Hivos seeks a team for the EU SEE mid-term evaluation. Deadline: 20 April 2026

The European Union System for an Enabling Environment for Civil Society (EU SEE) represents a significant global effort to monitor, protect, and enhance the conditions under which civil society operates. As the program reaches its midpoint, Hivos has announced an opportunity for a qualified consultant or consulting team to conduct a comprehensive mid-term evaluation. This evaluation is a critical step in ensuring the program remains effective, adaptive, and impactful across its wide geographical scope.

Understanding the EU SEE Program

The EU SEE program is a five-year initiative implemented by a global consortium of organizations working across 86 countries. These regions span Africa, the Middle East, Asia and the Pacific, the Americas, and the Caribbean. The program is designed to track and respond to changes in the enabling environment for civil society, particularly in contexts where civic space is under pressure.

At its core, EU SEE operates through tools such as an Early Warning Mechanism and a Monitoring Methodology. These tools allow stakeholders to identify emerging threats, document trends, and generate actionable insights. By doing so, the program equips civil society actors, governments, and international partners with the knowledge needed to respond effectively to challenges and opportunities.

Purpose of the Mid-Term Evaluation

The mid-term evaluation serves two primary and interconnected objectives: accountability and learning. It is intended to provide an independent assessment of the program’s performance while also generating insights that can inform future strategy and implementation.

From an accountability perspective, the evaluation will assess how well EU SEE has delivered on its commitments, particularly in relation to its partnership with the European Union. This includes examining whether the program has achieved its intended outputs and outcomes within the expected timeframe.

Equally important is the learning component. The evaluation will explore the program’s effectiveness, relevance, coherence, and sustainability. The findings will help refine strategies, improve implementation approaches, and ensure that the program remains responsive to the evolving needs of civil society globally.

A Participatory and Inclusive Approach

One of the defining features of this evaluation is its participatory nature. The selected evaluator(s) will engage a wide range of stakeholders throughout the process. These include consortium partners, network members, flexible support mechanism stakeholders, and representatives from the European Union.

This inclusive approach ensures that diverse perspectives are captured and that the evaluation reflects the realities on the ground. It also promotes ownership of the findings and recommendations, increasing the likelihood that they will be effectively integrated into future programming.

The evaluation process will involve iterative feedback and validation at both country and global levels. This structured engagement is designed to enhance the quality, credibility, and usefulness of the final outputs.

Timeline and Key Deliverables

The evaluation will follow a structured timeline to ensure timely delivery of all key milestones. The process begins with the development of an inception report, which will outline the evaluation methodology and approach. This is followed by a data collection phase spanning several months, allowing for comprehensive analysis across multiple contexts.

Key deliverables include:

• An inception report detailing the evaluation framework and methodology
• Data collection and analysis conducted between June and August 2026
• A first draft evaluation report submitted in October 2026
• A final, validated evaluation report delivered by the end of November 2026

This phased approach ensures that findings are rigorously developed, reviewed, and refined before final submission.

Ideal Candidate Profile

Hivos is seeking highly experienced evaluators with a strong background in monitoring and evaluation, particularly within international development, governance, or civil society strengthening. Candidates should bring both technical expertise and the ability to manage complex, multi-country evaluations.

Key qualifications include:

• At least 10 years of relevant professional experience
• Demonstrated expertise in evaluation methodologies and frameworks
• Experience working with multi-stakeholder initiatives and global programs
• Strong analytical and report-writing skills
• Ability to facilitate participatory processes and stakeholder engagement

The role may be filled by an individual consultant or a team, depending on the scope and proposed approach.

Why This Evaluation Matters

The EU SEE program operates in a rapidly changing global landscape where civil society faces increasing challenges, including regulatory restrictions, political pressure, and shrinking civic space. Conducting a robust mid-term evaluation is essential to ensure that the program remains relevant and effective in addressing these issues.

By generating evidence-based insights, the evaluation will help strengthen the program’s impact and guide its future direction. It will also contribute to broader learning within the international development community, particularly in relation to supporting civil society in complex and dynamic environments.

Application Process

Interested candidates are required to submit their proposals via email by April 20, 2026. The application should clearly outline the proposed methodology, relevant experience, and capacity to deliver the assignment within the specified timeline.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, underscoring the competitive nature of this opportunity. For experienced evaluators seeking to contribute to a globally significant initiative, this consultancy represents a meaningful and impactful engagement.

This mid-term evaluation is more than a routine assessment; it is a strategic opportunity to shape the future of a program dedicated to empowering civil society worldwide.

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