[Hiring] Consultancy for Scalability Diagnostics and Evidence Synthesis @SOS Children's Villages

Role Description

This consultancy will support the practical application of the IES Scalability Pathway by helping selected MAs assess where their priority projects currently stand within the pathway, review and synthesise existing evidence and learning, and make recommendations to strengthen evidence generation to support scalability. Through a structured diagnostic process, the consultancy will provide practical recommendations to inform project improvement and decision-making on pathways to scale. In addition, it will consolidate key evidence, learning, and lessons from each project into accessible learning products that can support knowledge sharing, reflection, and future programme development.

Objectives

• General: Strengthen the capacity of selected Member Associations to determine where their priority projects stand within the IES Scalability Pathway, assess and synthesise existing evidence and learning, and develop project-specific recommendations and learning products for each selected project.
• Specific:
  • Review and assess available documentation for the 5 selected Member Associations’ focus projects (one project per country).
  • Map each focus project's position within the IES Scalability Pathway and identify the evidence and learning currently available and critical gaps.
  • Synthesise existing evidence and learning and develop project-specific recommendations on evidence generation priorities and pathways to scale.
  • Develop at least 1 learning product for each focus project to capture and communicate key evidence, lessons learned, and recommendations.

Scope and Methodological Approach

The consultancy will be supervised by the Innovation, Evidence & Scale (IES) Unit of SOS Children’s Villages International, which will provide strategic guidance, access to relevant framework documents and project information, consolidated feedback, and coordination with participating Member Associations (MAs).

• Project maturity: Projects at different stages will require different approaches.
• Locally owned processes: MA teams should be actively involved in the review and validation of diagnostics and the development of learning products.
• Language and format: The consultant should adapt the products to language needs.
• Context sensitivity: Ensuring that analytical approaches, recommendations, and learning products are relevant and applicable across diverse organisational, cultural, and programme contexts.

Expected Deliverables

• Inception report and workplan
• Focus projects’ scalability and evidence diagnostics
• Focus projects’ learning products
• Final report

Consultant Profile

• At least 7 years of proven competency in evidence generation, evaluation, MEAL, organisational learning, or adaptive programme management in international development or social impact.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative analytical skills.
• Experience in leading reviews, assessments, and diagnostics across multiple projects, countries, and partners.
• Familiarity with scalability or innovation-to-scale frameworks is an advantage.
• Excellent written and spoken English; French is an asset.

Safeguarding, Ethics, Confidentiality and Data Protection

The consultant will be required to comply with applicable SOS Children’s Villages policies and standards, including the Child and Youth Safeguarding Policy, Code of Conduct, and Anti-Fraud and Anti-Corruption Guideline.

Fees

The maximum available budget for the consultancy is EUR 25,000, including professional fees, applicable taxes, and any other costs required for the virtual implementation of the assignment.

Submission and Evaluation of Proposals

• An interest letter describing previous services and products relevant to this Terms of Reference.
• Curriculum vitae of the consultant or key members of the proposed consultancy team.
• A technical proposal outlining the proposed approach and methodology.
• A financial proposal including the number of staff involved, the number of days, and daily rate.

The submission of proposals duly stamped and signed can be done electronically in PDF format.