluation report: By 5 September 2025, deliver a comprehensive final report incorporating findings, analysis, and recommendations.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS

PIN invites applications from qualified individuals or firms with a strong background in program evaluation, impact assessment, and organisational learning. Eligible applicants should meet the following criteria:

1. Demonstrated long-term experience in evaluating community-based and other projects implemented by non-governmental organisations, with a substantial sample size.
2. A proven track record of successfully conducting similar evaluations using effective designs, robust statistical techniques, and culturally competent data collection and analysis approaches.
3. Strong competency in qualitative and quantitative research methods, ensuring a comprehensive and objective assessment.
4. Proven ability to produce well-structured, insightful, evidence-based evaluation reports that drive strategic decision-making.
5. A record of experience conducting evaluations of comparable scope, preferably in the digital rights, digital inclusion, or broader non-profit sector.

DURATION

The evaluation is expected to commence on 18 July 2025 and should be substantially completed by 18 September 2025. During this period, the evaluator(s) will collect data, analyse, and conduct stakeholder engagements.

The final evaluation report, incorporating findings and recommendations, must be submitted by 5 September 2025.

PROPOSAL SUBMISSION GUIDELINES

• Proposals must be submitted no later than 11:59 PM WAT on 20 June 2025.

• Applicants must provide a narrative proposal outlining their technical competencies and ability to conduct the evaluation effectively.
• A detailed financial proposal must be included.
• Curricula Vitae (CVs) of all personnel involved in the evaluation must be submitted, including references and evidence of qualifications and technical expertise.

All proposals, portfolio information, and enquiries should be sent to rfp@paradigmhq.org.