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Mid-Term Review of Plan Canada's Youth Economic Empowerment Project

Company
MasterCard Foundation
Brief Description

The MasterCard Foundation requests proposals to conduct a mid-term review of Plan Canada`s Youth Economic Empowerment Project implemented in Niger, Senegal and Sierra Leone. The program addresses the challenges of poverty facing young people in these countries.

ABOUT THE FOUNDATION
The MasterCard Foundation is a global foundation based in Toronto, Canada. It was established through the generosity of MasterCard Worldwide at the time of the company’s initial public offering in 2006. As an independent entity, The MasterCard Foundation is governed by its own Board of Directors.

The Foundation believes that every person has the potential to transform their lives and improve the lives of their families and communities. The Foundation collaborates with partners to advance sustainable and scalable solutions in microfinance and youth learning, focusing on countries that face high rates of poverty and growing numbers of out-of-school youth. Much of this work will be accomplished by building strong institutions in developing countries – particularly Sub-Saharan Africa, and investing in robust evaluation and learning agendas.

The Foundation values innovative and fresh thinking as it strives to become a global thought-leader. Its work is achieved by a strategic, nimble and highly entrepreneurial team with a proactive and results-oriented approach to its philanthropic activities. The organization’s culture is shaped by people who are driven and passionate about the Foundation’s mission.

For more information about The MasterCard Foundation, please visit: http://www.themastercardfoundation.org

ABOUT PLAN’s PROJECT
Plan`s project intervention engages local partners whose staff, agents and volunteers conduct group mobilization with youth people to form Village and Savings Loan Associations (VSLA) for group saving and borrowing. Group members are trained in the VSLA approach, procedures and processes of managing group funds. All young people also participate in life skills training and financial literacy training through their group meetings.

The attached Draft Terms of Reference outline the expectations of the evaluative review.

Proposals should include the following:

  • A cover letter showing expression of interest;
  • Corporate Capability Statement;
  • Experience in youth or microfinance evaluations clearly outlined;
  • Proposal outlining the evaluation design, methodology and approach including a proposed schedule and the evaluator’s daily rate;
  • CVs of the evaluation team members, outlining previous evaluation experience and accomplishments;
  • Estimated budget, including travel; and
  • Two examples of evaluation reports recently completed. If possible, at least one of the reports should be relevant, or similar to, the subject of this evaluation.

The evaluator must demonstrate:

  • Extensive experience in applying qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods;
  • Strong experience in designing and leading evaluations;
  • Database mining and data analysis skills;
  • Fluency in English and French;
  • Proven ability to use participatory evaluation methods; and an
  • An understanding and appreciation for the Village Savings and Loans Association (VSLA) approach

Evaluators meeting the above criteria are invited to submit a proposal in electronic format to Ruth Dueck-Mbeba, Program Manager, Microfinance of The MasterCard Foundation at: rdmbeba@mastercardfdn.org. Proposals should be received no later than November 16, 2011.

Warm Regards,
Ruth Dueck Mbeba