Meta Evaluation of Programs with a Focus on Value for Money

TERMS OF REFERENCE

Meta Evaluation of Action on Poverty Programs with a Focus on Value for Money

Contract type:
Consultant

Work location:
Remote or on-site, depending on consultant availability

Reports to:
Head of Program Operations

Duration:
Flexible, with completion expected by
November 2025
. The exact number of days can be proposed in the Expression of Interest and agreed with AOP and partners

About Action on Poverty (AOP)

Action on Poverty (AOP) is an Australian NGO dedicated to empowering communities to break the cycle of poverty through inclusive, innovative, and sustainable development programs. Since 1968, we have worked in partnership with changemakers across Africa, Asia, and the Pacific to co-create solutions that address the root causes of poverty.

Our
vision
is
a world where all people can thrive, free from poverty
.

Our
mission
is to be a catalyst for change, partnering with local leaders and communities to turn bold ideas into scalable, evidence-based, and cost-effective solutions.

Background

Between July 2020 and June 2025, AOP has delivered programs spanning livelihoods, health, education, food security, governance, climate resilience, and gender equality. Alongside project-based interventions, we also manage large-scale institutional grants such as ANCP, USDA, USAID, and P4G. These resources enable us to scale impact and deepen our engagement with local partners.

To continue building a strong learning culture, strengthen accountability, and ensure we deliver the greatest value for communities, AOP is commissioning a Meta Evaluation (Monitoring, Evaluation, Transparency, and Accountability Evaluation). This independent review will bring together insights from across our portfolio, assess impact, and examine Value for Money (VfM) and Social Return on Investment (SROI). Ultimately, the evaluation will help AOP and our partners reflect, learn, and plan more effectively for the future.

Purpose

The META evaluation aims to:

• Provide an independent assessment of AOP's program performance, outcomes, and sustainability.
• Explore effectiveness, efficiency, equity, and relevance in how AOP's programs are designed and delivered.
• Analyse
  Value for Money (VfM)
  in a way that balances financial stewardship with fairness, inclusion, and long-term impact.
• Estimate
  Social Return on Investment (SROI)
  for selected flagship programs, highlighting social and economic benefits beyond traditional outputs.
• Generate practical lessons and forward-looking recommendations for AOP, our partners, and donors to strengthen collective impact.

Objectives

The evaluation will:

• Assess the overall outcomes and contributions of AOP's portfolio.
• Review how well AOP's monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive learning systems support evidence-based decision-making.
• Analyse VfM with a focus on economy, efficiency, effectiveness, and equity.
• Estimate SROI for key programs, demonstrating the wider social value created.
• Capture best practices, innovations, and lessons learned to inform future program design and delivery.

Scope of the Evaluation

• Timeframe
  : Evaluations conducted between July 2020 and June 2025.
• Coverage
  : All external, peer-reviewed, and internal evaluations of AOP projects within the period.
• Geography
  : Asia, Africa, and the Pacific regions where AOP operates.
• Thematic focus
  : Food security, livelihoods, health, governance, WASH, climate resilience, gender, and inclusion.

Methodology

The META evaluation will be
desk-based
, drawing on existing documentation and data.

The consultant(s) will:

1. Review documentation
   : Analyse AOP evaluation reports, program data, and MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning) resources from approximately 16 evaluations conducted between July 2020 and June 2025.
2. Assess evaluation quality
   : Benchmark past evaluations against DFAT's MEL Standards, while incorporating AOP's own systems.
3. Synthesise findings
   : Identify cross-cutting themes, lessons learned, and areas of strength or improvement.
4. Value for Money (VfM) analysis
   : Apply DFAT's VfM principles, considering economy, efficiency, effectiveness, and equity.
5. Social Return on Investment (SROI) integration
   : Review and synthesise existing SROI or cost-benefit analyses to enrich the VfM assessment.

Deliverables & Timeline

The consultant(s) will produce:

1. Inception Report
   – outlining refined methodology and workplan.
2. Draft META Evaluation Report
   – with preliminary findings, VfM and SROI analysis.
3. Final Report
   – including executive summary, main findings, lessons learned, and actionable recommendations.
4. Presentation & Learning Workshop
   – engaging the AOP team in reflection and discussion of findings.

Deliverables

Timeline

October 2025:

• Inception Note (approach, methodology, and workplan)
• Draft META Evaluation Report with preliminary findings, VfM and SROI analysis.

November 2025:

• Final Report (incorporating feedback, actionable recommendations)
• Presentation of findings to the AOP team

Note:

All deliverables must be:

• Written in English.
• Submitted electronically in accessible formats.

Selection Criteria

We are seeking an individual consultant or team with the following experience:

Essential

• Advanced degree in international development, economics, public policy, social sciences, or related field.
• Minimum 10 years' experience in impact assessments and evaluations in the NGO or development sector.
• Strong expertise in Value for Money analysis and cost-effectiveness evaluation.
• Proven skills in quantitative and qualitative data analysis, synthesis, and report writing.
• Familiarity with Australian NGOs and DFAT-funded programs.
• Understanding of Asia-Pacific and African development contexts.
• Knowledge of international evaluation standards, donor requirements, and ethical guidelines.

Skills and Attributes

• Excellent communication skills, with the ability to explain complex findings clearly.
• Strong facilitation skills to engage a diverse range of stakeholders.
• High professional integrity, objectivity, and cultural sensitivity.
• Ability to work independently while maintaining a collaborative spirit.
• Commitment to AOP's values of integrity, respect, innovation, excellence, and collaboration.

Application Instructions

Interested consultants are invited to submit:

• A
  cover letter
  outlining motivation and relevant experience.
• A
  curriculum vitae
  (CV).
• A
  technical proposal
  outlining the proposed approach and methodology.
• A
  financial proposal
  with indicative costs.

Please send applications to:

with the subject line:
META Evaluation Consultant – [Your Name/Organisation]
by
20 September 2025
.

Due to the high volume of applications we anticipate receiving, only candidates selected for shortlisting will be contacted.

AOP celebrates diversity and is proud to be an inclusive, child-safe workplace. We welcome applications from people of all backgrounds, abilities, and experiences, and are committed to fostering an environment where everyone feels safe, supported, and respected. Our recruitment decisions are guided by merit and our dedication to creating a workplace that reflects the communities we serve.

As part of our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable people, all team members will participate in reference checks and relevant background screenings, including police and working with children checks. We believe that creating a safe environment is a shared responsibility, and we encourage every member of our team to look out for one another and to promote a culture of care, dignity, and wellbeing.