Tenders are invited for External Evaluation of the Sisters of Code Program Sisters of Code (SoC) is a non-profit education program run by IT Academy STEP Cambodia Institute. It aims to reduce the gender gap in technology by providing girls and young women with opportunities to learn digital skills, build confidence, and explore pathways into further study and employment in the digital economy. SoC has grown into a recognized initiative with a nationwide presence, a network of SoC Ambassadors, after school clubs both in person and online, as well as employment skills programs in Phnom Penh, Battambang and Siem Reap, as well as partnerships with the Ministry of Education, Youth and Sport (MoEYS MoU signed in 2020) and the Ministry of Posts and Telecommunications (MPTC) (MoU signed in 2025). With LED support, SoC is implementing a 3-year project (20242026) to scale up across Cambodia and deepen its impact through three interconnected lines of activities: 1. Sisters of Code Clubs and Ambassadors After-school and community-based coding clubs for girls and young women. Delivery of fundamental digital skills, introductory programming, and creative tech projects. A decentralized scaling model led by SoC Ambassadors (trainers and young women) trained and supported by SoC to run coding clubs in schools, NGOs, and community tech centers across multiple provinces both online and in person. 2. Work Readiness Program for Young Women A structured course for young women to build work-readiness skills for digital and tech careers (e.g. web development, UX/UI, digital marketing and entrepreneurship, digital tools), including soft skills and job search skills. Support for building portfolios, CVs, and profiles, and preparing for internships, freelancing, or entry-level jobs in the tech sector. 2 3. Awareness and Behavior Change Activities Outreach activities, events, campaigns, and communication products designed to change perceptions about girls and women in tech. Engagement of parents, teachers, communities, employers, and policymakers to challenge stereotypes, promote girls participation in digital skills and STEM, and position women as role models in the sector. The project is explicitly focused on gender equality in digital skills and tech careers. It aims to: Increase girls and young womens access to quality digital skills learning opportunities. Build their confidence, sense of belonging, and aspirations for STEM and tech careers. Support transitions into further study, internships, and employment in the digital economy. Contribute to shifts in social norms and attitudes around who belongs in tech. A theory of change and results framework (with outputs, outcomes, indicators, and targets) has been developed for the current project. These, along with key project documents and monitoring data, will be shared with the selected evaluation team. 2. Purpose and Objectives of the Evaluation Overall Purpose The overall purpose of this formative external evaluation is to provide an independent assessment of the relevance, coherence and effectiveness of the Sisters of Code project in addressing gender gaps in digital skills and tech careers in Cambodia, and to generate actionable recommendations for a potential next phase. The evaluation is expected to serve two main functions: Provide SoC, LED, and partners with evidence and insights to improve program design and implementation, and to inform the design of any next phase. Reflect on project achievements and challenges in relation to the agreed objectives, for LED and other stakeholders. Specific Objectives More specifically, the evaluation will: 1. Assess the relevance of the project design and theory of change in relation to the Cambodian context, national policies, and the needs and priorities of girls and young women. 2. Assess the effectiveness of the three main project components (Clubs & Ambassadors, Work Readiness Program, Awareness & Behavior Change) in achieving expected outcomes. 3. Examine the degree to which Sisters of Code is gender-responsive and gender-transformative, including how it addresses structural barriers and social norms. 4. Identify barriers and enabling factors for participation, retention, learning outcomes, and transitions into further education and employment. 3 5. Provide practical recommendations for strengthening the program model and partnerships in a potential next phase, including options for scaling and deepening gender-transformative impact. 3. Scope and Evaluation Questions The evaluation should focus on the 3-year LED-funded Sisters of Code project (20242026) and its three main components, while considering the broader evolution of SoC as a program in Cambodia. The evaluation should provide evidence-based answers to the questions below, but not limited: 3.1 Relevance and Coherence How well does Sisters of Code address the main gendered barriers that prevent girls and young women in Cambodia from engaging in digital skills learning and pursuing tech-related pathways? How aligned is the project with national policies and strategies (e.g. digital skills, STEM education, gender equality, youth employment) and other initiatives in Cambodia working on similar objectives? 3.2 Effectiveness Sisters of Code Clubs and Ambassadors To what extent have the clubs improved girls digital skills, confidence, and interest in further tech-related study or careers? What evidence is there from monitoring data, feedback, and qualitative insights that participants feel more confident and belong in tech spaces? What barriers exist for girls and young women to join and remain in the clubs (e.g. access, time, family support, stereotypes), and what practical options exist to address these barriers? What barriers exist for schools, NGOs, and community tech centres to host strong and stimulating learning environments for the clubs (e.g. infrastructure, staffing, management support)? What feasible options exist to improve the offer? How effective and sustainable is the Ambassador model as a scaling mechanism? What works well (e.g. ownership, local adaptation), and where are the limitations (e.g. capacity, workload, incentives)? 3.3 Effectiveness Work Readiness Program To what extent has the Work Readiness Program helped young women to: o strengthen relevant digital and soft skills for employment, o build CVs, portfolios, and profiles, and o improve their readiness to apply for internships, jobs, or freelancing opportunities in the tech sector? What are the main barriers for young women to engage in this program and to transition from training to internships or jobs (e.g. time constraints, geography, family responsibilities, confidence, labor market barriers)? What are the main barriers on the employer side for creating quality internships and entry-level job opportunities for young women (e.g. company capacity, stereotypes, lack of structured pathways), and what feasible options exist to strengthen collaboration and pathways? What aspects of the program do participants and employers value most, and what should be improved in a future phase? Tender Link : https://www.bongthom.com/job_list.html?category_id=55&order_by=start_date&order_dir=desc
