M&E Consultant

ACTION ON POVERTY IN VIETNAM

CONSULTANT ON CAPACITY BUILDING FOR MONITORING, EVALUATION AND LEARNING

 

Effective date:         Feb 2024

Contract type:         Consultant

Work location:        Based in Hanoi, Vietnam with possible travels to the fields

Reports to:             Program and Services Manager

A. BACKGROUND

Action on Poverty (AOP) in Vietnam has completed the Promoting Rural Opportunities with Digital Technologies and Upscaling Community-based Tourism – PRODUCT (NCP 2023-24-ANCP08–PRG108–PRJ064). This is also the time that AOP completes the strategy 2020-2024 and enters the new strategic cycle 2024-2029 with the direction of further pursuing the Product approach in poverty reduction. Building upon the achievements of the PRODUCT program and responding to the changing context, AOP in Vietnam proposes a project Advancing Community Self-reliance for Poverty Reduction via Nurturing Inclusive and Responsible Entrepreneurship – ASPIRE.  

The project aims to improve the economic and social status of poor and vulnerable communities. To achieve this goal, AOP will nurture entrepreneurs with inclusive business models that benefit poor and vulnerable communities. Along the process, AOP will empower local women and men among the poor, vulnerable groups via facilitating their engagement in different inclusive businesses partnerships, enhance their entrepreneurship and self-reliance capacity to pursue locally led businesses that contribute to poverty elimination and addressing environmental and social issues. At the same time, AOP will work with various market actors to promote adoption of inclusive business models and mobilize more investments and resources to reach out to and benefit larger communities living in poverty. 

ASPIRE is the umbrella project of AOP in Vietnam which reflects the strategy of AOP in the next three years (2024-2027). ASPIRE is funded from the diversified donors and sets of outcomes. Under ASPIRE, AOP Vietnam has partnership with diversified implementing partners (local authorities, local NGO, social enterprises) to undergo the small projects which supplement to the strategy. In order to achieve this goal, AOP in Vietnam will work to deliver the following outcomes: 

1. Outcome 1 – Increased opportunities and options on (ESG integrated) inclusive business models that benefit the poor and (climate) vulnerable communities:  
2. Outcome 2 – Enhanced agencies and entrepreneurship of the poor and vulnerable communities (e.g., EM, PwD, climate vulnerable…) in pursuing inclusive business and development initiatives (eg CBT, FI, climate smart agriculture, food rescue…). 
3. Outcome 3 – Increased investment and enabling environment towards (ESG integrated) inclusive business models 

AOP would like to recruit a consultant to support in building capacity for Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning of the organization. The consultant will work and conduct site visits if needed in order to fulfill the tasks. 

B. OBJECTIVES

AOP focal point staff will work closely with the selected consultant to review and refine the current Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning system so that it will be more functional and adaptive. It is also expected that capacity of AOP staff and selected partners will be built through working with the selected consultant.  

C. SCOPE OF WORK AND EXPECTED DELIVERABLES

The consultant will facilitate the necessary process to fulfill the below deliverables:  

1. Develop detailed guides and tools on M&E and organizational knowledge management

Deliverables: The M&E plan is in alignment with donors’ requirements and AOP’s context. It should also include a data-use plan and a realistic learning plan. 

2. Conduct interactive sessions to align the organization’s program indicators into the program and project M&E 

Deliverables: A well-defined indicator guideline for the project with clear explanation on the definition, data collection method and tools, etc. The guidelines will complete the project M&E plan and can be used for future programs/projects as a reference. 

3. Pilot the baseline survey tool for ASPIRE then roll out baseline survey tool to the other projects

Deliverables: A baseline tool has been developed for the ASPIRE project to be adopted in other projects. The consultant’s role is to finalise the tool based on the final M&E plan and lead the pilot of the tool in practice. All relevant documents and tools should be documented.  

4. Conduct an orientation/training on MEL after finalizing the M&E process, system and tools 

Deliverables: The consultant will work with responsible AOP staff along the process so capacity building is not an on-off event. Nonetheless, at the end of the assignment, the consultant is expected to document a reflection and share it with AOP staff in a capacity-building workshop. The workshop is to improve staff’s familiarities with M&E practices and concepts as well as to address bottlenecks in M&E practices among AOP team and key partners. All training materials should be documented for further use. 

 

AOP focal point 

• Program and Service Manager; 
• MEL Manager

 

Tentative Timeline

Activity		Deliverables		PIC		Timeline
	Develop detailed guides and tools on M&E and organizational knowledge management.		The M&E plan is in alignment with donors’ requirements and AOP’s context. It should also include data-use plan and a realistic learning plan.		Consultant and Project Manager		17 days  February 2025
	Conduct interactive sessions to align the organization’s program indicators into the program and project M&E		A well-defined indicator guideline for the project with clear explanation on definition, data collection method and tools, etc. The guidelines will complete the project M&E plan and can be used for future programs/projects as a reference		Consultant		10 days  March  2025
	Pilot the baseline survey tool for ASPIRE then roll out baseline survey tool to the other projects		A baseline tool has been developed for the ASPIRE project with the aim of being adopted in other projects. The consultant’s role is to finalise the tool based on the final M&E plan and lead the pilot of the tool in practice. All relevant documents and tools should be documented		Consultant		5 days  April  – May. 2025
	Conduct an orientation/training on MEL after finalizing the M&E process, system and tools		Training materials documents  One training course on MEL for AOP staff and selected partners  Finalize training materials for AOP		Consultant		5 days  June 2025

 

D. REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Essential	University degree and/or equivalent professional qualification, preferably in development studies and monitoring and evaluation.
Work experience	At least 5 years of relevant work experience in monitoring and evaluation. Experience with international aid programs and project management. Proficiency in Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, Power Point). Able to travel as may be required. Sensitivity to cultural differences, ability to work in a wide variety of cultural contexts.
Technical knowledge and skills	Knowledge of reporting procedures, best practices, guidelines, methods, and approaches for MEL including M&E software and tools. Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
Languages	Fluent English and Vietnamese, both spoken and written.
Attitude	Able to work independently as well as part of a team. Able to travel to field and work with local partners and communities Excellent communication and negotiation skills to work effectively in a multi-cultural environment Ability to adjust planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment. Results oriented, diligent, proactive, and independent Quick learner willing to go the extra mile to achieve deadlines.
Adherence to	Poverty and injustice eradication. Gender equality. Child protection. Action on Poverty’s mission and values, code of conduct

HOW TO APPLY

Submit CV and cover letter in English with the subject line “M&E Consultant – [your full name]” to [email protected].

Please note that all applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and the position will remain open until filled. Early applications by 31 March 2025  are highly encouraged. While we appreciate all responses, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

AOP in Vietnam is an equal opportunity employer and a child-safe organization. AOP does not discriminate on grounds of ethnic origin, race, religious beliefs, age, disability, gender or sexual orientation. All employees, volunteers and interns are required to comply with AOP Policies. The successful candidate will be subject to reference checks, a police check, and a working with children check.