Request for proposals: R2HC Impact Evaluation

We are seeking proposals for an impact evaluation of the R2HC programme.

Summary

The R2HC programme aims to improve health outcomes for people affected by humanitarian crises by strengthening the evidence base for public health interventions. 

This globally recognised research programme focuses on maximising the potential for public health research to bring about positive change in humanitarian response and helps inform decision-making in humanitarian response. Since it was established in 2013, it has funded more than ninety-five research studies across a range of public health fields, bringing together researchers and humanitarian practitioners to undertake vital research. 

Our aim is to fund impactful, high-quality research that improves the lives of people affected by humanitarian crises. We do this by identifying critical public health evidence gaps, providing research grants, and supporting study teams to translate new knowledge into accessible products and increase their use by evidence ’users’, and by facilitating the connection and engagement of key stakeholders with research findings and promoting the uptake of new evidence.  

The R2HC needs to demonstrate to key stakeholders, including donors, the outcomes achieved through funded research and, more broadly, the value of the Programme to the overall humanitarian health research ecosystem. To do this, we have determined that an evaluation of the R2HC is required to document evidence of the Programme’s impact. In 2023 the R2HC will have been in operation for ten years, which we consider sufficient time for initial impact to be demonstrated.  

Through this evaluation, we hope to collect robust evidence of the Programme’s impact, with a view to developing and improving our programme delivery by better understanding the context for change within the humanitarian health sector. 

More information on the background and approach to the R2HC Impact Evaluation can be found within the Request For Proposal document.  

Objectives

The aim of the evaluation is to undertake a detailed assessment of the impact of the R2HC and factors contributing to the delivery of the programme.  

The key objectives of the evaluation are as follows:  

1. To assess the R2HC’s overall performance regarding its contribution to the broader humanitarian system over the review period.  
2. To assess the research quality and impact of the R2HC portfolio to determine the extent to which studies have achieved or are on track to achieve impact and have contributed to the overall goal of informing humanitarian response, and/or increased knowledge in relation to a specific evidence gap. 
3. Conduct a landscape mapping to identify comparable research mechanisms and conduct a comparative analysis to determine whether the R2HC continues to fill a niche not occupied by other research funders.  
4. The evaluation will make recommendations on how to strengthen the R2HC in subsequent phases, taking into consideration the context of increasing global humanitarian needs and demands for evidence-informed programming.  

More information on the objectives of the R2HC Impact Evaluation can be found within the Request For Proposal document.   

Deliverables and timeline

Below is a summary of the deliverables foreseen for the Impact Evaluation. The final work plan will be co-developed and agreed upon during the inception phase. 

1. Final inception report  
2. Midline report submission  
3. Midline findings presentation  
4. Final evaluation report  
5. Evaluation findings presentation 

We expect the work can begin immediately following contracting in October 2022. Work should be completed by October 2023. 

More information on the activities and timeline of the R2HC Impact Evaluation can be found within the Request for Proposal document.

How to apply

Please download the request for proposal package for this exercise. 

The application deadline is 09:00 BST on 26/09/2022. We will not be able to consider incomplete proposals or proposals submitted after the deadline. 

Proposals must be e-mailed to MEAL@elrha.org with the subject line: “R2HC Impact Evaluation”.  

Bidders have the opportunity to ask questions by e-mail to Elrha at contracts@elrha.org OR MEAL@elrha.org.