Terms of Reference

 

International TRANSFORM M&E Technical Specialist

 

 

1. Background

 

Strengthening capacity and advocacy for inclusive and rights based social protection in the Arab region is increasingly critical in the context of the ongoing economic, social and political transformation as part of regional aspirations for inclusive development, peace, stability and social justice. Recognizing this need, the UN Issue Based Coalition on Social Protection in MENA (co-led by UNICEF and ILO) set the creation and roll out of a regional capacity building initiative on Social Protection as a joint-UN objective.

 

TRANSFORM, an innovative capacity building programme on the administration of national social protection floors, was initiated in the Southern African region in 2014 and has seen a growing following and appreciation since then. Recognizing the quality and impact of the TRANSFORM initiative in Africa, it was used as a basis to build a tailored capacity development programme for the Arab region.  Since 2020, key steps were undertaken to lay the foundations for a TRANSFORM Arab Region initiative. Key TRANSFORM learning resources and curricula were translated in Arabic and a first cohort of Arabic-speaking Master Trainers was formed with participants from across the Region. The Base Documents and the related Summaries undergo a revision process led by IPC-IG under the supervision of the TRANSFORM Arab Countries Advisory Group. The 5 day Standard Introductory Training Module was also reviewed accordingly and subsequently translated in Arabic.

 

Several TRANSFORM AG member country offices in the Region – starting from  UNICEF Yemen and ILO  Jordan – have expressed interest and willingness to undertake a similar review process as far as the M&E in-depth Training Module and the MIS in-depth training module are concerned. In line with TRANSFORM Guidelines, these agencies have agreed to collaborate and support  the Coordination Hub in undertaking this revision process.

 

In light of the above, the TRANSFORM Coordination Hub for the Arab Countries is looking to recruit for a technical specialist in M&E, familiar with the TRANSFORM training curriculum to perform a revision of training materials and prepare and facilitate the related Training of Trainers with a selected pool of regional Master Trainers. In line with TRANSFORM Guidelines and Revision Protocol, deliverables will be submitted to the AG for review and feedback, as well as upon completion, for final validation.

 

1. Scope of assignment:

 

In line with experience of and examples provided by previously undertaken revision of TRANSFORM standard introductory material, this revision of the M&E in-depth training materials will aim to answer the following questions:

 

• Regional contextualization: How can the training materials (lectures and activities) be adjusted and updated to create more space for linking training content to the context of the countries in which it is expected to take place (including change in relevant data)?
• Use of examples: How can the training materials be strengthened to show and stimulate dialogue on regional and international examples during lectures and activities (e.g. using country case studies)?
• Flow and balance of training components:  Is the current balance between lectures and activities appropriate and is there potential space to integrate them better? How can the content be made more appealing to audience?
• Audience: How can the materials be tailored to accommodate different audiences’ knowledge and understanding of M&E tools, principles and guidelines?
• Time-management: How can the course materials, including guiding materials be adjusted to allow for a more flexible approach, ensuring both participants’ needs are met as the course curriculum is enjoyed to the fullest?
• Trainers’ preparation: How can the trainers’ material support them in the preparation of specific country applications, so that the info there included is easier to absorb and deliver?

 

 

To main tasks to be undertaken by the technical specialist under this assignment are:

 

1. To review the current version of M&E Base Doc and Summary Docs for TRANSFORM Arab countries and assess how the training materials of the TRANSFORM M&E module (i.e. the activity and facilitation guides, slides and activity materials only) can be revised and adapted, with the inclusion of relevant examples from countries in MENA, to ensure consistency and improve learning outcomes for different audiences in the Arab region;
   • Deliverable 1: Inception Work Plan identifying items for revision within training materials for the in-depth courses on M&E (3 working days).
2. To coordinate and provide technical inputs for the revision of M&E training materials in line with the above review, in collaboration with Arabic speaking MTs and in coordination with the Hub and the AG;
   • Deliverable 2: Draft revised Training Materials (slides, activity guide, facilitator guide and activity materials,) submitted to the Hub and AG for feedback (in English and Arabic) (8 working days)
   • Deliverable 3: Incorporate feedback by AG and Hub into the training materials and submit final version ready for TOT ( 5 days)
3. To prepare, facilitate in person and report on the TRANSFORM M&E  and MIS TOT ( TOT should cover both building blocks and the consultant will have to collaborate with a peer expert on its planning and facilitation) using the revised training materials, including participating in selection of candidate MTs out of the current Arabic-speaking cohort (max 10 people):
   • Deliverable 4: cohort of selected MTs to participate in TOT finalised in agreement with Hub and TOT agenda submitted (3 working days).
   • Deliverable 5: TOT facilitated with brief final report submitted and brief individual reports on MTs performance completed and submitted to the Hub (7-8 days).  
4. To review training materials based on the TOT outcome, including feedback from MTs and from the Hub to make them ready for country application:
   • Deliverable 6: The M&E training materials revised further in line with feedback and own observations of the TOT and made ready for in-country application in collaboration with MTs (2 days) 

TOTAL WORKING DAYS: 29

 

1. Qualifications and Experience Requirements:

 

• Extensive experience with supporting TRANSFORM applications and ToTs

• In-depth knowledge and facilitating experience of TRANSFORM MIS training module.
• Relevant academic training up to the Masters’ Degree level
• At least 10 years of professional experience in the field of social protection capacity development (preferable if related to M&E, MIS and digitisation processes), including developing training materials and coaching adults.
• Excellent team-working skills and demonstrated capacity to interact and cooperate constructively with others to achieve high quality outcomes.
• Excellent communication and drafting skills in English
• Experience and/or knowledge of the SP context in the Arab region is an added advantage.

 

 

 

1. Budget and Payment Schedule

 

Travel arrangements, including payments of DSA for the days spent in Jordan for the TOT, will be managed by ILO or partner AG member agency in line with current UN regulations.

 

ILO will pay upon satisfactory completion of Deliverables above listed, as reflected in the payment schedule below:

 

Payments

% of total contract value

Deliverable 1: Inception Work Plan with list of activities and recommendations for revision (2 working days).

Deliverable 2: Draft revised Training Materials (slides, activity guide, facilitator guide and activity materials) submitted to the Hub and AG for review (in English and Arabic) (10 working days)

 

41%

Deliverable 3: Incorporate feedback by AG and Hub into the training materials and resubmit final version for TOT (5 days)

 Deliverable 4: cohort of selected MTs to participate in TOT finalized in agreement with Hub (3 working days);

28%

Deliverable 5: TOT facilitated with brief final report submitted and individual MTs reports completed and submitted to the Hub (7 days).

 Deliverable 6: All MIS and M&E training materials revised further in line with feedback and own observations of the TOT and made ready for in-country application in collaboration with MTs (2 days)

31%

 

1. Duration of Assignment

 

This assignment is expected to start as soon as possible upon contract signature and be finalized by June 30, 2024 at latest.

 

1. Supervisory Arrangements

 

The External Collaborator – TRANSFORM Technical Specialist in M&E – will work under the direct supervision of the ILO ROAS Senior Security Specialist on behalf of the TRANSFORM Advisory Group co-chaired by ILO and UNICEF, with technical support by the TRANSFORM Coordination Hub co-managed by ILO and UNICEF. Through the Coordination Hub, the External Collaborator will be expected to submit deliverables foreseen within the assignment to the TRANSFORM Advisory Group. The External Collaborator will also be expected to collaborate with Arabic-speaking MTs throughout the process of review and finalization of materials.

 

1. Application Process

Suppliers are invited to share the following documents by 11 March 2024 with the ILO social protection team in ROAS at pellerano@ilo.org and fawaz@ilo.org.

-             A cover letter

-             CV;

-             Financial proposal (Daily Rate).