Selection of an Individual Consultant for the position of Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

Source: World Bank — Ethiopia Digital Foundations Project

Request for Expression of Interest

(Consulting Services – Individual Consultant Selection)

Selection of Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist for the Ethiopian Digital Foundations Project – Ministry of Innovation and Technology

Country: Ethiopia

Project: Ethiopia Digital Foundations Project

Project ID: P171034

Credit No.  IDA – 68560

Salary: Based on the new directive of MoF Project staff Salary Scale

Assignment Title:  Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist for Ethiopian Digital Foundations Project at the Ministry of Innovation and Technology

Reference No.: ET-MINT-326790-CS-INDV

The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Ministry of Finance (MoF), has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Ethiopia Digital Foundations Project (“Digital Foundations”).  The Ministry of Innovation and Technology, the host of the project intends to apply part of the proceeds for selecting of individual consultants.

Ministry of Innovation and Technology as part of the project implementation program is looking for a planning, monitoring and evaluation specialist that undertakes the overall planning, monitoring and evaluation related matters for the effective and efficient execution of the project under the Project Implementation Unit.  Experienced Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialists who have relevant experience in the area are invited to express their interest for the assignment.

The Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist is mainly responsible for the overall planning and monitoring related issues of the project/subproject and will ensure the compliance of the project/subproject to the World Bank and government regulations and guidelines throughout the project/subproject life cycle. 

Specific responsibilities for the Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will include, but are not limited to, the following core activities:

• Support planning and implementation of monitoring and evaluation activities on effectiveness of Digital Foundations Project. (e.g. beneficiary needs and status, projects in the beneficiary institutions, program modalities, implementation challenges, etc.).
•  Review and provide technical feedback on monitoring and evaluation plans for new programs and budget revisions to ensure that plans are risk-based and focus on measuring results (e.g. checking monitoring and evaluation budgets are allocated and appropriate log-frame indicators and outcome targets are documented).
• Contribute to the analysis of outcome data and recommend improvements to program interventions and to enhance Digital Foundations Project’s ability to demonstrate outcome focused results.
•  Produce frequent monitoring and evaluation progress reports with status of results and implementation of improvements.
•  Follow-up on monitoring and evaluation findings to ensure that corrective actions are taken and/or adjustments are made to program responses as required.
• Train national and partner staff in appropriate monitoring and evaluation techniques to build capacity of staff, increase awareness on the importance of monitoring and evaluation and encourage accountability for demonstrating results.
• Work in close collaboration with internal counterparts and external partners to strengthen the quality and consistency of monitoring and evaluation activities in the field.
•  Work in close collaboration with internal counterparts and external partners to strengthen the data quality, accuracy and consistency to build credible performance evidence.
• Provide monitoring and evaluation findings and recommendations to support performance planning and risk analysis, emergency preparedness, security risk management and risk mitigation activities.
• Take and perform related activities assigned from the PIU as required

Ministry of Innovation and Technology now invites potential Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Specialists to indicate their interest to provide the Services. Interested Candidates should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services for a period of one year with possibility of extension for additional period subject to outstanding performance and availability of budget. The shortlisting criteria include the following;

• A Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree (Master’s is preferred) in relevant field such as ICT Management, Public Policy or Economic or Development, M&E,
• Computer literate and capable of using Microsoft Project, full working knowledge (in writing and orally) of English,
• Minimum 4 years of professional experience in M&E, as a senior expert capacity out of which at least 3 years are in development projects;
• Proven M&E skills, including planning, coordinating, monitoring and reporting;
• Experience in the delivery and M&E of telecommunications sector projects will be an advantage.
• Excellent understanding of Financial Management (budgets, financial processes and financial reporting and compliance with donor requirements);
• Knowledge of M&E methods and/or familiarity with the World Bank arrangements;
• Proven ability to work with partners including donors, bilateral organizations and governments (preferably with 3 years’ experience on donor funded projects);
• Experience in working in project financed by external donors such as the World Bank, African Development Bank and also have knowledge of policies and procedures of the World Bank;
• Strong analytical, technical writing, public presentation, stakeholder communication skills,
• The candidate must be able to work under pressure situations, in order to meet demanding deadlines.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Selection of Individual Consultant (Section V) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Expressions of interest (CV, Cover letter and documentary evidence for fulfilling the qualifications) must be delivered in a written form to the address below in person, or preferably by email on or before February 28th, 2023. Further information can be obtained, by email at the below address during office hours from 8:30 AM to 5:30 PM Addis Ababa time: 

Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia,

Ministry of Innovation and Technology (MInT)

Ethiopia Digital Foundations Project

Attn: Focal Person, Project Implementation Unit (PIU)

Address: Arada Sub-city, off Churchill Road, behind Lycée Guebre-Mariam,

E-mail: digital.foundation@mint.gov.et or zelalem.tadesse@mint.gov.et

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia