Terms of Reference

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Consultant

Deadline: 08.12.2023

CONCORDIA Social Projects is seeking the services of an experienced and qualified international MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning) consultant for 20 working days. The consultant will be responsible for reviewing the existing Key Performance Indicator (KPI) methodology for our programme interventions and developing guidelines for its implementation. Additionally, the consultant will develop training materials based on the revised KPI methodology and provide training in multiple countries to enhance the capacity of social workers and project managers in planning, implementing, and supporting data collection.

Background information and rationale

Introduction

CONCORDIA Social Projects (CONCORDIA) is an association of a non-profit foundation based in Vienna and seven non-profit sister organisations in Austria, Bulgaria, Germany, Kosovo, the Republic of Moldova, Romania and Switzerland. As an internationally active, independent aid organisation, CONCORDIA’s core mission is to support children, youth and families in need by providing direct and immediate assistance on the ground. It is CONCORDIA's mission to ensure the protection of children and to support children and young people in developing their potential to lead self-determined and independent lives.

CONCORDIA Romania has over 30 years of experience in implementing programmes and projects supporting at-risk children, youth and families on their path to an independent and self-determined life. CONCORDIA Romania is a certified social service provider by the Ministry of Labour, Family and Social Protection and all the social services are licensed according to existing national law and CONCORDIA quality standards.

CONCORDIA Moldova was set up in 2004 with the overall vision to make a substantial contribution to the social integration of disadvantaged groups (children, youth and families especially) – and in so doing, drive the whole country forward. To that end, CONCORDIA Moldova runs direct services and capacity-building programmes in 56 localities across the country, providing social services to at-risk children, families and elderly people.

CONCORDIA Bulgaria was established in 2008 and builds on vast experience working with children, youth and families from marginalised communities, supporting them in their way towards leading self-determined lives.

Since 2016, Austria has also been a project country and CONCORDIA Austria was established as a Family and Learning Centre that focuses on supporting children, young people and families with a migrant background.

Since 2021 CONCORDIA Kosovo runs a social and educational centre in Prizren, CONCORDIA Tranzit Centre. The work of the Centre is primarily aimed at children, young people and families from the surrounding Roma, Ashkali and Egyptian communities. The centre is licenced as community-based learning centre and the main services provided are homework support, early childhood education and music classes, and services to women and parents.

Intervention background and context

Rationale of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) consultancy

CONCORDIA is an organisation which acknowledges the value of tracking the progress and impact of its services transparently and reliably. In the direction of assessing to what extent and how our work is affecting the lives of our programme participants, we defined five strategic Key Performance Indicators in line with our Theory of Change, the CONCORDIA Impact Model, which will capture on an international level the impact of our work.

The MEAL consultant will be responsible for reviewing the existing Key Performance Indicator (KPI) methodology for CONCORDIA’s programme pathways and developing guidelines for its implementation. Additionally, the MEAL consultant will develop training materials based on the revised KPI methodology and provide training in multiple countries to enhance the capacity of social workers and project managers in planning, implementing, and supporting data collection.

For this, the MEAL consultant will work in coordination with CONCORDIA’s management team.

The primary objectives of this consultancy are as follows:

• Review and revise the existing KPI methodology for programme interventions.
• Develop clear and practical guidelines for the implementation of the revised KPI methodology.
• Create training materials to support the understanding and implementation of the revised KPI methodology.
• Conduct training sessions in multiple countries for social workers and project managers to enhance their capacity in data collection, focusing on qualitative and quantitative data, with a specific emphasis on case management reports.
• Improve the methodology for collecting information on KPI indicators, making it accessible to staff with limited experience in quantitative and qualitative data collection.
• Ensure that all data collected is tracked effectively in the internal database that has already been developed.

Description of responsibilities/expected outcomes

Scope of work

The MEAL consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

• Review the existing KPI methodology, including the indicators, data collection processes, and tools.
• Revise and refine the KPI indicators based on program goals and objectives.
• Develop clear and user-friendly guidelines for implementing the revised KPI methodology.
• Create training materials, including presentations, handouts, and exercises, to facilitate the understanding and implementation of the KPI methodology.
• Conduct training sessions in multiple countries (Kosovo – 1 day, Moldova – 3 days, Bulgaria – 1 day, Romania – 1 day, Austria – online, 0.5 days) for social workers and project managers.
• Strengthen the capacity of participants in planning, implementing, and supporting data collection, focusing on case management reports.
• Ensure that the data collected, both qualitative and quantitative, is accurately entered and tracked in the internal database.
• Provide ongoing support and guidance to staff during and after the training.

Management and Monitoring

The MEAL consultant will work with the International Programme Director and the Senior Programme Advisor in Vienna.

Deliverables

The MEAL consultant is expected to deliver the following:

• A comprehensive review of the existing KPI methodology.
• Revised KPI indicators and a clear methodology for data collection.
• User-friendly guidelines for the implementation of the KPI methodology.
• Training materials, including presentations, handouts, and exercises.
• Training reports for each training workshop and country visited, highlighting the progress made and areas for improvement.
• Ongoing support and guidance to staff for a specified period after the training.

Qualifications

The consultant candidate should bring to the position:

• A well-founded background in social science, or another relevant field;
• Excellent command of English is mandatory; knowledge of Romanian is considered a big advantage;
• A minimum of 3 years experience and expertise in MEAL of similar programmes and proven experience in designing tools and strategies for data collection, analysis and production of reports;
• At least one letter of recommendation from relevant institutions/NGOs;
• Experience in providing training on MEAL processes and tools;
• A full understanding of child protection-related issues and approaches concerning collecting sensitive information from programme participants and stakeholders;
• Regional experience and knowledge is an advantage.

Duration

The duration of the consultancy is estimated to be for 20 days starting from 15 January/ 1 February 2024 until 30 April 2024 (can be negotiated). The consultant is expected to work for 20 days over the period.

Financial proposal

The financial proposal should include all incurred expenditures, including travelling costs. Please note that the consultant will be responsible for paying income taxes and any other due taxes as per applicable national legislation. CONCORDIA can support with the travel arrangements.

Application procedure

Interested consultants are invited to submit their applications in English language, including a detailed CV, a cover letter, and a proposal outlining their approach to achieving the objectives outlined in this TOR. Applications should be sent to Ms. Eva Okonofua, [email protected] , by December 8, 2023.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview (online or offline). Applications which do not include the financial offer will not be considered.

We look forward to working with a qualified and dedicated MEAL consultant to enhance our program's data collection and monitoring capabilities. Thank you for your interest in supporting our mission.