TERMS OF REFERENCE (ToR) Consultancy Service to Develop Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Guideline and Review Framework

Introduction:

The Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA), established in 1996, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the rights of women and girls in Ethiopia.

In response to this critical challenge, EWLA is committed to empowering survivors and strengthening the legal framework for justice. And one of the projects aimed in achieving this is the “We Cannot Wait We Cannot Wait: Towards an Inclusive & Diverse Women’s Movement in the Greater Horn of Africa. The project requires a strong MEL system to effectively measure and manage program indicators. However, EWLA currently lacks a MEL guideline and framework. As a result, EWLA is now committed to developing these two separate documents. These documents will be designed to cover all of EWLA’s program interventions, not just specific ones, ensuring program quality and alignment with a Result-Based Management (RBM) system.

Thus, we are pleased to announce this Terms of Reference (ToR) for developing comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) guidelines and a framework. EWLA aims to strengthen its MEL system, and the existence of these two crucial documents is essential for achieving by measuring and managing EWLA’s goal.

The guideline will provide direction on how to monitor and evaluate programs effectively while promoting and maintaining their quality. They will outline processes for managing data, conducting data collection, and capturing lessons learned to enhance program quality.

The framework, on the other hand, will focus on assessing outcomes and impacts, emphasizing the results, effectiveness, and success of all EWLA projects. It will serve as a tool for partners and the M&E team to evaluate whether planned activities are being implemented in alignment with the result chain during the implementation phase. EWLA has developed framework which incorporated Theory of Change and Result-Framework which needs to be standardized by reviewing.

Additionally, the framework will ensure the availability of reliable and timely information for reflection, learning, and Evidence Based-Decision-making (EBDM).

Both the guideline and framework documents are expected to be developed separately, based on EWLA’s newly revised Strategic Plan (2025–2029). The Strategic Plan includes specific indicators that need to be linked to the development of the framework. EWLA is adopting and striving to apply Result-Based Management (RBM) principles. As such, these two documents are expected to align with the practices and principles of RBM.

Objectives of the developing MEL guideline and Review Framework

The overall objective of the guideline and framework is to have a strong MEL system and keeping quality of programme implementation and to facilitate a comprehensive and high-quality assessment of programme outcomes and impacts. Specifically, the guideline and framework will:

• Ensure that evidence-based monitoring, evaluation and learning is understood as part of the project cycle
• Provide consistent information to stakeholders
• Ensure that knowledge generated through learning is captured and disseminated internally and externally
• Build capacity of programme and projects to incorporate MEL tools into design, planning, implementation and learning processes
• Guide the quarterly and annual technical reporting processes.

Scope of Work

The MEL guideline and framework must cover how to measuring and managing program quality, ensuring results, and data collection and analysis process. Additionally, which help to have a strong MEL system and include mechanisms for measuring indicators. All of these elements are essential for the guideline and framework, which will be based on Result-Based Management (RBM) principles and practices.

Methodology

The development of the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) guideline and framework will follow a structured, participatory, and evidence-based approach. Below is the proposed methodology:

• Desk Review: Review EWLA’s newly revised Strategic Plan (2025–2029), existing MEL practices, and relevant program documents to understand the organization’s goals, objectives, and indicators.
• Review of Best Practices: Study global and regional best practices in MEL, particularly those related to women’s rights, gender equality, and Result-Based Management (RBM).
• Stakeholder Mapping: Identify key stakeholders, including program staff, partners, beneficiaries, and donors, who will contribute to or benefit from the MEL system.
• Theory of Change (ToC): Develop a ToC that outlines the pathways through which EWLA’s interventions will achieve their intended outcomes and impacts. This will include identifying assumptions, risks, and preconditions.
• Logical Framework (Logframe): Create a logframe that aligns with the ToC, detailing specific objectives, outputs, outcomes, indicators, and means of verification.

Review of the MEL Framework

• Indicator Development: EWLA already has developed standard and customized indicators which stated as Impact, Outcome and Output level indicators aligned with the Strategic Plan and RBM principles.
• Theory of Change (ToC): Develop and review EWLA’s Theory of Change (ToC), which outlines the pathways through which implementation will achieve the intended outcomes and impacts. It will include identifying assumptions, risks, and the causal relationships among the intervention areas.
• Data Collection Methods: Design tools and methodologies for data collection, such as surveys, focus group discussions, interviews, and case studies.
• Monitoring Plan: Develop a plan to track program activities, outputs, and outcomes, including timelines and responsibilities.

Development of the MEL Guideline

• Guideline Structure: Outline the structure of the guideline, including sections on monitoring, evaluation, learning, and reporting.
• Step-by-Step Processes: Provide clear, step-by-step instructions for implementing MEL activities, such as data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Quality Assurance: Include mechanisms for ensuring the quality and reliability of data and evaluations.
• Learning and Adaptation: Incorporate processes for capturing lessons learned and using them to improve program design and implementation.

This methodology ensures a systematic, inclusive, and practical approach to developing the MEL guideline and framework, tailored to EWLA’s needs and aligned with its strategic goals.

Deliverables

• Inception Report: Outlining the methodology, work plan, and stakeholder engagement strategy.
• Review MEL Framework and and Develop Guideline
• Training Materials and Capacity-Building Sessions
• Final Report: Summarizing the development process, stakeholder feedback, and recommendations for implementation.

Timeframe

The total duration of the assignment is a maximum of 5 days/one week, starting from the signing of the contract by both parties. The consultant is required to prepare a detailed work plan as part of the inception report. EWLA expects the consultant to deliver the final report, including the two independent documents, within 1 month. The inception report is expected to be submitted with two weeks after the contracting agreement is finalized.

Introduction:

The Ethiopian Women Lawyers Association (EWLA), established in 1996, is a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting and protecting the rights of women and girls in Ethiopia.

In response to this critical challenge, EWLA is committed to empowering survivors and strengthening the legal framework for justice. And one of the projects aimed in achieving this is the “We Cannot Wait We Cannot Wait: Towards an Inclusive & Diverse Women’s Movement in the Greater Horn of Africa. The project requires a strong MEL system to effectively measure and manage program indicators. However, EWLA currently lacks a MEL guideline and framework. As a result, EWLA is now committed to developing these two separate documents. These documents will be designed to cover all of EWLA’s program interventions, not just specific ones, ensuring program quality and alignment with a Result-Based Management (RBM) system.

Thus, we are pleased to announce this Terms of Reference (ToR) for developing comprehensive Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) guidelines and a framework. EWLA aims to strengthen its MEL system, and the existence of these two crucial documents is essential for achieving by measuring and managing EWLA’s goal.

The guideline will provide direction on how to monitor and evaluate programs effectively while promoting and maintaining their quality. They will outline processes for managing data, conducting data collection, and capturing lessons learned to enhance program quality.

The framework, on the other hand, will focus on assessing outcomes and impacts, emphasizing the results, effectiveness, and success of all EWLA projects. It will serve as a tool for partners and the M&E team to evaluate whether planned activities are being implemented in alignment with the result chain during the implementation phase. EWLA has developed framework which incorporated Theory of Change and Result-Framework which needs to be standardized by reviewing.

Additionally, the framework will ensure the availability of reliable and timely information for reflection, learning, and Evidence Based-Decision-making (EBDM).

Both the guideline and framework documents are expected to be developed separately, based on EWLA’s newly revised Strategic Plan (2025–2029). The Strategic Plan includes specific indicators that need to be linked to the development of the framework. EWLA is adopting and striving to apply Result-Based Management (RBM) principles. As such, these two documents are expected to align with the practices and principles of RBM.

1. Objectives of the developing MEL guideline and Review Framework

The overall objective of the guideline and framework is to have a strong MEL system and keeping quality of programme implementation and to facilitate a comprehensive and high-quality assessment of programme outcomes and impacts. Specifically, the guideline and framework will:

• Ensure that evidence-based monitoring, evaluation and learning is understood as part of the project cycle
• Provide consistent information to stakeholders
• Ensure that knowledge generated through learning is captured and disseminated internally and externally
• Build capacity of programme and projects to incorporate MEL tools into design, planning, implementation and learning processes
• Guide the quarterly and annual technical reporting processes.

2. Scope of Work

The MEL guideline and framework must cover how to measuring and managing program quality, ensuring results, and data collection and analysis process. Additionally, which help to have a strong MEL system and include mechanisms for measuring indicators. All of these elements are essential for the guideline and framework, which will be based on Result-Based Management (RBM) principles and practices.

3. Methodology

The development of the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) guideline and framework will follow a structured, participatory, and evidence-based approach. Below is the proposed methodology:

• Desk Review: Review EWLA’s newly revised Strategic Plan (2025–2029), existing MEL practices, and relevant program documents to understand the organization’s goals, objectives, and indicators.
• Review of Best Practices: Study global and regional best practices in MEL, particularly those related to women’s rights, gender equality, and Result-Based Management (RBM).
• Stakeholder Mapping: Identify key stakeholders, including program staff, partners, beneficiaries, and donors, who will contribute to or benefit from the MEL system.
• Theory of Change (ToC): Develop a ToC that outlines the pathways through which EWLA’s interventions will achieve their intended outcomes and impacts. This will include identifying assumptions, risks, and preconditions.
• Logical Framework (Logframe): Create a logframe that aligns with the ToC, detailing specific objectives, outputs, outcomes, indicators, and means of verification.

Review of the MEL Framework

• Indicator Development: EWLA already has developed standard and customized indicators which stated as Impact, Outcome and Output level indicators aligned with the Strategic Plan and RBM principles.
• Theory of Change (ToC): Develop and review EWLA’s Theory of Change (ToC), which outlines the pathways through which implementation will achieve the intended outcomes and impacts. It will include identifying assumptions, risks, and the causal relationships among the intervention areas.
• Data Collection Methods: Design tools and methodologies for data collection, such as surveys, focus group discussions, interviews, and case studies.
• Monitoring Plan: Develop a plan to track program activities, outputs, and outcomes, including timelines and responsibilities.

Development of the MEL Guideline

• Guideline Structure: Outline the structure of the guideline, including sections on monitoring, evaluation, learning, and reporting.
• Step-by-Step Processes: Provide clear, step-by-step instructions for implementing MEL activities, such as data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Quality Assurance: Include mechanisms for ensuring the quality and reliability of data and evaluations.
• Learning and Adaptation: Incorporate processes for capturing lessons learned and using them to improve program design and implementation.

This methodology ensures a systematic, inclusive, and practical approach to developing the MEL guideline and framework, tailored to EWLA’s needs and aligned with its strategic goals.

Deliverables

• Inception Report: Outlining the methodology, work plan, and stakeholder engagement strategy.
• Review MEL Framework and and Develop Guideline
• Training Materials and Capacity-Building Sessions
• Final Report: Summarizing the development process, stakeholder feedback, and recommendations for implementation.

Timeframe

The total duration of the assignment is a maximum of 5 days/one week, starting from the signing of the contract by both parties. The consultant is required to prepare a detailed work plan as part of the inception report. EWLA expects the consultant to deliver the final report, including the two independent documents, within 1 month. The inception report is expected to be submitted with two weeks after the contracting agreement is finalized.

Selection Process

• Candidate selection will be based on the following criteria:
• The ability to respond to and meet the essential and desirable specifications outlined in these terms of reference
• Demonstrated capacity to undertake the type of services sought.
• Relevant academic and professional qualifications and experience.
• Proposed budget and schedule.

Qualifications and Experiences of the consultant

We are looking for a qualified and experienced consultant or team of consultants with a background and demonstrated experience in delivering training on issues related to Project Management and Monitoring & Evaluation. The successful candidate must fulfill the criteria listed below:

Educational Background

• A minimum of a Master’s degree in Project Management, Monitoring & Evaluation, Economics, Statistics, Development Management and related fields.

Professional Experience

• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience in M&E and Project Management, with a focus on developing guideline, manuals, standards, tools and techniques of M&E.
• Demonstrated experience working with women’s right organizations and having experience in strengthening MEL system.

Knowledge and Skills

• Deep Understanding of Project Management: Comprehensive knowledge of the definitions, types, and project management cycles.
• Results-Based Management (RBM): Strong understanding and skills in practicing RBM.
• Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL): Expertise in MEL systems and results matrix (Impact, Outcome, Output, Activities, and Input).
• Research Development: Solid understanding of applied and mixed research methodologies.
• Learning and Knowledge Management: Extensive experience and skills in adopting learning and knowledge management systems.