A. Background of PODA

Potohar Organization for Development Advocacy (PODA) is a registered women’s rights NGO working for the promotion and protection of human rights in rural areas of Pakistan since 2004. Our mission is to facilitate the empowerment of marginalized rural communities especially women and youth through education, sustainable livelihoods skills and human rights advocacy to promote democracy and peace in Pakistan.  

B. Purpose of the End line Study

The scope of this agreement is to conduct the End-line Study of the 3-year project “Reduce Early Marriages to Enhance Gender Equality,” implemented across 41 districts of Punjab from December 2022 to November 2025. The End-line Study will assess the project’s overall impact in 10 selected districts and measure progress against key indicators.  It will build on the findings of the Baseline and Midline Studies, enabling a comprehensive comparison over the project period. PODA hires the services of the Consultant to ensure expert support to satisfactorily complete the tasks specified in accordance with the Terms of Reference (TORs). The Consultant will be solely responsible for designing the study, conducting fieldwork in the districts, analysing data, submitting and presenting a final report in consultation with PODA. The Consultant shall deliver high-quality work in line with PODA’s policies, procedures, and standards, as well as recognized best practices. All deliverables will be subject to PODA’s review and acceptance.

C. Project Introduction

PODA implemented a 3-year project “Reduce Early Marriages to Enhance Gender Equality” in 41 districts of Punjab province from December 2022 to November 2025 with the financial support of the Norwegian Embassy, Islamabad, with the objectives to reduce early marriages by effectively implementing targeted advocacy campaigns with the immense support of media, including newspapers and radio channels, demanding an increase in the minimum age of marriage of girls from 16 to 18 years in law and a defined set of activities per district, and to create awareness about SRHR among girls, mothers, lady health workers affiliated with basic health units, and their respective staff. The expected results under the project were: reduced number of early marriages and enhanced awareness of girls and women about SRHR knowledge in Punjab, along with the indicators defined below:

1. Number of parents rejecting early marriage proposals increased by 25% in Punjab by end of the project;

2. Number of legislators, policy makers, influencers, media, lawyers, nikah khawan/registrars engaged in efforts, leading to visible advancement in Punjab Child Marriage Restraint Act (Amendment), 2015 increased 50% by end of the project; and

3. Number of adolescent girls sensitized on importance of menstrual hygiene management, anemia and nutrition in the perspective of reproductive health in target schools increased by 50% by end of the project

D. Summary of the Endline Study

Cross Cutting themes:

The Endline Study and its report preparation process must incorporate the following as cross cutting:

• No Harm policy

• Protection/Safeguarding

• Inclusion

E. Responsibilities of PODA and the Consultant 

PODA 

• Joint initial meeting and orientation on the TORs and finalization of TORs with mutual understanding 

• Review and provide inputs to develop questionnaires, formats, checklists etc.

• Facilitate overall data collection process in the field for all activities as per need  

• Provide relevant documents (project proposal, logframe, Baseline and Midline reports and activities’ reports upon request). 

• Review and give feedback on the tools, process to draft report leading to the final version 

• Ensure timely payments based on agreed terms and conditions in the contract.

Consultant (Organization/firm/individual) 

• Visit project area to understand the context  

• Determine the sampling frame after agreement with PODA Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, Project Manager and Assigned PODA staff

• Share profiles of key team member selected for the survey and arrange introductory meetings with team

• Share research tools and forms to be used before using them

• Ensure execution of fieldwork in a timely and responsible manner

• Data entry following all data cleaning steps with analysis and interpretation

• Submit raw data with the first draft presentation to PODA for feedback (Excel sheet, notes, pictures) 

• Present table of contents and first draft of the main findings for initial review and feedback from PODA   

• Incorporate PODA’s feedback in the second draft and in the final report

• Submit final Endline Study report approved by PODA along with supporting documentation attachment.

F. Logistics

All logistic arrangements and will be the sole responsibility of the consultant. PODA assigned field staff will facilitate linkages.

8. Budget

Financial bids for this assignment should be sent along with technical proposal to Office no 20 Second Floor Parkview Plaza G10 Markaz Islamabad.

H. Qualification of the successful organization/firm/individual 

This is a high profile consultancy assignment requiring senior and professional inputs based on substantive experience and qualifications of the contracting firm or consultant (s). Only shortlisted organization/firm/individual will be contacted to present their technical and financial proposals.

TECHNICAL EXPERIENCE OF ORGANIZATION/FIRM/INDIVIDUAL

1. Demonstrated experience in the field of gender equality and women’s rights;

2. Demonstrable expertise and prior experience of conducting similar research and endline studies of women’s rights projects.

3. Ten or more years of professional experience and track record of published research on gender issues

I. Schedule of payments

InstalmentsAmount Milestone

First instalment 20%Submission of workplan and travel plan

Second Instalment 50%Submission of first Draft and revised version

Third Instalment 30%Submission and approval of final report

J. Progress controls and payment instalments’ 

PROGRESS CONTROL

1. The organization/firm/individual will prepare and submit the work plans for approval and report progress on weekly basis to PODA. 

2. The organization/firm/individual will keep PODA team informed and involved on regular basis

3. The organization/firm/individual will work update PODA about progress, challenges, mitigation strategy 

4. Tax will be deducted at source as per government of Pakistan laws of tax deduction. 

K. Copyright 

PODA will have sole ownership and copyrights of this assignment. The organization or consultant will have to get PODA’s written permission for further use of this publication and ensure proper acknowledgement of PODA work.

L. Terms and conditions

• The Report will be written in English.

• Selected consultant should be flexible to incorporate necessary changes in designing the methodology  

• Upon being selected, the consultant (s) will sign a contract with the PODA to undertake the assignment

• No additional cost or reimbursement will be provided outside of the amount agreed upon in the contract.

Proposal should include:

• Technical proposal should include a concept note with comprehensive methodology and results along with detailed work plan

• Financial proposal should include details of expenses

• Share relevant work experience of the individual/institution/consultant 

• List of relevant experience OR Examples of similar impact assessment studies and reports recently completed.

• Profile of the team (Name, Designation, Educational Qualifications, prior work experience) along with CVs of key team members with a CNIC copy

• Any other useful information

M. Assessment and selection of the proposals

The proposals for this assignment will include both technical and financial proposal. The technical proposal should not include any financial information. Both proposals must be presented in English. 

N. Technical proposal

Consultant (s) qualifying the best technical proposal must score 70% out of total scores of 100%. Scores will be distributed by specific criteria. The criteria for selection of technical proposal include the following:

• Clarity of the technical proposal

• Adequacy and delineation of the proposed work plan and methodology in responding to this TORs

• Coordination and monitoring plan. 

• Specific experience of the organization related to the assignment that will include the total experience of the agency as well experience in similar assignments.

• Qualification and competency of the key staff for the study

O. Financial proposal

Financial Proposal will have only 30 % scoring out of 100% in the technical proposal. The financial proposal will be awarded on the lowest cost basis but in considering the following criteria: 

• The financial proposal should include component wise budget. 

• Should have relevance and consistency with the technical proposal. 

P. Evaluation

From the time the bids are opened to the time the contract is awarded, if the selected organization wishes to contact PODA on any matter related to proposal, it should do so in writing. Any effort to influence PODA in the evaluation, proposal comparison or contract award decisions may result in the rejection of the proposal.

• The evaluation committee appointed by PODA as a whole, and each of its members individually, will evaluate the proposals. Each proposal will be given a technical score. Proposal(s) will be rejected at this stage if it does not respond to important aspects of the Terms of Reference or if it fails to achieve the minimum technical score indicated below.

• Consultants receiving marks 70 and above marks during evaluation of the technical proposal) will have their Financial Bids opened for evaluation.

• The evaluation committee will determine whether the Financial Proposals are complete (i.e. whether they have budgeted all items of the corresponding Technical Proposals). The Evaluation Committee may invalidate any proposal if it is determined that significant budgetary mistakes or omissions undermine the integrity of the proposal.

• Only shortlisted bidders will be contacted.

Q. Award of contract

The contract will be awarded to organization/firm/individual following completion of the task including negotiations if necessary. The organization/firm/individual may be required to provide additional information and or amend their proposal. The aim is to reach agreement on all points for contracting. The selected consultant (s) is expected to commence the assignment on the date and at the location as specified in the TORs.

Negotiations will include a discussion on the proposed methodology, staffing, costing, any suggestions made by the consultant(s) to improve the Terms of Reference. PODA and the consultant(s) will then work out final terms of reference, staffing, logistics and reporting. The agreed work plan, cost and final terms of reference will then be incorporated in the contract paper.

R. Confidentiality

Details about the project, bidding process and final selection decision is a confidential process of the organization. Raw materials/data are property of PODA which will be handed over to PODA with the final version of findings of the end line study.

PODA seeks a consultant (company or individual) to conduct an End-line Study of its 3-Year Project “Reduce Early Marriages to Enhance Gender Equality” in Punjab for 10 selected districts. The study must be completed by 15th Sep 2025. The last date for submission of the technical proposal and budget is 13th July 2025. Only selected bidders will be informed. Please send bids (hardcopy) Office no 20 second Floor Parkview Plaza G10 Markaz Islamabad.

For information contact [email protected] or visit www.poda.org.pk or call Admin Manager +923130852522