Invitation to Tender for the supply of services: Climate FORTH Project Monitoring & Evaluation Support (Oct 2023 – Sept 2026).

Descriptions

RSPB Scotland, on behalf of the Inner Forth Futures partnership (IFF), wishes to commission a consultant or agency to deliver the ‘contractor specific’ monitoring and evaluation support work for the c.GBP1.6m Climate FORTH: Furthering Our Resilience Through Heritage project as set out within the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (attached as supporting document). The work will be delivered between October 2023 and September 2026 as part of the Climate FORTH project’s delivery phase. The value of the work will be up to GBP29,913 excluding VAT. The successful candidate should demonstrate previous experience in similar work. Thanks to Lottery players, these works are funded by the National Lottery through the Heritage Lottery Fund. The Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (attached as supporting document) includes process monitoring, impact monitoring and monitoring support. It was created in 2022 as part of the Climate FORTH development phase and formed part of our successful Stage 2 application to National Lottery Heritage Fund’s grants for heritage. This contract will involve working closely with the Project Manager and other members of the Climate FORTH staff team and IFF partnership, building on their strong understanding of the project and its activities. It is critical that the contractor undertaking the work is realistic in the scope required and able to communicate with a wide range of audiences. The work undertaken by the consultant will support the Climate FORTH project team and IFF partnership in tracking and presenting the progress, impact and reach of the Climate FORTH project in its delivery phase. The Climate FORTH project comprises thirteen discrete but complementary activities, not all of which run over the same time period or duration during the project delivery phase. The Consultant /Agency will: 1. Undertake routine project monitoring and support of the Climate FORTH team as set out in the Monitoring & Evaluation Framework by utilising the proposed techniques at the proposed frequency. This is set out on page 9 of the brief to tender under the heading of ‘evaluation team tasks’. Background to this is set out in The Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (attached as supporting document). Timescale: October 2023 – September 2026. 2. Undertake a mid point review of the project and create a report including recommendations. Timescale: February – March 2025. 3. Undertake a final review of the project and create a final report. Timescale: May – September 2026. 4. Be available to provide ad-hoc monitoring and evaluation advice to the Climate FORTH team on at least two points per financial year between October 2023 and October 2026 e.g. should it be found that monitoring and evaluation techniques proposed to be undertaken by the team are challenging to achieve – the contractor will have the skill and flexibility to propose appropriate and proportional amendments to the Monitoring and Evaluation Framework (these are expected to be minor). We anticipate this work is largely desk-based, but by agreement would benefit from visiting the Inner Forth area during our community engagement /other events or partnership meetings. By agreement meetings can be held face to face or over Zoom/ Microsoft Teams.