Evaluation Consultant/s for EdTech for Early Learning Project

Evaluation Summary

• Project name: EdTech for Early Learning (ETEL) Project
• Project dates: 1 July 2024 – 30 June 2030
• Location of project area: Currently Dili, Atauro, Liquica. Future plans for Ermera, Manatuto, Oecusse
• Evaluation type: Process Evaluation
• Evaluation consultancy dates: June – August 2026
• Due date for draft evaluation report: 10th August 2026

Evaluation Purpose

To assess the:

• Quality and effectiveness of project learning activities
• Efficiency of project implementation, including provision and maintenance of equipment, teacher training and stakeholder engagement
• Additional opportunities to measure impact and long-term student outcomes
• Future direction of the project within the Ministry of Education's national early learning priorities

Current Status of Project

The ETEL Project continues to be rolled out as a holistic active learning program, delivering devices, projection, apps, teacher development and parent training as the Ministry of Education and municipality-level stakeholders are simultaneously onboarded.

In March 2026, the Project launched the HAAP Portal, a Web service that integrates with HAAP Uma to monitor the active learning engagement of children. As of April 2026, MMT and Ministry of Education stakeholders have real time access to HAAP Uma utilisation, learning engagement and outcomes data.

The app learning activities have been developed in consultation with the Ministry of Education and are in line with the Timor-Leste pre-school national curriculum. The app is delivered in Tetun and includes local language learning capabilities. HAAP app designs, animations, activities, and stories embody Timorese culture. The parent home app, HAAP Uma, mirrors the teacher app, HAAP Klase, so that parents can spend time with their children and reinforce what the children learn in class.

Key Responsibilities

The consultancy work is expected to be carried out in a sample of project locations across Timor-Leste to be determined in consultation with Mary MacKillop Today and the Ministry of Education. This evaluation should consider the pilot year of implementation in FY2425 and the current year from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026.

When addressing the evaluation areas, the consultant should take into consideration the extent to which the project engages with the broader objectives of gender equity, disability inclusion and safeguarding as cross-cutting themes.

Deliverables

• Evaluation Plan (3-5 pages) outlining:
  • Overview of methods and data collection tools
  • Timeframe
  • Stakeholder engagement plan
  • Risk assessment
  • Ethics considerations
  • Budget for each phase of the consultancy
• Consultation data (brief report including methods and outcomes)
• Presentation of Preliminary Findings & Recommendations to Mary MacKillop Today (Project and Sydney teams) and O'Brien Foundation Australia
• Evaluation Report addressing the evaluation purpose
• Dissemination Plan and Key Informant Engagement Strategy for sharing of the evaluation findings and recommendations, especially to the project participants and their communities, as well as INFORDEPE and the Ministry of Education

Selection Criteria

• Prior experience demonstrating:
  • Strong evaluative thinking
  • Comprehensive understanding of policy & program integration
  • Governance, program design and program management expertise
• Proposed methods
• Previous relevant and quality experience conducting similar assignments (including case studies)
• Availability of personnel
• Written and oral communication skills (English professional proficiency required; conversational Tetun desirable)
• Value for money (cost compared to competitors considering the methods being proposed and outcomes that would be achieved)
• Confirmation that the deliverable timeframes can be met
• Identification of risks related to the implementation of this consultancy and overall sustainability of the project post Mary MacKillop Today's exit

Budget & Payment

The budget for this evaluation is USD $25,200 (inclusive of tax and reimbursable expenses).

The Consultant(s) will be required to submit a detailed budget that includes a fee per day for the consultant services, as well as all expenses that derive from the work of the consultancy.

The Consultant(s) will be responsible for their own insurance arrangements (including workers compensation, superannuation guarantee charge, public liability, professional indemnity and/or personal sickness and accident cover), vaccinations, health and security preparedness.

How to Apply

Expressions of Interest (EOI) are due Thursday 4 June 2026 by midnight AEST. EOIs will be assessed on a rolling basis.

All Expressions of Interest should include:

• Up to date CV with details of two relevant referees, for each consultant involved
• Proposal addressing the Selection Criteria above (no more than 10 pages)

Please send all expressions of interest to Charlotte Atherton, Mary MacKillop Today Quality & Impact Manager at [email protected], copying Caitlin McGrath, Mary MacKillop Today Programs Director at [email protected].

For the full Terms of Reference, please email Charlotte Atherton at [email protected].

Should you have any questions, please contact Charlotte on +61 2 8912 2715 or Caitlin on +61 2 8912 2777.

This Consultancy is open to National and/or International Candidates.