3. Scope of Work

The scope of this consultancy focuses on the DRC programme “Collaborative Action for Resilient NCD Care in MENA (Syria and Lebanon)”, implemented in Lebanon by LRC and PRCS-L and in Syria by SARC. The evaluation will span the full duration of the programme and accompany its implementation through an embedded, iterative and adaptive evaluation process, starting from 2026.

• Thematic scope: activities supported through the CARE projects which include Primary Health Care Service delivery, PSGs/self-care, resilience of PHCCs, medicines and HIS strengthening (to be further specified following the inception phase). It is preliminary envisaged this process to focus on NCD services at the Primary Health Care facilities.
• Geographic scope: Selected target areas in Lebanon and Syria, with phased sampling approach allowing testing the capacity building and data collection and analysis processes. Locations will be agreed with the partner National Societies at the inception phase.
• Stakeholders: Danish Red Cross, Host National Societies, evaluation team and research partners.

Evaluation Design, Methodology and Approach

The evaluation will adopt a theory-based and realist-informed approach, grounded in understanding how, why, for whom, and in what contexts the programme contributes to intended and unintended outcomes. The evaluator is expected to adopt an iterative, participatory, context-sensitive, and theory-driven approach using multiple methods as appropriate. The final methodological approach and data to be used in the evaluation should be clearly outlined in the inception report and fully discussed and agreed between DRC, key stakeholders and the evaluators.

Realist evaluation principles, particularly the use of Context–Mechanism–Outcome (CMO) configurations, will guide the evaluation design and data analysis to uncover what works, for whom, in what respects, under what conditions, and why.

The evaluation is foreseen to adopt a theory-based, realist-informed approach:

• Theory of Change (ToC) refinement through participatory validation.
• Context Mechanism Outcome (CMO) configurations to analyse causal pathways.
• If relevant, link with Complementary frameworks (PRISM, RE-AIM) to assess reach, adoption, and sustainability.
• It will be departing from what data is already being collected including observation and program documentations.
• The detailed methodology of data collection will be determined during the inception phase.
• Iterative design allowing adaptation to shifting humanitarian contexts.
• Participatory learning cycles integrated with programme review mechanisms.

The consultant(s) will lead the design and technically oversee / provide quality assurance throughout the operationalisation of a comprehensive, embedded evaluative process. This process will be aligned with programme cycles and learning needs, and will include the following elements:

1. Analysis of the initial Theory of change and development of hypotheses
   1. Review and refine the existing Theory of Change, mapping key pathways of change across the two outcome areas, identifying weak evidence links to be further explored in the evaluation.
   2. Co-design and co-facilitate participatory ToC workshops involving programme stakeholders, including service providers and users - to articulate and validate initial programme theories, including provisional CMO configurations, to be refined through evidence over time.
2. Establish the iterative evaluation framework and evaluation workplan
   1. Co-develop an evaluation framework that integrates theory-based and realist principles, including initial CMO configurations, prioritization of evaluation questions, identification of data sources and methods appropriate to context
   2. Develop a realistic and adaptive workplan for implementing the evaluative processes for the four-year period, in alignment with programme milestones, and specifying timelines, roles and responsibilities
   3. Validate the evaluation framework and workplan with stakeholders in a participatory manner, ensuring buy-in, contextual relevance, and feasibility.
3. Support the coordinate and/or co-manage the theory-based impact evaluation for the agreed scope and methodology established during the co-design phase.
   1. On the basis of the agreed evaluation workplan, coordinate or co-manage evaluation activities during the programme cycle, in close collaboration with DRC, implementing partners, and research institutions.
   2. Plan, implement and perform the first iteration of data collection interrogating the programe theory and as per agreed evaluation focus.
   3. For evaluation activities under the direct responsibility of DRC or partners, and subsequent iterations of data collection, provide a structured handover and supporting tools (where possible and appropriate), perform regular checks on data quality and on the overall adherence to the agreed upon evaluation workplan, methodology and standards of rigor.
   4. Develop practical implementation plans for data collection, analysis, and synthesis in subsequent iterations of data collection.
   5. Support the integration of evaluation activities with ongoing monitoring systems where appropriate.
   6. Contribute to capacity building and evaluation ownership within the core evaluation team and partners.
4. Co-facilitate and contribute to learning and adaptation
   1. Co-facilitate regular (e.g. biannual) learning workshops with programme teams and stakeholders to reflect on emerging findings, refine programme theories, develop new learning questions and hypotheses, adapt evaluative processes
   2. Ensure that evaluation insights are translated into actionable recommendations for programme adaptation and advocacy.

4. Deliverables and expected timeline

• Selection and meeting with the consultancy team, by March 2026, 5 days
• Inception report including desk study of background documents outlining how the overall task will be performed in Y1, and milestones for Y2, Y3 and Y4 and tentative workplan for Y2, by1st of April 2026, 6 days
• Desk review, consultations and revision of the programme’s existing “impact framework”, as a basis for the Theory of Change, Q2 2026, 8 days
• Co-design of the programme’s Theory of Change and analysis of outcome pathways, Q2 2026, 6 days
• Develop, plan, oversee and co-manage Training / sensitization of key stakeholders on theory based and realist evaluation approaches for CARE projects for Y3 and Y4, Q3 2026, 10 days
• Plan, implement and perform the first iteration of data collection interrogating the programe theory and as per agreed evaluation focus (including data collection), Q3-Q4 2026, TBD during inception phase
• Develop, plan, oversee and co-manage data collection and data analysis for selected geographies for Y3 and Y4, 2026-2028, days TBD during inception phase
• Develop, plan, oversee and co-manage learning events and processes for Y3 and Y4, 2026-2028, days TBD during inception phase
• Periodic and Final Reporting to be agreed, 2026-2028, days TBD during Inception phase
• Presentation of key learnings for wider organisation, 2026-2028, days TBD during Inception phase

Total days : 60/65 days

5. Duration and Location

• Duration: This consultancy will stretch from March 2026 to end-2028, with an expected 60-65 days of fulltime engagement over that period.
• Location: Primarily remote, with potential travels to Lebanon and Syria data collection as needed. All expenditures will be upon the consultant.