Terms of Reference for the Project Final Evaluation

1. Name of the project to be evaluated:

Project number: N-LAO-2023-0052

Project period: 1 April 2023- 30 March 2026

Project Title: Basic health care for risk groups

1.1          Overview of the organisation

Community Health and Inclusion Association (CHIAs) is a community-led organization advancing health, social protection, and gender inclusion for a more resilient and equitable Lao PDR. Officially registered in 2012 (Reg. No. 94/MoHA) and active since 1999, CHIAs empowers vulnerable and hard-to-reach populations through grassroots programming that promotes health, climate resilience, gender equality, and social inclusion, ensuring that no one is left behind.

Guided by principles of participation, inclusion, and accountability, CHIAs works closely with communities, local authorities, and development partners to strengthen systems that protect and uplift people most at risk, particularly women, children, ethnic minorities, persons with disabilities, and LGBTQI communities.

1.2.        The project to be evaluated

The project N-LAO-2023-0052 “Basic health care for risk groups” has been implemented since April 2023 in Vientiane capital and Luangprabang province, with the goal to improve sexual health of LGBTs and strengthen the LGBT community in the mentioned areas to participate effectively on social dialogue for their rights.

The project specifically targets key populations at heightened risk of HIV exposure and social exclusion, with a focus on youth and adolescents in Vientiane Capital and Luang Prabang Province. Direct beneficiaries include lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) individuals and people who use drugs, with particular attention to harm reduction access, gender-sensitive health services, and rights-based support. The project aims to empower these groups through improved sexual and reproductive health outcomes, reduced stigma and discrimination, increased access to harm reduction resources, and meaningful participation in advocacy and policy dialogue. Indirectly, the initiative benefits the broader community by advancing public health outcomes, fostering social inclusion, and promoting equitable, gender-responsive systems for all.

The Project has the following 3 objectives:

• Objective 1: The Physical and mental health of KVPs in the project area is improved through the support of community centres.
• Objective 2: Gender diversities and rights are better promoted and protected at school and in the family in the project areas.
• Objective 3: Discrimination in hospital healthcare services in the project areas is reduced

1. Final Project Evaluation

2.1. Purpose of the Evaluation The primary purpose of the evaluation is to:

• Assess Performance: 

Rigorously evaluate the project’s performance against the OECD/DAC criteria of Relevance, Coherence, Effectiveness, Efficiency, Impact, and Sustainability, with a specific cross-cutting focus on Equity (Health and LGBT inclusion).

• Inform Future Strategy:

Generate evidence-based findings and actionable recommendations to guide future programming, strategic decision-making, and potential scale-up of interventions in Lao PDR.

2.2. Specific Objectives The evaluation aims to assess the following dimensions:

• Relevance:

Determine the extent to which the project design remained consistent with the evolving needs of youth and LGBT populations, as well as national health priorities.

• Coherence:

Analyze the compatibility of the intervention with other programs in the sector and its alignment with Lao PDR national health policies and frameworks.

• Effectiveness:

Measure the achievement of output and outcome indicators, specifically regarding HIV/STI testing uptake, linkage to care, and reductions in stigma and discrimination.

• Efficiency:

Assess whether financial and human resources were utilized economically and linked to the timely delivery of results.

• Impact:

Identify long-term changes attributable to the project regarding health behaviors, clinical outcomes (e.g., HIV/STI diagnoses, treatment adherence), and psychosocial well-being.

• Sustainability:

Evaluate the likelihood that benefits, partnerships, and service capacities will persist after donor funding ceases.

• Equity and Inclusion:

Analyze the project’s success in reaching marginalized sub-groups, specifically LGBT youth, rural populations, and ethnic minorities.

2.3. Dimensions of Analysis The evaluation will examine the project through four key lenses:

• Strategic Alignment:The validity of the logical framework and the project’s adaptability to the local context.
• Stakeholder Engagement: The roles, participation, and capacity building of key actors and partners.
• Operational Delivery: The effectiveness of activities, major milestones achieved, and mitigation of implementation challenges.
• Implementation Mechanisms: The efficiency of the management structure, partnership dynamics, and coordination workflows.

2.4. Guiding Evaluation Questions

The evaluator will be responsible for developing a comprehensive matrix of evaluation questions tailored to beneficiaries, staff, and stakeholders. The project management team must validate these questions during the inception phase.

 

 

III. Organizing the evaluation/methodology

3.1. Planned timeline for the exercise

The evaluation should be undertaken in in early 2026 January-February 2026

One consultant will be contracted for 21 working days, including 6 days for fieldwork in target provinces.

Logistics

• The project will provide a vehicle and driver for the evaluation.
• A Lao–English translator will be available to support the evaluator throughout the mission in case we have an international TA who cannot speak Lao.
• The evaluator is responsible for any printing costs required during the evaluation.

Finances

• The consultancy fee is $________, inclusive of travel costs, per diem, and accommodation.

 

Deliverables
Number of days

Desk review of existing documents related to policy and guidelines available in Laos
02 days

Questionnaires and methodology design, and approval from the project and partners’ steering committee
02 days

Field visit for data collection in 2 target provinces, which included 2 days of travel.
08 days

In-person and online discussions with the key person of CHIAs, the HIV program, and Bread for the World
01 days

Data cleaning and analysis
02 days

Drafting 1st evaluation report
03 days

Final evaluation report
02 days

Hold a meeting with CHIAs, Bftw, and CHAS for evaluation results
01 days

Total number
21 days

 

 

3.2. Planned evaluation process and stakeholders to be interviewed

• Provincial health department HIV focal persons
• District health department HIV focal persons
• ARV clinics/sites in Vientiane (VTE) and Luang Prabang (LPB)
• At least six peer counsellors and a social worker
• At least 20 target beneficiaries
• Drop-in Centre (DIC) manager
• Project M&E officer
• Project manager
• PLHIV group (focus group discussion)
• People living with HIV and their carers (at least four individual interviews)
• CSO network on HIV response and prevention
• CHIAs (Country Director and selected staff)
• National HIV Programme contact person
• DCDC, MoH

3.3. Approach and methodology

• Use a mix of group meetings, focus group discussions, and one-to-one interviews.
• Verify program records and observe service delivery sites where feasible.
• Share preliminary observations and conclusions with CHIAs project managers, the National HIV Programme, and Bread for the World.

• The evaluator will finalize methodology and tools after consultation with the project management team and secure ethical clearance or approvals as required.
• Final evaluation questions and the detailed field schedule will be submitted for approval before fieldwork.

• Draft the evaluation questions and data collection tools (FGD guides, interview guides, questionnaires) tailored to this scope.
• Estimate a sample size and sampling approach for the field visits.

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3.4. Outputs and Dissemination

• A draft report in the English language should be submitted to CHIAs and BFTW by the end of February 2026. The report length should be at least 20 pages and a maximum of 30 without annexes.
• The final evaluation report in English should be submitted to CHIAs and BftW by 20th March, 2026. Lao translation will be provided.

• A workshop will be organized with project staff and government stakeholders to review findings and recommendations and prepare an implementation plan before 30 March 2026.

 

 

3.5. Key Qualifications of the Evaluators The selected evaluators are required to possess the following key qualifications:

• Education: A Master’s degree or equivalent in Gender Studies, Social Sciences, International Development, Community Development, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), or a related field.
• Professional Experience: A minimum of 5 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation within the context of development projects.
• Regional Experience: A minimum of 5 years of professional experience in Lao PDR or Southeast Asia (required for international experts).
• Thematic Knowledge: A deep understanding of social and development issues in Lao PDR, with specific expertise in gender equality and LGBTQI+ inclusion.
• Technical Skills: Demonstrated expertise in qualitative and quantitative research methodologies, including data collection, processing, and analysis.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in both written and spoken Lao and English is required.
• Soft Skills & Cultural Competence: Proven experience working in multi-cultural environments with a strong understanding of Lao culture. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills are essential, particularly the ability to conduct gender-sensitive engagement with local communities and beneficiaries.
• Reporting: Strong computer literacy, analytical capabilities, and high-quality report-writing skills.

4. Submission Requirements

To be considered, the evaluator’s offer must include the following components:

1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Up-to-date CVs for all lead and support evaluators involved in the project.

2. Technical Proposal

• A specific proposal outlining the approach to the assignment.
• A brief explanation and justification of the proposed methodology (including data collection and analysis methods).
• A description of how relevant cross-cutting issues (e.g., gender, social inclusion) will be integrated into the evaluation.

3. Financial Proposal

• A comprehensive cost estimate, broken down by budget line.
• The budget must include consultancy fees and all ancillary costs, such as transportation, accommodation, taxes, and workshop costs associated with the scope of the evaluation.

Submission Details:

• Email: Applications should be sent to phoutthakone.chias@gmail.com
• Deadline: 31 December 2025