Call for Bids: External Evaluator for QUARTZ ERASMUS+ Project 

24-02-2025, 17:25

Call for Bids: External Evaluator for QUARTZ ERASMUS+ Project

The QUARTZ ERASMUS+ Project is inviting proposals from highly qualified and experienced professionals to serve as the External Evaluator for our innovative and transformative educational initiative. This role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a project aimed at enhancing quality, accessibility, and innovation in higher education across Europe and beyond.


Project Background



QUARTZ ERASMUS+ is a European Union-funded project under the ERASMUS+ program. The Project aims at promoting synergy between HEIs and the labor market in Uzbekistan by improving the perceived quality of the four dimensions of the university: teaching, research, third mission/social engagement and institutional environment. Project contributes to the comprehensive improvement of the quality assurance systems of universities in Uzbekistan through the development of procedures, tools, human resources and continuous professional development based on EU best practices.


Specific objectives are:


·         To identify the managerial, administrative and educational gaps that can contribute to the quality assurance, digital literacy and skills in UZ. This goal will be achieved through the analysis of best practices in EU partner universities


·         To equip management, academic and administrative staff with skills, knowledge and attitudes necessary to achieve continuous quality enhancement by organizing staff development courses.


·         To develop QA strategy ensuring competitiveness and social cohesion.


·         To reform and modernize the university governance, including the reformation and strengthening of quality assurance units and promoting digital literacy and skills.


·         To ensure inter-university interaction through the creation and support of the Quality Assurance Network.


The project involves a consortium of universities from Uzbekistan, Italy and Bulgaria working collaboratively to achieve these goals.


Scope of Work



The External Evaluator will play a critical role in ensuring the project’s success by providing independent, objective, and comprehensive evaluations of its progress, outcomes, and impact. The key responsibilities include:


  1. Develop an Evaluation Framework:


  • Design a robust evaluation framework aligned with the project’s objectives, ERASMUS+ guidelines, and EU quality standards.


  • Identify key performance indicators (KPIs) and benchmarks to measure progress and impact.


Conduct Assessments:


  • Perform both qualitative and quantitative assessments of project activities, outputs, and outcomes.


  • Evaluate the effectiveness of curriculum development, capacity-building initiatives, and international cooperation efforts.


  • Assess the project’s impact on students, educators, and participating institutions.


Monitor Progress:


  • Provide regular progress reports, including mid-term and final evaluations.


  • Track the achievement of project milestones and deliverables.


Provide Recommendations:


  • Offer actionable recommendations to improve project implementation and outcomes.


  • Suggest strategies for sustainability and scalability of project results.


Stakeholder Engagement:


  • Collaborate with project coordinators, partners, and stakeholders to gather feedback and insights.


  • Present evaluation findings to the project consortium and funding bodies as required.


Deliverables



The External Evaluator will be expected to deliver the following:


  1. Inception Report: Outline the evaluation methodology, framework, and timeline.


  2. Mid-Term Evaluation Report: Assess progress against objectives and provide interim recommendations.


  3. Final Evaluation Report: Comprehensive analysis of project outcomes, impact, and lessons learned.


  4. Presentation of Findings: A summary presentation to the project consortium and stakeholders.


Eligibility Criteria



The ideal candidate will possess the following qualifications and experience:


  1. Professional Experience:


  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in evaluating educational projects, preferably in higher education.


  • Proven track record of evaluating EU-funded projects, particularly under the ERASMUS+ program.


Technical Expertise:


  • Strong knowledge of qualitative and quantitative evaluation methods.


  • Familiarity with EU policies, ERASMUS+ guidelines, and quality assurance frameworks in higher education.


Analytical and Reporting Skills:


  • Ability to analyze complex data and present findings in a clear, concise, and actionable manner.


  • Experience in drafting high-quality evaluation reports for diverse audiences.


Communication and Interpersonal Skills:


  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English (additional European languages are an asset).


  • Ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders, including project partners, educators, and students.


Independence and Objectivity:


  • Demonstrated ability to maintain impartiality and provide unbiased evaluations.


Application Process



Interested candidates are invited to submit their proposals, which should include the following documents:


  1. Cover Letter: A brief statement of interest highlighting your suitability for the role.


  2. Detailed CV: Including relevant experience, qualifications, and a list of previous evaluations conducted.


  3. Proposed Methodology: A detailed outline of your approach to evaluating the QUARTZ ERASMUS+ Project, including tools, techniques, and timeline.


Submission Deadline: Applications must be submitted by April 20, 2025
Submission Email: Proposals should be sent to bobir.ergashev@univ-silkroad.uzquality_assurance@univ-silkroad.uz



Selection Criteria



Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:


  1. Relevance of experience and expertise (40%)


  2. Quality and feasibility of the proposed methodology (30%)


  3. Cost-effectiveness of the financial proposal (20%)


  4. Clarity and professionalism of the application (10%)


Contact Information



For further information or clarification, please contact:


Ergashev Bobir



Senior expert



bobir.ergashev@univ-silkroad.uz



 quality_assurance@univ-silkroad.uz



+99893 418-20-71



We look forward to receiving your proposals and working together to ensure the success of the QUARTZ ERASMUS+ Project!