Background

Farm Radio International (FRI) has been implementing the iHEARD project in collaboration with a consortium of partner organizations in Malawi. As the project comes to a close, FRI wishes to assess the effectiveness of partnerships and consortium approaches in the project, identify lessons learned, and strengthen processes for future collaborations about youth-focused sexual and reproductive health rights (SRHR) in Malawi and elsewhere.

Main objective of the assignment

This consultancy will provide an independent summative evaluation of the partnership model used, focusing on:

• The value and challenges of leadership in running a consortium.
• Partner perspectives on what worked well and what could have been improved.
• Motivations for partners to collaborate.
• Recommendations focusing on partnership modalities, for example a how-to-guide on due diligence processes, and opportunities to enhance them.

Specific objectives

The consultancy has two specific objectives:

Objective 1: Evaluate the partnership and consortium approach used during the design and implementation of iHEARD project

• Identify strengths, weaknesses, and lessons learned from partnership and consortium pillar management.
• Document partner organizations’ experiences, motivations, and expectations.
• Provide actionable recommendations to strengthen partnership approaches in future projects.

Objective 2: Review partnership modalities and tools used with partners

• Assess existing due diligence (DD) processes used with iHEARD partners.
• Identify gaps and areas for improvement.
• Provide practical recommendations and tools/templates for enhancement of due diligence processes.

Scope of Work

The consultant will be expected to:

1. Desk Review

Review relevant project documents (program development documents), post-award documents such as consortium agreements with funders, Memorandum of Understanding between lead entities, intermediary agreements and contracts with sub-partners, partnership frameworks, and due diligence procedures.

2. Key Informant Interviews (KIIs)

Conduct interviews with staff from FRI, consortium partners, and key stakeholder groups.

3. In-Person Experience Capitalization Workshop

Facilitate a reflective workshop with consortium partners to discuss: –

• What has worked well in this partnership model – – –
• What could have been done differently or better in managing partnerships.
• What motivates organizations to partner.

Organize and facilitate an inclusive discussion with broader stakeholders (e.g., consortium members, external actors if relevant) to validate findings and generate collective recommendations.

4. Due Diligence Review

• Assess FRI’s current due diligence systems, policies, and practices.
• Benchmark against best practices in the sector.
• Develop a how-to-guide (recommendations and practical tools/templates) to strengthen DD processes.

5. Final Report & Tools

• Draft and finalize a comprehensive evaluation report with findings, analysis, and recommendations.
• Provide practical tools/templates for improved due diligence.

Deliverables

• Inception report with methodology and workplan.
• Summary of KIIs and workshop proceedings.
• Facilitation of in-person communication pillar experience capitalisation workshops – First Week of April 2026.
• Draft evaluation report covering both objectives.
• Final evaluation report (max 25 pages, plus annexes).
• A how-to-guide on conducting due diligence containing practical tools/templates for improved due diligence (checklists, partner assessment forms, etc.).

Timeline

The consultancy is expected to take place over [6 weeks/1.5 months], tentatively from 9th March 2026 to 17th April 2026.

Consultant Profile

• Proven experience in grant management, organisational management, partnership management and consortium operations in the development/humanitarian sector.
• Strong facilitation skills for workshops and participatory processes.
• Knowledge of organizational due diligence and risk management practices.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills.
• Experience working in multi-partner, multi-country projects is an asset.

Reporting & Management

The consultant will report to Julie Langelier, Head of Projects. FRI will provide relevant project documents, facilitate introductions to stakeholders, and support logistical arrangements for workshops.

• Conduct a desk review of relevant project documents.
• Conduct Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) with staff from FRI, consortium partners, and key stakeholder groups.
• Facilitate an in-person experience capitalization workshop with consortium partners.
• Organize and facilitate an inclusive discussion with broader stakeholders to validate findings and generate collective recommendations.
• Assess FRI’s current due diligence systems, policies, and practices.
• Benchmark due diligence practices against best practices in the sector.
• Develop a how-to-guide for strengthening due diligence processes.
• Draft and finalize a comprehensive evaluation report.
• Provide practical tools/templates for improved due diligence.

• Strong facilitation skills for workshops and participatory processes.
• Excellent analytical and writing skills.

• Proven experience in grant management, organisational management, partnership management and consortium operations in the development/humanitarian sector.
• Knowledge of organizational due diligence and risk management practices.
• Experience working in multi-partner, multi-country projects is an asset.