Terms of Reference (ToRs) Consultant/Consulting Firm for Impact Evaluation Study “Built By Her” Hackathon Series and TechCamps

1. Background

Over the past five years, TAF Pakistan has designed and implemented a series of innovative interventions to expand economic opportunities for youth, particularly young women, in Pakistan’s technology and entrepreneurship sectors. These interventions include the flagship “Built By Her” (BBH) virtual hackathon series, launched in 2020 as the country’s first large-scale national virtual hackathon platform, as well as a series of TechCamps that applied technology-driven problem-solving approaches to themes such as climate change and conflict resolution.

These initiatives were developed in response to systemic barriers faced by youth and women in accessing opportunities in STEM fields and entrepreneurship. Through mentorship, exposure to networks, and access to seed funding opportunities, these programs sought to enable participants to transition from ideas to viable entrepreneurial ventures.

Despite the reach, visibility, and continued implementation of such programs, there has been no comprehensive or systematic effort to assess their long-term impact, sustainability, and contribution to Pakistan’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. As virtual hackathons and innovation platforms have now become more common in Pakistan, there is an urgent need to evaluate whether these interventions have led to sustained entrepreneurial outcomes and whether they have influenced broader ecosystem practices.

This study has been designed to address these gaps by generating rigorous, evidence-based insights on the effectiveness, relevance, and long-term value of the BBH and TechCamps initiatives. The findings will be used to inform future programming, guide donor investments, and support the development of policy frameworks that promote digital innovation and entrepreneurship.

2. Objectives of the Assignment

The overall objective of this consultancy is to conduct a comprehensive impact evaluation of the Built By Her hackathon series and TechCamps, with a focus on understanding their long-term outcomes and contribution to women’s and youth entrepreneurship in Pakistan.

Specifically, the study aims to assess the extent to which these initiatives have achieved their intended objectives, including the development of entrepreneurial skills, the creation and sustainability of startups, and the enhancement of participants’ access to networks, mentorship, and financial opportunities.

In addition, the assignment seeks to generate robust and actionable evidence on what works in innovation programming, particularly in contexts characterized by systemic constraints. The consultant is also expected to provide forward-looking, strategic recommendations that can guide future investments, inform policy discussions, and support the design of more effective entrepreneurship and innovation programs over the next five years.

3. Scope of Work

The consultant will be responsible for conducting a comprehensive, methodologically rigorous evaluation of the BBH and TechCamps initiatives. This will involve assessing program outcomes, analyzing participant trajectories, and situating the interventions within the broader entrepreneurship ecosystem in Pakistan and the region.

The impact evaluation component of the assignment will require the consultant to examine the outcomes of the programs over the past five years, including the extent to which participants have been able to establish and sustain entrepreneurial ventures, generate employment, and apply the skills acquired during the programs. The consultant will also assess how participation in these initiatives has influenced access to mentorship, funding opportunities, and professional networks. 

The data collection and analysis phase will require the consultant to adopt a mixed-methods approach that combines both quantitative and qualitative techniques. This will include the design and administration of surveys targeting program alumni and participants, as well as the facilitation of focus group discussions and key informant interviews with relevant stakeholders, including mentors and implementing partners. In addition, the consultant will conduct in-depth case studies of selected participants to capture detailed narratives of their entrepreneurial journeys. Existing program data will also need to be consolidated, validated, and analyzed to ensure a comprehensive understanding of program performance.

As part of the ecosystem mapping component, the consultant will conduct a comparative analysis of similar entrepreneurship and innovation initiatives operating in Pakistan. This analysis aims to identify gaps within the ecosystem, highlight the unique contributions of BBH and TechCamps, and document best practices and replicable models that can inform future programming.

The assignment will also include a forward-looking analytical component, through which the consultant will identify emerging trends, opportunities, and risks within Pakistan’s startup ecosystem. Based on this analysis, the consultant will propose strategic areas for investment and provide actionable recommendations tailored to donors, policymakers, and private sector stakeholders. These recommendations should be grounded in evidence and aligned with the evolving needs of the entrepreneurship ecosystem.

Finally, the consultant will be responsible for developing a range of knowledge products that effectively communicate the study's findings to diverse audiences. These will include a comprehensive evaluation report, policy briefs, fact sheets, and visually engaging summaries such as infographics and data visualizations. The consultant will also support the development of an interactive documentary component that captures the lived experiences of selected participants, thereby complementing the analytical findings with human-centered storytelling.

4. Key Deliverables

1. The consultant will be expected to produce a series of deliverables throughout the course of the assignment. At the outset, an inception report will be submitted, outlining the proposed methodology, detailed work plan, data collection tools, and overall evaluation framework.

2. Following this, the consultant will develop and submit all necessary data collection instruments, including survey questionnaires, interview guides, and focus group discussion protocols, for review and approval.

3. During the implementation phase, the consultant will provide an interim progress report that presents preliminary findings and highlights any emerging insights or challenges.

4. A draft of the final report will then be prepared, presenting a detailed analysis of the data and initial conclusions. This draft will be shared with TAF and relevant stakeholders for feedback.

5. The final report will incorporate all feedback received and will present a comprehensive and coherent assessment of the study findings, along with clear and actionable recommendations.

6. The consultant will be required to develop forward-looking programmatic insights and a scale-up framework based on the findings of the study. This framework should clearly articulate how lessons learned from the Built By Her (BBH) hackathons and TechCamps can be applied to future programming.

7. In addition to the main report, the consultant will develop a set of knowledge products, including fact sheets, data visualizations, and visual summaries designed for wider outreach.

8. Finally, the consultant will be required to produce a short documentary-style video (5–8 minutes) that captures the impact of BBH and TechCamps through the real-life experiences of selected participants. It will include selecting at least 3–5 compelling participant stories, developing a narrative script, producing a high-quality video of participant journeys, and documenting their work or ventures visually.

5. Methodology Requirements

The consultant is expected to adopt a meticulous, well-structured mixed-methods evaluation approach that integrates quantitative and qualitative data sources. The methodology must be designed to ensure the reliability and validity of findings, while also being sensitive to the contextual realities of the target population.

The consultant must ensure data triangulation across multiple sources to strengthen the credibility of the findings and provide a comprehensive understanding of program impact.

6. Duration of Assignment

The duration of the assignment is expected to be between 12 to 16 weeks, commencing from the date of contract signing. The consultant is expected to adhere to the agreed timeline and deliver all outputs within the specified timeframe.

7. Reporting and Coordination

The consultant will report directly to the designated Director of Programs and focal person at TAF Pakistan and will be required to maintain regular communication throughout the assignment. Periodic progress updates will be provided to ensure alignment and timely resolution of any issues.

The consultant will work in close coordination with TAF and partners to access relevant data, engage with stakeholders, and validate findings at key stages of the study.

8. Required Qualifications

• The assignment requires a consultant with demonstrated expertise in conducting impact evaluations and research, particularly in entrepreneurship, innovation, or youth development. 

• The consultant should have strong technical capacity in mixed-methods research and policy-oriented analysis, along with a proven track record of delivering high-quality analytical outputs.

• Experience working in Pakistan or the broader South Asia region will be considered an asset, as it reflects an understanding of the local context and ecosystem dynamics.

• The proposed team should include a team lead with substantial experience in evaluation and research, supported by specialists in data analysis and qualitative research.

9. Evaluation Criteria

Proposals submitted in response to this ToR will be evaluated based on the extent to which they demonstrate a clear understanding of the assignment, the relevance and appropriateness of the proposed methodology, and the consultant’s previous experience.

The qualifications and expertise of the proposed team will also be assessed, along with the overall value for money reflected in the financial proposal.

10. Application Process

Interested candidates or firms should submit:

1. A technical proposal (maximum 5 pages) outlining the overall research framework, including research approach, methodology (sampling design, data collection tools and techniques, data analysis and interpretation), and timeline for the study.

2. A financial proposal detailing the budget, including fees and any anticipated expenses.

3. CV(s) of the consultant(s) or team members, highlighting relevant experience.

4. Two samples of previous research or reports related to similar assignments.

5. Contact details of two professional references.

Interested consultants/firms are invited to submit sealed technical and financial proposals no later than April 13, 2026, at the following address. 

The Asia Foundation Pakistan Office

EOBI House, 3rd Floor, Block 32-34 

Mauve Area, I&T Center, G-10/4 Islamabad.

For any further information, please contact [email protected] by email.

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Financial Offer Template 

11. Evaluation Criteria 

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Technical quality and feasibility of the proposed methodology (40%).

• Relevant experience and qualifications of the consultant/team (30%).

• Cost-effectiveness of the financial proposal (20%).

• Quality of previous work samples (10%).

12. Ethical Considerations

• The consultant must adhere to Do No Harm principles and ensure ethical research practices, including informed consent, confidentiality, and sensitivity to cultural issues.

• All data collection and reporting must comply with TAF’s data protection and safeguarding policies.

• All research materials will be the intellectual property of TAF and may not be used, reproduced, or distributed without prior written permission