International Consultant for the Monitoring and Evaluation, Results Reporting Interactive Training for the Implementing Partners (IPs)

Darfur Community Peace and Stability Fund (DCPSF) was established in late 2007 as a UN Multi-Partnership Trust Fund (MPTF) mechanism that supports community-level peacebuilding activities and fosters social cohesion by drawing diverse communities together through processes of dialogue, mediation, and reconciliation. The rationale of DCPSF is that alongside any progress in the local peace process, there needs to be a community-based, bottom-up approach to the stabilization of Darfur and the creation of conditions for local peace, and equitable and sustainable growth.  DCPSF supports initiatives which aim to restore trust and confidence between diverse communities in Darfur and respond to root causes and triggers of conflict.

 DCPSF has made significant progress in promoting conflict-sensitive approaches that seek to engage diverse communities in processes of trust and confidence building. Two central elements of this approach have been through supporting the establishment or revitalization of local mechanisms for resolving and through preventing conflicts and providing tangible inputs which respond to and address root causes and triggers of conflict.

Through this approach, DCPSF-funded activities and processes have enabled diverse communities to coalesce around a common agenda towards reconciliation and peaceful coexistence at a local level. However, the new context requires the addition of  more dimensions to DCPSF interventions. In this new era for DCPSF and Darfur, it is crucial to mainstream gender equality in all project activities, and work in a coordinated manner with all peacebuilding actors, towards a common goal and better results.

A context analysis undertaken in Darfur in 2019 revealed that the conflict dynamics in Darfur revolve around unresolved disputes over land, livelihood, and natural resources, prevalence of small weapons, sexual violence, armed group activities, tensions around IDPs and host communities, as well as between returnees and communities, including new settlers. The drivers of the conflict in Darfur are complex, multi-level, politicized and encompass local, national, regional, and international dimensions simultaneously. An understanding of historical causal factors is required since each cycle of conflict has led to the current dynamics in the region.

To achieve this, DCPSF works with various Implementing Partners (IPs) including International Non-Government Organisations (INGOs) and National Non-Government Organisations to promote peacebuilding among the local communities in Darfur. For its current phase II of implementation, DCPSF is working with 17 Implementing Partners to deliver 17 peacebuilding projects across the five (5) states of Darfur.

 As part of efforts to ensure that our projects across the region yield high impact results that are well monitored evaluated, documented and reported, DCPSF is organising 4 training sessions in (Khartoum, Nyala, El Fasher and Zalingei respectively)  to build the capacity of both DCPSF and Implementing Partners’ technical  staff in Monitoring, Evaluation and Results Reporting. This training is part of the DCPSF Technical Secretariat’s ongoing efforts to report high quality results and also build capacity for its Implementing Partners to effectively carry out impact driven peacebuilding work in Darfur in the long term.

Objective of the Assignment 

The objective of the assignment is to support DCPSF in training its staff and Implementing Partners on Monitoring and Evaluation as well as Results reporting through conducting desk review, primary data collection, interviews and implementation of the training programme in 4 locations of Sudan. This initiative is meant to improve the way the Fund’s projects are monitored, evaluated, and reported both on a quarterly and annual basis. 

Approach to the Assignment 

The assignment will be carried out through a number (4) of trainings with staff and Implementing partners in selected locations in Khartoum and Darfur. They will be carried out in workshop training style over a three-day period. The training is expected to be interactive to ensure that participants are actively involved in the learning process. Owing to the COVID – 19 pandemic and its subsequent guidelines/SOPs, training will be carried out in small workshops, implemented as follows;

 Expected Outcomes of the Assignment 

• Improved understanding of M&E concepts among the Fund’s staff and its 17 Implementing Partner Organisations.
• Improved understanding of basic M&E concepts in data collection and analysis, using statistics and ICT in data collection, analysis, interpretation as well as presentation.
• Enhanced skills in field monitoring and providing feedback both to Donor and Implementing partners on activities that have been monitored.
• Improved skills in M&E framework design and follow up.

Improved knowledge in results-based reporting focusing on achievements and not just activities carried out.

Scope of Work:

Under the supervision of the Head of DCPSF Technical Secretariat, and working directly with the DCPSF Communications and Reporting Analyst, the consultant is responsible for the following activities that include:

1. Design a robust methodology and conduct a rapid review of Implementing Partners M&E systems, DCPSF results frameworks including indicators, quality assurance mechanisms to identify the capacity gaps. This involves secondary and primary data collection.
2. Based on the review and discussions with the Implementing Partners’ staff, design a robust M&E and Results reporting interactive training.
3.  Facilitate the training workshops together with a national partner to provide local context and translation where required.
4. Produce a workshop report with training material attached for further use by DCPSF Secretariat and its Implementing Partners.

e)      Prepare and present your impressions of the the entire exercise to DCPSF Technical Secretariat and /or the Steering Committee members.

Duration of Assignment and Duty Station

The assignment will include up to 21 fee days to be carried out in the period of 23 May  – 23 July 2021. National holidays observed by the UN in Sudan  will be non-working days. The primary duty station will be  Khartoum, Sudan with travel to Darfur for the three field level trainings .

Institutional Arrangements

Reporting line:

The consultant will work under the overall guidance and supervision of the Head of DCPSF Technical Secretariat. The day to day management of this assignment will be performed by the Communications and Reporting Analyst. This will among others include:

• The Head of DCPSF Technical Secretariat has overall management of this assignment.
• The Consultant is expected to report to the Communications and Reporting Analyst on the on the progress of activities and to immediately inform her of any challenges in performing the assignment. 

Logistical arrangements:

• UNDP will do the following;

• Arrange all in-country assignment related transport for the Consultant during the assignment in Khartoum and field level.
• Field travel – arrange flights for the consultant to travel to the field and conduct the 3 trainings in Darfur.
• Will pay the consultant DSA during actual presence in the country for training  as per the UN rate for location visited (except for Milestone 1, which the Consultant is expected to perform remotely thus no DSA should be charged).
• Will purchase all training materials requested by the Consultant e.g. assorted stationery materials
• Will arrange and cater for other training logistics e.g. venue and meals
• Share with the Consultant all paperwork to apply for entry visa but consultant will pay visa entry cost
• The Consultant will;
• In the course of this consultancy, the consultant is responsible for providing their own computer as needed. 
• Meet all logistical expenses related to the assignment e.g. round ticket direct flight economy, entry visa application fee, communication etc.
• Apply and pay for entry visa fee.

–          Arrange and pay for own accommodation. UNDP will pay DSA.

Recommended Presentation of Offer

       The following should be included in the offer;

1. Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP.
2. Personal CV or P11, indicating all experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the candidate and at least three professional references.
3. Brief description of why the candidate considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment.

d)      Financial Proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total contract price, supported by a breakdown of costs, as per template provided.

Selection criteria and basis of evaluation 

Submissions will be evaluated based on the cumulative analysis of the technical evaluation (weight: 70%) and financial criteria (weight: 30%). Only candidates obtaining a minimum of 70 points from the technical evaluation would be considered for the financial evaluation.

Competencies:

• PROFESSIONALISM: Comprehensive knowledge of and exposure to a range of human rights issues related to operational, institution building and accountability of national institutions and actors; very good knowledge of  United Nations Country Team (UNCT) structures and mechanisms; very good knowledge of institutional mandates, policies and guidelines related to human rights in the U.N. system; very good knowledge of national human rights protection systems, including law enforcement and security agencies; strong analytical and research skills and ability to conduct in-depth studies and reach conclusions on possible causes and solutions to human rights problems; ability to develop frameworks, methodological tools and guidelines.
• COMMUNICATION: Excellent communication (spoken and written) skills, including the ability to convey complex concepts, both orally and in writing, in a clear and concise style. 
• TEAMWORK: Ability to interact and to establish and maintain effective working relations across divisions and with people in a multi-cultural environment.
• JUDGMENT/DECISION-MAKING: Ability to identify the key issues in a complex situation, provide advice on sensitive issues and courses of action.
• PLANNING and ORGANIZING: Proven ability to plan and organize own work and the work of others.

Language Requirements:              

• Fluency in English (both oral and written) is required. Understanding of Arabic is desirable but not a requirement.

Education and experience:           

• A masters Degree in Peacebuilding, Conflict Resolution, with extensive experience in Monitoring and Evaluation.
• At least 5-10 years of experience in the area of M&E related capacity building.
• Proven experience and knowledge of monitoring and evaluation of development projects as well as understanding of Results Based Management (RBM).
• Prior experience working/in with UN/INGOs and other international organizations is highly desirable.
• Experience working within conflict and post conflict situation will be an added advantage. 
• Strong interpersonal communications and writing skills.

http://196.202.143.140/bids/doc/1852.docx