Description
Background:
Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.
Purpose / Project Description:
Mercy Corps currently implements USDA-funded McGovern Dole school feeding programs in Liberia and Kyrgyzstan. Both countries have been awarded five additional years of follow-on funding from a previous award. As the countries move to transition into this second phase, they seek to hire a consultant to support the streamlining of the previous monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL) technology systems, design and implement a pilot of data collection tools in CommCare and setup ongoing data visualization dashboards and processes. Along the way, consultants will strengthen capacity of key team members in CommCare so they can carry out management of the system for the next four years.
Consultant Activities
In order to support the streamlining of the MEAL system, design/pilot of CommCare, the following activities will be led by the consultant:
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Desk review of results frameworks, performance monitoring plans, lessons learned, data collection tools for the two similar programs
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Consultation with agency technical experts in monitoring, evaluation and learning as well as CommCare
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Implement a multi-day virtual brainstorming workshop with Liberia and Kyrgyzstan MEAL staff to envision what an updated system could look like – what doesn’t work currently, what is needed
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Implement a multi-day virtual planning workshop with these staff to revise and finalize data collection tools such as student registration forms, attendance tracking forms, etc; . The consultant is responsible for facilitating these processes, not the creation of these deliverables.
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Implement a multi-day virtual design workshop to design a small-scale pilot in CommCare including approx. 3 tools. The goal of the pilot is to build capacity and confidence of staff to develop and test tools in CommCare in a real-life scenario.
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Train approximately 10 with no previous CommCare experience on the development of tools and case management in CommCare
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Test and rollout tools with technical support
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Support teams to implement a small-scale pilot of the tools in CommCare with one round of data collection by providing technical backstopping
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Compile lessons learned and recommendations from the pilot phase in a presentation
Consultant Deliverables:
- Inception report (10-20 pages) upon review of desk review documents which includes technical analysis and comprehensive plan to implement subsequent activities in the scope of work
- Workshop terms of references and agendas including key learning outcomes and objectives
- Summary Report (approx. 5 pages) on workshops including finalized tools, indicator plans, data flow maps
- Summary Report (approx. 5 pages) on the design and implementation of the pilot including lessons learned and recommendations for a full-scale rollout
- Staff training report and recommendations for ongoing learning and what capacity gaps the team may face moving forward.
- Comprehensive issues list, documenting all challenges with the system and how they were resolved during the period of technical support
Timeframe / Schedule:
- Desk Review and initial kickoff meetings – Late October
- Brainstorming Workshop – Late October
- Planning Workshop – Late October
- Design Workshop – Late October
- Analysis of Pilot/Reporting – November
- Provide ongoing technical support (approximately 10 days per month) – November-December
*we have limited flexibility as this work needs to be implemented ASAP to support program startup. However, we will consider shifting the timeline by 1 month if necessary. Preference will be given to consultants who can meet our timeline.
The Consultant will report to:
Mercy Corps Performance and Quality Manager
The Consultant will work closely with:
Mercy Corps technical advisors, program team, etc.
Desired Qualifications
- 5+ years of experience with training in cross cultural environments
- Advanced/pro user of CommCare
- Strong background in monitoring, evaluation and learning
- Fluency in spoken and written English
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.
We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening and evolving to become more diverse, equitable and inclusive than we are today.
Equal Employment Opportunity
We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination on the basis of race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status or any other protected group in the locations where we work.
Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our stakeholders and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects. Team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.