External Programme Evaluation Local Area Employment Services – South Dublin County Partnership

• South Dublin County Partnership (SDC Partnership) is a local development company.
• Our vision is that South Dublin County be a vibrant and welcoming community where everyone, regardless of their background or abilities, has equal opportunities to thrive and reach their full potential.
• We work with individuals, groups, families, and businesses to bring about positive change in peoples’ lives and across communities. Our programs include enterprise and employment, education and lifelong learning, health and well-being, children and families, community development and supports for new communities.

Local Area Employment Service (LAES) Background

• Local Area Employment Services (LAES) is an employment activation programme funded by the Department of Social Protection and delivered under contract by SDC Partnership. The programme aim is to help long-term unemployed people find and sustain work.
• Following a competitive tendering process in 2022, SDC Partnership was awarded a contract to deliver Local Area Employment Service (LAES) in South Dublin County and since programme launch over 5000 job seekers have been supported by the service.
• The LAES programme primarily targets long-term unemployed individuals, facing barriers to labor market participation, all clients of the service are referred by DSP. Clients engage with the service for up to 52 weeks and over that time receive a range of supports including one to one guidance from a dedicated Case Worker, access to a range of skills training and pre-employment supports, assistance with identifying suitable job opportunities and practical support with job applications and interview preparation. SDC Partnership’s LAES service is delivered from several service offices in Tallaght, Clondalkin, Lucan, and surrounding regions as well as outreach services in Blessington.

Requirements

SDC Partnership requests written proposals from suitably qualified individuals or companies with expertise in the field of Programme evaluation and a good understanding of labor market activation to conduct an independent evaluation of SDC Partnership’s Local Area Employment Service Programme.

Purpose

The objective of the external evaluation is to independently review the performance of South Dublin County Partnership in the delivery of Local Area Employment Services.

Using both quantitative and qualitative data, the evaluation will review the quality and effectiveness of the supports and services provided with respect to the LAES programme aims, objectives and KPIs and in providing person-centered, one-to-one guidance and employment placement supports for long-term unemployed individuals.

Methodology

The evaluation will use a range of methodologies to gather feedback from an agreed sample of LAES programme participants and key stakeholders including but not limited to the following:

• Desk Research
• Surveys / questionnaires – phone, email and postal
• Structured / semi structured interviews
• Case studies
• Focus groups
• Data collection and analysis

A detailed written report on the findings from the external programme evaluation together with recommendations will be presented to the CEO and Senior Management Team of South Dublin County Partnership.

Co-ordination

The successful tenderer will work with South Dublin County Partnership’s management team who will provide the following:

• A comprehensive briefing at project initiation stage
• Access to relevant data and literature
• Support for meetings and the provision of venues for focus groups

Timeline

Format

Written proposals should include:

• Relevant sector experience, skills and qualifications to deliver this project.
• An outline project plan with timelines.
• Details of methodology to be used.
• Breakdown of estimated costs clearly outlining the number of days/times involved.
• The consultant must be tax compliant – before a contract is awarded the successful candidate will be required to produce current Tax Clearance details.
• Details of two references.

Award Criteria

Awarding of the project will be based on the most qualified and competitive submission evaluated under the following award criteria:

• Understanding of the project requirements – 20 marks
• Proposed methodology and work plan – 40 marks
• Relevant experience of the tendering firm / individual – 20 marks
• Proposed costs – 20 marks

Conflicts of Interest

Any conflicts of interest must be fully disclosed in a timely manner to SDC Partnership. Failure to disclose a conflict-of-interest may disqualify a bidder or invalidate an award of contract. If no conflict of interest exists, proposals must indicate that in writing.

Budget

• A maximum budget of €6,500 inclusive of VAT, is available to cover all associated costs involved in undertaking, completing and the presentation of the final evaluation report.
• The proposal should clearly and individually cost each element of the work involved in undertaking and completing the evaluation including the number of days to be assigned and the daily rate applicable.