Outcome Harvesting Evaluation Consultant

Background

MS Training Centre for Development Cooperation (MS TCDC), an ActionAid Denmark (AADK) capacity development Centre under the Strategic Partnership Agreement II (SPA II, 2022–2025/2026), works to empower young people, women, and movements across the East African Community and broader African continent. MS TCDC contributes to SPA II through capacity development learning interventions (trainings) for SPA II country partners, and a Youth Program delivered through YouLead and Youth Hub Arusha.

MS TCDC is commissioning an Outcome Harvesting (OH) evaluation to identify, substantiate, and analyze the outcomes of these interventions over the SPA II period.

This is a desk-based, remote consultancy. 

All country visits and primary field data collection will be carried out directly by MS TCDC staff. 

The consultant will not travel to any of the SPA II countries.

Objective of the Consultancy

The purpose of this assignment is to design, guide, verify, analyze and report on Outcome Harvesting evaluation of MS TCDC's SPA II interventions. Specifically, the consultant will: 

1. Formulate a tailored Outcome Harvesting methodology, harvest questions, and data collection tools for MS TCDC's capacity development (training) and Youth Program interventions. 
2. Train MS TCDC staff to carry out primary field data collection. 
3. Independently verify and substantiate a representative sample of harvested outcomes. 
4. Analyze verified outcomes against SPA II's relevant Long-Term Outcomes and Theory of Change to determine MS TCDC's contribution. 
5. Produce a comprehensive evaluation report and present findings to MS TCDC senior management. 

Key Responsibilities 

The consultant will be responsible for: 

Preparation 

1. Review key SPA II program documentation (results framework, annual reports, case studies). 
2. Develop harvest questions and Outcome Harvesting tools (outcome journals, KII/FGD guides, substantiation templates). 
3. Train designated MS TCDC staff to conduct field data collection. 

Remote Data Collection Support 

1. Provide technical backstopping and quality control to MS TCDC's field team during data collection. 
2. Review incoming draft outcome descriptions for clarity and adherence to Outcome Harvesting standards. 

Verification & Analysis 

1. Audit and clean all submitted outcome descriptions. 
2. Independently verify a representative sample of harvested outcomes with knowledgeable third parties. 
3. Analyze verified outcomes against SPA II's relevant Long-Term Outcomes and cross-cutting themes. 

Reporting 

1. Draft and finalize a comprehensive Outcome Harvesting evaluation report. 
2. Prepare and deliver a presentation of findings to MS TCDC senior management. 

Target Group

ActionAid SPA II country partners in nine countries: Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Tanzania, Nigeria, Liberia, Ethiopia, and Somaliland. MS TCDC staff will visit one main partner per country, engaging the Country Director, program staff previously trained by MS TCDC, and youth and community representatives who have participated in MS TCDC-delivered training. 

Deliverables

The consultant will deliver: 

1. Inception report with finalised harvest questions, tools, and sampling strategy. 
2. Data collector training workshop and materials. 
3. Verification and substantiation summary. 
4. Draft Outcome Harvesting evaluation report. 
5. Management presentation. 
6. Final Outcome Harvesting evaluation report. 

Duration and Timelines 

Activity Timeline Inception report and tools 9th October 2026 Training workshop 8th to 9th October 2026 Verification & substantiation summary 5th November 2026 Draft report 12th November 2026 Final report and presentation 15th November 2026

Duration of Assignment: 28 September – 15 November 2026 

Note: Field data collection, conducted by MS TCDC staff, will take place 14th to 25th October 2026. The consultant's design and training support must be completed before this date; verification, analysis, and reporting will follow. 

Deliverable due dates: 

Activity	Timeline
Inception report and tools	9th October 2026
Training workshop	8th to 9th October 2026
Verification & substantiation summary	5th November 2026
Draft report	12th November 2026
Final report and presentation	15th November 2026

 

 

 

 

Qualifications and Expertise

• An advanced degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in Monitoring and Evaluation, Social Sciences, Development Studies, Public Policy, Governance, or a related field.
• A minimum of 8 years' professional experience conducting evaluations in international development or civil society sectors.
• Demonstrated expert knowledge of Outcome Harvesting: must have led at least 3 completed Outcome Harvesting evaluations (proof of prior OH reports required).
• Expertise in qualitative data analysis, contribution analysis, and independent substantiation methodologies.
• Familiarity with youth empowerment, civic engagement, and the Africa regional context is an advantage.
• Fluency in spoken and written English.

Qualifications and Expertise

Interested consultants should submit:

• A statement of understanding of the assignment and proposed approach.
• Two unedited work samples of prior Outcome Harvesting or complex qualitative evaluation reports authored by the applicant.
• A curriculum vitae (CV) highlighting Outcome Harvesting experience.
• A proposed budget, not exceeding the USD 6,500 ceiling.
• A disclosure statement indicating whether, and how, AI tools were used in preparing the application or the work samples submitted.

Application Requirement: 

Interested consultants should submit:

• A statement of understanding of the assignment and proposed approach.
• Two unedited work samples of prior Outcome Harvesting or complex qualitative evaluation reports authored by the applicant.
• A curriculum vitae (CV) highlighting Outcome Harvesting experience.
• A proposed budget, not exceeding the USD 6,500 ceiling.
• A disclosure statement indicating whether, and how, AI tools were used in preparing the application or the work samples submitted.