Terms of Reference Mid-Term Evaluation Strengthening the Civil Society Regional Partnerships in favour of the ratification, domestication and implementation of the African Disability Protocol (ADP)
Consultancy, Research Jobs
- Leonard Cheshire Disability Z…
- Expires 27 Nov 2026
- Harare
- Full Time
Job Description
Terms of Reference
Mid-Term Evaluation
Strengthening the Civil Society Regional Partnerships in favour of the ratification, domestication and implementation of the African Disability Protocol (ADP) in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
1.0 Introduction
Leonard Cheshire Disability Zimbabwe (LCDZ) intends to engage a qualified and experienced consultant to conduct a mid-term evaluation for the action/project – Strengthening the Civil Society Regional Partnerships in favour of the ratification, domestication and implementation of the African Disability Protocol (ADP) in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. LCDZ is leading the implementation of the project with co-funding from European Union (EU) delegation to Zambia and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA). The co-implementing partners are, Development Aid from People to People (DAPP) Malawi; DAPP Zambia; DAPP Zimbabwe; Cheshire Homes Society Zambia (CHSZ); and Human Rights of Women and Girls with Disabilities in Malawi (WAG).
Leonard Cheshire Disability Zimbabwe (LCDZ) is a non-profit making disability service organisation registered as a Private Voluntary Organisation (PVO 36/80). The organisation envisions a society in which every person with a disability can enjoy their rights and can fulfil their potential. Its mission is to enable persons with disabilities to improve their quality of life and to campaign for the removal of the barriers which hinder them.
2.0 Overall Objective of the Action
The overall objective of the action/project is to contribute towards enjoyment of human rights and other fundamental freedoms by all persons with disabilities in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
2.1 Specific Objectives of the Action
a. To contribute to expediting the ratification, domestication and implementation of the African Disability Protocol (ADP) and associated instruments by the governments of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
b. To strengthen Organisations of Persons with Disabilities (OPDs) and Civil Society Strengthening (CSOs) internal governance, transparency and organisational support functions to execute their mandates in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
c. To improve participation of OPDs and Community Based Organisations (CBOs) to elevate disability inclusion issues in the development processes and implementation of rights of all Persons with Disabilities (PwDs) in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
3.0 Background to the Action
The African Disability Protocol (ADP) is the African human rights treaty adopted by the African Union in 2018. It is a legal framework that stands as the premier Pan-African human rights treaty crafted to tackle the diverse forms of discrimination impacting persons with disabilities on the continent, encompassing harmful practices, beliefs, and superstitions. It ensures that no one is left behind. Although the governments of Zimbabwe and Malawi ratified the ADP, the government of Zambia has not. None of the countries have domesticated and implemented the protocol. Therefore, the lack of ratification of the ADP in Zambia and the lack of its domestication and implementation in the target countries has had negative impact on persons with disabilities.
In Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe, there are challenges associated with the state, civil society, and the public that are hampering the expedition of ratification, domestication, and implementation of the ADP. Lack of political will is one of the major setbacks in the ratification (in Zambia), domestication, and implementation of ADP in 3 target countries. There is also a significant gap both in the public awareness of the ADP and an appreciation of its value. This gap was confirmed in the 2020 survey on “Domestication and Implementation of African Union Treaties” which found that in 50% of cases, there is a lack of political will and demonstrates ignorance of treaty benefits, especially the ADP. These inadvertently result in weak public ownership and a slow pace of domestication and implementation of the protocol. To change this course, the role of persons with disabilities and OPDs in promoting and advocating for ratification, domestication and implementation of the ADP is imperative. There is a lack of established and functional platforms to sensitize persons with disabilities and their families, OPDs, CSOs, and academia on the role and mechanism of the ADP; as a result, there is inadequate public awareness of the ADP. Although in some cases awareness of disability inclusion platforms has been taking place, there are no functional platforms for raising awareness about ADP among persons with disabilities, OPDs and CSOs. Policies supporting the participation of persons with disabilities and their families and OPDs in all matters that affect them are in place, but evidence suggests that enforcement across the three target countries is limited, and the initiatives of various OPDs and CSOs towards engaging their respective governments to push for domestication and implementation of ADP are not harmonized (UNICEF, 2023).
4.0 Context of the Action
The regional action is being implemented in three Southern African countries: Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The action is implemented by a Consortium of 6 partners, 2 partners in each target country. Leonard Cheshire Disability Zimbabwe (LCDZ) is the lead organisation overseeing the implementation of the action in all the 3 countries. Consortium membership and action location in each county is as follows:
Country: Zimbabwe
Organisation: LCDZ
* Province: Masvingo
* District: Masvingo and Chiredzi
* Province: Midlands
* District: Kwekwe and Shurugwi
* Province: Matebeleland South
* District: Insiza and Beitbridge
Organisation: DAPP-Zimbabwe
* Province: Mashonaland Central
* District: Bindura and Shamva
* Province: Mashonaland East
* District: Mudzi and Murehwa
Country: Zambia
Organisation: DAPP-Zambia
* Province: Copperbelt
* District: Kitwe and Ndola
* Province: Lusaka
* District: Lusaka
Organisation: Cheshire Homes-Zambia
- Province: Eastern Province
* District: Chipata, Katete and Petauke
Country: Malawi
Organisation: DAPP-Malawi
- Province: Central Region
* District: Lilongwe and Dowa
Organisation: WAG
Duties and Responsibilities
4.0 Strategies of the Action
The action is using a human-rights, participatory, gender transformative and partnership approach to ensure PWD and their communities know and claim their rights. It recognizes the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) and ADP as key references, viewing PWD as rights holders who can demand entitlements from duty bearers, including governments, local authorities, CSOs, CBOs, and OPDs. Gender transformative programming ensures the needs of women and girls with disabilities are addressed, enhancing the action's inclusivity and gender sensitivity. Capacity strengthening aimed at building the institutional capacity of CSOs and OPDs to engage with duty bearers at local and country level was implemented. Helping to mobilize grassroots structures, especially women and youth with disabilities, and enhancing their advocacy skills through training enables them to participate in governance and decision-making processes. Furthermore, the action is building the capacity of duty bearers - government line ministries, parliamentarians, academia and parliamentary portfolio committees on disability - on the CRPD and ADP to improve their disability rights knowledge. The increase in human rights knowledge and awareness among rights holders and duty bearers is an important step in the ratification and domestication of ADP.
5.0 Expected Impact of the Action
It is expected that PwDs will increase their awareness of rights, strengthen their networks, and amplify their voices, while also improving their technical and management capacities through targeted training and support. OPDs will enhance their representation and participation while boosting their technical and management capacities through targeted training, mentorship, and support for digital and media advocacy. CSOs will strengthen their role in disability inclusion and advocacy, while enhancing their technical and management capacities through training, support for digital engagement, and the establishment of online forums. Legislators and duty bearers are expected to increase their understanding and effectiveness in implementing disability rights, while also enhancing their technical and management capacities through targeted training on their roles and responsibilities in law making and service delivery.
5.1 Outcomes of the Action
a. Ratification, domestication and implementation of the African Disability Protocol (ADP) and associated instruments by the governments of Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
b. Strengthened OPDs and CSOs internal governance, transparency and organisational support functions to execute their mandates in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
c. Participation of OPDs and CBOs to elevate disability inclusion issues in the development processes and implementation of rights of all PWD in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
6.0. Purpose of the Mid-Term Evaluation
The mid-term evaluation seeks to measure the status of all indicators with a view to determine: i) relevance; ii) effectiveness; iii) efficiency; iv) coherence; v) sustainability and vi) impact. Furthermore, evaluation will also identify best practices, lessons learned and challenges during project implementation.
6.1 Objectives of the Mid-Term Evaluation
The specific objectives of the mid-term evaluation study are:
a. To measure the status of project outcomes and output indicators as outlined in the project log frame and facilitate monitoring of progress towards meeting programme objectives
b. To evaluate the institutional capacity, resources, and operational effectiveness of OPDs and CSOs working on disability rights.
c. To measure the level of human rights awareness, civic engagement, and inclusion of PWD in decision-making structures.
d. To make strategic recommendations for effective and sustainable project implementation.
6.2 Methodology
The consultant is expected to propose a suitable methodology, which will include both quantitative and qualitative approaches.
6.3 Deliverables and timeframe
Qualifications and Experience
1. Inception Report and Draft Tools (Language – English)
Description: Inception report should give a detailed description of the methodology, sampling, target respondents, including an outline of tools and processes to be used for conducting the mid-term evaluation. The same report should provide details and a schedule for all the activities to be carried out. It should also describe the understanding of the work to be undertaken as well as allocation of duties, responsibilities among the team members and the budget.
Timeframe: 15/01/27
2. Draft Evaluation Report (Language – English) and Raw Data
Description: The consultant should submit a draft mid-term evaluation report soon after data collection and analysis. The draft report and raw data should be shared with LCDZ staff and partners to enable them to make comments.
Timeframe: 05/02/27
3. Presentation of Findings (Language – English)
Description: The consultant to make a PowerPoint presentation with country specific findings.
Timeframe: 12/02/27
4. Final Evaluation Report including the Executive Summary, Country Specific Findings, Comparative Analysis, Recommendations and Annexes (Language – English)
Description: The consultant is expected to submit the final mid-term evaluation report after addressing the comments shared from LCDZ and partners. The submitted final mid-term evaluation report will be approved by LCDZ and partners.
Timeframe: 18/02/27
6.4 Ethical Considerations
The consultant and team should adhere to the standard research and evaluation ethics/principles in a multicultural context (Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe). The assignment is to be carried out according to the following standard ethical principles and norms.
a. Protection from Sexual Exploitation, Abuse (PSEA) and Child Safeguarding: The consultant should adhere to LCDZ PSEA and Child Safeguarding policy. In case any breach of these policies, the contract of this mid-term evaluation may be terminated immediately, and necessary procedures including reporting to the law enforcement agencies may be followed.
b. Confidentiality and anonymity: The consultant must respect the rights of study participants and ensures their anonymity and confidentiality. The consultant is expected to comply with the specific national laws on data protection in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe. Furthermore, the consultant is also expected to adhere to LCDZ data protection policy.
c. Disability inclusive: The consultant must ensure the inclusion of persons with disabilities during their work.
d. Independence: The survey should be free of bias of any nature. In this regard, the consultant is recruited for his/her ability to exercise independent judgment.
e. Validation of information: The consultant will be responsible for ensuring the accuracy of the collected information while preparing the reports and will be ultimately responsible for the information presented in the report.
f. Intellectual property: The consultant shall respect the intellectual property rights of the institutions and communities that are under review. All materials generated during the survey are the property of LCDZ and can only be used with written permission.
6.5 Evaluation Study timeline
The duration of the mid-term evaluation process is thirty days.
7.0 Consultancy Fee and Payment Terms
The Consultancy fee will be paid in United States Dollars, with 60% payment upon signing the contract and the remaining 40% after the approval of the submitted final report.
8.0. Required Qualifications and Expertise for Lead Consultant /Entity
The Lead Consultant shall have the following qualifications and expertise:
• A minimum of a post-graduate University degree in Development Studies, Social Sciences, Monitoring and Evaluation, Disability Inclusion, or equivalent.
• At least 5 years experience in development work and a minimum of 3 years of consulting experience as a team leader.
• Knowledge of the African Disability Protocol (ADP) and current trends in disability programming in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe will be an added advantage.
• Experience in participatory methods of research, gathering and synthesizing the perspectives of persons with disabilities from different constituency groups.
• Excellent knowledge of gender mainstreaming and disability inclusion.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• At least three similar assignments completed (with support letters from the clients).
How to Apply
8.0 Response/ Expression of Interest
Qualified interested individuals/organisations to send their cover letter, Curriculum Vitae of the lead consultant and expression of interest by email to accounts@leonardcheshire.org.zw copying szirabada@leonardcheshire.org.zw by the 27th of November 2026. Only successful shortlisted candidates will be communicated to.
