WWF-US is seeking an independent evaluator or evaluation team to conduct the Terminal Evaluation of the GEF-financed Eco-system Approach to Fisheries Management project in Eastern Indonesia. The evaluation will assess project performance, outcomes, sustainability, implementation and execution, M&E, safeguards, gender and social inclusion, stakeholder engagement, knowledge management, efficiency, and co-financing materialization. The assignment is expected to take place from October 2026 to mid-January 2027, with a maximum all-inclusive budget of USD 25,000. Proposals must be submitted by August 31, 2026, and questions must be submitted by August 24, 2026.

INTRODUCTION AND PROJECT OVERVIEW

World Wildlife Fund, Inc. (WWF) policies and procedures for all GEF financed full-sized projects require a Terminal Evaluation (TE). The following terms of reference (TOR) sets out the expectations for the TE for the project: Eco-system Approach to Fisheries Management (EAFM) in Eastern Indonesia, hereafter referred to as the “Project.” The technical consultant selected to conduct this evaluation will hereafter be referred to as “evaluator.”

The Project Objective is to contribute to coastal fisheries in Indonesian FMAs 715, 717 and 718 by delivering sustainable environmental, social and economic benefits and demonstrating effective, integrated, sustainable and replicable models of coastal fisheries management characterized by good governance and effective incentives. The Project was organized into four components, with Component C implemented by CI-GEF and executed by KEHATI, and Components A, B and D implemented by WWF-GEF and executed by MMAF:

• Component A: Implementing Enabling Conditions for EAFM in FMA 715, 717 & 718.

• Component B: Implementing EAFM Tools to support EAFM in FMA 715, 717 and 718.

• Component C: Sustainably Financing the Protection of Coastal Ecosystems and EAFM Activities in FMA 715 and 717. (Implemented by CI-GEF)

• Component D: Implementing Knowledge Management, Monitoring and Evaluation for Sustainable Coastal Fisheries in FMA 715, 717 and 718.

Note: The CI-implemented component followed a different implementation timeline than the WWF-implemented components of the Project. As a result, the CI portion of the Project has already closed.

For additional project details and documents, bidders should consult the WWF-GEF project page, the GEF project page for Project 9129, and the project website for CFI Indonesia.

SCOPE AND OBJECTIVES FOR THE EVALUATION

WWF-US is seeking an independent consultant to undertake a Terminal Evaluation of the GEF-financed Project.

The evaluation will assess the WWF/GEF-financed project activities, results, and ratings. Co-financing activities and associated results will not be rated against the evaluation criteria. However, the evaluator must assess the extent to which committed co-financing materialized, how co-financing was considered in project design and implementation, and whether any shortfalls, delays, or changes in co-financing affected delivery of GEF-financed results.

The objectives of this evaluation are to examine the extent, magnitude and sustainability of any project impacts to date; identify concerns as well as best practices; assess progress towards project outcomes and outputs; and draw lessons learned that can both improve the sustainability of benefits from this project and aid in the enhancement of future related projects. The evaluator is expected to frame the evaluation effort using the seven core criteria of relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, results/impact, sustainability and adaptive capacity. Particular emphasis will be placed on effectiveness, efficiency, results/impact and sustainability.

EVALUATION APPROACH

The evaluation will adhere to the guidance, rules and procedures established by applicable WWF and GEF standards. This includes the WWF Project and Programme Standards, the GEF IEO Guidelines for Conducting Terminal Evaluations of Full-Size Projects, the GEF Evaluation Policy, and applicable GEF policies and guidelines on monitoring, stakeholder engagement, gender equality, environmental and social safeguards, fiduciary standards, and ethics.

The evaluation must provide evidence-based information that is independent, participatory, transparent, and ethical. The evaluator should use a theory-based and mixed-methods approach, grounded in the Project’s theory of change, results framework, and GEF results requirements. The methodology should triangulate evidence across document review, monitoring data, key informant interviews, focus group discussions or other participatory methods, field/site observations where feasible, and relevant quantitative data. The evaluator should assess the quality and sufficiency of available evidence, identify data gaps and limitations, and explain how limitations affect findings, ratings, and conclusions.

The evaluation must integrate cross-cutting analysis of environmental and social safeguards, gender equality and social inclusion, stakeholder engagement, knowledge management, adaptive management, and sustainability throughout the findings, conclusions, recommendations, and ratings where applicable.

Ethics and principles

The evaluator must maintain independence and disclose any actual or perceived conflict of interest. The evaluator must obtain informed consent for interviews, focus groups, surveys, or other direct engagement; protect confidential and sensitive information; avoid attribution of individual comments unless explicit permission is granted; and store and transfer evaluation data securely. Any use of AI-assisted tools must be disclosed in the inception report and evaluation report, and all AI-assisted outputs must be reviewed, verified, and remain the responsibility of the evaluator.

EVALUATION PROCESS AND DELIVERABLES

The Evaluation process will include the following, with deliverables marked by “*”:

1. Kickoff meeting;

2. Desk review including, but not limited to:

   • Project Document and CEO Endorsement Letter;

   • Project governance documents;

   • Annual Work Plan and Budget (AWP&B) documents;

   • Project Progress Reports (PPR) including Results Framework and AWP reports;

   • Project Closure Report (PCR) (only available end of November);

   • GEF Agency reports, including Project Implementation Reports (PIRs), Back to the Office Reports (BTORs) and Support Mission Reports (PrISMs), as applicable;

   • Relevant financial documents, including financial progress reports; co-financing monitoring tables/ letters, and audits;

   • Relevant safeguards documents, including WWF GEF Agency Categorization and Compliance memo, Stakeholder Engagement Plan, Grievance Redress Mechanism;

   • Gender Action Plan and/or other gender-related documents;

   • Meeting minutes from Project Steering Committee (PSC), WWF- GEF AMU and support team; and others;

   • Project Website and the reports, newsletters, and publications produced;

   • Other relevant documents.

3. Inception meeting to gather input from select project stakeholders on evaluation approach, priorities, to agree on methodology, and to inform the inception report;

4. Inception report (Draft and Final)* that outlines evaluation methodology, including how ratings/findings will be assessed (indicators to be used, key questions), sample questionnaires, stakeholders, workplan, etc;

5. Interviews, discussions and consultations with executing partners, Project Steering Committee (PSC) members, beneficiaries, WWF-GEF Agency and extended team; Project Management Unit, and others.;

6. Debrief and presentation* of initial findings to Executing partners and WWF-GEF extended team for feedback and final data collection. Feedback log requested to record responses to comments received;

7. Draft report* (50-page suggested limit excluding annexes) shared with WWF-GEF, PMU, PSC, CI, Kehati and others indicated for review and approval. Report shall be in English. Subsequent drafts shall include a tracked changes and clean version of the report. A sample outline will be provided; and

8. Final TE report* (50-page suggested limit excluding annexes) that has addressed any inaccuracies, responded to requests for additional means of verification and taken into consideration any feedback. Report should be in English. Final deliverable package shall include a tracked changes and clean version of the report, should annex a feedback log showing actions taken/responses to all reviewer comments, and include all data collected from the evaluation.

EXPECTED CONTENT OF EVALUATION REPORT

• Information on the evaluation process, including when the evaluation took place, sites visited, participants, key questions, summary of methodology and rating rubric, and feedback log showing how comments on draft were incorporated;

• Assessment of Relevance (project design, theory of change) and Coherence;

• Assessment of Effectiveness, including review of project Results Framework and rating of project objective and outcomes (individual and overall);

• Validation of Core indicator measurements at project end;

• Assessment and ratings for Implementation and Execution;

• Assessment and rating of Risks to the Sustainability of project outcomes;

• Assessment and ratings for Monitoring and Evaluation Design and Implementation;

• Assessment of knowledge management approach, including activities and products;

• Assessment of replication, additionality and catalytic effects of the project;

• Assessment of stakeholder engagement;

• Assessment of gender-responsive measures;

• Assessment of any environmental and social impacts generated by the project’s activities as well as its safeguards stipulations, which includes (a) a review of the assigned environmental and social risk category classification; and (b) a review of the progress made in the implementation of the mitigation measures outlined in the project’s relevant documents or otherwise utilized to manage risks.

• Assessment of Efficiency, financial management and summary of co-financing materialized;

• Summary ratings table, including justification and/or indicators for their determination;

• Key lessons tied to identified strengths, best practices or issues;

  • Conclusions and recommendations that would be useful for project close and sustainability, and for other similar projects in order to improve on identified issues, replicate best practices or achieve better results.

1. ^WWF-GEF project page: https://www.worldwildlife.org/our-work/funds/wwf-gef/projects/eco-system-approach-to-fisheries-management-in-eastern-indonesia-fisheries-management-area-fma-715-717-718/

2. ^GEF project page for Project 9129: https://www.thegef.org/projects-operations/projects/9129

3. ^Project website: https://cfi-indonesia.id/

How to apply

PROPOSAL PROCESS

Proposal package checklist: Proposals must be submitted in English and include (1) a technical proposal, including proposed methodology, evaluation approach, workplan, team composition, approach to stakeholder engagement, and quality assurance plan; (2) a financial proposal, all-inclusive of fees, reimbursable expenses, travel, taxes, translation/interpretation, and administrative costs, with a total not exceeding USD 25,000; (3) curriculum vitae for the lead evaluator and any proposed team members; (4) one relevant writing sample, preferably an evaluation report authored by the proposed lead evaluator; and (5) three professional references for the lead evaluator. Only complete proposals will be accepted.

Interested consultants are requested to send their proposals to EvaluationsWWFGEF@wwfus.org by August 31, 2026. All questions about the requirements or process should be submitted to this email address by August 24, 2026. Responses to frequent and submitted questions will be available until the deadline to all interested consultants at Annex F.

The selection process will be conducted in compliance with WWF and GEF requirements. Any questions or concerns about non-compliance or irregularities in the process can be raised through WWF’s mechanism for reporting concerns: https://wwfus.ethicspoint.com.

QUALIFICATIONS OF EVALUATOR(S)

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree or equivalent in Environmental or Social Sciences or related field

• Minimum 10 years of relevant professional experience (e.g. monitoring and evaluation)

• Noted experience with evaluation methodologies

• Excellent written and oral communication in English

Preferred Qualifications and Experience

• Recent experience conducting evaluations (experience with GEF-financed projects is an advantage);

• Technical knowledge relating to project (e.g. marine fisheries management, conservation finance and/or governance, etc.);

• Knowledge of GEF Monitoring and Evaluation Policies;

• Experience with WWF Project and Program Management Standards or Conservation Standards;

• Experience with social assessments, participatory techniques, and gender mainstreaming;

• Knowledge and experience in implementing or reviewing application of social and environmental safeguards policies in GEF (or similar) projects;

• Fluency in Bahasa for local consultations and interviews;

• Understanding of local context in Indonesia including familiarity with project area and experience working with relevant stakeholders and institutions; and

• Understanding of the scheme and mechanism of Trust Funds.

PAYMENT MODALITIES

Payment, expense reimbursement, and other contractual terms and conditions will be outlined in the consultant agreement made between WWF and the evaluator. Payments will be made following submitted and approved deliverables and once invoices are sent. Twenty-five percent of the fee will be paid after submission and approval of the Inception Report. Fifty percent of the fee will be paid following submission and approval of the debrief presentation, Draft Report and related documents. The final twenty-five percent will be paid following the submission and approval of the Final Report and related documents. Reimbursement for expenses, if separated from fee, will be paid separately. Evaluator should submit receipts for expenses over $50.

To see the full Terms of Reference and Call for Proposals, visit: Link to Full Terms of Reference with Live FAQs