Terms of Reference (TOR) for Conducting MEAL Training

Islamic Relief Nepal

Terms of Reference (TOR) for

Conducting MEAL Training

Background: 

Islamic Relief Worldwide (IRW) is an independent humanitarian and development organization that has been serving humanity for more than 35 years. With an active presence in over 40 countries across the globe, IR strives to make the world a better and fairer place for the three billion people still living in poverty. Since 1984, IRW has helped millions of the world’s poorest and most vulnerable people. Inspired by the Islamic faith and guided by Islamic values, IRW believes that people with wealth have a duty to those less fortunate – regardless of race, political affiliation, gender, or belief. IRW is affiliated with Social Welfare Council as an International Non-Government Organization.

IRW projects provide poor people with access to vital services and protect communities, women, and children from/during disasters and deliver life-saving emergency aid. It provides lasting routes out of poverty and empowers vulnerable people to transform their lives and their communities. IRW supported local partners immediately after the Gorkha Earthquake 2015 to address the Emergency and recovery needs of the most affected population. IRW is presently working through local implementing partners in Bara, Rautahat, Rasuwa, Sarlahi, Mahottari, Kapilvastu, and Rupandehi districts.

Background for Consultancy:

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) is a significant part of the humanitarian aid and development program in Islamic Relief. Islamic Relief modality is working with local implementing partners. Most aspects of the program delivery are done through partners which, also implies that the implementing partners need to be strong and have a strong understanding of monitoring and evaluation to keep track of the project's progress, outputs, and effects. Considering this, it has become imperative to equip partners and Islamic Relief staff with methods and tools for monitoring, data collection, analyzing the collected data, and making it useful for informed programmatic decision-making.

Based on this, Islamic Relief intends to provide training for its program and partner staff on effective Monitoring and Evaluation approaches. The training will support Islamic Relief to improve its practices in M&E and adopt recommendations and suggestions that will come out from the M&E activities.

This training will mainly focus on strengthening the capacity of Islamic Relief and partner staff in participatory monitoring and evaluation as well as overall M&E practices. At most 20 staff from partners and Islamic Relief will participate in the program.

Based on this, Islamic Relief is seeking qualified and experienced firms, institutions, or consultant(s) to give 3-day training in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) to its partner staff.  The training should be towards more practical application of MEAL in projects rather than theory–based presentation.

Objectives of the Consultancy: 

The overall scope of this consulting assignment is to help develop a good understanding of the monitoring and evaluation system of the project among monitoring and evaluation staff. It is also expected that the consultant/firm will also bring on board new insights in M&E based on the current debate or discussion as informed by the current wave of innovation in Monitoring and Evaluation.

Training Location:

The Training is to be delivered inside Kathmandu Valley in a central location for all partners.

Role or scope of consultant: 

Training will be of 3 days with a full package where the role of the Consultant is including the following:

Activities will include, but may not be limited to, the following:

• Brief on theories and practices related to Monitoring and Evaluation.
• Quick work on developing log frame and measuring indicators 
• Mainstreaming M&E across the project cycle: 
• How can MEAL be mainstreamed within the program cycle or at the project level? 
• How can we draw learning from others to improve our current practices? 
• Participatory Methods/ Tools in M&E; Quantitative / Qualitative M&E tools 
• Data visualization
• Strengthening Accountability Mechanisms -Complaints Feedback Mechanism 
• Capturing learnings; how best to improve our current practices in data management?
• Use interactive and inclusive approaches to conduct effective three days of training.
• Submit a training report with key actionable recommendations to be adopted by partner staff.

The final scope of activities and contents of training will be finalized later after discussions.

Approach and methodologies:

A participatory approach will be applied throughout the course and methodologies such as - group discussion, demonstration, practical exercises, brainstorming, and interactive lecturing will be used.

Deliverables: 

The tentative schedule and content of the training are presented below:

Report to:

This work is to be delivered to the MEAL Manager.

Consultancy Duration and time frame:

Timeline:

The training is to be completed by 4 May 2023

All deliverables need to be completed and reported within 15 May 2023

Payment schedule

The payment will be done as follows:

• 30% upon both parties’ agreement
• 70 % after completion of TOT and submission of the final report

Qualifications/requirements of consultant:

• At least 5 years of experience in MEAL and participation in the development and humanitarian sector with experience working with local communities in different projects at the community level.
• Experience in conducting MEAL Training with INGOs is considered a plus 
• Excellent communication, facilitation, and people management skills.
• Master’s degree in data science, social science or any relevant discipline.

Application Process:

The individual or consultancy firm shall submit their proposals with the following documents by 18th April 2023 by CoB (17:00 hrs) to the email: info.nepal@islamic-relief.org.np with the subject line: MEAL Training Consultancy 

1. Selection will be based on the training content, its ingenuity, practical application, and the competence of the trainers/facilitators.
2. A technical proposal with a detailed response to the TORs, with a specific focus on the scope of work, and methodology to be used. A detailed training course content and methods to be included. (40 points)
3. CVs of the team and their roles (15 points)
4. The financial proposal should include a detailed budget proposal breakdown of what cost covers inclusive of relevant taxes where applicable. (30 points)
5. VAT/ PAN Registration Documents, Latest Tax Clearance Document (In case of submitting from Consulting Firm) – (Mandatory)
6. Evidence of similar reports and References from the organization(s) for whom that work was contracted.(15 points)

Islamic Relief Worldwide, Country Office Nepal

House no. 482, Kumaripati-5 (Near United Academy)

Lalitpur Metropolitan City, Nepal

Contact no: +977 01-5437610