Country: Colombia, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Norway
Closing date: 22 Jan 2018
Case study on peer-peer cooperation in Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
Results and lessons learned from Colombian, Honduras, Salvador and Guatemala Red Cross and Norwegian Red Cross partnership
Background
Norwegian Red Cross (Norcross), together with its partner Red Cross/Red Crescent National Societies (NSs), supports projects and programmes in health, water and sanitation, disaster management and protection, with the overall goal to address the needs of the most vulnerable, while achieving greater and more measurable impact. An important part of this support is linked to contribute to partner National Societies organisational development, called 'National Society Development' (NSD), which includes support to strengthening their systems, structures and capacity in planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting. Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (PMER) capacities and systems are essential for any organization to be able to learn and improve, show results of the work and be accountable towards donors, colleagues, those benefiting from the programs as well as other stakeholders. Good systems and capacity in PMER contributes to more credible, transparent and efficient organisations and increased quality of programs and projects.
In the Americas, NorCross works together with partner National Societies in Colombia, Guatemala, Honduras and El Salvador. This includes support to specific programs and projects, as well as facilitating and supporting cooperation between PMER personnel within and between the different Red Cross National Societies, to further improve systems and skills and increase the focus on result-based management for showing and documenting results and demonstrating impact. Partners' ability to collect data, monitor their programs and projects and systematically report on achievements within the region is particularly important.
The peer-peer (or horizontal) PMER approach, in which the four NorCross countries exchange knowledge and experiences among each other, facilitated and supported by NorCross at the country, regional and global level, has shown significant results. This way of working could provide learning for other regions or areas and as such NorCross would like to document the knowledge and experiences around this initiative. Concrete examples of such cooperation are for example technical workshops for PMER focal points, peer-peer capacity building on mobile PMER technology, standardization of PMER tools and experience sharing on baseline processes and evaluations.
Objectives
The main purpose of this study is to document this case for further learning and sharing. More specifically, the objectives are to:
Describe, in a reader-friendly way, the regional PMER cooperation and peer-peer learning, the roles of NorCross, CRC, HRC, SRC, GRC and others in the process, for learning and sharing.
Document achievements in terms of this peer–peer PMER approach, specifically in processes such as data collection and analysis (base- and end-line studies), systematized monitoring – e.g. through the development of data management systems -, reporting, reviews and evaluations
Describe challenges encountered in the process, internally and externally, and how these were addressed and/or resolved and how NorCross approach has added value.
Assess and summarize the key success factors including pre-conditions for the change process (e.g. NS ownership, role of PMER focal point, Movement coordination etc.)
Identify lessons learned and recommend/suggest potential improvements to the peer–peer PMER approach and support activities for ongoing and future work.
Scope
The scope of the study is to document and analyse the experiences, good practices and lessons learnt as part of the peer–peer PMER approach in the Americas supported by NorCross. This includes:
The role and support from NorCross' international and Regional PMER team, Country Managers and regional office in Panama as well as the role and support by hired external consultants in supporting NS’s PMER capacity building
Key success factors
Specific examples including 1-2 best practice cases
Methodology
Proposed methodology for the case study includes:
Desk review of relevant documentation: e.g. relevant NSs related data sources, including NS strategies, PMER policies, working documents, presentations of data management systems, review and evaluation reports, base- and endline studies, monitoring plans, proposals, project documents, etc*.*
General Norcross reference documents, NorCross International Strategy, IFRCs and Norcross's NSD thematic frameworks, strategy and NorCross regional and country strategies.
Interviews, primarily by skype or questionnaires, likely without the need for travel. Travel will only take place if this is found to be necessary. Key informant interviews, including semi-structured questionnaires, etc., e.g. with key NS staff and if relevant with other stakeholders (international Movement staff, external partners of the National Society).
Deliverables
The study will result in a written document for use within the Red Cross Movement.
The text of the case study written in full in English, around 4000 – 6000 words (in addition to annexes), depending on the format. A separate summary of the study should also be made available in both English and Spanish.
A PowerPoint presentation for presenting the case study in English and Spanish.
Dissemination of findings in coordination with the PMER focal points from NorCross and the involved RC National Societies. This could e.g. include a webinar to disseminate learnings from the case study and give space for the global PMER community of practice to share technical views on the case study.
Language
The study should be written in English, meeting high Federation standards, and with a summary in the Spanish language. If deemed relevant NorCross will officially translate the full study in Spanish.
Process and timetable
Jan: Consultant recruitment and selection; design of methodology for the case study and tools.
Feb: Complete design of methodology, Implementation of study, Presentation of key findings and recommendations
March: First draft report, Final report including the recommendations coming from the revision of the first draft.
The max number of consultancy days for this study is 20, including preparation and report writing.
Budget
The payment shall be released according to the following products outlined in the time line: The payment will be in two tranches. First release: 60% on submission of the evaluation design and workplan. This includes an advance related to the implementation of the review. Second release: 40% on submission and acceptance of the final report.
Roles and responsibilities
The consultant will be responsible for carrying out all steps of the methodology mentioned above and the development of the final products mentioned.
The NorCross regional PMER Adviser and/or focal point will help him/her to identify the relevant actors for interviews and will provide the consultant with available contacts. The NorCross PMER adviser will also be responsible for supervising the work in progress to ensure that the consultant meets NorCross expectations.
A reference team with NorCross and local NS staff will review the drafting of the case study and will provide comments up to its final approval. NorCross Technical Team will lead on proofreading and revising the case study on the technical side.
NorCross will be responsible for approving the final version of the case study.
Qualifications, skills and experience required
Experiences with similar studies and or reviews/evaluations
Good writing skills, experience with writing case studies/success stories is an advantage
Awareness of relevant international standard and best practice approaches
Good understanding of PMER and sound understanding of development issues
Good understanding of the RC/RC Movement
Excellent written and spoken English and Spanish language skills
A demonstrated ability (through previous similar assignments) to analyse, compile and synthesize information in coherent and succinct formats
How to apply:
Your Expression of Interest should include:
Technical proposal, not exceeding five pages, expressing an understanding and interpretation of the TOR, the proposed methodology, a time & activity schedule and consultant availability.
Financial proposal itemizing estimated costs for services rendered: e.g. daily consultancy fees and any other related supplies or services required for the review (max 1 page)
Full Curricula Vitae (CV), including 2-3 relevant references.
One page outline of how experience is specifically relevant for this assignment.
A brief description of your firm or institution (for applicants other than individual contractors).
Preferably: an example of a review report like that described in this TOR.
Application material is non-returnable, and we thank you in advance for understanding that only short-listed candidates will be contacted for the next step in the application process.
All proposals should be submitted in the English language
All prices should be included in US$. Any proposal that does not explicitly state the associated prices may be automatically disqualified
All discounts applicable to non-profits should be clearly marked
All costs associated with the case study should be clearly listed.
Requests for information or clarification should be addressed to the persons and addresses listed below: Madelon Schneiders, senior PMER advisor: madelon.schneiders@redcross.no or Lars Erik Svanberg, Country manager Guatemala: lars.svanberg@redcross.no
Complete proposals should be submitted by email in PDF format on the following addresses: madelon.schneiders@redcross.no
Deadline: 22st of January 2018 (midnight Norwegian time)