Job Description

Terms of Reference – SandBox Incubator 2023 Participants Impact Assessment

1. Introduction

Sandbox, an incubator established by Super Novae in collaboration with the Medala Foundation, aims to create a secure environment for youth to experiment with their ideas and foster an understanding of entrepreneurship. In the year 2023, a total of over 500 applicants sought participation in the incubation program, with only 150 being selected for the pre-incubation phase and subsequently 50 being granted the opportunity to join the incubator program. The program, spanning more than 11 weeks, encompassed the development of skills, education, and the cultivation of startups among the youth. At the conclusion of the program, a Demo Day was held, providing the youth with the opportunity to present their ideas to a group of businessmen in Aden. 
Now, more than five months after the program's completion, Super Novae seeks to assess the impact on the participating youth and ensure the provision of more reliable activities in the future.

2. Scope of Work

• The objective of this consultancy is to conduct a comprehensive impact assessment of Sandbox incubator (Bidaya1) focusing on the impact on the participating youth.
• The assessment should evaluate the effectiveness of the program in achieving its objectives and identify any areas for improvement.

3. Activities

The consultant will:

• Review project documents and reports related to Sandbox incubator, including the provided evaluation report from the project team.
• Conduct data collection through a combination of methods, including:
  • Surveys with both participating and non-participating youth.
  • Focus group discussions with program participants.
  • Semi-structured interviews with key stakeholders, such as trainers, mentors, and project staff (optional, to meet businessmen who attended and participated in the Demo day).
  • Analysis of business performance data or other relevant information.
• Analyze the data and draw conclusions about the program's impact on the participants, considering:
  • Changes in participants' entrepreneurial skills and knowledge.
  • Increased business activity or job creation among participants.
  • Positive and negative impacts on the participants' lives and careers.
  • Key lessons learned that can inform future initiatives.
• Prepare a comprehensive report outlining the methodology, findings, conclusions, and recommendations.
• Present the findings and recommendations to project stakeholders in a clear and concise manner.

4. Timeline 

• The assessment should be completed within [1] month from signing the agreement.

5. Deliverables

• A comprehensive final report in English, including:
  • Executive summary
  • Methodology used
  • Findings and analysis
  • Conclusions and recommendations
• Presentation of findings and recommendations to project stakeholders

6. Consultant Qualifications

• The consultant should have experience in conducting impact assessments, preferably in the context of youth development or entrepreneurship programs.
• The consultant should have strong research and analytical skills.
• The consultant should be familiar with the Yemeni context and have experience working in the country (or remotely with Yemeni participants).
• The consultant should be able to communicate effectively in English and Arabic.

7. Selection Process

• Interested consultants should submit proposals outlining their qualifications, methodology, and proposed timeline and budget.
• A selection committee will review the proposals.
• The selection committee will select the consultant based on their qualifications, experience, and proposed approach.

8. Additional Information

• The consultant will be provided with access to all relevant project documents and reports.
• The consultant will be expected to work closely with the project team throughout the assessment process.
• The project team will be available to answer any questions or provide clarification as needed.