Introduction:
Developments In Literacy (DIL) is a non-political non-governmental organization, investing in the future of children affected by poverty and deprivation with a vision “No child in Pakistan, no matter how poor or underprivileged, should be denied access to quality education. All children should have equal opportunity to reach their full potential and contribute towards the socio-economic betterment of their communities.”
DIL`s interventions strive to ensure the fulfilment of children’s access to quality education through schools development, teacher`s training, curriculum enhancement and technology for education programs. It utilizes creative methods to empower children and their communities to become contributing members of society and to achieve positive and lasting changes in their lives. DIL is both self-implementing and co-operates with local NGO partner organizations in projects.
DIL in recent years has expanded its education programming both in geographical scope through partnerships and engagement with non-DIL schools, and interventions including vocational training for youth and life skills development. Currently DIL operates with 153 schools, educating near twenty five thousand students comprising of both primary and high level in 03 provinces of Pakistan I.e. KPK, Punjab, Sindh and Islamabad capital territory (ICT).
Background of the assignment:
During the 1st quarter of year 2015, senior management at DIL decided to establish a distinct Monitoring, Evaluation, Analysis and Learning department in the organization to ensure added quality in its interventions and introduce a system of learning, research and accountability. Led by Sr. manager MEAL, the department became operational in the mid of year 2015.
Program quality unit of the department is consisted of MEAL officers to support in quality program delivery at field level, manage learning from ongoing programs and analyse the impact of DIL interventions. The data management unit, comprising of data analyst and EMIS administrator acts as data research hub for DIL and supports objective and timely data collection and analysis from the field to facilitate “data driven decision making” in the organization. The department now supports all the projects with an effective MEAL function supporting in Monitoring, Evaluation, Analysis and Learnings.
The department is interested to hire the services of external expert in MEAL, to prepare/finalize MEAL policy for the organization, in consultation with Sen. Manager MEAL and MEAL team complying with the unique requirements of DIL as education focused organization.
Objectives of the policy:
- As fundamental guidelines framework, the proposed policy leads the overall MEAL operations of the organization
- The policy specifically provides complete guidelines of M&E working in specific areas of result based (output/outcome level) monitoring, evaluation, Analysis (for data driven decision making), and Learning, separately for self and partner implemented programs/projects
- The policy is able to set specific goals for M&E department based on which, the department is able to track its progress for self as well as partners implemented projects annually.
- The policy presents a standard framework and tools to be used across the education program i.e. Logical framework, standard M&E plan, M&E framework, project implementation plans, tracking tables and qualitative/quantitative reporting formats etc. suitable for the nature of interventions DIL undertakes as education focused organization.
- The policy is able to come up with a mechanism/system for regular progress data tracking within the program and with the partners externally by setting frequency of data tracking and sources for this.
- The policy bears clear and comprehensive guidelines for M&E department to execute internal and external evaluations both for self-implemented interventions as well as for partner implemented projects.
- The policy document guides the data collection, analysis, sharing and action cycles within and outside of its system using EMIS as a tool.
- The policy document bears clear guidelines over learning, knowledge management and accountability within its system and in the partner organizations it works with.
- The policy document helps the preparation of effective human resource for the department as well as guides the mode of annual appraisals for M&E staff.
- Any other aspect of M&E work proposed by M&E department at any stage of the assignment.
The consultant will provide a road map in his proposal how to fulfil the above mentioned objectives in the policy/guideline`s document.
Qualification and experience of the consultant:
- Minimum post graduate degree in social / development sciences/ research or any other discipline related to Monitoring & evaluation
- Any additional qualification specifically linked with Monitoring and evaluation would be an added asset
- At least 08 years of exclusive experience of M&E work both at self and partner driven projects scenarios
- Practical experience of developing M&E policy for an organization (sample may be required for review)
- Specific experience of M&E work with mainstream education focused intervention (Non- formal, accelerated, or other form of informal education streams excluded)
- Practical experience of designing M&E policy for educational organization would be an added asset.
- Familiarity with Educational Management information System (EMIS) and its use for large scale education programs
Deliverables:
The consultant will require to produce the following:
- The final approved MEAL policy document (both in hard and soft) designed in high standards.
- Copies of all the standard tools developed listed in objectives part of this TORs document
- All the soft records utilized and used to conclude the assignment in USB.
- Any other deliverable requested by Developments in Literacy.
Responsibilities of Developments in Literacy:
- Arrangement of field visits for consultant to provide an insight of DIL interventions.
- Review and inputs to road map for policy given by the consultant
- Review and inputs to final policy document and approval in case it meets the standards.
- Provide relevant documents to be used in designing of the policy
- Effect payments based on agreed terms and conditions in the contract
Responsibilities of the Consultant:
- Visit project areas to understand the context of DIL educational program.
- Draft the roadmap for M&E policy
- Continuous coordination with M&E department while writing the policy as per agreed roadmap
- Incorporate comments and produce final document. The final document will be submitted in hard and soft copies
- Provision of approved policy document bearing high level of composing standards.
Budget:
The consultant will propose its budget within the allocation limit and based on his/her proposed methodology and level of efforts. Lump sum budgets will not be entertained and will disqualify the consultant. Consultant will provide the complete details of activity, personnel and support/ logistic cost in a separate budget document to compete for the consultancy.