Job: DDL is looking for a team of consultants for an external mid-term evaluation

Background

The “Stronger after the Pandemic – Transnational Capacity Building Project for Deaf Associations” is a three-years intervention. As part of a long-term support to national associations of deaf in West Africa targeting Mali, Niger, Togo, and Ivory Coast, the project seeks to ensure that by the end of May 2025, the four targeted deaf associations in the countries mentioned have established a strong foundation for their future work becoming effective and capable associations for their deaf members, and that there is increasing awareness of deaf issues among government agencies and general public as well as establishing a common framework for sign language training in the four countries. Ghana National Association of the Deaf (GNAD) as the main project partner, hosts the project secretariat and carries a mentoring responsibility as the most experienced organisation of deaf people in the region in cooperation with the West and Central Africa Regional Secretariat (WCARS) of the World Federation of the Deaf (WFD). GNAD has been supported by Danish Deaf Association (DDL) for 17 years and it has developed from a small and relatively weak organisation of deaf to an organisation with moderate strength and national coverage, widely recognised by government, key authorities, general public, the disability movement and members. Valuable experience gained along the way, includes how best/not to combine specific support to an organisation of deaf along with support to development of in-country Sign Language Interpretation (SLI) capacity and inclusion of deaf in the national disability movement while pursuing advocacy for the rights of deaf according to the UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UN CRPD).

The objectives of the transnational capacity-building project are:

1. The four targeted deaf associations have established a strong foundation for their future work becoming effective and capable associations for their deaf members through systematic and focused organisational development.
2. The general public and government have increased their awareness of deaf issues re-enforced by the targeted deaf associations’ capacity to do systematic advocacy around recognition and promotion of sign language, access to deaf education, and access to employment.
3. The four targeted deaf associations have developed a common framework for sign language training, which has been accepted by key stakeholders.

The project approach is based on human rights and peer-to-peer organisational support allowing for unique sharing of experience and growth of a strong regional and global movement of deaf. It is funded by Danida through The Danish Disability Fund and managed by DDL.

Given that the transnational capacity building project forms a part of a long-term support to the West African Region and the transition to the programme modality replacing all DDL’s current projects from January 2025, this evaluation is also addressing the fact that three partners have been invited to participate in the programme, and two partners are being phased out. Hence, the objectives of this project will be changed in 2025 to focus on a sustainable phasing out of the two partners.

The evaluation

The evaluation of the“Stronger after the Pandemic – Transnational Capacity Building Project for Deaf Associations” has four objectives:

1. To assess achievements and preliminary impact of the project with a focus on effectiveness, efficiency, coherence and social/organisational sustainability. The assessment should cover the total project and closely related activities and include a closer study of two of the four countries, e.g. Ivory Coast and Mali.

• To assess the feasibility of the key approaches of the project (presented above) and recommend adjustments, in particular regarding the Country Project Team approach, the parallel/transnational capacity building approach enabling regional barrier-free communication and the involvement of WCARS.

• To recommend adjustments of key approaches and interventions in the remaining project period and in the programme, which serve
  • increase of impact
  • cost-effectiveness
  • strengthening of regional experience sharing and solidarity among deaf men and women
  • increased focus on gender equality and age diversity within the organisations of the deaf.

• To guide the phasing out of Mali and Niger, ensuring that the results and changes achieved so far will be sustainable.

Please refer to the Terms of Reference for the evaluation for further information. The TOR is subject to (minor) changes.

Are you interested?

A motivated application, including a CV for all the Evaluation Team members, must be sent to the Danish Deaf Association, att. Head of International Cooperation Kasper Bergmann by email to [email protected] by 17^th May 2024.

Inquires about this assignment can also be sent to Kasper Bergmann at [email protected].