REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
External Evaluator – Diversity Shadow Project (DSP)
Association for New Canadians (ANC)
RFP Issued: May 6, 2025
Deadline for Submission: May 16, 2025
1. BACKGROUND
The Association for New Canadians (ANC) is seeking a qualified external evaluator to support the evaluation component of its federally funded Diversity Shadow Project (DSP). The DSP is a multi-year (2025–2028) systems-change initiative designed to embed the perspectives of underrepresented newcomers into ANC’s internal problem-solving and program development frameworks. Drawing on EDI principles, GBA+ analysis, and the Shadow Board model, DSP examines whether the inclusion of equity-deserving and neurodivergent voices in senior leadership processes can enhance problem-solving and reduce strategic blind spots.
2. PURPOSE OF THE EVALUATION
The evaluation will measure the extent to which the DSP strengthens ANC’s equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) capacity, enhances service delivery outcomes, and supports newcomer participants in career development, educational opportunities, and a sense of belonging.
The external evaluator will provide an objective and ethical assessment of project outcomes, focusing on:
● Effectiveness of participatory processes and tools
● Performance against stated objectives and indicators
● Success in leveraging lived experience to driver strategic decision-making or problem-solving processes
● Impact on DSP participants’ employment readiness and well-being
● Ethical management of disaggregated and sensitive data
3. SCOPE OF WORK
The evaluator will be expected to:
● Co-develop and refine the evaluation framework with ANC staff and DSP participants. ● Introduce a logic model, Theory of Change, and related tools to align activities with intended outcomes, and strengthen overall deliverables.
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REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
PROJECT EVALUATOR
● Conduct mixed-method data collection (focus groups, surveys, interviews). ● Develop evaluation feedback loops for participants, executive team and advisory committee.
● Ensure monitoring mechanisms incorporate GBA+ and intersectional analysis. ● Analyze and report on project outcomes aligned with IRCC expectations. ● Develop data dashboards
● Evaluate success of knowledge products, and project artifacts.
● Contribute to the design of a Pressure Area Matrix—a diagnostic and evaluation tool that enables DSP participants to engage in organizational problem-solving, while also capturing measurable impacts on ANC’s operational performance and strategic outcomes.
● Provide quarterly and final evaluation reports with actionable recommendations. ● Present findings to ANC leadership, staff, and community partners.
4. DELIVERABLES
● Inception report and evaluation work plan
● Midpoint progress reports (biannual)
● Tools for ongoing monitoring (e.g. matrices, scorecards)
● Final evaluation report (March 2028)
● Executive summary presentation
5. QUALIFICATIONS
● Demonstrated experience in program evaluation within the non-profit or settlement sector ● Expertise in GBA+, anti-racism, and equity-based evaluation frameworks ● Experience working with equity-deserving populations
● Proven ability to handle disaggregated data ethically and securely
● Strong communication and in-person facilitation skills with multicultural communities 6. TIMELINE
● Contract Start: As soon as possible
● Interim Deliverables: Quarterly (from Q2 2025)
● Final Report Due: March 31, 2028
7. PROPOSAL REQUIREMENTS
Interested applicants should submit:
● A cover letter
● Technical proposal (max 5 pages) outlining methodology, approach, and timeline 2
REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)
PROJECT EVALUATOR
● CVs of key personnel
● Two examples of relevant evaluation reports
● Detailed budget
8. LEGAL TERMS
● ANC reserves the right to reject all proposals submitted under this call or to cancel or amend the RFP at any time without penalty or cost.
● ANC is not obligated to accept the lowest-cost proposal. Evaluations are based on the criteria set in this call, including demonstrated expertise, methodology and overall value to the organization.
● The successful proponent will be required to enter into a written agreement with the ANC. ● All information provided to the successful bidder to meet the deliverables of this project shall be considered confidential.
● Any material, data or intellectual property produced through the project shall become the exclusive property of the ANC.
● The terms of the contract and deliverables will be clearly stated in the signed agreement. ● Failure to meet the set conditions of the contract by either party can lead to a termination of contract. In the event of an early termination due to non compliance, ANC is only responsible for paying for the completed work.
● In the event where the successful bidder/contractor is working with clients, then a vulnerable sector check and criminal background check shall be required. ● The proponent must declare any actual or potential conflict of interest relating to the proposal submission.
9. SUBMISSION INSTRUCTIONS
Please submit proposals by May 16th, 2025 to:
Asta Rowe
Manager, Settlement Projects
Association for New Canadians
Subject Line: RFP – External Evaluator, DSP
Late submissions will not be considered.