Third-Party Evaluation – Syria and Türkiye Humanitarian Response

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Third-Party Evaluation – Syria and Türkiye Humanitarian Response

1. Background

ActionAid and its local partners have been implementing a large-scale humanitarian response across Syria and Türkiye in response to protracted conflict, displacement, economic deterioration, and evolving humanitarian needs. The response has included emergency assistance, early recovery, livelihoods, protection, localization, and community resilience interventions implemented through partnerships with local actors, including women-led organizations and youth-led groups. Given the scale, complexity, and strategic importance of the response, ActionAid seeks to commission an independent third-party evaluation to assess programme performance, effectiveness, relevance, accountability, coordination, localization efforts, and institutional learning.

2. Purpose of the Evaluation

The purpose of the evaluation is to provide an independent assessment of the Syria and Türkiye humanitarian response, generate evidence-based learning, assess accountability commitments, and identify strategic recommendations to strengthen future humanitarian programming and organizational approaches.

3. Objectives of the Evaluation

• Assess the relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact, sustainability, coherence, and accountability of the response. • Evaluate the extent to which programme objectives and outcomes were achieved. • Review how the response adapted to changing humanitarian needs and operational realities. • Assess the added value of ActionAid’s humanitarian signature and feminist humanitarian approach. • Evaluate partnerships with women-led organizations, youth-led groups, and local actors. • Assess the integration of advocacy, communications, accountability, and programme implementation. • Review institutional learning processes and implementation of recommendations from previous Real-Time Evaluations (RTEs) and operational reflections.

4. Scope of the Evaluation

The evaluation will cover interventions implemented across Syria and Türkiye under the humanitarian response portfolio, including emergency response, early recovery, livelihoods, protection, accountability, advocacy, communications, and localization initiatives. The evaluation should include: • Programme implementation and outcomes • Advocacy and influencing work • Communications and media engagement • Localization and partnership approaches • Accountability to affected populations • Gender and protection mainstreaming • Community participation and leadership • Operational adaptation and emergency preparedness

5. Key Evaluation Questions

The evaluation should explore, but not be limited to, the following questions: Relevance and Adaptation • To what extent did the response address the priority needs of affected populations? • How effectively did the programme adapt to evolving humanitarian and political contexts? Localization and Feminist Humanitarian Action • What added value did partnerships with women-led organizations, youth-led groups, and local actors bring to the response? • How did localized approaches contribute to access, accountability, conflict sensitivity, and sustainability? Advocacy, Communications, and Accountability • How were advocacy, policy, media, communications, and programme efforts interconnected? • To what extent were community voices amplified through advocacy and communication initiatives? Learning and Accountability • To what extent were recommendations from previous RTEs and operational learning processes implemented? • What institutional learning emerged from the response? Programme Quality • How effective and accountable were programme delivery mechanisms? • How were protection, gender, and inclusion considerations integrated?

6. Methodology

The evaluation team is expected to apply a mixed-methods approach, including: • Desk review of programme documents and reports • Review of RTEs, operational reflections, and accountability documents • Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) • Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) • Field visits where feasible • Stakeholder consultations with staff, partners, beneficiaries, and external actors • Quantitative and qualitative analysis The methodology should ensure participation, confidentiality, protection principles, and conflict sensitivity throughout the process.

7. Deliverables

The consultant/team will be expected to submit: • Inception Report • Data Collection Tools • Draft Evaluation Report • Validation Presentation/Workshop • Final Evaluation Report • Executive Summary • Lessons Learned and Recommendations Matrix

8. Consultancy Timeline

The consultancy assignment is expected to be implemented over a three-month period from July 2026 until September 2026. Indicative timeline: • July 2026: Inception phase, desk review, methodology finalization, and stakeholder consultations • August 2026: Field data collection, interviews, FGDs, and analysis • September 2026: Draft reporting, validation workshop, final report submission, and presentation of findings

9. Required Qualifications

The consultant/team should demonstrate: • Extensive experience in humanitarian evaluations • Experience in Syria, Türkiye, or complex emergency contexts • Knowledge of localization and feminist humanitarian action • Strong analytical and report-writing skills • Experience evaluating advocacy and accountability components • Familiarity with humanitarian standards and donor compliance requirements

10. Management and Coordination

The evaluation will be managed by ActionAid in close coordination with relevant country and regional teams. The consultant/team will report to the designated focal point and maintain regular communication throughout the consultancy period.