Expression of Interest for Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

Selibeng.com

February 21, 2023

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KINGDOM OF LESOTHO

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FOOD SECURITY

LESOTHO SMALLHOLDER AGRICULTURE DEVELOPMENT PROJECT II

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES- INDIVIDUAL CONSULTANTS SELECTION METHOD)

LOAN NO: P165228

CREDIT NO: IDA -64220 -LS

ASSIGNMENT TITLE: MONITORING & EVALUATION SPECIALIST

REFERENCE NO: LS-MAFS- 341152-CS-INDV

DURATION: THIRTY-SIX MONTHS

DUTY STATION : PMU MASERU

BACKGROUND

The Government of Lesotho is implementing the Smallholder Agricultural Development Project (SADP) 2 with financial support from the World Bank, Government of Japan and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD). The project covers ten districts – Maseru, Leribe, Botha-Bothe, Mokhotlong, Thaba-Tseka, Berea Mafeteng, Mohale’sHoek, Quthing and Qacha’sNek. SADP is coordinated by the Project Management unit (PMU) based in Maseru. The project has four components:

Component 1. Promoting Climate Smart Agricultural Practices and Advisory Services. This component aims at strengthening the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers to adjust and modify their production systems to minimize the potential future impacts from climate variability
Component 2. Improving Agricultural Commercialization and Nutrition. This component will build on Component 1 by addressing financial constraints in the agricultural sector so that the training and advisory services provided under Component 1 is complemented with much-needed financing to help the farming community undertake productive and profitable investments.
Component 3. Project Management, Coordination and Monitoring and Evaluation It is responsible for: implementation and coordination, financial management and procurement, communication, visibility and awareness programs, environmental management and safeguards, and monitoring and evaluation.
Component 4. Contingency Emergency Response Component (CERC). This is a zero allocation to partially cover emergency response via implementation of key activities by the appropriate agencies to respond to the emergency.

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Reporting to the Project Director, the Monitoring and Evaluation specialist will be responsible for strengthening its monitoring and evaluation systems and practices and generate evidence-based feedback for program planning and policy formulation.

3. SCOPE OF SERVICES

Responsibilities

Establish, maintain, and update with new data on a regular basis a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) system taking into account the Government monitoring frameworks, World Bank and IFAD results implementation management system (RIMS), the project objectives stipulated in the Project Appraisal Document (PAD) and the experience from other IFAD supported Projects in Lesotho.

Through technical assistance (TA) support, introduce the multidimensional poverty assessment tool (MPAT).

Develop, and maintain a Management Information System (MIS) for managing data and information for overall monitoring.

In collaboration with members of the Project Management Unit (PMU), the districts offices and implementing partners, fine-tune the M&E indicators and the logical framework (or Log frame) of the project.

Organize and supervise focused baseline surveys at the beginning of the project and update the project log frame with the revised indicators to enable assessment of the project’s performance and impact on the target groups.

Ensure capture of intended impact as well as successes and failures.

In collaboration with other members of the PMU, districts offices and other implementing partners, coordinate the preparation and revision of the project annual work plan and budget (AWPB).

Provide technical backstopping to implementing agencies for preparing the AWPBs and for compliance with reporting requirements.

Establish implementation targets, monitor implementation processes and performance, and assess outputs and outcomes.

Set up reporting formats, templates and timetable to enable different stakeholders, including contracted service providers, to provide the necessary monitoring reports and management information to facilitate timely, well informed and effective management decision making.

Facilitate the project’s annual review workshops, impact assessment studies, Mid Term Review and completion review.

Collate essential data to be included in quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports.

In collaboration with the Finance Director, Procurement Officer and Component Managers monitor financial and physical progress as well as reporting back to stakeholders to create a better learning environment.

Organize training on M&E for members of the PMU, implementing partners and districts as required.

Improve project performance by providing relevant and well researched information to the PMU, implementing partners and district offices on a timely basis.

Liaise with the component managers within the key ministries and the Field Implementation Teams in the districts, implementing partners and service providers for effective linkages and information exchange.

Monitor gender mainstreaming and equality in all project activities.

Undertake any other related duties assigned by the PD.

4. CONTRACT DURATION AND CONDITION

Contract duration is three years, but renewable upon satisfactory performance of the incumbent and subject to business continuity and availability of funds. The assignment is planned to condescendence by April 2023

5. FACILITIES TO BE PROVIDED BY THE CLIENT

The Client shall render the Officer with all such facilities as may be reasonably required to enable the Officer to discharge his/her duties that is office space, laptop/computer, landline telephone, and transport related to the assignment delivery.

6. DELIVERABLES AND FINAL OUTPUTS

M&E framework will define and identify:

expected results based on analysis and consultations with World Bank sector specialists and KRG stakeholders;
indicators for expected results and for other elements of the results chain with baselines and targets. To the extent possible, an M&E framework will rely on available tools and indicators in the existing M&E systems. Where such indicators are not available, recommendations will be developed in consultation with the implementation support team from the Bank and IFAD on methodology for data collection and analysis, reporting frequency, and institutional arrangements.

M&E guidelines will be prepared in the form of an operational manual, including:

monitoring and evaluation principles;
procedures and templates for data collection and reporting for results indicators;
roles and responsibilities for reporting on the results achieved, including format, content, frequency, source(s) of data.

7. QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIRED EXPERIENCE

Have a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, Statistics or a related field from a recognized University. A post graduate diploma/certificate in MIS or M&E will be an added advantage.

Have 10 years working experience in M&E of Government of Kingdom of Lesotho.

4 years working experience within the donor-based project or Development agencies preferably in government system.

4 years of relevant experience at the international level in international development issues, both in the field and headquarters.
Full command in M&E related techniques including conducting surveys and Participatory Rural Appraisals.
Be computer literate and able to use advanced computer packages for quantitative and qualitative analysis and data base storage.
Have knowledge and experience on the project cycle related activities and developments in the sector.
Experience in results-based program development and management.

Skills/Abilities

a) Proven organizational and inter-personal skills, and ability to work in a multi-cultural team environment b) Ability to work under pressure and according to tight deadlines.

c) Essential computer skills in particular competency in the use of Windows MS Office programs (Word, Excel, Power Point etc.)

Operational Effectiveness

a) Results-driven and initiative-taking behavior.

b) Ability to plan and organize work and establish priorities.

c) Remains calm and in control even under pressure, and consistently approaches work with energy and positive and constructive attitude.

e) Informed, sound, and transparent decision-making skills.

f) Thoroughly and methodically collects, verifies and records data, demonstrating attention to detail and identifying and correcting errors of his/her own initiative.

Orientation and Communication

a) Good interpersonal and networking skills.

b) Ability to establish and maintain effective working relations colleagues and seniors.

c) Supports and encourages open communication in the team and facilitates team work.

d) Ability to work under minimum supervision.

e) Ability to work with multiple stakeholders from a wide range of disciplines and fields, Central Level and District Level Project Implementation Units and having diverse and competing views and interests.

Professional competencies

a) Professionalism: Ability to conduct data analysis using various methods. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities. Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges; remains calm in stressful situations. Takes responsibility for incorporating gender perspectives and ensuring the equal participation of women and men in all areas of work.

b) Communication: Speaks and writes clearly and effectively; exhibits interest in having two-way communication; demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.

c) Teamwork: Works collaboratively with colleagues to achieve organizational goals; shares credit for team accomplishments and accepts joint responsibility for team shortcomings and overall responsibilities. d) Planning and Organizing: Develops clear goals that are consistent with agreed strategies; identifies priority activities and assignments; adjusts priorities as required; allocates appropriate amount of time and resources for completing work; foresees risks and allows for contingencies when planning; monitors and adjusts plans and actions as necessary; uses time efficiently.

e) Accountability: Takes ownership of all responsibilities and honors commitments; delivers outputs for which one has responsibility within prescribed time, cost and quality standards; operates in compliance with organizational regulations and rules; support subordinates,

Managerial Competencies

a) Leadership: establishes and maintains relationships with a broad range of people to understand needs and gain support; anticipates and resolves conflicts by pursuing mutually agreeable solutions.

8. CLIENT ASSIGNMENT MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING ARRANGEMENTS

The consultant is subject to an annual performance review. The performance evaluation shall be based on the quality of the delivery of the work program/ plan prepared at the beginning of each rated period.
Project Director – SADP II is responsible for the coordination of activities acceptance and approval of the reports.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III paragraph 3.14 to 3.17 of THE WORLD BANK’S Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, PROCUREMENT IN INVESTMENT PROJECT FINANCING Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services, Fourth Edition, November 2020, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A consultant will be selected in accordance with selection of Individual Consultants Method set out in Procurement Regulations.

SUBMISSION

Expressions of interest accompanied by a detailed CV must be delivered in a written form to the address below by email by 12:00hrs local time on the 8^th of March 2023 clearly marked ‘’ Expression of Interest for Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist”

To: Project Director SADP

Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security

Department of Livestock Services -Moshoeshoe 11

P.O. Box 24

Maseru 100 Lesotho.

Email: [email protected] copied to [email protected]

Only shortlisted candidates will be notified.