CONSULTANT FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MMA'S EVALUATION STRATEGY - New York, NY - International Rescue Committee

Description

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world's worst humanitarian crises, helping to restore health, safety, education, economic wellbeing, and power to people devastated by conflict and disaster. Founded in 1933 at the call of Albert Einstein, the IRC is one of the world's largest international humanitarian non-governmental organizations (INGO), at work in more than 40 countries and 29 U.S. cities helping people to survive, reclaim control of their future and strengthen their communities. A force for humanity, IRC employees deliver lasting impact by restoring safety, dignity and hope to millions. If you're a solutions-driven, passionate change-maker, come join us in positively impacting the lives of millions of people world-wide for a better future.
About Moving Minds Alliance The Moving Minds Alliance (MMA) is a collaborative, multi-stakeholder impact alliance whose collective focus is on Early Childhood Development in Emergencies (ECDiE). MMA aims to catalyse and enable systems change within the humanitarian and development systems, with a view to ultimately affect changes in policy, financing, and leadership in these spaces, so that support for young children and families affected by crises is provided in an equitable, sustainable, holistic, and comprehensive manner.MMA originated as a donor collaborative in 2017 with a view to promote ECDiE as a priority area of focus for the humanitarian sector. It has since evolved to become a multi-stakeholder alliance and has established itself as a thought leader through the production of innovative research and engagement in advocacy, as well as through its influential work in humanitarian finance benchmarking and humanitarian systems analysis. Through this work, in 2023 MMA developed a sector-level Theory of Change, outlining its unique contribution in the ECDiE space, and focused strongly on key outcomes encompassing inclusion of local voices, advocacy to decision-makers, and innovation in humanitarian response. Purpose of Consultancy

MMA has just completed a review of its strategic framework, mission, vision, and values, which has been critical for the alliance - for it to determine its unique value and specific contribution, given the prominence and presence of multiple actors within the ECD and emergencies field. The Strategic Priorities can be found here . As part of this, we now must develop an accompanying Evaluation Framework. MMA's focus is primarily on policy, knowledge and evidence generation, and donor advocacy and influencing. As a non-implementing organisation, this requires creative thinking and measurement of network/alliance efficiency in a non-traditional manner.

The purpose of this consultancy is therefore to support the Knowledge Management and Learning Lead with the development of the MMA Evaluation Framework (details provided in section 4 - Scope of Work & Deliverables).

Timeline

The suggested timeline to complete this work is between 25-30 days over a two-month period. The consultant will work closely with the Knowledge Management and Learning Lead and be expected to factor in time to meet weekly to develop the key deliverables.

Scope of Work & Deliverables

The consultant will support the Knowledge Management and Learning Lead to design and develop the following components of the Evaluation Framework for the MMA:

* An overarching Evaluation Strategy based on the strategic framework, including key performance metrics and indicators to track to assess the MMA's progress against stated objectives and goals. Key to this will be an outcome map to enable MMA to adapt its implementation strategies in real-time, and to understand MMA's contribution to advocacy for ECDiE, recognising that traditional monitoring is a limitation within the MMA context.

* A Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning, and Accountability (MERLA) framework which will outline the key questions, indicators, roles and responsibilities, data collection systems, and reporting guidelines. (and any other associated requirements of the framework)

* A learning agenda to accompany the strategy and framework, to help understand both the effectiveness of the alliance as a whole, and of its activities and outcomes

* Development of a 'network maturity model' against which MMA can track its progress and effectiveness as an alliance within the ECDiE space, particularly in the context of multiple other actors and networks

Desired Outcomes

Overall, the Evaluation Framework is intended to support the Knowledge Management and Learning (KML) Function at MMA, whose goal is to support the MMA to become the thought leader and 'go-to' agency for the latest global, regional and local thinking, evidence and advocacy content on ECDiE.

The KML function seeks to assess:

• MMA activities and their impact:

* Changes in policy (long term) or practice

* Local, regional, and global 'wins'

* Development of public goods (knowledge products) and their use

• MMA Core Team activities:

* MMA's contribution to the ECDiE ecosystem of actors

* MMA's ability to convene relevant actors within the ECDiE ecosystem (collaboration, growth, network 'health')

The key areas of work for the KML function are currently:

* The Research Fellowship Programme, designed to recruit researchers in the Global South to conduct research on relevant ECDiE topics

* The Research Forum, an online database/repository of ECDiE research, policy briefs, and tools for ECDiE practitioners, advocates, and influencers

* Knowledge production and dissemination, which entail the curation and creation of relevant, timely, and useful knowledge in ECDiE available as 'public goods'

Desired outcomes from this work are therefore:

* MMA is effectively able to determine its contribution and impact as an alliance and within the ECDiE field

* MMA establishes how it will be a key player in the ECDiE knowledge field as a thought leader and 'go-to' agency for the latest global, regional, and local thinking, evidence, and advocacy content on ECDiE

* MMA has enhanced accountability to key stakeholders and alliance members through effective data collection, monitoring, learning, and reporting systems

Qualifications & Consultant Requirements

The following presents a non-exhaustive list of desired qualifications for the prospective consultant:

* Significant, demonstrated experience in designing, developing, and implementing knowledge management, evaluation, and learning systems or frameworks within complex organisations, networks, or alliances

* Strong understanding of monitoring, evaluation, research, learning, and accountability (MERLA) frameworks and their application

* Proficient in outcome mapping methodology and practice

* Knowledge of and/or experience in working with and supporting multi-stakeholder alliances or networks

* Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills

* Proficiency in presentation, data visualisation, and communication skills

* Proficiency in project management for integrated functions (policy, evaluation, programme design and development)

Additionally, it would be beneficial for the consultant to have:

* Knowledge of early childhood development (ECD) and humanitarian contexts

* Understanding of the humanitarian system, including key actors, policies, and funding mechanisms

* Familiarity with the challenges and opportunities of working in complex and dynamic environments

* Understanding of the principles of stakeholder engagement

Application Process

Prospective consultants are required to submit the following as part of their application:

* A project proposal (no more than five pages, excluding annexes) with details on the suggested approach, including timeline and budget breakdown (in USD).

* A CV highlighting their relevant experience , with at least two recent references listed .

* Two samples of written work (suggested to have one framework/logframe and another strategy document).

Completed applications should be submitted by Saturday, 29th March, 2025.

For any questions related to the application, please contact Victoria Murphy, at victoria.murphy@rescue-uk.org .

Please note that applications will not be accepted via e-mail ; please use the application link provided.

Please note: Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis. MMA reserves the right to close applications earlier than the defined deadline if a suitable consultant is selected.

Standard of Professional Conduct: The IRC and the IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in