Terms of Reference

Consultancy: Development of an Evaluation and Learning Framework for RFSL’s Eastern Partnership Program

Total working hours: 71 - 75 hours

Assignment Period: September - October, 2025

About RFSL

RFSL, the Swedish Federation for Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, and Intersex Rights, is a non-profit organization founded in 1950. RFSL works nationally and internationally to advance human rights for LGBTQI persons with over 8,000 members and more than 30 local branches across Sweden.

RFSL's international efforts began in 1979 when it became a member of ILGA, the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association. Since then, RFSL’s international work has grown steadily, focusing on three main strategic areas:

1. Partnering and re-granting with and to LGBTQI organizing across various regions.
2. Engaging in global advocacy, primarily within the UN Human Rights and Development frameworks.
3. Strengthening the capacities of individual activists, organizations, and initiative groups.

We support the work of and work alongside organizations in the Global South and East to advance equal rights for LGBTQI individuals, with a focus on with a focus on historically underfunded and marginalized LGBTQI communities, particularly those with intersecting identities, including racialized groups, Indigenous populations, migrants, refugees, and internally displaced persons.

The International Unit, overseen by an International Director and comprising 13 staff members, aligns its activities with RFSL’s International Strategy.

About the Regional Eastern Partnership Program Queer Solidarity in Eastern Partnership:

Beyond National and Regional Borders is a regional program designed to collaborate with activists and movements within the Eastern Partnership region. The program’s main objective is to provide comprehensive and multifaceted support to LGBTQI movements in the Eastern Partnership countries through re-granting, capacity strengthening, and advocacy. This current program draws from the learnings, achievements, and insights gained from RFSL’s decade-long engagement in the region.

Objective of the Consultancy

RFSL is seeking an experienced consultant to improve its Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (PMEL) approaches, including remote monitoring and risk management in high-risk contexts. The consultant will support the development of learning methodologies and questions to guide the Eastern Partnership Program, facilitate internal capacity building through workshops, and participate in consultations with Stakeholders and partner organizations.

This assignment is part of a broader unit-wide initiative to harmonize PMEL practices across RFSL’s international programs guided by a values-driven, decolonial approach that prioritizes learning, unlearning, and adaptability.

Scope and Tasks

The consultant will:

• Review existing PMEL practices in the International Unit and identify key gaps, strengths, and opportunities;
• Propose appropriate tools and methods for enhanced results tracking, adaptive management, and learning;
• Facilitate 2–4 online or hybrid workshops with relevant RFSL staff;
• Contribute to consultations with stakeholders and partner organizations in coordination with RFSL’s Capacity Strengthening and Learning Adviser;
• Provide comprehensive feedback on the first draft of the Regional Eastern Partnership Program’s Evaluation and Learning Framework.

Deliverables and timeline

Meetings (6–8 hours)
Coordination meetings with RFSL’s Capacity Strengthening and Learning Adviser to plan the process and keep track of deliverables.

Methodology Development (5 hours)
Comprehensive review of the purpose, structure, methods, and learning questions of the Evaluation and Learning Framework, applying a feminist, anti-racist, and decolonial lens. Deliver a narrative document with notes and recommendations, including cited sources and proposed next steps.

Workshop Facilitation (30 hours total: 10 hours preparation, 12 hours delivery, 8 hours reporting)
Prepare and conduct 2–4 interactive workshops, and provide post-session reporting. Deliver tailored materials, presentations, resources, and a summary report for each workshop.

Consultations (22 hours total: 5 hours preparation, 5 hours interviews, 12 hours focus groups)
Assist in conducting interviews and focus groups with partners and stakeholders. Provide detailed notes summarizing key discussion points, outcomes, and recommendations.

Feedback (8–10 hours)
Provide comprehensive feedback on the first draft of the Regional Eastern Partnership Program’s Evaluation and Learning Framework. Deliver a narrative document with notes and recommendations.

Assignment details:

Duration: September – October 2025

Total working hours: 71–75 hours

Remuneration: up to 1000 SEK/hour

Who are we looking for

We expect prospective applicants to share RFSL’s core values of anti-racism, feminism, accessibility, and intersectionality

Essential Qualifications:

• Proven experience in results-based management (RBM), monitoring, evaluation, and learning in civil society or international development;
• Strong understanding of LGBTQI organizing, particularly within the Eastern Partnership Countries or similar regional contexts;
• Familiarity with donor requirements, especially Sida’s frameworks, or comparable development cooperation mechanisms;
• Demonstrated ability to develop learning methodologies and facilitate participatory processes;
• Excellent communication, coordination, and facilitation skills;
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Desirable:

• Prior engagement in programs supporting civil society, LGBTQI rights, or human rights in shrinking civic spaces;
• Knowledge of remote monitoring practices and risk mitigation in high-risk environments;
• Experience collaborating with grantee-led, grassroots, or regranting initiatives;
• Proficiency in relevant regional languages.

Selection and Evaluation:

Interested candidates are invited to submit their proposals, including a CV, personal letter explaining why they are the most suitable for the work, no later than August 29, 2025, COB. For questions regarding the consultant assignment, please contact to Sophie Beria, Capacity Strengthening and Learning Adviser at sophie.beria@rfsl.se.

The consultant will be selected through a competitive process. Proposals will be evaluated according to the following criteria:

• Technical expertise and relevant experience (40%),
• Proposed approach and understanding of the assignment (30%),
• Budget (20%),
• Availability within the proposed timeline (10%).

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview and/or asked to submit clarifying information, if needed. If you have any questions, please reach out to Sophie at the email address provided.