CONSULTANCY CONTRACT TO CONDUCT MONITORING, EVALUATION AND LEARNING FOR COMIC RELIEF PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS

CONSULTANCY CONTRACT TO CONDUCT MONITORING, EVALUATION AND LEARNING FOR COMIC RELIEF PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
Terms of Reference: Organizational Capacity Building on Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
“Consultancy Contract to conduct Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning for Comic Relief Partner Organizations”.

1. Introduction and Background
Comic Relief’s Rise and Shine funding programme is supporting a range of organisations in Malawi, Kenya and the United Kingdom to strengthen programming for early childhood development. In addition to the funding awarded to each of the organisations, Comic Relief has made additional funding available to the group of partners in Malawi for shared technical support. In Malawi, implementing organizations funded by Comic Relief’s Rise and Shine programme are: CEGIWE, HAC-MALAWI, REPSSI, Motivational Charitable Trust and World Relief with their corresponding consortia. Amongst the organizations, World
Relief is a fund manager and responsible for procurement of the consultancy services. The organizations identified Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) as one of the themes of priority for capacity building. In the next 6 months, the organizations will be trained in MEL, implement and have series of learning models from each other and follow-up trainings.

2. Rationale for the capacity building in MEL
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning is critical for any project. There is an expression which says that, “Work that has not been reported has not been done”. It is thus critical for all the Rise and Shine Partners in Malawi to be on top of their MEL. Strong MEL (tools and systems) helps proper collection and compilation of relevant data; usage; analysis and interpretation for appropriate and timely application.

Correct decisions for project adjustments, new direction and/or correct decision making would be derived from good MEL understanding (knowledge) and skills. Rise and Shine partners feel that MEL should be one of the critical areas in which skills for project staff should be strengthened across the Rise and Shine partners.

Project staff need to understand the value and usage of the data they collect and be able to transfer the use of data through various/appropriate levels within the programming structure including (concerned) volunteers. If those concerned do not appreciate the data, they may find themselves using shortcuts or not doing the right things in the process of collecting data. Project managers need to also find the time to explain (even briefly) the importance/rationale for collecting certain data. Once buy-in is received from the project staff, data collection for MEL purposes would be easy and taken seriously. In case of some gaps, the project managers should hold sessions for concerned staff so that they are on the same page with everybody else. All hands must be on deck for MEL data to be trustworthy and lead to appropriate decision making.

The Consultancy is aimed at building skills of the Comic Relief partners. This will also improve effective monitoring, evaluation and learning to support them in effective implementation of their programs/projects. In addition to this, partners will adapt best practices and implement evidence based interventions. Through the training, the Rise and Shine partners would also acquire skills on MEL system development, proper collection and compilation of relevant data; usage; analysis, data flow and interpretation of data for appropriate and timely application. It is believed that skills gained will be transferred to all levels of both primary and secondary stakeholders. The partners trained work with local communities and other stakeholders and this means that the knowledge and skills gained will be transferred to the whole organization and in the long run lead to successful implementation of programs and projects which can be evidence based through good and robust MEL systems.

Objectives of the Consultancy

To conduct capacity gap assessment on MEL in each of the organizations for partners to establish the level where their institutions are in terms of MEL
Develop the overall strategy for building the MEL capacity of Comic Relief’s Rise and Shine partners in Malawi.
Develop relevant modules for the training that will address the identified gaps.
To develop a training strategy and ensure its complete implementation for the proposed time frame (minimum five days long training) on MEL.
To support each partner organization to develop a MEL strategy and conduct periodic visits to the organizations and support them on their MEL systems.
To prepare and submit a report on the agreed outputs and outcomes, including the training report.
1. Anticipated Outputs
Anticipated outputs by the consultant are:
a) Updated capacity assessments of partner’s level on MEL.
b) Developed training module for MEL.
c) A training programme outline on MEL.
d) Delivery of MEL training to partners.
e) Delivery of a training report.

2. Activities Envisaged
To complete this assignment, it is envisaged that the consultant will undertake the following actions:

An inception report, clearly outlining the consultant’s understanding of the assignment, methodology and work plan within five days of receiving the Terms of Reference.
Initial meeting with Rise and Shine Partners Capacity Building Steering Committee and World Relief as fund Manager, to finalise proposal;
Submit and finalise consultancy work plan with a clear timeline;
Delivery of the training on MEL;
Updated capacity assessment reports for partners;
Develop a comprehensive report on the training;
Develop a follow-up schedule to implementing organizations to provide technical support on their MEL systems.
3. Profile of the Consultant
Applicants should have the following skills and experience:

Extensive experience in MEL in project management;
Ability to explain complex topics in clear, accessible English and local language(s) both written and spoken word;
A minimum of a Master’s Degree in Social Sciences with a bias in Monitoring and Evaluation, or equivalent demonstrable experience;
Ability to work efficiently, and in a cost effective way, to demanding deadlines.
4. Reporting
The consultant will report to the Programme Manager and Rise and Shine Capacity Building Steering Committee, Malawi chapter. World Relief Malawi’s Country Director will be responsible for signing off and approval of the final product.

5. Duration of the Consultancy and Remuneration
The duration of assignment will be 6 months and will be divided into two phases. The first one is the training duration which will not exceed 10 working days including both planning, training and reporting. The second phase is the organizational implementation of the training output and the consultant will be visiting, coaching and mentoring organizations on their MEL systems over a period of 5 months. During this time, each organization will be visited once by the consultant/s to appreciate their work done according to the work plan. World Relief Malawi will be responsible for payment of training venue, participants transport reimbursements and daily subsistence allowances to training participants and
World Relief regulations will apply for all the payments.

The financial proposal should include all the forms of payment required and every payment made should be backed by an invoice that has been legally authorized by the Malawian Tax regime.

6. Applications
Interested applicants are invited to apply for this consultancy by submitting:

• A cover letter, outlining interest and qualifications;
• A narrative and financial proposal answering to these terms of reference;
• An up-to-date Curriculum Vitae;
• A sample of 3-4 written reports from similar assignments produced by the applicant;
• Evidence of similar work: reports or guidance/tool written focussed on MEL;
• Two references for similar work carried out;
• Fee history for consultancies in the past two years.

Method of applications:
Interested candidates are requested to submit their applications to World Relief by 5PM of 4th October, 2021. Please indicate on the envelope or email subject of what you are are applying for. Only shortlisted individuals/companies will be communicated to.

Applications should be sent to the following address:

The Chairperson, Internal Procurement Committee
World Relief Malawi
P.O BOX 30717,
LILONGWE 3.
Or Email: [email protected]