Consultancy for Design of a Results Framework for the CDAC Network
Location: London, UK
Reports
to: Senior Programme
Manager, CDAC Network Secretariat
Prepared
Date: 23 January 2014
Starting
Date: Mid/end February 2014
Duration: Over a period of two months (completion
by end April)
BACKGROUND
Communication is Aid
Communicating with, and providing information to, people affected by
crisis are two of the most important elements of humanitarian response. They
are also two of the most overlooked. This is the case even though information
can save lives and help mitigate risk.
People also have the right to participate in dialogue with aid
providers; the right to ask questions and get answers. In the midst of a
disaster, it is often the affected communities who have the deepest and most
immediate knowledge about their greatest needs, and listening to their voices
can help to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of humanitarian response.
Communicating
with communities (CwC) is a growing field of humanitarian response that helps
to meet the information and communication needs of people affected by crisis.
CwC is based on the principle that information and communication are critical
forms of aid, without which disaster survivors cannot effectively engage in
their own recovery and response. Without information and communication, people
affected by crisis cannot access services or make the best decisions for
themselves and their communities; neither can they hold aid agencies to
account. Conversely, when people are given the opportunity to voice their
opinions and provide feedback, this enhances their sense of well-being and can
help them adapt to the challenges they face. It can also better enable them to
take an active role in their own recovery.
Agencies
working in the area of CwC help disaster survivors to access the information
they need and communicate with those assisting them, as well as among
themselves. In this regard CwC is seen as a critical means through which to
improve humanitarian response. An important component of CwC is the desire to
shift power from the providers of aid to the recipients, and to facilitate
recipients’ own action.
Communication,
whether through new information and communications technologies or more
traditional means, is therefore essential for the engagement of
disaster-affected people in humanitarian action
CwC is a
cross-cutting function that facilitates greater accountability and
effectiveness of aid delivery; enhances resilience-building; and promotes
understanding between humanitarian organisations and the communities they
serve. Yet despite its potential to save lives and improve aid delivery,
communication with and information to affected communities have not been given
sufficient attention by humanitarian organisations and CwC is not
systematically institutionalised within the humanitarian sector. Its importance
to quality programming is not widely recognised and rarely implemented
effectively.
The Role of the CDAC Network
The CDAC Network was established in response to this communication and
information ‘gap’ and promotes the provision of life-saving and risk-mitigating
information and communication with crisis affected communities as key
humanitarian deliverables. The goal of the Network is that communities affected
by or prone to crises are supported to better withstand, and recover from,
humanitarian emergencies through active engagement in decisions about the
relief and recovery efforts in their country.
To achieve this, CDAC Network Members are committed to mainstreaming CwC
approaches in emergency response. They do this by supporting humanitarian
response through coordinated communication that makes use of appropriate media
and communication tools and platforms. Members also focus on how partnerships,
particularly with new humanitarian actors such as media development organisations,
telecoms companies and the private sector, can deliver effective and locally
appropriate outcomes.
The CDAC Network is unique in terms of who it convenes: humanitarian
and media development organisations and, increasingly, technology and telecoms
providers. By collaborating across traditional boundaries, CDAC Network Members
increase mutual understanding of the challenges they face and identify
opportunities for partnership in order to bring about innovative and effective
field practice and, ultimately, a more sustainable and improved response.
Members seek to build capacity together, share learning and research, and
advocate to ensure that CwC becomes a predictable, consistent and resourced
element of crisis resilience, response and recovery.
The CDAC Network delivers through four pillars
identified in its Strategy: action research and learning; capacity
strengthening; convening; and advocacy.
Current Members
Current Full Members of the CDAC Network are: ActionAid; BBC Media
Action; the ICRC; IOM; International Media Support (IMS); Internews Europe;
Merlin; UNFPA; UNHCR; UNOCHA; Plan UK; Save the Children; Thomson Reuters
Foundation; Translators without Borders; UNICEF; WFP; and World Vision
International. Affiliate Members include FdL Development; First Response Radio;
Freeplay Energy; and Frontline SMS. Internews Europe currently hosts the CDAC
Network Secretariat.
A RESULTS FRAMEWORK FOR THE CDAC NETWORK
Having recently
secured a grant from DfID, the CDAC Network is increasing its programme of work
and would like to put in place a Results Framework (referred to below as the Framework). The overall purpose of the
Framework is to:
-
Support the
operational work of its Members in relation to CwC programming
-
Provide a system to embed data collection and learning components into the work of the Secretariat, Board and
Members
-
Support accountability
for the effective use of CDAC Network funds, towards donors, Members and others
the Network seeks to benefit
-
Assess the performance
of the overall functioning of the Network (Secretariat, Board, Members) across
its fours strategic pillars and its programmes
The diagram in Annex 1 is a visual representation of the core components
of the Results Framework. It was developed as the result of a scoping exercise
with Network Members about how they monitor and evaluate their CwC work. It
presents the four key elements that will need to be included in the Results
Framework. The top two elements have a service orientation; the bottom two
elements a compliance orientation.
The four key elements of the Results
Framework
1. Communication coordination mechanisms: The CDAC Network is committed to generating a body of evidence that
demonstrates how to run an effective communication coordination mechanism. The
emphasis in this quadrant is the further refinement of the methodology (already
used twice) to generate learning reviews of different comms coordination
mechanisms, led by different agencies in different contexts. This work will be
influenced by a consideration of literature on humanitarian coordination,
collaboration, and partnership. There will be a link to the quadrant associated
with Network functioning.
2. Member field level M&E and learning: This element is focused on supporting CDAC Network Members to monitor
and evaluate their CwC interventions at field level. Due to the difference in
the mandates of Members, a generic field level M&E and learning framework
is unlikely to be useful, although guidance on indicators and collection
methods may be useful. This should build on the infoasaid / IFRC generic M&E framework. This element will need to consider how affected people can best be
involved in field-level M&E and learning initiatives, building on
methodologies that already exist for this.
3. Network-specific programmes: The CDAC Network needs to measure how it is meeting the objectives
defined by specific grants, such as the DfID discretionary grant (which funds this
consultancy). The Network requires a ‘template’ framework which it can apply
across new grants as they come on stream.
4. CDAC Network functioning: This needs to focus on how the different elements of the Network are
functioning, primarily the Secretariat and the Board. It will also need to
consider Member engagement. This may include using a self-assessment tool or
similar. It needs to give a picture of the viability of the Network, over time.
It will need to include how the Network is delivering against its four
strategic pillars of capacity strengthening, action research and learning, advocacy,
and convening.
MAIN OBJECTIVES
OF THE CONSULTANCY
The main
purpose of the consultancy is to lead
the design of the Results Framework across the Network’s four strategic
pillars and the four suggested components noted above, and ensure there is
coherence across these. A challenge for
the consultant undertaking this work is to determine a creative way of ensuring that the Framework is grounded in the
experiences of affected people.
The final
Framework should:
- Outline the
Framework’s overall purpose, specific objectives, indicators and associated
activities for data collection;
- Take into
consideration the CDAC Network’s 2012 – 2016 strategy and existing
commitments (e.g. the Network’s discretionary grant from DfID);
- Recommend a
frequency for any data collection activities within the Framework, including
the possibility of using a self-assessment survey across the Membership;
- Include
baseline information for indicators where possible;
- Identify strategic
evaluation and research themes for Network learning;
- Suggest
relevant quality standards (e.g. OECD-DAC for evaluations) that should be
adopted for the Network’s monitoring, evaluation and learning work;
- Estimate the
resources (monetary, personnel, time, other) required to implement the activities
outlined in the framework from the Secretariat perspective;
- Be designed in
a way that monitoring and evaluation activities contribute to effective
learning for Network Members;
- Suggest
innovative ways in which the Network can demonstrate that its work impacts crisis-affected
communities.
The consultant is
also invited to contribute to what the final Framework should include.
TASKS TO BE
ACCOMPLISHED AND DELIVERABLES
The consultant
shall accomplish the following tasks as a basis for the final report:
·
Lead the development of the Framework
for the CDAC Network through a process which takes into account work done to date and input
from the CDAC Network Secretariat, Members and Board;
·
Present a draft Framework to
stakeholders for comment;
·
Deliver a final Framework document,
which should comprise:
-
Background information to the
proposed Framework, including a summary based on the desk/literature reviews
outlining the rationale and evidence on which the Framework is based;
-
Relevant guidance notes or suggested
plan of action for implementation of the Framework;
-
The Framework itself;
-
Baseline measurements where possible.
As far as
possible, the Framework should be complementary to Members’ own results / M
& E and learning frameworks.
METHODOLOGY
The approach to
be adopted throughout the consultancy will be participatory and consultative
and will draw upon views and perspectives of a number of different stakeholders
from the CDAC Network, including focal points of the Members, CDAC Secretariat
staff, the CDAC Network Board and advisors involved in the Research and
Learning CoP. It will also draw on external expertise where appropriate.
Applicants are
requested to submit a detailed methodology and work-plan for achieving the
stated objectives of the consultancy. With this regard, results and
deliverables listed in the previous paragraph should be considered only as guiding
terms of reference. Any proposal to enhance the quality of the work will be considered
in the selection phase. However, in widening the activities and elements it
should be always kept in mind that the approach and final Framework should not
be unnecessarily complicated or unwieldy, but outline processes that could be
easily integrated within the programme of works and produce a smart, quality
product.
The anticipated
timeframe for the consultancy is approximately two months, though this does not
have to constitute two months of continuous work. The Network requires final
delivery by end-April 2015.
Note: The consultant will be responsible for overall delivery of the Framework and
specifically for components 3) and 4). S/he will work with the Secretariat’s
Research and Learning Officer – with whom the consultant will be required to
play a mentoring role – who will lead on delivery of components 1) and 2).
MANAGEMENT
ARRANGEMENTS
Internews
Europe will contract the consultant on behalf of the Network.
The consultant
will report to the CDAC Network Secretariat’s Senior Programme Manager, who
will oversee the content and quality of the consultancy. The consultant will also work closely with
the Secretariat’s Director and Research and Learning Officer, who will
contribute to outlining this piece of work.
The CDAC
Network Secretariat will be responsible for providing the consultant with the
necessary support in terms of background information, project documentation and
other relevant information. The Secretariat’s Programme Assistant will
facilitate flow of information and relations with stakeholders and will assist
the consultant in setting up relevant meetings.
QUALIFICATIONS
The
requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or
ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals
with disabilities to perform the essential task.
Necessary
- Minimum 10-years relevant experience and minimum 5 years
demonstrated experience in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and
learning in a relevant field;
- Extensive experience with the logical framework approach and
other strategic planning processes, and with M&E and learning methodologies
and approaches (including quantitative, qualitative and participatory
approaches, outcome mapping and
behaviour changes of multiple stakeholders);
- Extensive experience planning, designing and implementing
M&E and learning systems, including experience of M&E for
networks, consortia or similar with a convening component;
- Experience in designing M&E and learning systems for
capacity strengthening and/or advocacy;
- Aptitude for smart design in response to complex demands;
- Experience of facilitating processes to develop an M&E
and learning framework with multiple stakeholders;
- Knowledge of INGO, UN, media development organisations and/or
technology companies;
- Strong writing skills to produce a high-quality written Framework
document;
- Ability to feed in key lessons
and good practice derived from experience on similar work;
- Must be fluent in English.
Desirable
- Knowledge of the communication
is aid sector.
CONDITIONS
- Starting date: ideally within 2 weeks of application deadline. The Network requires final delivery by
end-April 2014.
- Duration: approximately two months, though this does not have to
constitute two months of continuous work.
- Type of contract: Consultancy.
TO APPLY
- Interested candidates meeting the qualifications should forward a
cover letter including an outline of how they meet the required
qualifications, the methodology and indicative timeline that is proposed,
a CV and day-rate (in GBP) to jobs@internews.eu.
- Please mention “CDAC – MEL CONSULTANCY” and your name in the
subject line.
- Deadline for applications: Monday
3 February 2014
ANNEX 1:
DIAGRAM OF THE PROPOSED CDAC NETWORK RESULTS FRAMEWORK
|
|
Learn about what it takes to run a
successful communication coordination mechanism; develop common
methodology for repeated
use over time; to be informed by
literature
on collaboration and partnership
|
|
Measure how the Network is
meeting the objectives of specific programmes (e.g. DfID discretionary
grant)
|
|
Measure how different elements
of the Network function:
-
Secretariat
-
Board
-
Members
|
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