Community Connections Program – Embedding Phase Evaluation

⁠⁠⁠An evaluation provider is required for the first two years of the Community Connections Program’s Embedding Phase which is from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2027.

The external evaluation will seek to assess the implementation of the Community Connections Program (CC Program) through the first two years of the Program’s embedding phase, from 1 July 2023 to 30 June 2025. This will comprise taking account of previous evaluation work undertaken in the development phase (from program start, in May 2021, to the end of the developmental phase in June 2023). The evaluation will take place in consecutive phases, with report and recommendations to inform and be delivered ahead of the proposed extension of services for the second 2-year term of the embedding phase, which will be from 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2027.

The supplier is expected to:

• work collaboratively with DHS to further define the activities and deliverables required at each phase of the evaluation, including proposed timeframes for key deliverables.
• familiarise themselves with the Program model and the strategic environment within which it operates, including the DHS Social Impact Framework, to effectively provide context to evaluation findings.
• where any issues arise, notify the DHS Contract Manager and work together to negotiate a solution.
• maintain regular communication with DHS, providing informal updates as required.
• request and address feedback provided by DHS on the deliverables.
• Provide deliverables on time and in budget.
• Provide formal written updates on the progress of key deliverables which may include draft or working documents.
• Maintain successful working relationships with key stakeholders throughout the life of the contract.

Key deliverables will include:

• Analysis of quantitative, de-identified client and service data reported to DHS by CCP Partners
• Facilitation of focus groups and interviews with program Partner staff reflecting diversity of the 12 State Government regions, organisations and Partner types (20 organisations across four Partner types).
• Facilitation of interviews (with ethics approval) with CC program participants
• Facilitation of interviews with relevant stakeholders who engage with the CC Program
• Evaluation Plan (approximately December 2023 and final report summarising quantitative and qualitative data analysis, and outlining recommendations for Program improvement (approximately September/October 2024)

Maximum Budget: $90,000 (GST Exclusive)