Short Term Consultancy- Monitoring & Evaluation

Background   The British Council is implementing a two-year European Union funded project entitled DAWRIC: Direct Action for Women: Reform, Inclusion and Confidence, aiming to improve women’s political and economic participation at a National level.   Project Overall Objective   DAWRIC overall objective is to build the capacity of women and broad-based support for their active involvement in public life to: -       Combat poverty among Lebanese women -       Ensure gender equality in political life and decision-making processes   Project Specific Objectives   DAWRIC specific objectives are:   -       Women are actively involved in local decision-making processes supported by local communities. -       Greater connection between concerns of urban/ rural women and the strategies of local authorities is established. -       National and emerging coalitions are better able to progress women’s participation in public life. -       Women participation in public life” advocacy campaigns are better designed and managed through evidence-based data.   Purpose of the Consultancy   The British Council is seeking a professional Monitoring & Evaluation consultant to monitor the progress of work and evaluate the change that will take place by the end of the project. S/he will also review and refine the project’s theory of change, as needed and outline tools that will be used to effectively collect and analyse data relating to the project. S/he will be expected to develop key learning questions to assess progress and results against objectives and inform programming and strategy throughout implementation. It is anticipated that this consultancy will enable and significantly contribute to the impact of the project.   Expected Results/Description of Responsibilities   The M&E Consultant will perform the following activities:   Establish a results-based framework for DAWRIC project: Conduct desk-based research of relevant project documents (i.e. Revision of the Action and logframe, workplan, core learning curriculum, active research framework and other relevant material), review the logframe and indicators, revise the M&E project needs and plans, and extract relevant indicators to monitor the project outputs listed above. Design and implement the M&E plan which will include set of relevant indicators and sources of verification to monitor the project progress and outputs listed above (including a list of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for the project and corresponding data collection methods and tools.) Design  baseline/endline surveys based on the set of indicators (most importantly, measuring learning journey) and ensure data is appropriately collected and analysed Conduct the final project evaluation (based on the M&E plan and baseline and end line survey results) and develop the final Project Evaluation Report. Contribute to the M&E section for  donor reporting  (Yearly report in September 2018  and final report in September 2018) Accomplish others M&E tasks, as they come along in close liaison and prior agreement with the team Leader   Support the project core team:   Continuous coordination with DAWRIC team and participation in quarterly meetings scheduled to enhance relationships and sense progress updates. Ensure the incorporation of an M&E section in the yearly report submitted to donor to standardise reporting and sketch out best practices and lessons learnt.   Timeline   DAWRIC project is running from September 2016 to September 2018. The M&E consultant needs to be available in February 2017 for the baseline survey and to draft the M&E plan, to follow-up on the M&E plan in August 2018 and January 2018, and to conduct the end line survey and final Project Evaluation in August 2018.     Management   The assignment will be carried out under the overall guidance of DAWRIC Senior Project Manager based in Beirut, Lebanon. The consultant will also work closely with DAWRIC team (Coordinator, partner…)   Technical Competencies and Experience Requirements   Only consultants with the following competencies and experience will be considered:   A minimum of eight years of experience of working with international non-governmental organisations (INGOs) and/or government agencies on monitoring, evaluation and learning, knowledge management or results based management, particularly in the context of socio-economic development programming. Proven experience of working in contexts where access can be restricted and the ability to develop synergies and establish effective working relations within remote partners. A track record in working in the Middle East and North Africa region. Knowledge and understanding of British Council aims and objectives. An education Master’s degree in a field relevant to the assignment (i.e. development studies, statistics, results based management, social sciences, etc.) Strong analytical aptitude and effective interpersonal and communication skills Excellent written and spoken English is required. Experience in Municipal development programming is an advantage.