Step Change Final Evaluation

The International Development Research Centre (IDRC), an agency of the Government of Canada, is seeking a qualified team to conduct a final independent evaluation of the Step Change program, a CA$28.5 million multilateral initiative focused on equitable, locally led climate adaptation between Canada and the Netherlands, running from 2022 to 2027. The evaluation, with a budget ceiling of CAD $140,000 inclusive of all fees and expenses, including international travel for up to two consultants, must be completed by March 30, 2027, with services commencing in July 2026. The work involves assessing the program’s impact on building resilience among marginalized climate-affected communities and strengthening the capacity of local actors, requiring a rigorous, ethically grounded methodology aligned with IDRC’s core evaluation principles of utility, quality, collaboration, and transparency. Proposals must address a comprehensive Statement of Work and comply with mandatory requirements including a detailed methodology, demonstrated team expertise in research for development and climate adaptation, a feasible workplan with risk mitigation strategies, and high-quality, accessible deliverables such as evaluation reports, policy briefs, and stakeholder workshops. Technical evaluation is weighted heavily toward methodology and team composition, accounting for 55% and 53% respectively, with no cost-based selection; award is determined through a trade-off process favoring the highest-rated technical proposal. The evaluation criteria emphasize understanding of the program context, design rigor, team experience in multi-country evaluations, subject-matter expertise in locally led adaptation and gender equity, and robust risk management for data access, travel constraints, and safeguarding. Offerors must submit proposals in four designated volumes—Cover Letter, Technical Proposal, Financial and PSEAH Proposal, and Objections to Contract Terms—via email to the designated point of contact, with all files in Word or PDF format and a maximum email size of 10 MB. Compliance with IDRC’s Supplier Code of Conduct and a documented policy on Preventing and Responding to Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment (PSEAH) are mandatory for eligibility. Contract terms include provisions on intellectual property ownership, subcontracting with prior approval, taxes conditional on IDRC consent, payment terms linked to contract conditions, termination clauses for underperformance, insurance requirements, and restrictions on assigning copyright without explicit agreement. Services may be performed remotely, with occasional travel within Canada permitted, and acceptance of deliverables rests solely with the IDRC Project Authority. No U.S