Job Opportunity – Freelance Evaluator – Cavan Arts Festival

22 April 2026

Freelance Evaluator – Lifelong Learning Carnival School at Cavan Arts Festival (2026–2028)

About the Project: Lifelong Learning Carnival School is an ambitious 30-month pilot project (2025–2028) led by Cavan Arts Festival, designed to bring together professional artists and underrepresented communities across the Cavan border region through collaborative learning in music, making (floats, costumes, props), movement, and circus. This project is supported by Cavan County Council PEACEPLUS, a programme managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB). Lifelong Learning Carnival School aims to foster joyful, accessible, and cross-community creative learning experiences.

What We’re Looking For: Cavan Arts Festival is seeking a freelance Evaluator for a specified-purpose contract to conduct an evaluation of Lifelong Learning Carnival School. The successful candidate will work independently and alongside the festival team, tutors, and community groups to assess the project’s impact across its lifespan. The Evaluator will play a central role in documenting how the project supports personal growth, social inclusion, and cross-community collaboration through creativity.

Responsibilities Include:
● Co-designing an evaluation framework that reflects the values and goals of the project and its stakeholders, including community participants.
● Attending a number of project activities including workshops, planning sessions, community performances, agreed with the team in advance.
● Producing an end of project report, considering legacy planning (final report, due 2028)

Ideal Candidate:
● Has experience in evaluating community arts, education or inclusion-focused projects.
● Brings a strong understanding of participatory, values-based, and inclusive evaluation methods.
● Is a skilled communicator, comfortable engaging with diverse stakeholders.
● Has a track record in producing accessible, action-focused evaluation reports.
● Demonstrates sensitivity to cross-community dynamics, and a commitment to anti-discrimination, inclusivity, and social cohesion.
● Is self-directed, organised, and collaborative.

Key Project Timeline for Evaluator:
● 2026 and 2027: Workshops and community performances as part of annual festival
● 2028: Participate in final evaluation event; produce final report and present findings to stakeholders.

Contract Duration: 30 months (2026-2028)

Budget: The available fee for this evaluation is fixed at €10,000 inclusive of VAT, fees, travel and subsistence expenses. The agreed fee reflects delivery of the services and is not calculated as a wage or salary. The selected researcher is responsible for declaring their income to the Revenue Commissioners.

This is not employment You are being engaged as a self-employed contractor for a defined project or role. This agreement is not an employment contract.

That means:
• You handle your own tax, PRSI, USC and VAT (if applicable).
• You invoice the Festival for payment.
• You do not get employee benefits (holiday pay, sick pay, pension, etc.).
• You can work for other clients during this period.
• This agreement does not promise future work, and you are not required to accept future work.

You provide your services as part of your own independent professional activity or business. You are responsible for how you organise your work and may provide similar services to other clients at the same time.

Selection & Award Criteria: The contract will be awarded on the basis of the most economically advantageous tender (MEAT), using the following criteria:
● Methodology and approach 40%
● Relevant experience 30%
● Quality of previous work 20%
● Cost 10%

Submitting your proposal: Interested parties should submit a proposal via the eTenders online application system. Applications must be submitted via the eTenders platform. Submissions by email will not be accepted. Your proposal should include the following details and be supplied in one document:

1. The following costs must be provided;
   a) Cost breakdown of the total cost including any expenses
   b) Daily rate & number of days
2. Methodology and Work programme:
   A short outline (max. 2 pages) of how you will approach this contract.
3. CV/biog of the proposed individual(s)/company:
   (max. 2 pages) with any relevant experience and qualifications detailed.
4. Past project examples:
   (max 1 page) with no more than 3 relevant examples of previous work

Queries All queries must be submitted via email to admin@cavanartsfestival.ie by 12:00 (noon), Thursday 23 April 2026

Deadline to apply 12:00 (noon), Wednesday 29th April 2026

Applications must be submitted via eTenders