Ministry of Finance
Government of Malawi
REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS SELECTION)
(Appointment Type: Local Hire)
COUNTRY: MALAWI
NAME OF PROJECT: REGIONAL CLIMATE RESILIENCE FOR EASTERN AND SOUTHERN AFRICA 2 (RCRP)
PROJECT ID: P181308
DATE OF ISSUE: 31st JANUARY 2023
TIME COMMITMENT: 100%
ACCOUNTABLE: PROJECT COORDINATOR
DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT: 5 YEARS
The Government of Malawi (GoM) through the Ministry of Finance (MoF) has applied for financing towards the cost of the Regional Climate Resilience for Eastern and Southern Africa 2 (RCRP). The EP&D intends to apply part of the proceeds of this financing to eligible payments under the contract for hiring various Project specialists and an intern.
The EP&D invites applications from suitably qualified and interested candidates to fill the position of Project Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, recruited as individual consultants following World Bank Regulations dated September 2023.
Position Title : Project Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist (1 Position)
The Objectives of the Assignment
The overall objective of the assignment of the M&E Specialist is to serve as the main focal person for all planning monitoring and evaluation related activities for the RCRP. He/she will support the Project regarding the planning monitoring and evaluation activities in adherence with the World Bank’s Regulations for IPF
Borrowers dated September 2023.
Duties and Responsibilities
Specifically, the M&E Specialist will perform the following duties:
- Support the development, revision and/or finalization of the project annual Work Plans and budgets in conjunction with the relevant specialists and support oversight of the implementation plans;
- Work with the Project Coordinator and TT in updating the Project Implementation Manual (PIM) and ensuring alignment with strategic context of the Project, agreement on annual targets and inclusion of M&E activities in the work plan and PIM;
- Support the development and management of Projects’ Management Information System including a results-based Monitoring and Evaluation System, and other project monitoring systems, populating the systems with data and information and providing regular updates, through a process of participatory monitoring and reporting. This should include revising the consistency of project (i) performance indicators and outcomes, (ii) outputs and intermediary outcomes, (iii) baseline and targets for all indicators;
- Lead the development of and oversee the review of project level Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plan and associated work plans for each component/activity as reflected in the Logical framework;
- Take a leading role in implementing impact assessment surveys at the start, mid-term and completion stage of the Project.
- Develop and maintain of visual dashboard showcasing key performance indicators for easy monitoring by stakeholders
- Be responsible for sourcing data and information for specific M&E needs directly from other implementing agencies and stakeholders particularly for indicators not requiring a survey;
- Ensure quality control of M&E outputs (e.g. surveys etc.), by contributing substantively to the design and field testing of the monitoring methodology, review, supervise, design and implementation of the survey, participatory data collection methods and protocols, data verification techniques, and other technical evaluation and analytical tasks conducted;
- Support technical work such as reviewing M&E methods, carrying out training needs, designing M&E tools and providing M&E technical assistance;
- Develop ToRs for M&E tasks to be carried out for consulting firms (e.g. the design of surveys and evaluations (mid-term and final evaluation);
- Preparation of the monthly, quarterly and annual implementation progress reports as per the Bank and Government requirements;
- Support monitoring and evaluation missions commissioned by the donors on the project;
- Provide quality assurance to the project monitoring reports and correspondence with the PCU and World Bank;
- Conduct quality assurance on tracking and reporting development results;
- Establish and maintain a systematic record-keeping system for all deliverables and M&E activities throughout the life of the Project. This encompasses, but is not limited to, baseline reports, progress reports, impact assessment results, and other relevant documentation;
- Monitor project progress through field visit as may be required, analyze current state to identify potential bottlenecks in project implementation , offer feedback and keep regular communication with related field and centre level staff;
- Identify lessons learnt during the implementation of the M&E process and draw recommendations for project improvement;
- Work closely with the communication specialist to facilitate and support systematic exchange of information between District Councils and all other Project stakeholders;
- Participate in building capacity of project district staff and communities in collection of data and use of M&E reports;
- Participate in the external (the World Bank) supervision missions;
- Support TT members and other Specialists in Contract Management of all consultants and Contractors procured under the Project;
- Work closely with the communication specialist to manage any online information sharing in a sustainable and accessible manner, working closely with the other PCU members, Local Councils and Community management structures where necessary;
- Work closely with the Social Safeguards specialist in establishing the organizational structures and supporting the maintenance of regular routines for engaging and working with the communities affected by the program;
- Prepare draft TORs for mid-term and final evaluation in accordance with the procedures and timetables agreed with the World Bank and compliance with the World Bank’s policies and rules; and
- Performing any other duty as may be necessary for the effective implementation of the Project as assigned by Project Coordinator
Performance Criteria
The Monitoring and Evaluation specialist is expected to deliver the following key deliverables, including but not limited to:
a) Updated M&E Framework and Plan
b) Progress Reports (monthly, quarterly, and annual progress reports)
c) Impact Assessment Survey Results
d) Quality Assurance Reports
The performance of the specialist will be regularly assessed against performance criteria that will be agreed within one month of taking up the positions
Reporting Requirements
The M&E Specialist will report to the Project Coordinator for all his/her technical and implementation support operations.
Qualification and experience
The candidate should meet the following minimum qualifications:
- Minimum of a Master’s Degree in Economics, Agricultural Economics or Social Sciences with a bias in statistics, qualitative surveying and research methods;
- At-least 10 years’ general experience including not less than 5 years proven expertise in quantitative and qualitative methodologies, operations research, management information systems, reporting, data quality assessments, data analysis and presentation and setting up and managing M&E systems that track performance of multi-sectoral development projects;
- Strong experience in in conducting a research study including the entire evaluation cycle, from the design and formulation to implementation, analysis and presentation of results and recommendations
- Should have experience in formulation of work-plans and budgets;
- Practical exposure to learning and knowledge management approaches and methodologies;
- Good working knowledge in Microsoft Office especially in Microsoft Access, Web-based data management, Word and Excel as well as in Microsoft Project, Computerised Assisted Personal Interviews platforms (namely, Survey Solutions, Open Data Kit (ODK),Kobo Toolbox and CSpro); Experience and skills in data management (including a large dataset), data visualization, data analysis, and utilization of commonly available data and/or statistical programs, advanced skills in Excel,R, Stata and SPSS would be considered an asset; and
- Solid oral communication skills to deal effectively with mid and high level partner contacts, Governments, and the local communities.
- Upholding of anti-corruption and anti-bribery ethics.
Duration of the assignment
The Project Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will be recruited for a period of five (5) years, with the contract renewable annually subject to satisfactory performance, need and availability of
funding.
Facilities to be provided by the Client
The following shall be provided by the Client: office space, furniture, office equipment, communication, and internet facilities. For all field related assignments, the Project shall provide transport and costs and other expenses (per diems etc.) related to the fieldwork.
Location of Employment
All the Project Specialists will be based at the Project Coordination Unit in Lilongwe but would be required to travel regularly to other relevant field offices where the RCRP is implementing its activities.
Mode of Application
Interested Individuals meeting the stated requirements should submit their Expressions of interest including updated detailed curriculum vitae (CVs) and copies of professional certificates must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail) by Tuesday, 13th February, 2024 on or before 10:00 hours, local time.
The Project Coordinator,
Regional Climate Resilience Program for Eastern and Southern Africa 2 Project,
Department of Economic Planning and Development,
P. O. Box 30136,
Lilongwe
Malawi.
(Attention: The Procurement Officer)
Alternatively, applications may be emailed to: epd_procurement@finance.gov.mw : /copy epd_hr@finance.gov.mw