CODESRIA

TERMS OF REFERENCE

1. BACKGROUND

The Council for the Development of Social Science Research in Africa (CODESRIA) is a pan-African research organisation established in 1973 and headquartered in Dakar, Senegal. The Council enjoys diplomatic immunity under a 1976 Host Country Agreement with the Government of Senegal. CODESRIA’s mission is to promote and facilitate social science and humanities research in Africa and to strengthen African scholarship as a driver of development and transformation on the continent.

CODESRIA’s 2023–2027 Strategic Plan, The Social Sciences in Africa in a Context of Global Transitions and Transformation, provides the intellectual and programmatic framework guiding its work. The Plan is implemented through three core scientific programmes: (i) Research, (ii) Training, Grants and Fellowships, and (iii) Publications and Dissemination.

The year 2025 marks the midpoint of the Plan’s implementation, presenting a critical opportunity to assess the relevance and efficiency of ongoing interventions and institutional arrangements, with a view to learning and strategic adjustment for the remainder of the cycle.

2. PURPOSE AND USE

The purpose of the mid-term evaluation is to generate a focused, evidence-based assessment of the Strategic Plan’s relevance and efficiency, identifying lessons learnt and opportunities for adjustment. The evaluation will also assess the extent to which CODESRIA’s institutional logic (Theory of Change) as outlined in its strategic plan remains valid and whether its structures and systems are fit for purpose.

The intended uses of the evaluation include:

• To inform strategic decision-making by CODESRIA’s Secretariat and governing bodies.
• To enhance institutional learning for improved programme delivery during the remaining period of the strategic plan.
• To meet the accountability requirements of the Council’s funding partners by providing evidence of performance, efficiency and the responsible use of resources.

3. OBJECTIVES AND EVALUATION QUESTIONS

The evaluation will focus on two main criteria: Relevance and Efficiency

Objective 1: Relevance

To assess whether CODESRIA’s strategic priorities, programme design, and institutional arrangements remain aligned with the evolving needs of African scholars and policy communities.

Key questions:

• To what extent do the Strategic Plan’s objectives, thematic clusters and prioritised activities respond to the current social science and humanities landscape in Africa?
• How well do CODESRIA’s structures, partnerships, and funding base support its strategic intent?
• Has CODESRIA adapted effectively to new opportunities (e.g., digital platforms, AI, and regional partnerships) to sustain relevance and inclusivity across linguistic, gender, and generational divides?

Objective 2: Efficiency

To assess how well CODESRIA has utilised its financial, human, and institutional resources in implementing the 2023–2027 Plan.

Key questions:

• Are resources (financial, human, and institutional) being deployed in a cost-effective and timely manner?
• How well aligned are financial management and monitoring systems with programme delivery?
• What mechanisms are in place to enhance operational efficiency and institutional learning?
• What opportunities exist to improve efficiency, resource mobilisation and sustainability?

4. SCOPE

• Timeframe: The evaluation covers the period 2023–2025, corresponding to the first half of the Strategic Plan.
• Geographic scope: CODESRIA’s pan-African mandate, including its engagement across the five African subregions and with diaspora scholars.
• Programmatic scope: Activities implemented through the Council’s scientific programmes and supporting institutional systems (finance, human resources, monitoring and evaluation).

5. APPROACH AND METHODOLOGY

The evaluator will propose a robust and proportionate methodology in an Inception Report, ensuring triangulation of qualitative and quantitative data. The evaluation must comply with the OECD/DAC Quality Standards for Development Evaluation.

Minimum methodological requirements:

• Desk review of key institutional and programme documents (strategic plan, results framework, annual reports, financial statements, previous evaluations, etc.).
• Key informant interviews with CODESRIA staff, governance bodies, and funding partners.
• Surveys or virtual consultations with beneficiaries and partners across linguistic and regional groups.
• Field visit to the CODESRIA Headquarters in Dakar for consultations.
• Clear distinction between findings, analysis, and conclusions; explicit evidence references; and identification of limitations.
• The methodology should incorporate gender responsiveness, ethical standards, and sensitivity to power dynamics, ensuring confidentiality and adherence to the Do No Harm principle.

6. DELIVERABLES

• Inception Report: Detailed design, refined evaluation questions, methodology, and a work plan that will be subject to CODESRIA’s approval.
• Draft Evaluation Report: Preliminary findings and recommendations for review by CODESRIA and partners.
• Final Evaluation Report: Concise report (max. 30 pages excluding annexes) with an executive summary, conclusions, and actionable recommendations.
• Presentation: Sharing of key findings with the CODESRIA Secretariat, Governance bodies, and funding partners.

All deliverables shall be submitted in English; executive summaries may be translated into French.

7. TIMELINE

The evaluation is expected to be finalised by 30^th March 2026. The detailed schedule will be agreed upon during the inception phase. At a minimum, it should include:

• Inception Phase: Submission and validation of the inception report.
• Data Collection Phase: Including visit to the CODESRIA offices, document review, and remote/field interviews.
• Analysis & Drafting Phase: Preparation and submission of draft evaluation report.
• Validation & Feedback Phase: Presentation of findings, collection of feedback.
• Finalisation Phase: Submission of final report and presentations.

8. BUDGET

The consultant shall submit, as part of the proposal, a proposed time and work plan aligned with the scope and objectives of the evaluation. The total budget for the evaluation shall not exceed USD 30,000 (inclusive of professional fees, travel, and other related costs). Proposals must include a transparent breakdown of costs consistent with the scope of work.

9. EVALUATION TEAM QUALIFICATIONS

• The evaluators are expected to be a team of two-three consultants fluent in English and at least one fluent in French.
• The evaluators must be independent of the evaluated activities and have no stake in the outcome of the evaluation.
• All team members shall have demonstrated experience conducting institutional or programme evaluations in higher education, research, or development contexts.
• The team members must have at least Masters degrees and have knowledge of research in the Social Science and Humanities. At least the team leader must have a PhD degree in a social science field and experience in research and capacity building, preferably in diverse regional contexts.
• The evaluators must have proven analytical, facilitation, and report-writing skills.
• The evaluators must be familiar with African research ecosystems and gender-responsive evaluation approaches.

10. KEY REFERENCE DOCUMENTS

To effectively conduct the evaluation, the evaluator will be granted access to the following documents

• CODESRIA Strategic Plan 2023–2027
• CODESRIA Results Framework
• Annual Narrative and Financial Reports
• Previous Evaluation Reports
• Grant Agreements
• Relevant internal policies reports

11. HOW TO APPLY

Interested and qualified evaluation teams are invited to submit their application in response to these Terms of Reference. The application package should include the following documents:

1. Technical and Financial Proposal outlining:

• Understanding of the assignment, scope, and objectives.
• Proposed evaluation approach and methodology, including data-collection and analysis methods, triangulation, and ethical considerations.
• Work plan and indicative timeline aligned with the phases described in the ToR.
• Approach to stakeholder engagement, learning, and feedback mechanisms.
• Quality-assurance processes and mitigation of potential risks or limitations.
• A detailed, transparent budget (in USD) within the ceiling of USD 30,000.

1. Team Composition and Curriculum Vitae (CVs):

• Names, roles, and responsibilities of each proposed team member.
• CVs highlighting relevant evaluation experience in higher education, research, and institutional development, particularly in African contexts.

1. Supporting Documentation:

• At least two examples of previous evaluation assignments undertaken in the past five years.
• Contact information for at least two professional references.

Submission details: All proposals should be submitted through the CODESRIA submission system via the link https://codesria.org/application-form-mid-term-evaluation/

Only applications submitted via this system will be considered.

Deadline for submission: 5^th December 2025 (23:59 GMT)

Late or incomplete submissions will not be considered.