Harmonizing ME&L Concepts- Consultant (19-92)

Harmonizing ME&L Concepts

POSTING TITLE: HARMONIZING ME&L CONCEPTS CONSULTANT.

DEPARTMENT: GRANTS AND CONTRACTS

WORK LOCATION: LIMA, PERU The International Potato Center (CIP) seeks an experienced Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Consultant for the ME&L CIP Learning Project.

Background:

In support of an enhanced monitoring and reporting framework and tool to track, assess and measure program results,management has approved an institutional project for the creation of a fully operational ME&L system (comprising a framework, a linked software, and oversight function) within CIP. The overall systemwillbecapableofconnectingCGIARlevelframeworkofresultsandindicatorstoCIPlevelprograms andbilateralprojectoutcomes.Thiswill,inadditionto definedmetricsandindicators,requirepreliminary work to articulate CIP’s institutional and program log frames, as well as the mapping of program delivery/intervention models.

As a preparatory step, and in anticipation of engaging CIP staff (and outside stakeholders) in the developmentofaME&Lframework,CIPwillcommissionaninitialconsultancytoconductaME&Lconcept harmonization exercise at the operational, program and institutional management level. The consultant will draw from donor, CGIAR system, Research for Development sector, and CIP level ME&L concepts to provide the basis for the development of an institutional ME&L Guidance Document in ME&L encompassing a comprehensive and standardized collection of most widely used concepts, terms and good practices. This will guide, at a later stage, the development of the CIP Framework. The project is steered by a Task Force comprised of eleven CIP staff members from diverse areas of the organization, who will monitor the quality, progress and direction of the initiative. Although the consultant will reportto the Head of PAI and PMU as co leads ofthe institutionalproject, the deliverables will be reviewed by the Task Force.I. Objective

The objective of the consultancy is to develop a CIP ME&L guidance document, including concepts, terms at the institutional and program level to enable M&E harmonization and understanding inside the institution.The documentwill be, at a later phase, drawn onto developa robustME&L system to be used by CIP at the project level to plan, evaluate and report on CIP Programs. The aim is to create a common conceptual framework around ME&L for CIP staff at different levels.

The design of a ME&L framework, as part of an overall system, is tied to the refresh of the CIP Corporate Strategy.

II. Scope

The final product consists of a guideline document (including a glossary) outlining ME&L concepts, terminology and general ME&L processes, and identify progress and gaps in CIP regarding conceptualization and institutionalization of a ME&L system. The document should be derived from existing CIP documents and M&E manuals, current initiatives regarding harmonization of ME&L systems across programs, as well as, the CGIAR ME&L framework, current donor, and research for development sector policies and practices in programMonitoring and Evaluation. A list of CGIAR and CIP documentsto be reviewed will be provided by CIP. The consultant will be expected to analyze the adequacy and effectiveness of commonly used concepts and terms and provide recommendations to diminish conceptual inconsistencies. Where gaps are identified, the consultant will recommend measures to addressthem. Thisinformationwillbekeyforpurposesofinternallycalibratingacommonunderstanding. The consultancy will also include the time to conduct a harmonization and briefing session in the form of a workshop to introduce the work and develop the concepts at CIP.

The consultancy will include both a retrospective and prospective ME&L view of concepts and good practices to allow CIP to connect with the CGIAR ME&L strategic vision while at the same time develop its own vision in synergy with relevant donors and sector partners/stakeholders. To ensure that all the above aspects are covered and carefully considered, it is important that all parties involved in the operationalization, management of and benefiting from the M&EL framework and reporting process are duly consulted and their views on the project are sought. These include:

a. Internally: Program teams (including RTB1 PMU), Operational teams, regional teams, country teams;

b. Externally; CGIAR system, SPIA, Donors, R4D and partnering organizations.This can be done through (i) desk review of documentation and (ii) interviews through phone calls and Skype. The consultant will be requested, at the inception phase, to develop the most appropriate

methodology in linewith the followingwork plan and submit itto theTask Force for review and approval.

III. Deliverables:

This project requires the Consultant to deliver the following:

• Milestone 1: End of week 1: Proposed methodology and detailed work plan for internal and

external review;

• Milestone2:Endweek2:CGIARstocktakereport:CGIARandCIPassessmentreportofMonitoring

and Evaluation concepts and terminology in support of agricultural programs. The report will

includerecommendationstoaddressconceptualinconsistenciesorgapsforpurposesofinternally

calibrating a common understanding;

• Milestone3:Endweek4:DonorandR4D SectorBestPracticeReportofME&LAnalysisofexternal

Monitoring, Evaluation frameworks, concepts and practices in support of Agricultural programs;

• Milestone 4: Middle of week 7: First draft of Guideline document (comprehensive and

standardized collection of concepts, terminology and general ME&L processes) that will become

CIP guidance document and glossary presented to the ME&L task force;

• Milestone5: Middleofweek 8: Final Guideline document and glossaryand presentationofpower

point deck of workshop training material.

• Milestone 6: Middle of week 9: Workshop

• Ongoing:AdvisorysupporttoM&ELtaskforceindevelopmentofaFramework(qualityassurance,

technical support).

IV. Selection Criteria:

• Post-graduate qualification, at least at M.Sc. level, in fields such as International Development,

Agricultural Economics, statistics or social sciences. Publications in relevant fields are desirable.

• Relevant work experience in design of institutional M&E frameworks, programs or projects, and

experience with developing and managing complex M&E systems.

• Experience in working withmulti-partner projects in the Agricultural R&D area, with emphasis on

food security, nutrition or climate change.

• Working knowledge of the CGIAR research partnership.

• Excellent written and spoken communication skills in English.

• Competenciesincollecting,analyzing,andreportingdisaggregateddata,preferablyinthecontext

of agricultural research including both qualitative and quantitative research methods.

• Competencies in project management, preferably in the context of agricultural research for

development, including results-based management, development of logical models (theory of

change, impact pathways, result chains), monitoring and evaluation. • Experience with workshops and or training of staff in monitoring and evaluation methods, tools, and systems.

• Good interpersonal skills. Experience working successfully in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural

teams.

IV. Timeframe

The assignment is envisioned to be complete within 2.5 months from its start.

Conditions: Consultancy contract will be for approximately 2.5 months on a fixed price modality against

deliverables. Fee will be internationally competitive, paid in US dollars, and commensurate with

experience.

Applications: Applicants should apply online through our CIP’s Job Opportunities website

(http://cipotato.org/open-vacancies/), including a letter of motivation, a full C.V. with the names and

contact information of three references that are knowledgeable of the candidate’s professional

qualificationsandworkexperience.Screeningof applicationswillbeginonJuly 30,2019 andwill continue

untilthepostisfilled.Allapplicationswillbeacknowledged;onlyshort-listedcandidateswillbecontacted.

Learn more about CIP by accessing our web site at http://www.cipotato.org

CIP is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified women and professionals from developing countries

are particularly encouraged to apply