TERMS OF REFERENCE

Please fill out the Request for Proposal document here to submit your application

BACKGROUND

Three decades after ASEAN was founded, ASEAN leaders recognised the need for shared prosperity, awareness, and engagement among the people of ASEAN. In response, ASEAN leaders established the ASEAN Foundation in Jakarta, Indonesia, during ASEAN's 30th Anniversary Summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on 15 December 1997.

The ASEAN Foundation is an organisation by and for the people of ASEAN. Its purpose is to foster a cohesive and prosperous ASEAN Community, supporting ASEAN in promoting awareness, identity, interaction, and the development of its people.

As artificial intelligence (AI) continues to rise, it is vital to bridge the gap in AI literacy, ensuring that all communities are equipped with the knowledge and tools necessary to use AI effectively and securely. To address this, the ASEAN Foundation, with support from its partners, will roll out an AI literacy programme across the 10 ASEAN Member States (AMS). This programme aims to impact over 5.5 million people in ASEAN by enhancing AI literacy, with specialised training for 2,000 trainers, who will, in turn, educate 800,000 youths, parents, and teachers.

The ASEAN Foundation is now seeking a skilled Impact Agency responsible for developing impact measurement reports, compiling critical data into a centralised database, and ensuring the programme's long-term sustainability across the ASEAN region. The Impact Agency will commence work on 1 January 2025 and conclude by 31 January 2027, with mid-year and annual performance reviews. Should the performance be deemed unsatisfactory during these reviews, the engagement may be subject to re-evaluation and potential termination.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Under the supervision of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (MERL) Consultant for the AI Ready ASEAN Programme, with guidance from the Senior Programme Manager and Program Manager of AI Ready ASEAN Programme, the agency will:

1. Collaborate closely with the MERL Consultant for AI Ready ASEAN in developing and implementing the MERL framework, detailed implementation plan, performance indicators, and targets embedded within the work plan, as well as a database of the impacted end-beneficiaries.
2. Produce comprehensive quarterly progress reports and a final report, summarising key programme outcomes. The reports must include infographics presenting impact numbers of the programme for easier understanding.
3. Design a detailed implementation plan, outlining the timeline, methodology, approach for impact measurement, and targeted beneficiaries.
4. Analyse and calculate Social Return on Investment (SROI) on a semi-annual (6-month) basis, to demonstrate the social and economic value generated by AI literacy initiatives.
5. Ensure secured maintenance of all collected data on shared platforms, making it accessible to the ASEAN Foundation team.
6. Collaborate with the Communications Officer and Graphic Designer Consultant of AI Ready ASEAN on a regular basis to develop infographics that effectively convey key insights and data.
7. Participate in regular check-in meetings (either biweekly or as otherwise determined) to provide progress updates and follow directives from the ASEAN Foundation.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS

1. Workplan: The initial plan prepared by the agency, including an implementation plan, timeline, methodology, approach for impact measurement, and targeted beneficiaries.
2. Progress Reports: 7 (seven) progress reports, from 1 January 2025 to December 2026, providing an analysis of progress, challenges, and key findings. Visualisation on the impact numbers must be included in each report.
3. Data Quality Training and Standardisation: Supporting the MERL Consultant for AI Ready ASEAN by delivering training and standardising the quality of data submitted by Local Implementing Partners to meet required standards and effectively support the work of the Impact Research Agency.
4. Final Report: The final report will feature an Executive Summary, Introduction, Specific Findings and Recommendations from all 10 ASEAN Member States, Key Success Factors, and an Annex.
5. Social Return on Investment (SROI) Analysis: A detailed SROI analysis will be conducted, highlighting the programme’s benefits for End-beneficiaries (youth, educators, and parents). This analysis will be included in the seven progress reports and the final report, conducted on a semi-annual basis.
6. Dissemination Workshop: The Impact Agency will prepare presentation materials (slides, posters, infographics) for disseminating the final report, covering key findings, challenges, insights, and future evaluations, with support from the ASEAN Foundation to gather feedback.

TIMELINE

DELIVERABLES AND WORK PLAN

The above time frame is subject to adjustments and shall be discussed between the ASEAN Foundation and the Impact Agency.

INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

All information related to this project belongs to the ASEAN Foundation. The selected agency will not disclose any project information to the public or use it for any purpose without written permission from the ASEAN Foundation, in line with applicable national and international copyright laws.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

• An established impact agency or academic institution, preferably based in the ASEAN region, with proven experience in impact measurement, data collection and analysis, reporting and SROI calculation, especially in the context of large-scale, multi-country programs.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience conducting Research/impact assessment/evaluation
• Experience of multi-stakeholder processes
• Experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative research
• Experience in working with international organisations and understanding of the ASEAN region.
• Strong coordination skills with the ability to act as an extension of the programme team.
• Ability to produce high-quality reports in English.
• Flexibility to accommodate last-minute changes and requests from the client.

APPLICATION PROCEDURE

Any eligible organisation/institution keen to apply for this opportunity is required to send the following documents:

• Organisation/institution profile (please share the team description, composition, leadership and curriculum vitae of all members).
• A narrative proposal which outlines the organisation's experience in doing impact research in national and regional level to multiple community groups and proposed work plan to achieve all the set deliverables.
• A quotation using the above template based on the TOR.
• Initial framework and planning: suggested methodology and relevant tool.
• Sample of successful works or portfolio in conducting similar impact research.
• Report template
• Copy of the organisation's legal entity.

Any proposal that does not include budget detail and narrative proposal will not be considered. The quotation details should include all related cost of activities and income tax that will be deducted.

The above documents are sent to [email protected]  and CC to [email protected] and [email protected] by 29 November 2024 by 17.00 (GMT+7)

QUERIES

Send any inquiries to [email protected] and [email protected]