Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist , Afghanistan

Background
In September 2012, Building Markets International launched a professionalization programme for Afghan Civil Society Organizations with mandate to promote and protect human rights and women rights.

Civil society organizations in Afghanistan are in need of basic training to become more efficient and effective, and to encourage a strong and active democratic society. The role of CSOs is becoming increasingly crucial as a counter to corruption, increasing accountability and providing disenfranchised Afghans with a voice.

45 CSOs that promote and protect the rights of Afghans were selected to participate in this programme. Since October 2012, these organizations received direct training, mentorship and support, designed to strengthen their leadership and capacity to successfully implement programmes and increase the effectiveness and efficiency of their overall operational capacity.

Building Markets is looking for a consultant to review and provide quality assurance over its data collection methods and impact tracking methodologies.

Project understanding
Impact measurement and evaluation is an important component of Building Markets’ project model. A lot of resources have been invested in developing data collection and reporting procedures to generate key performance metrics.

Building Markets requires a third party organization to review and provide external assurance to its donor. All data generated from the Professionalization of Afghan Civil Society Organizations programme will be subject to this assurance review. Additional information about the project is available at www.buildingcsos.wordpress.com.

The objectives of assurance report will be to:

1. Provide appropriate assurance over the key impact metrics that are reported to donors and used in public communications;
2. Review and provide impartial commentary on data collection processes and, if appropriate, propose recommendations for future improvement.

The conduct of the assurance may be based on a desk review of electronic documents, plus virtual interviews with key staff, as well as other generally accepted review and assessment practices.

Deliverables
The following outputs will be required by 5 March 2013:

• a review of Building Markets impact assessment methodologies and tracking systems;
• an external assurance on methodology, data collection process and data reported for the three impact measures;
• a management report with appropriate feedback on Building Markets’ methodology and data collection procedures.

Travel
This assurance may involve travel for up to two weeks to Building Markets’ field office in Kabul, Afghanistan.

Duration of contract
1 month

Qualifications

• 8 - 10 years experience evaluating data collection and impact tracking methodologies for international development projects;
• Excellent writing and presentation skills;
• Ability to work independently and with teams (virtually and on-site);
• Experience living and working post-conflict and fragile states is an asset;

How to apply:

Interested parties are requested to send a CV, cover letter and work sample (e.g. evaluation reports, or similar) to vacancies@buildingmarkets.org by midnight EDT on 5-February-2013.