PROJECT BASELINE EVALUATION Facilitatin

SCOPE OF WORK

PROJECT BASELINE EVALUATION

Facilitating Opportunities and Resources for Children’s Education in Oudomxay Province, Laos (FORCE)

1. BACKGROUND

In recent years, Laos has made encouraging progress in expanding access to education. More children are entering classrooms, and there is growing recognition of education’s role in poverty reduction and social development. However, behind this momentum lie persistent challenges that continue to hold back learners, especially those living in rural, remote, and ethnically diverse communities. Many students still lack basic literacy and numeracy skills, and dropout rates remain high at the lower secondary level. For children who speak languages other than Lao or attend multi-grade classrooms, access to quality learning materials and trained teachers is far from equitable.

Action Education (AE) is working with communities and government partners in Oudomxay Province to enhance access and quality of early childhood education in 38 schools in 2 districts (Xay and Nga districts) By establishing preschool classes, teacher training, providing teaching materials, and community engagement activities.

The project aims to strengthening collaboration among communities, administrators, teachers, and local authorities to improve access to quality education and expand sustainable educational opportunities for all children, with a particular focus on disadvantaged communities. The specific objectives are 1) To enhance the accessibility and quality of early childhood and primary education programs. 2) To strengthen Teacher Capacity and School Management. 3) To enable communities and local authorities to participate in improving education.

AEL is seeking a consultancy firm or consultant group with extensive knowledge and experience to conduct the baseline evaluation for the Facilitating Opportunities and Resources for Children’s Education in Oudomxay Province, Laos (FORCE)

1. OBJECTIVES OF THE BASELINE
2. Objective

The objectives of the baseline evaluation are to:

• Establish baseline values for key project indicators outlined in the MoU/MEAL plan, using primary and secondary data sources.
• Assess the current status of target schools, teachers, students, and communities in relation to enrollment, dropout, teaching skill practice, VEDC participation, parents’ engagement, and school development planning.
• Identify existing systems, resources, and practices (e.g., Village Education Development Committees participation, school development plan, teaching and learning materials, WASH system) that can influence project implementation.
• Provide reference data against which progress and achievements can be measured at midline and final evaluation stages.
• Highlight contextual factors and potential risks that may affect implementation and suggest areas for programmatic focus.

III. THE EVALUATION APPROACH 

The baseline Evaluation will follow the M&E guidelines of AE and its donors. It will combine both quantitative and qualitative data collection and evaluation techniques using the following mixed methods:

Desk review

• Studies reports related to education, and also relevant availability and structure of data to understand better the current condition
• policies, development strategies, and findings from previous evaluations of similar projects or interventions.
• Identify any gaps or inconsistencies in the existing documentation to guide and prioritize primary data collection.

Key Informant 

Interviews (KIIs)
Engage with principals, teachers, and senior representatives from project partners, government agencies, and key stakeholders to gather in-depth insights on current status.

Focus Group 

Discussions
Facilitate discussions with local government staff, school, teachers, and other relevant community stakeholders to understand the current practice.

Survey
Collect quantitative and qualitative data from students, teachers, principals, and village education development committee (VEDC)

Gender and Social

Inclusion Analysis

• Ensure the evaluation systematically captures the perspectives of women, men, and vulnerable groups, with particular emphasis on gender equality and social inclusion.
• Assess the project’s effectiveness in addressing structural barriers and fostering equitable opportunities for marginalized and disadvantaged populations.

1. DELIVERABLES

1. Inception Report: A detailed plan for conducting the baseline, including: Finalized methodology and sampling strategy, draft data collection tools (Assessment tool, KIIs, FGDs, etc.), detailed work plan and timeline
2. Draft Baseline Report:A preliminary report summarizing: Data collection process and any challenges, initial findings for each indicator, emerging trends or contextual factors relevant to project implementation
3. Final Baseline Report in English, following the suggested structure:

• Title page
• Table of contents
• Executive summary (highlighting baseline status of key indicators)
• Main body of the report

• 1. Project Background
  2. Purpose of the baseline
  3. Methodology
  4. Key Findings by indicator
  5. Contextual Analysis (factors affecting implementation, e.g., policies, resources, local practices)

• Annexes: baseline indicator table with values, list of tools used, sampling frame, list of participants (interviews, FGDs), data collection schedule

4. A presentation of findings: A concise presentation of baseline results to stakeholders in a validation workshop, including key findings, data gaps, and implications for project implementation.

1. DURATION AND TENTATIVE TIMELINE

The baseline study is proposed to be conducted in November 2025, covering all preparatory, data collection, analysis, and reporting activities. The tentative timeline is as follows:

#
Activity
Level of Effort

1
Planning Workshop in Vientiane Office with PQDM & MEAL Officer
2 days

2
Desk review
2 days

3
Develop assessment tools and a data collection plan (incl. translation)
3 days

4
Pilot testing and finalization of tools
1 day

5
Training for data collectors
2 days

6
Data collection
10 working days (approx. 2 weeks, depending on # of enumerators)

7
Data processing and analysis
3 days

8
Drafting of baseline report
3 days

9
Facilitation of validation workshop(s) to present draft findings and collect stakeholder feedback
1 day

10
Revision of report based on feedback from AE and partners
2 days

11
Finalization of baseline report and development of final presentation of key findings
1 days

Total estimated number of working days
30 days

**Consultant team need to form a team of enumerators for data collection.

1. PERSONNEL (For Internal use only)

While the baseline will be conducted by an external consultant/team, it will require the facilitation and support of the internal staff of AE Laos.

#
WHO
ROLE

1
Lao015 Project Officer
–   Consultant recruitment

–   Provide overall management of the baseline assessment (review methodology, tools, and work plan)

–   Coordinate with project teams to support the translation work, data collection, and validation workshop (Connect with key stakeholders, provide documents, materials, etc.)

–   Review and provide feedback on the baseline report

2
MEAL Officers
–   Participate in consultant recruitment (1st round)

–   Review methodology, tools, and work plan

–   Review the translated versions of tools to ensure their technical and cultural appropriateness

–   Support quality assurance during data collection

–   Review and provide feedback on the baseline report

3
Program Quality and Development Manager
–   Participate in consultant recruitment (1st round)

–   Review methodology, tools, and work plan

–   Review the translated versions of tools to ensure their technical and cultural appropriateness

–   Support baseline data collection and translation of tools where necessary

–   Support facilitation of the validation workshop

–   Review and provide feedback on the baseline report

4
Country Directors
–   Participate in consultant recruitment (final round)

–   Provide high-level support for the baseline process

–   Review the baseline report

–   Approve the final report (sign-off, where applicable)

VII. BUDGET (For Internal use only)

The total budget for the baseline assessment is $xxxx. This budget covers activities related to the baseline assessment, including consultancy fees, enumerators, transportation, accommodation, fieldwork, data collection, facilitation of validation workshops, and administrative support. Translation costs can also be covered under the Translation budget line.

VIII. COMMUNICATION AND DISSEMINATION PLAN

• Purpose: To ensure that the baseline results are widely, timely, and effectively shared with all relevant stakeholders to enhance transparency, participation, and provide a solid reference point for project implementation and monitoring.
• Target audiences: Donors, AE Laos, local authorities, target beneficiary groups, communities, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Communication methods:
  1. Prepare a presentation of baseline findings to share with stakeholders during the validation workshop.
  2. Prepare summary documents (baseline briefs or summary notes) in both Lao and English, distributed via email and internal communication channels.
  3. Provide the official Final Baseline Report in electronic format to donors and project partners.
• Assurance: All disseminated materials and information must maintain accuracy, transparency, and comply with confidentiality principles, respecting the rights and interests of all stakeholders.

1. QUALIFICATIONS

The baseline assessment will be led by a consultant firm/group or individual expert with qualifications that meet the following requirements:

• Master’s degree in at least one of the areas relating to social studies, development studies, international development, community development, or other related areas.
• Minimum of 5 years of proven experience in leading and facilitating baseline studies, social surveys, or assessments in education or community development projects
• Strong skills in research, data collection and analysis, report writing, and validation workshop facilitation.
• Good understanding of early childhood education systems, teacher professional development, and community/parent engagement
• Experience in working with children, teachers, village authority, and ethnic minority people in the project area.
• Proficient English skills in working, data collecting, communication, and reporting
• Willing to travel to the fields, working with local partners and communities.
• Strong committed to the required work and timeline.

1. PROPOSAL

Interested consultant firms or individual experts are requested to submit a proposal comprising a technical proposal, a financial proposal, and two recent relevant assessment or baseline reports.

The technical proposal should contain:

• Proposed baseline assessment framework, methodology, and tools.
• The CV of the consultant(s), including a clear breakdown of roles and responsibilities.
• Detailed work schedule and level of effort in man-days, aligned with the baseline activities and timeline.

The financial proposal should contain:

• The financial offer is presented in detail with a summary table. It must include detailed amounts (consultant fees, daily allowances, transportation costs, etc.).
• Field trip: Xay and Nga districts, Oudomxay province.
• Payment terms (payment schedule)
• The financial offer, including VAT or PIT.

1. APPLICATION

Individuals/firms interested in this assignment, please send the proposal (as detailed in X), titled “Application for Baseline Assessment for FORCE project” to chindavanh.vongvilay@action-education.org and cc: oulayphone.dethkongxay@action-education.org by 5 PM, Monday, October 27, 2025.