Lead Consultant for Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) MEL Support At Social Impact

Liberia Data, Evaluation, Learning, and Technical Assistance (DELTA) Activity

Liberia DELTA Overview:

USAID awarded IBI the five-year Liberia Data, Evaluation, Learning, and Technical Assistance (DELTA) Activity on January 31, 2022. Social Impact (SI) is partnered with International Business Initiatives (IBI) for the five-year DELTA activity to provide innovative analytical and advisory services to USAID/Liberia’s Office of Program and Project Development and its Development Objective teams. The project will also support the Mission’s project design, performance monitoring and evaluation, and operational learning and adaptation. SI will assist USAID/Liberia in its data collection and reporting processes and deliver high-quality monitoring, evaluation, and learning reports and assessments.

Duration: September 1, 2024 – February 28, 2025

Background
The Ministry of Finance and Development Planning (MFDP) has requested USAID/Liberia’s assistance to strengthen its National Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Unit. This support will focus on improving planning, monitoring, assessing, and reporting practices through the implementation of best practices and emerging development methodologies.

With assistance from the University of Witwatersrand (South Africa), the Center for Learning on Evaluation and Results-Anglophone Africa (CLEAR-AA) conducted a Monitoring and Evaluation Situational Analysis (MESA) of Liberia in 2020. Among other findings, the assessment confirmed the existence of national and sub-national evaluation systems and highlighted lack of coordination between structures within the systems leading to an ad hoc approach to evaluation.

Based on the assessment findings, DELTA will work with USAID and MFDP to provide tailored capacity support to the MFDP M&E Unit. DELTA is seeking to recruit a Lead Consultant to lead the process to support the MFDP in designing a robust Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning System and framework for its national development agenda and goals in collaboration with the MFDP consultants. This Lead Consultant will also lead a cascaded capacity strengthening plan development at the national level, collaborating with the MFDP consultants, with other line ministries, and at county and other sub-national levels. The Lead Consultant will be closely supported by a MEL Specialist and management from the DELTA team. The Lead Consultant and Technical Expert will also work with MFDP and its consultants to develop the MFDP MEL Policy and Plan (which will include the MEL Framework).

Objectives

· Work collaboratively with MFDP consultants to design, develop and implement the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework for Liberia’s National Development Agenda

· Lead MFDP Staff Capacity Assessment and capacity strengthening activities in collaboration with MFDP consultants

· Provide strategic guidance and technical leadership in all aspects of MEL support to MFDP along with MFDP team

Responsibilities
· Stakeholder Engagement: Work closely with MFDP leadership, technical staff, other ministries, and other stakeholders to understand the strengths, challenges, and needs for coordinated national and sub-national M&E structures and systems. Lead and coordinate stakeholder engagement efforts to ensure that technical support is consultative, inclusive of broad perspectives, user-driven, and decisions are made and owned by GOL. Ultimately, the MFDP must steward the MEL framework. As such, the approach must ensure that the MFDP drives each step of the process.

· MEL Framework Development: Oversee the development of a comprehensive MEL framework, including defining objectives, scope, indicators, data collection methods, and reporting systems.

· Capacity Strengthening: Design and implement capacity strengthening activities, including training sessions for MFDP staff and other stakeholders on MEL concepts, tools, systems, and processes.

· Data Management Systems: Lead collaboration with M&E Units across ministries to design/adaptation of data collection tools, data management systems, and data quality assurance mechanisms.

· Reporting and Communication: Develop standardized reporting templates and ensure regular communication and updates with stakeholders.

Deliverables
· Develop a detailed activity plan (i.e., approach, deliverables, timelines, etc.)

· Comprehensive MEL framework document

· Comprehensive training plans, facilitation plans for each training, training materials, and learning measurement

· Data management and reporting systems

· Regular progress reports and a final report detailing the outcomes and impacts of the MEL support activities at the systems and staff level

· MFDP MEL Policy and Plan

· Lead regular coordination meetings for key GOL decision makers to keep them updated on progress, next steps, and gather input

Qualifications
· Advanced degree in a relevant field (e.g., M&E, Demography, Statistics, Development Studies, Public Administration, Public Financial Management)

· At least 10 years of experience strengthening M&E systems and capacities, especially in public sector settings

· Demonstrated experience conducting needs assessments or capacity assessments and working consultatively with institutions to provide tailored technical assistance, trainings, and deliver user-owned outcomes

· Strong leadership, facilitation, and project management skills

· Familiarity with “thinking and working politically” or other governance framework lenses preferred

· Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills

· Strong knowledge of the Liberia development context and operating environment of its government ministries