STRONG CITIES NETWORK: MONITORING & EVALUATION CONSULTANT

ISD seeks to engage a consultant to work with the ISD and SCN team on developing our monitoring and evaluation capabilities in support of this project. The consultant will review  the existing Scope of Work (SoW)for the project, advised and align M&E frameworks to the project SoW, advise on indicator and methodological improvements, define baseline data and support the evaluation of key deliverables under the grant.

The consultant is also expected to work with focal points of the ‘Local Prevention Networks’ on tools, structured interviews in order to develop the capacity of Prevention Network focal points and future municipalities to develop their own M&E tools and implement M&E activities in their communities.

The consultant will also support the design  and delivery of surveys and focus groups to assess community and stakeholder attitudes and capabilities vis-à-vis community-based P/CVE initiatives. They will also support the team’s development of data collection tools and indicators across the grant, including a small grants programme for municipalities, helping us transform activity-focused measures into outcomes-focused evaluation.

The consultant will report into the SCN Project Manager in Lebanon and will work closely alongside our full-time SCN Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator and the senior M&E manager at HQ. The consultant will also be required to work with the Jordanian team through a mix of in-person and remote meetings.

Timing

It is anticipated that the consultant will be able to produce all of the deliverables outlined below within no more than 80 days’ work over the period March 2020 to June 2021.

We anticipate this to be split into approximately 30 days’ work in 2019-2020 and 50 days’ work in 2020-2021, subject to review of technical proposals and discussions with the preferred consultant. Our preferred start date is March 2020.

Deliverables

1. Revise the existing M&E framework, assess baseline data that identifies current municipal-level P/CVE capabilities and define additional indicators for the SCN Local Prevention Network.  An updated log frame and theory of change is to be developed along with a written report to be compiled on the findings.

To be completed by the end of March 2020

1. Design and deliver a training programme for SCN staff in Lebanon and Jordan and members of the Local Prevention Network in both countries on M&E approaches relevant to community-based P/CVE deliveries, including a short written ‘Good Practice in M&E for local P/CVE initiatives’ guide serving both the Local Prevention Network members as well as civil society organisations delivering local P/CVE activities

To run throughout the project period and be completed by the end of April 2021

1. Support the review of outcomes delivered and a comprehensive impact assessment of the Lebanese and Jordanian Local Prevention Network at the end of the project, through a written report.

By April 2021

1. Providing wider support and expert input to the project team and wider ISD team on additional tasks to be determined.

To be determined in coordination with the SCN Project Manager

Consultant specification

We seek an experienced, proactive and dedicated consultant to work with the SCN team to ensure our ambitious plans are achieved. The successful candidate will be a collaborative and solutions-focused professional with the ability to work to tight deadlines and produce outputs to a high quality. We welcome applications from consultants who meet the following criteria:

Essential

• Extensive experience at senior levels designing and delivering M&E capabilities at international, government, donor, development agency and NGO levels.
• Senior-level experience developing and delivering M&E capabilities for P/CVE, peacebuilding, stabilisation and security programmes (or related fields) on an international basis across multiple regions.
• Leading expertise on the development of theories of change and logic models for international capacity building initiatives.
• Extensive experience in conducting performance and impact evaluations for a variety of project types.
• Experience of evaluating networks, ideally at a government or local government level.
• Highly organised with the ability to be flexible, multi-task and respond proactively.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in both English and Arabic.
• An understanding of and commitment to the core mission of ISD and the SCN.
• Intercultural and interpersonal awareness.

Desirable

• Data visualisation expertise.
• Familiarity with statistical analysis and SPSS.
• Previous experience working with national government, civil society and/ or international organisations in the Middle East.
• Familiarity with P/CVE programmes in Lebanon and Jordan.