CHALLENGING HEIGHTS
Introduction
Challenging Heights (CH) is a registered Non-Governmental Organisation in Ghana with the
mission to prevent child trafficking, reduce child slavery and promote children’s rights. Our
focus is on addressing issues of child trafficking, the worst forms of child labour, forced labour,
and children working in hazardous conditions in the agricultural sector, specifically in fishing
and farming areas. Our operational areas are mainly the coastal communities in Central,
Greater Accra, Western, and Volta Regions, and communities in the Volta Lake area of Ghana,
including the Bono East, Oti, Savannah and Northern regions of Ghana.
Over the years, CH has implemented a holistic, multi-level approach that aligns with the
organisation’s strategic goal of “To end child trafficking and child slavery in Ghana’s fishing
industry by 2030”. Key programmes delivered include, but not limited to:
- Rescue and rehabilitation of trafficked children
- Reintegration and family support
- Livelihoods empowerment and skills training
- Education and youth development
- Advocacy, research, and systems change
Background
In 2016, an independent evaluation was conducted to assess the work of Challenging Heights
and, among other things, confirmed a strong relevance and effectiveness of programmes; a
significant perceived reduction in trafficking and high community recognition and impact.
However, the evaluation also identified gaps in programme coverage and documentation,
limited longitudinal impact tracking, weaknesses in certain components (e.g., CCPCs, data
systems), and the need for improved measurement of outcomes and sustainability.
Since then, CH has implemented its Ten-Year Strategic Plan (2020–2030), scaling programmes
and introducing new areas such as: Climate change and migration linkages, Supply chain
accountability and due diligence, Expanded rehabilitation capacity, Enhanced reintegration and
mentorship, Strengthened advocacy and research systems, The Organization also scaled its
work to the northern sector, with the establishment of our Northern Ghana Programmes Office
in Tamale, with on-going advocacy based interventions in the Central Gonja District.
Purpose of this Call
Challenging Heights seeks proposals from qualified consultants or firms to conduct a
comprehensive external evaluation covering approximately 2016–2025, addressing both
progress against the Strategic Plan (2020–2030) and gaps and omissions identified in the 2016
evaluation report.
Objectives of the Evaluation
The overall objective of this evaluation is to provide a rigorous, independent assessment of
Challenging Heights’ performance, impact, and strategic direction over the last decade.
Specific Objectives
- Assess the effectiveness, relevance, efficiency, impact, and sustainability of CH
programmes. - Evaluate progress toward strategic outcomes and KPIs (2020–2030).
- Examine the extent of reduction in child trafficking and child labour in CH operational
areas. - Analyse programme integration (rescue → rehabilitation → reintegration →
prevention). - Assess organisational growth, systems, partnerships, and learning capacity.
- Identify and document previously omitted programme achievements and contributions.
- Evaluate CH’s role in policy influence, advocacy, and systems change.
- Provide actionable recommendations for the remaining strategic period (2027–2030).
Key Evaluation Questions
Impact & Outcomes
- To what extent has CH contributed to reducing trafficking prevalence?
- What measurable changes have occurred at individual, family, community, and system
levels?
Effectiveness
- Which programmes have delivered the greatest impact and why?
- Are interventions aligned with identified root causes?
Gaps and omissions
- What achievements or programme areas were not captured in previous reports?
- What explains these omissions?
Sustainability
- How sustainable are CH’s interventions (financial, institutional, community-level)?
- What progress has been made toward financial independence and social enterprise models?
Systems & Policy Influence
- To what extent has CH influenced government action, policy, and enforcement?
NB: These are suggestive rather than exhaustive evaluation questions to guide your proposal
development.
Scope of Work
The evaluation will cover all major programme areas, including:
A. Core Programmes
- Rescue operations
- Rehabilitation and shelter services
- Reintegration and family support
- Prevention and livelihoods programmes
- Education and youth empowerment
B. Cross-Cutting Areas
- Advocacy and policy influence
- Community engagement (e.g., CCPCs)
- Partnerships (government, NGOs, international actors)
- Research and knowledge generation
C. Strategic Priorities (from 2020–2030 Plan)
- Addressing root causes (poverty, naivety, family separation, climate change)
- Government engagement and prosecution of traffickers
- Public awareness and behaviour change
- Supply chain and due diligence advocacy
- Organisational strengthening and sustainability
Methodology
The evaluation should adopt a mixed-methods approach, including quantitative surveys
(household/community level), qualitative methods (KIIs, FGDs, case studies), document review
(strategic plan, reports, datasets), comparative analysis with the 2016 evaluation baseline, and
contribution analysis/theory of change approach. The methodology should address attribution
vs contribution challenges of our work and capture hidden or undocumented outcomes, as well
as ensure participatory validation with stakeholders.
Deliverables
The consultant/team will be expected to meet the following deliverables:
- Inception Report, covering detailed methodology, Evaluation framework, and Workplan
- Data Collection Tools
- Post data collection reflection/report
- Draft Evaluation Report
- Final Evaluation Report
- Presentation of Findings to CH management and Board
Duration of the Evaluation
The assignment is expected to be completed within three (3) months from contract signing.
Required Qualifications
Applicants should demonstrate:
- Proven experience in programme/impact evaluation (preferably NGOs or development
- sector)
- Strong expertise in mixed-methods research
- Experience in child protection, trafficking, or livelihoods programming (advantage)
- Familiarity with OECD/DAC evaluation criteria
- Strong analytical and report-writing skills
Proposal Submission Requirements
Interested consultants/firms should submit:
- A Technical Proposal, demonstrating their understanding of the assignment, with a clear
methodology and workplan outlined. - A Financial Proposal that includes a detailed budget
- Team Composition & CVs
- Relevant Experience (with sample reports if available)
Submission Details
Proposals should be submitted via email to:
evaluation@challengingheights.org
Deadline: Friday 16th October, 2026
Additional Notes for Applicants
Challenging Heights is particularly interested in evaluations that:
- Surface hidden or underreported achievements
- Provide clear, practical recommendations
- Strengthen CH’s positioning as a leading anti-trafficking organisation in Ghana and
- globally
Confidentiality and Ethics
All data collected during the evaluation must be handled with strict confidentiality and in
accordance with ethical research standards, particularly when working with children and
vulnerable populations.
