Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) – Strategic Alignment & Capacity Building Consultant

1. Background Information:

The Community Organization for Development and Empowerment – TCODE-INITIATE is a non-governmental, non-profit, youth-oriented organization based in Lebanon, dedicated to assisting vulnerable communities through youth inclusion and empowerment. While keeping youth at the focus of its mission, TCODE-INITIATE continually endeavors to create comprehensive and inclusive programs aimed at the empowerment of youth and its concentric circles of influence.

INITIATE has a strong institutional history in strategic planning and organizational development. In 2022, with technical support from Westford Lebanon, INITIATE completed a strategic planning process that reshaped its vision and direction. In 2025, a collaborative assessment conducted with INITIATE and its partners identified operational and structural gaps, particularly in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), data management, and organizational learning. Building on these foundations, this consultancy aims to strengthen INITIATE’s M&E systems, enhance data quality and utilization, review the existing MEAL Manual, and develop a comprehensive, institutionalized M&E framework aligned with the updated organizational strategy.

2. Purpose of the Contract:

INITIATE seeks to engage an individual consultant to review and build on its existing MEAL Manual, develop and strengthen its M&E system, and ensure that data collection, analysis, and reporting are consistent, reliable, and effectively support evidence-based decision-making and organizational learning. The consultant will work in close coordination with the Strategic Planning Consultant and the Communications Consultant to ensure full alignment of M&E frameworks with the revised organizational strategy.

3. Objective:

To review INITIATE’s existing MEAL Manual and M&E system, identify gaps and areas for improvement, and produce a strengthened, institutionalized M&E framework – including an updated MEAL Manual, an organizational M&E Plan with KPIs, and standardized tools – fully aligned with INITIATE’s updated strategy and ready for adoption across all teams.

4. Scope of Work / Tasks:

• Conduct an internal review of INITIATE’s existing MEAL Manual, reporting formats, data tools, and any available M&E documentation. Identify gaps, inconsistencies, and areas requiring update or strengthening.
• Conduct consultations with INITIATE’s management and programme staff to validate needs, gather input, and ensure the revised M&E framework reflects operational realities.
• Map existing M&E practices, data sources, reporting lines, and tools through a structured workshop to identify alignment gaps with the organizational strategy.
• Align INITIATE’s programmes and indicators with the organizational strategy and Theory of Change, ensuring the results framework is coherent, strategic, and not indicator-overloaded.
• Review, prioritize, and refine INITIATE’s indicator set, removing redundancy and ensuring strategic indicators are prioritized across all thematic areas.
• Define data flow architecture from field to management and board level, including reporting structures, cycles, and learning feedback mechanisms.
• Clarify M&E roles and responsibilities across staff and management levels, including designation of departmental M&E focal points.
• Develop and update M&E Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for data collection, entry, cleaning, and validation, incorporating data governance and protection principles.
• Design learning and decision-making mechanisms including learning loops, reflection meetings, and adaptive management processes.
• Align M&E with accountability to communities and stakeholders, including feedback channels and complaint mechanisms.
• Develop an updated and comprehensive MEAL Manual that addresses identified gaps, incorporates revised SOPs, templates, and governance structures, and is ready for institutional adoption.
• Develop an organizational M&E Plan with organization-wide KPIs, measurement methods, baselines, targets, data sources, reporting frequency, and responsible parties, aligned with the updated strategy.
• Design standardized M&E templates and tools to accompany the Manual and M&E Plan, including indicator tracking sheets, data collection forms, reporting templates, and learning documentation tools.
• Develop a phased M&E System Roadmap for future strengthening, drawing on gap analysis findings.
• Facilitate a validation workshop with INITIATE management to present and refine the draft MEAL Manual and M&E Plan.
• Coordinate actively with the Strategic Planning Consultant and the Communications Consultant to ensure M&E frameworks and KPIs are embedded in and aligned with the organizational strategic plan.
• Submit final versions of all deliverables incorporating validation feedback and ready for institutional use.

5. Deliverables:

• Inception report including a review summary of the existing MEAL Manual, proposed methodology, consultation schedule, and workplan.
• M&E System Mapping report documenting existing practices, gaps, and strategic alignment analysis.
• Draft updated MEAL Manual incorporating revised SOPs, templates, workflows, roles, data governance, and quality assurance procedures.
• Draft Organizational M&E Plan with KPI matrix, measurement plan, baselines, targets, reporting cycles, and responsible parties.
• Standardized M&E templates and tools package (indicator tracking sheets, data collection forms, reporting templates, learning documentation tools).
• Phased M&E System Roadmap with prioritized recommendations for future strengthening.
• Validation workshop facilitation and summary note.
• Final MEAL Manual and Final Organizational M&E Plan (post-validation, incorporating all feedback, ready for institutional adoption).
• Final assignment report with outcomes, lessons learned, and recommendations.

6. Required Qualifications:

• The consultant / firm should be registered with the Lebanese Ministry of Finance and hold a legal license to carry out relevant services.
• Advanced expertise in Monitoring & Evaluation, Results-Based Management, and data systems, with a minimum of 7 years of relevant experience.
• Proven experience in M&E framework design, MEAL Manual development, and organizational capacity building.
• Demonstrated ability to develop data safeguarding and governance policies.
• Experience designing standardized M&E tools and indicator frameworks for NGOs or international organizations.
• Strong facilitation and coaching skills, with experience mentoring teams on M&E practices.
• Familiarity with digital data collection and visualization tools (e.g. KoboToolbox, PowerBI, or equivalent).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; Arabic proficiency is a strong asset.
• Familiarity with the Lebanese or wider MENA humanitarian and development context is preferred.

7. Duration and Level of Effort:

• Start Date: June 2026
• End Date: September 2026
• Total Level of Effort: 26.25 working days
• #  Activity                                                                      Deliverables /Outcome 
• 1-M&E System Mapping                                                  M&E gaps&alignment 
• 2-Strategic Results Framework Alignment                       Results framework aligned with strategy

• 3-Indicator Review & Prioritization                                             Prioritized indicator set / M&E toolkit

• 4-Data Flow & Reporting Structure                                             Defined data flow & learning system

• 5-Roles & Responsibilities for M&E                                             Roles defined across staff and management

• 6-Learning & Decision-Making Mechanisms                                 Learning loops & adaptive management system

• 7-Accountability & Feedback Channels                                         Community & stakeholder accountability aligned

• 8-M&E System Roadmap                                                              Phased M&E strengthening roadmap

• 9-Strategic M&E Recommendations                                              Technical note on gaps, risks & next steps

• Confidentiality:

  The consultant will not, without the prior written approval of The Community Organization for Development and Empowerment-INITIATE, disclose to any person other than Initiate, any confidential information, including that which relates to this agreement or the services under this agreement. 

  In giving written approval, Initiate may impose such terms and conditions, as it thinks fit.

  Rights to use Deliverables

  Consultant do not have the right to use any of the delivered materials for any other similar work.

  All the produced materials can be used only by The Community Organization for Development and Empowerment-INITIATE and written approval from Initiate needed if consultant requested to use the delivered materials for other works/Activities.

   

  Termination

  Without limiting any other rights or remedies the Parties may have against the other Party arising out of or in connection with this Agreement, either Party may terminate this Agreement (in whole or part) by thirty (30) days written notice if:

  Either Party commits a material breach of this Agreement and does not remedy that breach within ten (10) Working Days of that breach being notified to the other Party;

  Either Party notifies the other Party that it can no longer carry out any of its. 

  Upon terminating this Agreement, TCODE-INITIATE will not be liable to pay compensation in any amount which would, in addition to any amounts paid or due, or becoming due, be greater than the total Fees payable to the Consultant under this Agreement. 

  Upon receipt of a notice of termination, the contractor will:

  Immediately stop work as specified in the notice and render an invoice to Initiate detailing the costs of Services and hours spent to date, prior to termination; and

  Take all available steps to minimize loss resulting from that termination and to protect The Community Organization for Development and Empowerment--INITIATE Material and the Contract Material.

  Following termination or expiration of this Agreement the Parties agree that:

  Accrued rights and remedies of a Party will not be affected; and

  Each Party must return the Confidential Information of the other Party (if any) in that Party’s possession or control;

  All rights of the contracted granted under the Agreement will terminate; and

  The Consultant must deliver up to The Community Organization for Development and Empowerment--INITIATE all copies of INITIATE Material and Contract Material in the possession, custody or control of the Consultant.

  Conditions and Management

  The contracts for all personnel are made by INITIATE according to its rules and regulations. The consultant will report to the Human Resources Manager.

  The Organization management retains the right to suspend payment on non-compliance of terms or in the event of poor-quality work. These decisions will not be taken arbitrarily but in consultation with all relevant stakeholders.

  Code of Conduct, PSEA, and Child Protection

  The consultant is required to adhere to the highest ethical and professional standards at all times.

  a. Code of Conduct

  The consultant must:

  Act with integrity, honesty, and respect toward all individuals

  Avoid conflicts of interest

  Respect diversity and inclusion

  Maintain confidentiality of sensitive information

  Uphold the organization’s reputation and values

  b. Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA)

  The consultant must:

  Comply with a zero-tolerance policy toward sexual exploitation and abuse

  Not engage in any form of sexual activity with beneficiaries, especially those in vulnerable situations

  Not exchange money, employment, goods, or services for sexual favors

  Report any suspected SEA incidents immediately through established reporting mechanisms

  Participate in mandatory PSEA training if required

  c. Child Protection

  The consultant must:

  Safeguard the rights and well-being of children at all times

  Not engage in any form of abuse, neglect, or exploitation of children

  Ensure all interactions with children are appropriate and respectful

  Immediately report any concerns or suspicions of child abuse

  Follow all organizational child safeguarding policies and procedures