Impact Evaluation of the Learning and Development (L&D), Phase IV Capacity Building Programme.

The Aga Khan Foundation, Afghanistan (AKF (Afg)) is an agency of the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), a group of international, private, non-denominational development agencies working to improve living conditions and opportunities for people in some of the poorest parts of the developing world. The Network’s organizations have individual mandates that range from the fields of health and education to architecture, rural development, and promotion of private-sector enterprises and institutions that seek to empower communities and individuals, usually in disadvantaged circumstances, to improve living conditions and opportunities. AKF seeks to provide sustainable solutions to long-term problems of poverty, hunger, illiteracy, and ill health. In Afghanistan, AKF works with rural communities in mountainous, remote, or resource-poor areas to improve quality of life in the areas of natural resource management, market development, governance, education, and health. 1. Rationale The Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan (AKF-AFG) Learning and Development (L&D) Unit seeks to engage a qualified consulting firm or evaluation team to conduct an independent end-of-project evaluation of the L&D Phase IV Capacity Building Programme (January 2025–December 2026). The evaluation will assess the programme's relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, sustainability, and lessons learned using the OECD-DAC evaluation criteria. Findings will support organizational accountability, donor reporting, evidence-based decision-making, and the design of future capacity development initiatives. 2. Project Background The L&D Programme was established to strengthen the technical, managerial, and leadership capacities of AKF-AFG employees while developing a sustainable leadership pipeline. Phase IV was implemented over two years with financial support shared by AKF Canada and AKF USA. The programme reached approximately 650 employees through leadership and management development, technical training, e-learning, international master's degree opportunities, and academic financial support. 3. Scope of Work / Overall Objective The consultant shall evaluate the programme using OECD-DAC criteria and provide evidence-based findings, conclusions, recommendations, and lessons learned. The assignment will assess programme design, implementation, results, sustainability, and contribution to organizational capacity development. 4. Work Location(s) Afghanistan: Badakhshan, Takhar, Baghlan, Bamiyan, and Kabul. 5. Main Duties and Responsibilities • Hold inception meetings with L&D, MERL, and key stakeholders. • Review programme documents and develop an inception report. • Prepare the evaluation methodology, sampling strategy, and data collection tools. • Conduct desk reviews, KIIs, FGDs, observations, and competency-based interviews. • Collect and analyses qualitative and quantitative data. • Validate preliminary findings with stakeholders. • Prepare and submit draft and final evaluation reports. • Present findings and recommendations to AKF management. 6. Methodology The evaluation shall apply a mixed-methods approach combining qualitative and quantitative techniques. Data collection methods may include document review, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, observation, online interviews, competency-based interviews, and field visits. The consultant shall ensure triangulation of findings, gender-sensitive analysis, and alignment with OECD-DAC evaluation standards. 7. Deliverables • Inception Report • Evaluation Matrix and Data Collection Tools • Field Data Collection • Draft Evaluation Report • Presentation of Findings • Final Evaluation Report • Clean Electronic Dataset and Supporting Materials 8. Qualifications Required The Team Leader should possess a postgraduate qualification in Monitoring and Evaluation, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Economics, Statistics, or a related discipline, with extensive experience conducting programme evaluations. The evaluation team should demonstrate expertise in mixed-methods research, report writing, OECD-DAC evaluations, stakeholder engagement, and working in Afghanistan. 9. Consultant Profile Where the consultant is a team, members should collectively possess expertise in evaluation, quantitative and qualitative research, data analysis, gender equality, safeguarding, and programme management. 10. Timeline / Work Plan The assignment is expected to be completed within approximately 40 working days. The successful consultant shall submit a detailed work plan showing activities, milestones, and deliverable dates for approval. 11. Ethical Protocols and Required Documents The consultant shall maintain confidentiality, obtain informed consent, follow safeguarding and 'Do No Harm' principles, protect personal data, and declare any conflict of interest. Proposals shall include a technical proposal, financial proposal, methodology, work plan, relevant work samples, and organizational or consultant profile. 12. Additional Significant Information The selected consultant will receive the Phase IV Project Implementation Plan (PIP), beneficiary lists, and relevant project documentation. All reports and datasets produced under this assignment shall remain the property of AKF-AFG. Application Interested applicants should submit their technical and financial Proposal to Jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org no later than 09th August 2026. Please contact Mr. Mohammad Nabi Badakhsh at Nabi.badakhsh@akdn.org if you need further clarifications or any query on or before the deadline. Important Notes: • Please quote the Vacancy Number as the Subject of the e-mail when applying. • Please submit a copy of business license along with the proposal. • Only short-listed Firms will be contacted for further assessment. The Aga Khan Foundation Afghanistan (AKF- Afg) promotes a transparent and equitable recruitment process. We reiterate that all services related to job applications, including processing, seminars, and training programs, are provided free of charge. Our official job announcements are posted on the ACBAR website (acbar.org/jobs). Interested candidates are encouraged to submit their applications through our designated email address: jobs.afghanistan@akdn.org . Each job vacancy is assigned a unique identification number for your reference and upon submitting your application, you will receive an automatic confirmation acknowledging its receipt, immediately. AKF- Afg recruitment and selection process reflect our commitment to equal opportunity and protecting children and at-risk adults, beneficiaries, partners, community members and employees from safeguarding violations. AKF (Afg) participates in the Scheme for the disclosure of safeguarding-related misconduct within the humanitarian and development sector (Misconduct Disclosure Scheme). In line with this Scheme, AKF (Afg) will contact previous employers of job applicants to request information about any investigations or findings of misconduct concerning allegations of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment (sexual misconduct) against the applicant, during or after their employment. AKF (Afg) further implements a range of procedures and vetting checks including criminal records disclosures to ensure everyone associated with AKF (Afg) is kept free from harm and abuse is prevented. Protection from Sexual Exploitation Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) is the responsibility of everyone, and all selected individuals will be required to always comply with AKF (Afg)s Safeguarding Policy. By submitting the job application, the applicant confirms to have understood and consented to AKF (Afg) contacting the applicant’s prior employers, during AKF (Afg)’s recruitment process, to request any such information and maintain this information on file for Recruitment and Human Resources Management purposes. Female candidates are highly encouraged to apply for this position.