Consultant for MER Training

Terms of Reference
of basic MER Training
I.                                BACKGROUND
Plan’s new Country Strategic Plan (CSP) 2013 – 2017 have been developed and designed with appropriate objectives and measurable indicators. The Country Programs within this new CSP still need to be translated into sound and manageable project outlines, with clear monitoring indicators and milestones for performance achievement. Therefore, Detailed Implementation Plans (DIPs) need to be developed in country level as well as Program Units (PUs) level.  

In order to be able to develop DIP, Plan’s staff should be able to formulate relevant and outcome-oriented project and programme plans. Furthermore, larger programmes require Plan’s staff to be able to design integrated project and programme plans in order to be able to have better contribution to its larger programme objectives.  ‘On the ground’ frontline staff needs to be assisted in translating these projects and programmes into sound operational work plans with measurable performance indicators and milestones. Hence, the concept of monitoring and evaluation needs to be introduced to the staff.
Monitoring and evaluation are essential to improving the effectiveness of any project. Careful project monitoring allows managers to make appropriate decisions on a day-to-day basis and ensures that projects are carried out as designed and modified when necessary. Evaluation enables project managers to understand and demonstrate the results of their work, determine the best strategies for achieving their goals and document lessons learned to improve future programs.
In order to have qualified monitoring results and to ensure the outputs, outcomes and objectives of projects and programmes could be achieve in the lifespan of project and programme, Plan’s staffs who are directly or indirectly involved in monitoring and/or evaluating projects and/or programs, especially MER persons both in Country Office and Programme Unit such as Program Coordinator, Team Leader, Technical Officers and other M&E Officer based on grants funded. All of Plan’s staff need to upgrade their knowledge and give extensive emphasis on capacity building of personnel to interact with and manage their M&E systems, documentation and databases.
 I.           II   OBJECTIVES
The overall objective of this training is to improve knowledge of Plan’s staff, who are directly or indirectly involved in monitoring and/or evaluating projects and/or programs. Plan’s staff with MER roles and function in monitoring and evaluation. As participants of the training, they needto understand the tools and techniques of effective monitoring and evaluation that would facilitate success of projects through quality programming. The intermediate objective of the training is:
·         Upon completion of this training the participant is expected to be able to deliver significant contribution to the monitoring and evaluation of projects/programs implemented in their PUs.
 I.         III. SUBSTANCE, METHODOLOGY & EXPECTED OUTPUT
A.        Substance
The training substance will be focused on the technical aspects of monitoring and evaluation. Subjects to be delivered and discussed include areas such as monitoring & evaluation: Result Based M&E; the theory of change and log frame approach: the tool and techniques for participation; data collection methods; sharing utilization PME results; project planning and PME planning; developing a MER plan and framework; and action plan.

B.         Methodology
The design of the training will be as follows:
·         Theoretical, knowledge based sessions introducing the M&E concepts explained through real-life examples
·         Followed by practical group work to allow for contextualized learning and results in practical outputs for participants.
Participatory approach will be applied during the in-class training session as well as in-field training session. The training methodology will involve lectures/slides, application of skills to actual projects and group work. Participants will review their existing monitoring and reporting formats and will be able to modify them based on the methods learnt in the workshop. In teams, participants will implement projects and assess them for efficiency and effectiveness. All the training session will be delivered in Indonesia language.

C.         Expected Output
By the end of training, participants are expected to:
·         Understand the principles and procedures for effective project monitoring and evaluation which cover the planning, implementing and managing phase
·         Understand the theory of change and logical framework analysis tool to formulate planning for a Project and/or Program
·         Able to design indicators at the outputs and outcomes level, including qualitative and quantitative evidence based indicators
·         Able to systematically formulate Monitoring and Evaluation Stages for a program/project at the Planning stage (M&E Plan) including M&E in context of working with local partners
·         Acquire a complete comprehension on technical aspects of planning, monitoring and evaluation (M&E Framework)
·         Improve their ability to gather, manage, and communicate project learning and information
·         Learn methods to evaluate project effectiveness
* Produce an action plan to be followed up upon his/her return to his/her Pus
* Roll out MER Training at PU LevelI.           IV  PARTICIPANTS
The training is designed for 30 Plan Indonesia staff, both in CO level and PUs level, who are directly or indirectly involved in monitoring and/or evaluating projects and/or programs, such as Program Coordinator, Team Leader, Technical Officers and also involved Country Program Team representatives
 I.           
I.           V.SCHEDULE & VENUE
         MER Training will be conduct on 20-23 March 2013 (4 days) in Denpasar (Bali)
 I.           VI.DESIRABLE QUALIFICATION
         1.    Master degree in area expertise
         2.       Possess strong practical knowledge and experience in monitoring and evaluation concept



2.


 3.       Strong facilitation skill
         4.    Available to design operational M& E training guideline and reports.


            VI.SUBMISSION PROTOCOL
        Individual which interest should submit CV and letter of interest by the latest 28 Feb 2013 to:  Hery Syamsius Nahampun (hery.nahampun@plan-international.org)