MEAL Capacity Strengthening in Masarouna project.

Terms of References

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Capacity Strengthening in Masarouna Project

Background

Oxfam has been working in Lebanon since 1993 providing humanitarian assistance to vulnerable people affected by conflict, and promoting economic development, good governance at a local and national level, and women’s rights through Oxfam’s work with partners. Oxfam also works with local partners to contribute to the protection and empowerment of marginalized women and men.

Oxfam in Lebanon is currently implementing a Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs funded project entitled “Masarouna”. The project is implemented between July 2022 and December 2025 in Lebanon, aiming to support young people to achieve more freedom to enjoy their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) in inclusive societies. The project will improve social justice for young people, empowering them to reclaim civic space and speak up for their SRHR to make their societies more inclusive, underpinned by principles of equality and non-discrimination. The project focuses on two pathways:

Pathway 1 is focused on influencing with and by young people for their SRHR, direct influencing of decision-makers, service providers and other stakeholders, and challenge harmful traditional social and cultural norms and values, countering misconceptions and misbeliefs by providing accurate and up-to-date information on the importance of SRHR for young people. 

Pathway 2 is focused on strengthening civil society and reclaiming civic space. We will work with young people and support their inclusion in civil society, build partnerships, and safeguard and reclaim space for young people’s voices. 

As part of the Masarouna project, Oxfam in Lebanon has selected 40 grassroot organizations including Community-Based organisations (CBOs), in addition to women and youth-led informal groups, to implement various activities to advocate and raise awareness about gender justice and Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).

Oxfam conducted a capacity assessment using an internal Capacity Assessment Tool (CATool)[1] with the above-mentioned entities in order to assess their capacities related to different topics on advocacy, SRHR, youth engagement and organizational capacities, to become stronger influential actors and adapt our capacity building approaches. Four capacity assessment domains, including MEAL were measured throughout the survey, by allowing the groups to self-assess their organizational capacities through self-identifying the gaps in all four respective capacity areas.

The findings of the Catool survey suggest the need of 40 CBOs for organisational development on MEAL .

Purpose and objectives

Oxfam is looking to hire a consultant/consultancy firm to provide capacity building to the above mentioned 40 organizations/groups in Beirut and Bekaa to help leverage their existing capacities and improve their overall MEAL capacities. This will include capacity strengthening sessions that cover a range of topics from introductory to advanced levels, encompassing general MEAL and Feminist MEAL subjects. The program aims to enhance the capacities of the above organizations in generating knowledge that is accessible, meaningful, and useful to its rightful owners by designing gender-responsive data collection, analysis, and review methods, thereby promoting learning and adaptive management.

Methodological approach

Overall, the methodological approach used by the consultant/firm should be guided by Oxfam’s feminist MEAL principles included in Annex I. Also, it should be well suited to the capacities, needs and expectations of nascent grassroots organisations.  The training should be delivered in Arabic language and will involve two joint 2-day workshops: one in Beirut and the other in Bekaa area. The methods will have to be participatory and interactive. The level of capacity to be transmitted is basic to intermediary.

Key topics to Cover

1. Introduction to Program Design, Monitoring, Accountability, and Evaluation;
2. Overview of MEAL structure and its components, theory of change, and their significance in organizations;
3. Designing a MEAL framework, and how to track, collect, and analyze data;
4. Designing effective accountability mechanisms;
5. Stakeholders’ engagement in all processes of MEAL from planning to evaluation;
6. Development of learning plans and measurement of change through knowledge generation to inform program and advocacy efforts;
7. Introduction to Feminist MEAL, and its significance ;
8. Different feminist terminologies and concepts necessary for MEAL processes;
9. Gender-transformative indicators and analysis into MEAL processes;
10. Quantitative and Qualitative Feminist and Innovative MEAL data collection tools and approaches;

Timeline

The total number of working days allocated for this consultancy is set at 20 days. The tentative timeline below includes specific due dates, but can also be adjusted to accommodate the availability of the consultant:

Activity

Due Date

Submit a comprehensive Capacity building plan to be reviewed and approved by Oxfam and partners

September 2- September 9, 2024

Deliver Capacity Building program

September 10-September 20, 2024 

Evaluate the capacity building programme

September 23- September 30  , 2024

Report on the impact of capacity building programme

October 01, 2024-October 10, 2024

Expected Outputs

1. Comprehensive capacity building plan addressing the identified gaps from the capacity assessments shared, with a clear outline of training modules and activities involved.
2. Capacity building content, materials, handouts, and resources to be used throughout the program in both english and arabic languages.
3. Delivery of two 2-day capacity strengthening workshops with the agreed target groups: one in Beirut and another in Bekaa.
4. Administration of a Baseline and an Endline survey to measure participants' knowledge and skills before and after the workshops
5. Administration of a satisfaction survey to measure participants’ satisfaction on the workshops
6. An impact analysis report that evaluates changes in organizational capacities, including shifts in knowledge identified by each organization/group through pre- and post-assessments. It should also provide insightful recommendations for future capacity-building efforts. The report will include the following sections:

• Executive summary
• Introduction
• Methodology
  • Detailed capacity building plan
  • Pre and post assessment tools used and approach
  • Satisfaction survey tool used and approach
  • Capacity building sessions conducted
• Key findings
  • Critical analysis of knowledge improvement through statistical treatment
  • Recommendations for future capacity building programs
• Annexes
  • Copies of all tools used for data collection
  • Data sets (original and cleaned), including field notes
  • Attendance sheets and pictures of all sessions

Qualifications of the consultants/consultancy firm

• Proven and Substantial experience in MEAL, preferably Feminist MEAL as well, with a strong focus on development projects.
• Proven track record in designing and implementing MEAL frameworks.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to collect, analyze, and interpret data effectively.
• Excellent facilitation and training skills, with experience in capacity-building initiatives for diverse audiences.
• Familiarity with international NGO operations and MEAL practices, particularly Oxfam, is preferred.
• Familiarity with principles of local leaderships and a good understanding of the civic space influencing activities and capacities of CBOs in Lebanon.
• Proficiency in Arabic and English, both spoken and written.

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  • Qualifications of the consultants/consultancy firm

Management of the assignment

The management of this assignment, including planning, execution, evaluation and reporting of the capacity building programme will be led by the consultant/consultancy firm. The tasks and deliverables of the consultant/consultancy firm will be coordinated with and reported to Oxfamr for internal review and quality assurance. Oxfam will ensure proper follow-up, monitoring of progress and ongoing support is provided throughout the consultancy.

Expression of Interest (EOI)

Interested consultants should submit their:

• CVs of consultants and/or role of each consultant recruited under the scope of this assignment for firms;
• A technical proposal which includes a detailed methodology and a workplan for the assignment;
• A sample report produced as part of a previous similar MEAL capacity building program delivered with similar target groups;
• A financial proposal detailing all costs associated with the assignment;

• Minimum of three references of similar activities implemented, preferably INGO or local NGO experiences.
• Registration and official government documents, if applicable noting that 7.5% will be deducted from the total amount if not registered.

Oxfam in Lebanon reserves the right to reject any and all bids, including the Bidding processes, or not to award the contract at any time, without thereby incurring and liability to the affected Bidders.

Please submit the full application documents (as mentioned above) to [email protected] by August 18, 2024 midnight mentioning “MEAL Capacity Strengthening in Masarouna project’’ in the Subject line.

Annex

Annex I-Oxfam’s Feminist MEAL Principles Guidance