About the company

NMO is a registered national NGO with the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor No 284 Our mission is to take the lead to empower communities in Yemen through humanitarian response and sustainable development programs in a professional way through effective partnerships NMO started its activity in Yemen since 2012 and has been implementing projects in 5 sectors namely FSL, Education and Child Protection, WASH and Health ,Protection, Shelter and CCCM , and Governance and skill-building

Nahda Makers Organization does not tolerate all forms of abuse such as (exploitation, sexual assault, harassment, bullying, discrimination

Study Terms of Reference Assessing the Effectiveness of Capacity-Building Programs for Yemeni Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) Impact and Insights

Deadline: 1 March 2025

1.    Introduction:

Yemen has endured severe socio-political challenges during last 10 years, culminating in a humanitarian crisis that has affected every aspect of society Local Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) have been pivotal in providing essential services, promoting human rights, and bolstering community resilience Despite their critical role, the effectiveness of these organizations is often constrained by financial, institutional, and technical limitations
Several capacity strengthening programs were initiated between 2016 and 2024 by various international and local organizations to address these constraints and support overall organizational development However, there has been no significant progress in advancing local leadership, and the overall impact of these programs remains unclear 

2.    Study Objectives:

• Evaluate the effectiveness and long-term impact of capacity strengthening programs on the performance and sustainability of Yemeni CSOs
• Assess the durability of improvements achieved through these initiatives
• Identify key factors that contribute to or hinder the success of capacity strengthening efforts
• Mapping capacity straightening programmers implemented during 2016-24
• Develop a strategic framework draft for future capacity-strengthening programs

3.    Expected Outcomes:

• Inception Report Desk review findings, Outlining the study design, methodology, and work plan
• A comprehensive, evidence-based analysis of the impact of capacity strengthening programs on Yemeni CSOs
• Identification of best practices, lessons learned, and challenges encountered in these programs
• Practical recommendations for improving future initiatives, that feed the development of a national strategy for CSO capacity strengthening
• A detailed report in both Arabic and English for use by donors, policymakers, and CSO leaders to guide future capacity strengthening efforts

4.    Scope of Work:

The study will focus on addressing the following central question

To what extent have the capacity strengthening programs implemented during 2016-2024 contributed to the growth, leadership and sustainability of Yemeni CSOs?

Key stakeholders whose perspectives will be considered include

• Donors who provide financial support
• UNs and INGOs who implement these programs
• Yemeni CSOs, including national and community-based organizations (considering Women-Led Organizations (WLO) and organizations for Persons with Disabilities (PWD)
• Government bodies, specifically the Ministry of Social Affairs and Labor (MOSAL) and the Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation (MOPIC)

Standing of FHI 360 and CHS as theoretical framework for the study, the study will assess the impact of capacity strengthening programs across the following pillars

• Governance and Accountability to what extend the capacity strengthening programs improved governance structures and decision-making processes
• Financial Sustainability and Resource Mobilization to what extend the capacity strengthening programs improved CSOs ability to diversify funding sources, manage donor relations, and build financial resilience
• Programs Effectiveness and Service Delivery to what extend the capacity strengthening programs improved CSOs ability to design, implement, and sustain effective programs
• Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) to what extend the capacity strengthening programs improved CSOs ability to improve and apply MEAL system, ensure accountability, incorporate lessons learned and adapt based on data and feedback
• Advocacy and Policy Influence to what extend the capacity strengthening programs improved CSOs capacity to engage in advocacy, influence policy changes, and represent community interests at national and international level to drive social change
• Strategic and operational Capacity to what extend the capacity strengthening programs improved CSOs capacity in strategy planning, financial management, HR policies, logistics,  anti-corruption measures and gender equality policies 
• Community Engagement and Participation to what extend the capacity strengthening programs improved CSOs capacity in engagement with stockholders and communities, including the effectiveness of feedback mechanisms and the inclusivity of their programs
• Partnerships, Coordination, and Collaboration to what extend the capacity strengthening programs improved CSOs capacity in working with other organizations, including INGOs, UN agencies, and government bodies

5.    Implementation Timeline:

The study is expected to be completed within 5 months March- July 2025

6.    Key Tasks:

The researcher or research team will be responsible for delivering the following tasks:

1.    Develop a research design, including method, data collection tools, sample structure.
2.    Conduct a desk review for available related reports published by  UNs, INGOs, FHI 360 CSO index and other global relevant indexes over the last decade that related to the study scope.
3.    Carry out in person and remote participatory methods (interviews, surveys, focus group discussions) to collect both qualitative and quantitative data, ensuring adherence to ethical principles and inclusivity, particularly for WLOs, PWDs, and grassroots-level CSOs.
4.    Analyze the data and prepare a draft of the report in both Arabic and English.
5.    Highlight innovative approaches that have led to improvements in CSO capacity, and identify gaps where capacity-strength programs have not met their goals.
6.    Provide actionable recommendations.
7.    Present findings in a validation workshop to key stakeholders, including the following deliverables:

• Inception Report: Desk review findings, Outlining the study design, methodology, and work plan.
• Draft Evaluation Report: Presenting preliminary findings, analysis, and recommendations.
• Presentation of Findings: A PowerPoint presentation summarizing key insights.

8.    Final report in Arabic and English, including an executive summary, key insights, charts, and recommendations.

7.    Qualifications and Experience:

The study may be led by an individual or team with the following qualifications

• A master’s degree in research, economics, and development studies is preferred 
• Proven experience in conducting impact evaluations of humanitarian and development programs using qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-method approaches
• Have experience and understanding of the CSO sector
• Strong communication skills in both Arabic and English (written and verbal)
• Excellent coordination and organizational skills 
• Proficiency in data analysis software (eg, SPSS, STATA)
• Ability to present complex information concisely and effectively

8.    Offer Evaluation Criteria:

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria

Technical Offer (50 points total)

• Research design/methodology (10 points)
• Theoretical framework and how the study addresses the eight pillars (10 points)
• Alignment with study objectives and expected outcomes (5 points)
• Proposed implementation timeframe (5 points)
• Relevant experience in conducting similar studies in Arabic and English (10 points)
• Ability to meet all required tasks (5 points)
• Submit all required documents (5)

Financial Offer (10 points total)

A structured budget is required , so the offer do not include only the total amount without specifications (10 points)

Total Score 60 points

9.    Required Documents and Submission:

Interested researchers or firms are encouraged to submit a qualified technical and financial offer, the following documents are required

• Interest letter 
• Researcher’s CV
• Research proposal, including
• Overall and sub-questions
• Theoretical framework
• Desk/Secondary data review plan
• Research methodology (qualitative, quantitative, or mixed)
• Data collection (clarifying either in person, remote or both) and analysis methods
• Ethical considerations (eg, informed consent, confidentiality, cultural sensitivity)
• Proposed budget and timeline

 Samples of previous research conducted in Arabic and English

If you have questions or are facing problems with the online application process, please contact hr@nahdamakers.org