Terms of Reference (TOR) MEL Consultant
Terms of Reference (TOR)
MEL Consultant
“Engage: Media and CSOs collective for freedom and social justice” Project
Filastiniyat in partnership with An Najah National University and Funded b
MEL Consultant
“Engage: Media and CSOs collective for freedom and social justice” Project
Date of issuance: Thursday 3/10/2024
Closing date for questions: Tuesday 13/10/2024
Closing date for submission of proposals: Thursday 17/10/2024
Subject: MEL consultant for an EU funded project “Engage: Media and CSOs collective for freedom and social justice” funded by EU
● Project duration: 29 months. The M&E will work for 72 hours during the project period; number of hours is adjustable.
● Contract anticipated start date: 23/10/2024 (timeline is adjustable)
Organization:
Filastiniyat, a non- governmental and not-for-profit media organization for woman and youth, based in Ramallah and working in Gaza Strip and West Bank.
Project:
Engage - Media and CSOs collective for freedom and social justice. Implemented by Filastiniyat and An-Najah National University and funded by the EU.
Overall Objective: Strengthening Palestinian CSOs and media active participation in protecting civic spaces and promotion of freedom of expression and assembly through institutionalized and sustainable media-CSOs- community collective.
Project description:
“Engage” seeks to strengthen the participation of Palestinian CSOs and media in protecting civic spaces and promoting freedom of expression and assembly through sustainable media-CSOs- community collective, with the objective of institutionalizing independent media CSOs community alliance countering violations and incitement against HRD and promoting freedom of expression and association, as well as providing access to information and enhancing the capacities of media outlets, journalists, youth, and social media influencers to produce human rights, gender-sensitive media content. This project will be implemented through working with diverse independent media outlets, universities, youth informal groups or/and individual influencers, journalists, and duty bearers.
Terms and conditions:
- Bidders must submit the proposals in 2 separate files:1) Technical proposal and 2) financial offer. The offers should be submitted in sealed envelopes no later than Thursday 17/10/2024 (2:00 p.m.) to Filastiniyat’s office: Ramallah, AL Masyoun, AL Jehad St., bldg. 20
- All questions on this RFP must be submitted before (Tuesday 13/10/2024) and sent to info@filastiniyat.org, the subject line should have “questions on MEL consultant”, Questions received after the above date will not be answered.
- Proposals received after the deadline will not be considered.
- Proposals and prices must be valid for 60 days after the date of the deadline of submission.
- The duration of the assignment starts from the date of the contract’s signature. the number of working days will be determined with the consultant after having the initial meetings and the preparation of the final action plan.
- Filastiniyat reserves the right to negotiate with the most competitive bidders and request the best and final offer before awarding a contract.
MEL Consultant
“Engage: Media and CSOs collective for freedom and social justice” Project
Filastiniyat is seeking a MEL consultant to support the implementation of an EU funded project “Engage: Media and CSOs collective for freedom and social justice” Project, the MEL consultant will contribute to quality programming through supporting access to and use of relevant and timely information on programme scale, relevance, and effectiveness.
Primary Responsibilities
A- Building a Robust Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) System: The aim is to monitor progress, evaluate effectiveness, and learn from ongoing activities to improve project outcomes.
1. Designing a Uniform Data Collection and Reporting System:
· Standardize data collection methods across all project activities. This could involve developing data collection tools like surveys, interview guides, and observation checklists.
· Establish a consistent reporting schedule, determining the frequency and format of progress reports and evaluations.
· Ensure all project staff understand and apply these standardized methods for data collection and reporting.
2. Creating User-Friendly Protocols:
· Develop clear and concise protocols for each stage of the MEL cycle:
o Data collection: Procedures for collecting accurate and ethical data, including informed consent guidelines.
o Data management: Protocols for data storage, security, and access control.
o Data presentation: Guidelines for presenting data in clear, visual formats for easy interpretation.
o Reflection and Analysis: Processes for analyzing collected data to identify trends, successes, and challenges.
o Reporting: Guidelines to generate inclusive reports with key findings and recommendations.
3. Managing the MEL Calendar and Providing Guidance:
· Develop a project-specific MEL calendar outlining key data collection points, analysis periods, and report deadlines.
· Regularly communicate updates and guidance on performance monitoring issues to project staff. This could involve training sessions, workshops, or Q&A sessions.
4. Ensuring Data Quality:
· Establish data quality protocols for obtaining informed consent from participants before data collection.
· Develop procedures for data security and storage, ensuring data privacy and access control.
· Create guidelines for data sharing, specifying who can access data and under what circumstances.
· Support field teams in preparing Data Quality Assessments (DQAs) or addressing information requests from donors. This could involve helping them to assess data accuracy, completeness, and timeliness.
B- Empowering Filastiniyat Staff and Project Partners through MEL Capacity Building: It is highly important to equip Filastiniyat’s staff with the skills and knowledge to effectively utilize the established MEL system. A robust MEL system is only as valuable as the capacity of those who use it. The MEL capacity building will include conducting an initial needs assessment to identify existing staff and partner knowledge and gaps regarding MEL principles and practices, accompanied by workshops and group activities to address those needs and provide an introduction to staff members on MEL principles and protocols, and utilizing tools and techniques for data collection, analysis and reporting.
2. Building Practical Skills:
· Developing Tools and Resources: Create user-friendly templates, cheat sheets, and reference guides to support staff and partners in applying the MEL system after the training.
· Mentorship and Coaching: Consider offering ongoing mentorship or coaching opportunities to provide personalized support and address specific challenges faced by staff and partners as they integrate MEL practices into their work.
C- Program Performance Reporting
· Data Management and Analysis: Oversee the collection, organization, and analysis of all project data (quantitative and qualitative) to ensure timely reporting. This includes:
o Coordinating with program teams to ensure complete data collection.
o Implementing data cleaning and quality control procedures.
o Conducting preliminary analysis of quantitative (statistics, trends) and qualitative (themes, narratives) data.
· Report Development:
o Draft reports summarizing project performance against stated objectives and outcomes.
o Highlight key achievements and lessons learned based on data analysis.
o Ensure reports meet donor reporting requirements (format, content, deadlines).
· Collaboration with Program Staff:
o Work with program teams to identify and show how activities contribute to achieving objectives.
o Support the creation of compelling and informative reports for stakeholders.
D- Research and Evaluation
· Evaluation Support: Assist in the design, planning, implementation, and management of project evaluations across various stages:
o Baseline assessments: Establish a baseline picture of the situation before project implementation.
o Mid-term evaluations: Assess progress made towards project goals at the halfway point.
o Final evaluations: Evaluate the overall project impact and effectiveness at the conclusion.
· Technical Expertise:
o Provide technical guidance on designing research tools:
§ Focus group guides to facilitate discussions on specific topics.
§ Deliberative polling processes to gather in-depth citizen input.
§ Surveys for collecting quantitative data from a larger sample population.
o Tools and strategies for data collection, including:
§ Designing survey instruments (questionnaires) that are clear, unbiased, and reliable.
§ Developing appropriate sampling strategies to ensure the data collected represents the target population.
o Draft Terms of Reference (TOR) for research firms, external evaluators, or partner organizations.
o Train enumerators (data collectors) on proper survey administration techniques.
E- Organizational Learning
· Data-Driven Decision Making: Foster a culture of learning and evidence-based decision making within Filastiniyat. This includes:
o Facilitating reflection and analysis sessions to help program teams interpret and utilize MEL data effectively.
o Regularly reviewing and analyzing data collected through the MEL system.
o Highlighting specific evaluation findings or data points to inform program decisions and strategies.
o Supporting senior management in using data to make informed decisions about project direction and resource allocation.
1- Selection Criteria
The selection of the MEL consultant/ will be based on the following criteria:
· Extensive Experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEAL): We seek a consultant with a strong track record in designing, implementing, and managing comprehensive MEL systems. Ideally, the candidate should have experience in similar projects within the development or non-profit sector.
· Proven Success in MEL Implementation: Demonstrating past achievements in applying MEAL principles to projects will be highly valued. This could involve showcasing successful cases where the consultant's work led to improved project outcomes, informed decision-making, or enhanced organizational learning.
· Solid Grasp of Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods: The consultant should possess a deep understanding of both quantitative (numerical data) and qualitative (descriptive data) research methodologies. This expertise is crucial for designing effective data collection tools, analyzing data from various sources, and drawing meaningful conclusions.
· Exceptional Reporting and Presentation Skills: The ability to translate complex data into clear, concise, and compelling reports and presentations is essential. The consultant should be able to present findings in a way that is easily understood by both technical and non-technical audiences.
· Competitive Proposal with a Clear Methodology and Timeline: A well-defined proposal outlining the consultant's approach, work plan, and timeline is critical. The proposal should demonstrate a clear understanding of the project's objectives and how the MEL system will be tailored to meet those needs. Additionally, the proposal should be competitively priced, offering value for the services provided.
2- Reporting:
Regular progress updates will be provided to Project manager throughout the MEL Progression.
3- Confidentiality and Ethics:
The consultant will ensure the confidentiality of all information, data, reports during the whole MEL process.
4- Application Procedure:
● Please send:
○ Technical offer including description of how you will apply previous experience and your expertise to this MEL consultancy.
○ Financial offer. The currency of the financial offer is in EURO, including tax for individuals. All EU expenses are subject to zero VAT.
○ CV
● Application deadline: Thursday 17/10/2024
Interested candidates are requested to submit complete and separated technical and financial offers in sealed envelopes no later than Thursday 10/10/2024 (2:00 p.m.) to Filastiniyat’s office: Ramallah office: Ramallah, AL Masyoun, AL Jehad St., bldg. 20
