Invitation to Tender for the Evaluation of a National Lottery Heritage Fund project: Connecting the

Descriptions

Amphibian and Reptile Conservation (ARC) seeks to appoint a consultant to develop a monitoring and evaluation framework for the delivery of this Heritage Fund project (Connecting the Dragons). This will ensure that we are effectively and efficiently measuring our progress against key milestones and NLHF outcomes.The consultant will be expected to propose a set of evaluation tools to enable the two project officers, with other staff, partners and lead volunteers to evaluate the project over the four-year project period (August 2019 – July 2023).We anticipate the need for some specialist qualitative research to meet the needs of the project as it is delivered, such as focus groups with target audiences. We also require an internal review of the impact of the project so as to capture the learning from the project, this might take the form of a reflective workshop session with staff and key partners.Overall, we require the consultant to support the project team in gathering evidence in order to author an Evaluation Report at the end of the project. Authoring this report is the responsibility of the consultant.Project SummaryConnecting the Dragons (CtD) is a large-scale, four-year project across southern Wales that aims to restore and raise awareness of its declining and fragmented amphibian and reptile populations. A key element to the project's success is active community/volunteer involvement. ARC will undertake habitat creation and restoration in strategic locations to help improve permeability of the Welsh countryside for wildlife in an increasingly urbanized environment. Furthermore, a campaign will be launched utilizing social media and community events to improve the image of our most misunderstood reptile species. Enthused interns and volunteers will be trained to survey and monitor their local herpetofauna populations, with the data feeding directly into practical nature conservation. The project's legacy will be both a physically better-connected natural heritage, plus communities with a better understanding and connection to their natural heritage.The scope of the workThe scope of the work is to deliver an evaluation of the Connecting the Dragons project (NLHF funded).Key TasksThe consultant will also be required to:•Review the project’s logic model and amend in-line with project delivery needs, in order to devise a project Evaluation Framework.•Within that framework, propose a set of evaluation tools to enable the project staff, partners and volunteers to evaluate the project over the project period. We anticipate that these will include feedback forms / online surveys as well as more inventive approaches to capturing experiences to suit the engagement programmes under review.•Brief, and where necessary train, staff, partners and volunteers on the delivery of evaluation using the proposed tools.•Deliver specialist qualitative research as appropriate, e.g. one to one interviews, focus groups with volunteers and key users. The number and range of approaches should correspond to the activity programme and key target audiences.•Run at least two reflective workshop for staff, partners and volunteers mid-way and then during the final months of the project to capture organisational learning from the project.•Keep a watching brief on collection of evaluation data and other evidence•Work closely with the project staff to ensure timely delivery of evaluation findings to support the authoring the final evaluation report. The consultant is responsible for drafting the final evaluation report.•We require an allocation of time to support the dissemination of findings at conferences and partnership meetings beyond the scope of the project delivery period.The Evaluation Framework should:•Identify the key performance indicators (and associated quality indicators) expected by NLHF and ARC, using the summary of Outcomes within the NLHF application as guidance•Detail the frequency, sample size and most effective evaluation methods for each indicator, taking into account the audiences and activities involved•Show who is responsible for gathering each set of data and recording/keeping the results, and identify any training required•Propose a mechanism by which the results gleaned from the monitoring activity can be reviewed, collated and interpreted to provide both snapshot and longitudinal information•Take into account current legislation regarding data collection, sharing and storage.Available documentation•The NLHF application form•The Project Activity PlanPlease refer to NLHF best practice guidelines:(https://www.heritagefund.org.uk/publications/evaluation-guidance)and the recent report:https://www.hlf.org.uk/about-us/news-features/report-what-weve-learnedabout-evaluation.Management of the commissionThe commission will be managed by CtD staff in consultation with ARC’s Senior Management Team.Instructions to tenderersRespondents are asked to provide the following information:•Their understanding and approach to the brief•A plan outlining the actions they will take to meet the requirements of the contract and key milestones•The experience and credentials of the team undertaking the work•All costs including day rates and expenses.Timescales and BudgetThe maximum budget for this project is £12,000 PLUS VAT. Tenders received in excess of this amount will be rejected.Task DeadlineDeadline for receipt of tender 5.00pm 30th September 2019Notification of Appointment By 11th October 2019Inception meeting October 2019Support to develop monitoring tools with project staff and ensure they are built into the project. Oct – Dec 2019Mid-term evaluation completed September 2021Final project evaluation completed July 2023Assessment and ScoringTenders received within the deadline will be scored as follows:Criteria %1. Understanding of the brief 102. Quality of the methodology 353. Experience of the team delivering similar work 154. Skills and expertise of the team 105. Value for money 30Total 100Return of TendersTenders should be submitted by e-mail to Dr. John Wilkinson, Regional Programmes Manager, ARC: john.wilkinson@arc-trust.orgPlease note that tenders received after the deadline will not be considered. Any costs or expenses incurred in preparing tender responses are the responsibility of the organisations submitting the responses and not the ARC Trust