Within the framework of its endeavor to find out the quality of the implemented activities and extract lessons learned with the aim of continuous development of its work, Maat Foundation for Peace, Development and Human Rights has the honor to invite experts and interested people to submit technical and financial proposals to evaluate the “Citizen's Voice” project that was implemented by Maat Foundation in cooperation with the Foundation for the Future.

An overview of the project being evaluated

First: - The project stages and its basic mission

The Citizen's Voice project is a human rights development project that was implemented by the Foundation in stages during the period from February 1, 2009 until the end of January 2010, then from the first of September 2010 until the end of March 2011, and finally from the first of March 2012 until the end of July 2012.

The project, in its entirety (in its three phases), seeks to strengthen good local governance and spread the culture of decentralization, as well as support communication between citizens and local government mechanisms with the aim of improving the quality of public services provided to citizens.

The evaluation is supposed to focus on the second and third phases of the project, as the project has already been evaluated in its first phase, and it will not be possible to assess the effects of this phase as a result of the dissolution of the local people's councils, which were a main target at this stage.

Second: - Project objectives in the second phase (September 2010 - March 2011)

o Spreading the culture of decentralization and participation in good local governance among citizens, with a focus on women and youth.

o Providing sustainable institutional entities to monitor the needs and problems of citizens, developing innovative mechanisms to deal with these needs and problems, monitoring the quality of public services provided and improving their quality

o Building the capacity of civil organizations in evaluating the work of the executive and popular authorities and the quality of public services

o Building the capacities of local media in the field of spreading the culture of decentralization.

Third: - Project objectives in the second phase (March 2012 - July 2012)

1- Building the capacities of (80) executives in senior management on decentralization and the associated professional practices

2- Advocating and gaining support to improve the legislative framework governing local administration to become more supportive of decentralization.

3- Monitor and document violations of the economic and social rights of citizens in the targeted areas and pressure the decision-maker to improve them.

Fourth: - The areas targeted by the project

1- Giza Governorate, Al Ayyat Center - Atfih Center - Al Saff Center - Al Badrashin Center

2- Cairo Governorate, Al-Tebeen neighborhood - Al-Maasara neighborhood - Al-Basateen and Dar Al-Salam neighborhoods - Al-Khalifa neighborhood

3- Sharkia Governorate, Zagazig Center - Hehia Center - Minya Al Qamh Center - Belbeis Center

4- Qena Governorate, Qena Center - Qous Center

5- Luxor Governorate, Armant Center and Qurna Center

Evaluation purposes

The main purpose of the evaluation process is to test the relationship between the efforts made on the project and the progress made towards achieving the project objectives.

This will be accomplished by:

v Identifying the most important strengths and weaknesses of the project.

v Evaluate the progress made towards achieving the project objectives and results as indicated in the project document,

v Evaluating the impact of the project in terms of intended and unintended changes, on the various stakeholders (direct target group / beneficiaries, employees / stakeholders, etc.…), on the institutions themselves, and the political environment.

v Evaluate the logical alignment of activities against objectives and outcomes / outcomes

v Evaluate the performance and management structure of the project, including a monitoring mechanism, in terms of effectiveness, sustainability and efficiency;

v Evaluate the factors that affect achievement performance

v Identify the lessons learned from the implementation of project activities, meaning management, methodology, activities, etc. ... clearly identify strengths and weaknesses;

v Provide specific directions and recommendations for future intervention.

1. Assessment objectives

1- Identifying the suitability of the interventions under the project to the needs of the Egyptian society in general and the target groups in particular

2- Identify the effectiveness of project interventions on the target groups

3- Knowing what the project has added to the issue of decentralization and good local governance in general

4- Identify the efficiency of the project in terms of (community resource mobilization - stakeholder participation - efficiency of administrative organization and staff competencies)

5- Knowing the challenges that faced the project after the revolution of 25 January 2011 and the extent of the success of Maat Foundation in dealing with them

6- Identify the horizons of continuity and sustainability of the activities and impacts of the project

7- Coming up with valid recommendations related to work perfection in projects similar or complementary to the project under evaluation

2. Scope of evaluation:

To reach its objectives, the following main activities in the project will be evaluated by:

v Project activities in terms of effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, impact and performance.

v The project team and the ability and experience of the work team to implement the project. This includes the performance of the team, the relationship with each other and with the NGO Council, the team members ’understanding of this project and its objectives, the extent to which the team can be committed to the project implementation plan, to the extent that the team has succeeded in reaching the target group and convincing them to participate in the project.

v Structure and performance of project management, including monitoring mechanism.

v Capacity building for the training program process in terms of: training location, training guides and trainers and their experiences, criteria for selecting trainees, training days.

v Budget management and cost effectiveness. This will include knowing whether or not expenditures are going according to plan, as well as assessing the efficiency of spending.

v The impact of the project in terms of intended and unintended changes, on the various stakeholders (direct target group / beneficiaries, employees / stakeholders, etc.).

v Project partnerships in target communities: how to develop them, their efficiency in implementing projects, and their contributions to the project's achievements.

    v The beneficiaries' satisfaction with the project's interventions.

    v The challenges and difficulties encountered in implementing the project and how the project team overcame them

3. Inclusions of the evaluation report:

Expected accomplishments include:

1. Draft evaluation report (for review / comments from project team)

2. Final evaluation report: This report includes, at the minimum, the following:

ü Project country name, (project number), operating project dates, and evaluation date

ü Names and contact information of the evaluators,

ü Executive summary

ü Key findings, including lessons learned that could be beneficial to Maat Foundation and Future Foundation, recommendations for future / project programmers, best stories if any, best practices, if any, and challenges

ü Data display and analysis

ü Names and contact information of the stakeholders who have been / have been interviewed

Methodology and tools

Maat Foundation expects that the bidders will adopt a participatory evaluation approach and employ a set of tools that ensure the participation of stakeholders and project beneficiaries in the evaluation process.

Required documents from bidders

First: - The technical offer

The technical proposal should not exceed 10 pages including the following: -

1- Assessment procedures, methodology and tools.

2- The evaluation sample.

3- A timetable for the evaluation process

4- CVs for the resident / residents

Second: - Financial offer

The financial offer must include the sub-activities, the number of days required for each activity, the daily fee in Egyptian pounds, and the total cost.

Dates and method of dispatch

The offers shall be sent to the following e-mail no later than July 31, 2012 at four o'clock in the afternoon

maat@maatpeace.us.to

Maat Foundation will respond to the accepted offerers within three days from this date, provided that the contracting procedures are completed before August 8, 2012, provided that the evaluation process ends and the final report is delivered no later than August 28, 2012