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Promoting Decent Work through Improved Migration Policy and its Application in Bangladesh Terms of Reference

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)

For the Project:

Promoting Decent Work through Improved Migration Policy and its Application in Bangladesh

Terms of Reference (ToR)

A. Background

The objective of this Service is to design a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework and a monitoring plan and support roll-out of the plan for the International Labour Organization (ILO) executed “Promoting Decent Work through Improved Migration Policy and its Application in Bangladesh” Project (Hereafter termed the “Labour Migration Project”). The project is being implemented in partnership with the Ministry of Expatriates’ Welfare and Overseas Employment of the Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh (MEWOE), International Organization for Migration (IOM), and United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and is funded by the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC).

The aim of the “Labour Migration Project” is to make migration safe for the women and men workers using a rights-based approach. Specific components of the project are aimed towards improving migrant workers’ employment conditions, their bargaining power through enhanced information and skills, helping them to seek assistance when abroad, providing for reasonable and more efficient recruitment proceedings to minimize the costs as well as to regulate the recruitment agencies, and encouraging domestic, regional and international cooperation for the migrant workers rights. Throughout the project, an empowerment and rights based approach to women migrants is to be promoted while measures are to be put in place to address their specific needs in respect of protection and social services.

B. Objective

The role of the Service Provider who would carry out this assignment will be to support ILO and its key implementing partners to develop and implement robust base lines, a M&E framework, a monitoring plan, and to support the roll-out of the plan.

C. Scope of Work

The Service Provider will be required to:

1. Develop an M&E framework for the Labour Migration Project. 

2. Develop a monitoring plan for the Labour Migration Project. 

3. Collect and create a baseline database for each of the Project Outputs. 

4. Support roll out of the monitoring plan for the Labour Migration Project. 

5. Review, and provide advice based on the assignment, including the roll out of the monitoring plan, about the M&E related resources required in the ILO Project Management Team (ILO PMT). 

6. Make recommendations to enhance the Labour Migration Project’s efficiency and effectiveness in lessons learnt in Bangladesh, regionally and internationally. 

D. Tasks and Methods

The Service Provider will provide the following key deliverables.

1. Inception phase tasks such as (but not limited to): 

1.1. Review of project documents, progress reports of the implementation so far and meetings with the ILO PMT, implementing partners and other Service providers to provide an assessment of progress towards the Outputs during the Project Inception Period (July – Oct 2012). 

1.2. Assessment of the needs of data and data management, monitoring and evaluation systems. 

1.3. Finalization of the baseline methodologies and the assignment workplan. 

2. An Inception Report, which will include: 

2.1. A draft M&E framework, which includes the existing Objectives and Outputs1 but if needed new or revised/refined performance monitoring indicators which must be gender equality responsive, new annual milestones and end of project targets for the Labour Migration Project. The framework should capture: 

2.1.1. Progress towards Objectives (e.g. improved safety during emigration, enhanced social security, 

reduced vulnerability, and enhanced empowerment of women migrant workers’)

2.1.2.Progress towards, and effectiveness of, outputs (e.g. number of beneficiaries reached, quality of technical support, effectiveness of activities, value for money)

2.1.3.Efficiency of transferring inputs to outputs and to the realization of the Objectives 2.1.4.Effectiveness and efficiency of management and the project inputs (e.g. cost effectiveness of
activities and staff management)

2.1.5.Methodologies for external evaluations (mid-term and end of the project) and impact assessments as part of the mid-term and end of the project evaluations (ILO is specifically looking for methodology for a rigorous impact assessment of one component of the Labour Migration Project during the mid-term evaluation)

2.2. The Labour Migration Project wide draft Monitoring Plan. This should be based on the M&E framework, and include: 

2.2.1.Approach to ensuring robust baseline and progress information for the M&E Framework.

2.2.2. Description of data sources required for reporting progress, including data collection methods; approach to ensuring data quality; and survey plans 

2.2.3. Recommendations on the implementing partners’ internal project monitoring and evaluation system. 

2.2.4. Review and revision of formats for reporting to the ILO by the implementing partners, which include half yearly progress reporting, annual reports, mid-term reports (Applicable only to the NGOs with whom implementation Agreements have been signed), and end of the project report. 

2.2.5. Monitoring Tools to be used by the implementing partners and the ILO PMT. 

2.2.6. Approach to assessing costs and benefits of the Labour Migration Project and its components being implemented by the implementing partners, to enable an analysis of the Project and component effectiveness. 

3. An M&E Inception Workshop for the implementing partners and the ILO PMT, specifically to discuss the M&E Framework, the Monitoring Plan, and the Roles and Responsibilities for implementation of the M&E Framework and the Monitoring Plan. 

4. Baseline databases per Project Output based on secondary data sources/literature review and a Baseline Report giving details of: 

4.1. The updated project context 

4.2. Role of the Labour Migration Project in the present day context 

4.3. Adequacy of the partnerships or needs for new partnerships ensuring the policy orientation of the Labour Migration Project 

4.4. Process followed for the identification of data needs and sources 

4.5. Annotated list of secondary data sources/literature reviewed 

4.6. Results, including: 

4.6.1.Quantitative data, disaggregated along gender, age, and ethnicity as and where applicable, per Output arranged Project Objective-wise

4.6.2. Qualitative interpretation of data per Output arranged Project Objective-wise 

4.7. Conclusions 

1. The first round of monitoring together with all the key partners to demonstrate how to implement the Monitoring Plan and use the baseline. 

2. A monitoring report, including a case study. 

3. End of the Assignment Report, including the Final Deliverables as described below under the Point E. 

E. Deliverables 

1. The Inception Report as described in the Point D.2 (5-6 pages excluding the M&E Framework and the Monitoring Plan). 

2. The final version of the M&E Framework as described in the Point D.2.1 above (pages to depend on the format being used). 

3. The final version of the Monitoring Plan as described in the Point D.2.2 above (pages to depend on the format being used). 

4. The Final version of the Baseline Report as described in the Point D.4 above (30-35 pages). 

5. The Final version of the Monitoring Report as described in the Point D.6 above (10-15 pages). 

6. PowerPoint presentation (18-20 slides) on: 

6.1. The M&E Framework and the Monitoring Plan. 

6.2. The highlights of the Baseline Report. 

2. End of the Assignment Report (14-15 pages), including: 

7.1. Lessons learnt and indication of potential areas for project development. 

7.2. Recommendations for the implementing partners for progress tracking. 

7.3. A technical assistance plan for the ILO PMT to support the implementing partners to implement the Monitoring Plan, in areas not limited to, but including: data collection and interpretation to monitor progress against the baseline and towards the Outputs and Objectives, cost-effectiveness assessment, and if appropriate sampling methodologies. 

F. Approach

The M&E Framework, the Monitoring Plan and the Baseline are expected to:

1. Build on, and support, the implementing partners ILO PMT, to develop and improve their own monitoring and evaluation capacity as far as possible. 

2. Track and understand achievement of outcomes as well as value for money (e.g. including an assessment of financial, staff and procurement management). 

3. Assess effectiveness of implementing partners’ knowledge management strategy, and the projects’ impact on, and lessons learnt for, Government of Bangladesh’s policies, guidelines and social security activities related to the migrant workers. 

4. Help ensure that all project interventions are based on, and consistent with the ILO Labour Standards and ILO/UN Conventions and Recommendations for the migrant workers, the latest existing international and national evidence of good practice for labour migration projects. 

5. Develop lessons, research and recommendations which will contribute to national and international knowledge about rights based safe labour migration policies, strategies and activities. 

6. Maximize opportunities to enhance the national ownership of the Labour Migration Project (National ownership for ILO would include its tripartite constituents, ie, the government, the employers or those relevant to the Bangladeshi migrant workers, and the workers or the trade unions). 

7. Ensure gender indicators and gender disaggregated data and monitoring tools and analysis are used whenever applicable, to ensure a good understanding of the different impacts on men and women.

8. Bring out issues related to vulnerable groups (women and girls, the poorest, disabled, people living with HIV/AIDS); maximizing prospects for sustainability; improving coordination and capacity of the MEWOE; and improving links between community level work and national and district level work. 

G. Reporting and Deadlines for the Deliverables

The Service Provider will provide the Inception Report, as described above, within 15 days of the start date mentioned in the Contract.

The reports and timeframe for additional Deliverables, as described in the Point D.7.9, will be finalized at the end of the Inception Phase (please refer to the Point D.1.3).

H. Timeframe 

1. The total duration of the Assignment will be 45 days spread over three (3) months from the start date mentioned in the Contract. 

2. Applications in the prescribed manner (please see the Point K below) to reach the ILO by 25 November 2012. 

3. ILO would complete the selection, notify the selected Service Provider and complete the contracting process 09 December 2012. 

4. The selected Service Provider is expected to be able to mobilize and start the work around 15 December 2012. 

5. The Inception Report is expected by 22 December 2012. 

6. The Contract will be provided with three break periods as mentioned below in the workplan to allow adequate time to the implementing partners and the ILO to review and feedback: 

a. First break: At the end of the Inception Phase and Inception Reporting (approximately 15 days); 

b. Second break: After the M&E Inception Workshop, at the end of the Baseline Reporting (approximately 07 days); and 

c. Third break: At the end of the first Monitoring Reporting (approximately 07 days). 

J. Location and Travel 

The Assignment is to be carried out in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Travel to any other area is not foreseen.

J. Fees and Guideline for the Price Offer

Subject to the ability of the Selected Service Provider’s ability to meet the Selection and the Eligibility Criteria specified below (Points K and L), the price offer may be negotiated to meet the approved scale of payment for the national/international consultants.

K. Selection Criteria

The proposals will be selected based on the following criteria and weightage:

1. Demonstrated experience of developing M&E Frameworks and Plans (15%). 

2. Experience of conducting Baseline Studies and building monitoring databases (15%). 

3. Comprehensiveness of approach, soundness of methodology, and overall understanding of the ToR, comprehensiveness of work plan and timeline of the proposal (15%). 

4. Experience of gender disaggregated data collection and gender analysis (15%). 

5. Quality of expertise of the applicant along the eligibility criteria mentioned in the Point J below (20%). 

6. Value for money (20%). 

L. Eligibility Criteria

Proposal can be submitted by individuals who:

1. Hold a Master’s level qualification migration and development related studies/monitoring and evaluation/any other relevant social sciences discipline.

1. Have minimum 10 years of experience in M&E planning and implementation. 

2. Have good knowledge of the main concepts and methodologies currently in use for design, monitoring and evaluation of all types of ILO technical cooperation programmes and projects; and the purposes, processes, norms, standards and guiding principles for planning, monitoring and evaluation in the UN System. 

3. Have demonstrated skills in writing M&E reports. 

4. Are fluent in verbal and written English and the applications of relevant M&E software. 

5. Subject matter knowledge/awareness of the labour migration programming an advantage. 

6. Meet the requirement specified in the Selection Criteria above (Point K). 

M. Application Method and Deadline 

1. ILO expects the applications to reach it by 24:00 hrs (Bangladesh time) on the 15 November 2012. 

2. The following would constitute a complete application (Applicants are requested to arrange the documents in the given order): 

2.1. A cover letter duly signed by the applicant (1 page) 

2.2. A brief technical proposal duly signed by the applicant (3-4 pages) 

2.3. A detailed workplan for three months with start and end dates for each action and indicative deadline for all tasks and deliverables (5-10 pages) 

2.4. A price offer with clear indication of a lumpsum rate for 45 days inclusive of all expenses such as the technical fee, international/local travel, accommodation, food, stationary, etc (1 page) 

2.5. CV of the applicant with clear indication of Name as it exists in the passport, Date of Birth, Nationality, Academic Qualifications, Competencies and Professional Experiences (4-5 pages) 

2.6. Three reference contact details with one reference the supervisor in the organization for whom the applicant organization implemented a project monitoring plan 

2.7. A sample of previously developed M&E Framework and a Monitoring Plan 

2.8. A sample of previously done Baseline Study and/or monitoring database 

1. Applications may be submitted in soft copy and hard copy to: 

Nisha
Chief Technical Advisor
Promoting Decent Work through Improved Migration Policy and Its Application in Bangladesh Email: nish@ilo.org

Address:
ILO Country Office for Bangladesh
House No. 12, Road No. 12 (New), Dhanmondi R/A Dhaka-1209, Bangladesh.
Landline: +88 02 8114 705, 8117 685, 9112 876, 9120 649, 9112 907, 9140 835

The soft copy should be in a CD/USB drive.

If submitting by email, please ensure that the submission includes scanned copies of the signed documents in pdf format. Applications by email should be sent to the above-mentioned and copied to:

Gregoiré Crettaz
Migration Specialist
Promoting Decent Work through Improved Migration Policy and Its Application in Bangladesh Email: crettaz@ilo.org