Background Information

Global Communities (GC) is prepare a bid in response to the anticipated USDA funding opportunity for the McGovern-Dole Food for Education Program (MGD). GC is seeking a consultant to lead the development of the proposal’s MEL section. The consultant will be responsible for reviewing donor technical guidance, existing GC documentation, consulting closely with country-based staff and/or consultants, and supporting new inputs from formative work and project design, to develop submission ready products in line with the SOW below. GC seeks a consultant for up to a maximum of 40 days of effort to begin in late 2023 or early 2024, with the heaviest LOE taking place during the live proposal period between approximately mid-February and mid-May 2024.

About the Consultancy

Scope of Work

1. Review and ensure familiarity with core USDA McGovern-Dole Technical and Proposal Guidance Documents, including:

• USDA McGovern Dole Learning Agenda
• USDA MGD Food Assistance Indicators and Definitions
• USDA standard Results Framework for McGovern-Dole and LRP
• Review USDA’s FY23 Results Framework
• FY23 Monitoring Eval & Reporting guidance
• RFP/NOFO for FY24 Proposals

2. Review key past GC MGD Proposals and technical documents and identify areas for updating and/or strengthening. Review summary of USDA feedback on GC’s former proposal submissions and MEL documents, including evaluation reports.
3. As needed and dependent on the target geographic area identified in the final solicitation, lead activities to update formative assessment to inform proposal design and targeting. This includes:

• Revise/redraft existing formative assessment protocol and tools from recent GC MGD proposals, in coordination with the proposal tech design team;
• Lead analysis of formative assessment data, collaborating with in-country consultants and/or GC MELI team as necessary.
• Summarize and prepare formative assessment results for use in proposal design activities

4. Participate in the full design workshop (potential to be held virtually or in the region). Plan for and lead M&E sessions in the Design Workshop, including presentation and dissemination of formative assessment results, overview of USDA learning agenda questions and M&E requirements, development of results framework, creation of Theory of Change (ToC), creation of learning agenda.
5. Draft M&E and proposal components, in collaboration/coordination with the proposal design team, including Results Framework diagram and supporting narrative, project indicators and targets, including Indicator Table, Evaluation Plan (including the learning agenda); and define key resources needed for M&E budget, including:

• Review existing M&E systems and recommend any required changes if necessary to platforms, tools, and /or approach
• Review/update current staffing and partnerships to implement MEL Plan

6. Participate in ongoing coordination calls and meetings with the proposal design team and GC MELI team.

Deliverables

• Participation in team and/or partnership calls and meetings, as determined necessary by program design leads and the proposal team.
• Participation in design workshop (any travel to be approved by GC)
• Development, editing, and revision of MEL proposal sections in line with NOFO guidelines:
  • Results Framework
  • Evaluation Plan
  • Indicator Table
  • Recommended inputs into budget/resourcing

Qualifications

• 5+ years of proposal development experience, including leading technical writing for multisectoral development programs
• Demonstrated experience designing and drafting USDA McGovern-Dole MEL proposals / programs sections including Results Frameworks, Indicators, and Learning Agendas
• English fluency required, Spanish highly preferred.

Location of Work

Remote, with ability to participate in a 1-week regional workshop

Global Communities holds strict safeguarding principles and has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. In the process of recruitment, selection, and appointment, Global Communities will conduct robust reference and background screening checks, including international vetting as a signature of the Global Misconduct Disclosure Scheme to ensure children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded, and abuse is prevented.  The incumbent is required to carry out their duties in accordance with Global Communities Safeguarding policy and the Standards of Conduct. 

Global Communities is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.