Somalia: Every Voice Counts Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Plan and Baseline

CARE Somalia Consultancy Assignment

Terms of Reference (ToR)

Every Voice Counts Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Plan and Baseline

1. Introduction / Background

CARE Somalia is implementing the “Every Voice Counts” (EVC) program, which focuses on inclusive governance processes and is implemented in 5 other countries besides Somalia: Afghanistan, Burundi, Pakistan, Rwanda and Sudan.

The program’s long-term objective is to contribute to inclusive and effective governance processes in fragile settings. In the program, four domains of change are identified. These domains are: 1. Empowerment of members of excluded groups on lobby and advocacy, 2. Strengthening the advocacy role and capacity of civil society, 3. Responsive public authorities and other power holders, 4. Effective spaces for dialogue and negotiation.

The program is informed by CARE’s extensive experience in programming, including advocacy support, in fragile settings and builds on CARE’s Governance Programming Framework. CARE envisions strengthening advocacy capacities of excluded groups and civil society organizations in some of the most fragile settings in the world.

The Theory of Change can be summarized in the following figure:

Outcomes and outputs of the program

While each country has a country-specific TOC with country-specific outcomes, at program level the outcomes of each of the domains of change are defined as follows:

Domain 1: Members of excluded groups are empowered and are actively influencing decisions that affect their lives.

Domain 2: Civil society organizations are effectively influencing policies and practices on behalf of excluded groups and are holding public authorities and other power holders to account.

Domain 3: Public authorities and other power-holders are responsive to and act upon the needs and interests of excluded groups.

Domain 4: Excluded groups, civil society organizations, public authorities and other power holders effectively interact through formal and informal spaces for dialogue and negotiation.

2. Objectives of the assignment

The objectives of the consultancy assignment are:

• Drafting a monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) plan that is related to the overall MEL Framework at programme level.

• Contribute to the preparation of Inception Report of the Programme that includes updates on the country context analysis, stakeholder mapping and power analysis, etc.

• Conducting a baseline study as benchmark against which progress of achievement, as well as impact, effectiveness and efficiency of the programme can be measured.

The baseline and the MEL plan will form the foundation for the monitoring and evaluation of the EVC program. In order to ensure uniformity across the six programme countries, the consultant for the country assignment will be working in close cooperation with a lead consultant at CARE Nederland who coordinates the MEL process at programme level for all six countries. The lead consultant will develop an overall MEL Framework and draft design for the baseline study, and the country consultant will be asked to comment and give feedback. Specific deliverables related to this can be found below.

The assignment will be conducted in close coordination with CARE Somalia. Staff should be involved in the design and development of the MEL plan as well as the baseline study.

3. Deliverables

In the table below, the key deliverables are specified according to their respective objectives.

3. Overview of Key Deliverables

Key deliverables

Objectives

Timeline

At Country Office Level

MEL plan

1. In coordination with the lead consultant, develop an MEL plan that explains the approaches, moments and level of monitoring, as well as the Learning component of MEL (as linked with the Knowledge Agenda of the programme and the Ministry of Foreign Affair’s evolving learning objectives.) This includes a table with (process and progress) indicators per outcome and direction on how to measure them. This should be in line with the programme level MEL framework (prepared by lead consultant).

2. Lead in commenting on the draft MEL Framework and draft design for the baseline study in close cooperation and coordination with country staff; ensure that comments from country office staff are consolidated and communicated effectively to the lead consultant; ensure that these comments are reflected in the final drafts.

3. Based on the TOC and intervention logic, review the relevance, feasibility of the sex and age disaggregated indicators established in the program’s TOC, and refine if necessary.

4. Establish how the indicators generated from the capacity assessments (using Strategic Advocacy Plan/ACAT tool), will link to the indicators included in the ToCs.

5. Lead in testing the country level MEL plan; ensure buy-in from key country staff when designing/adapting the MEL plan

6. Ensure that comments and feedback from CNL and country staff are incorporated in finalizing the country level MEL plan as well as the baseline study

1-30 May

Inception Report

1. In coordination with country team, review the draft Country Plan as a key reference document; discuss and agree with country team key areas that need additional information to address gaps and/or improve analysis on the context, problem and key stakeholders.

2. Discuss and agree with overall lead consultant other areas that need to be included in the inception report

3. Select primary and secondary data collection methods and prepare timelines that can be linked to the conduct of baseline study.

4. Train local researchers on data collection methods; lead in analysis and report writing; presentation to Country Office.

Baselines as part of the overall inception report

1. In coordination with the lead consultant, establish the methodology and detailed work plan and timeline for the baseline study (the consultant should conform as much as possible with MIS and methodologies in use by the country office).

2. Ensure research methodology and data collection methods are applicable considering the local context.

3. Lead in selection and, setting up of local research team; training of local research team on data collection methods, etc.

4. Supervise local translation of data collection materials including guide questions for focus groups, etc.

5. Supervision of data collection, lead in data analysis and report writing for the baseline study.

6. Determine the baseline status on outcome and output indicators as established in the programme’s TOC.

7. Ensure baseline information is aligned with MoFA requirements and IATI standards and Guidelines. CARE is expected to report to MoFa on quarterly and yearly bases. Mid-term and end of programme evaluations also need to be conducted.

8. Write baseline report and make a presentation to the Country Office

1 June- 30 July

4. Timeframe

Number of days for the assignment: 20

Activity

Number of days

1. Provide feedback to overall lead consultant on MEL Framework and design of baseline study;

2

1. Drafting, testing and finalisation of the country MEL plan; coordination with overall lead consultant

5

1. Coordination with Country Office on preparation of inception report and baseline study, and in setting up of local research team

3

1. Training of local researchers/enumerators on data collection methods

2

1. Support local researchers during conduct of research (key information for inception report, baselines)

3

1. Prepare inception report and analysis of baseline data; present to Country Office

5

Total days

20

4. Expected profile of the consultant

The consultant(s) engaged to conduct the baseline studies should have the following:

· Relevant educational qualifications;

· Proven quantitative and qualitative research skills;

· Proven professional expertise and experience in the area of monitoring and evaluation and baseline research;

· Experience and expertise in designing M&E in the fields of governance, lobby and advocacy and capacity building in fragile contexts (environmental and conflict);

· Strong communicative skills and cultural sensitivity;

· Strong English writing and speaking skills

· Strong organisational skills

· A high standard of professionalism;

· Willingness to travel to fragile countries;

· Fluency in English

· Ability to speak local languages is an advantage.

Interested and qualified candidates consulting firns should submit their Technical and Financial proposals, cover letter and resume to somconsultants@care.org not later than 6^th May, 2016.