Background
SoCha is contracted to deliver the USAID/Kenya and East Africa (KEA) Localization, Inclusion, and Sustainability Activity (LISA) with the aim of assisting USAID staff and stakeholders to be more efficient, effective, transparent, inclusive, and skilled in achieving development outcomes. LISA will be supporting the USAID Democratic Governance, Peace, and Security (DGPS) Office, which supports Kenya’s drive towards entrenchment of democracy, inclusive and effective governance, peace, and security. The DGPS programming is through two mechanisms, namely the Kenya Inclusive Governance, Accountability, Performance, and Participation (K-IGAPP) and the Local Development Organization (LDO) Initiative. The ten activities under DGPS aim to strengthen Kenya’s electoral system, counter corruption, improve decentralized governance, protect the rights of women and persons with disabilities, and counter violent extremism.

Scope of Work
The DGPS Office intends to engender and foster learning and integration of evidence into programming across all its activities. A core part of this effort will be to strengthen the MEL and adaptive management capacity of local organizations and partners implementing DGPS activities. This includes assessing the MEL capacity of DGPS partner organizations and developing a tailored plan to support these organizations to more effectively collect and report on relevant monitoring data, implement learning agendas, conduct specific learning and reflection activities, and to utilize findings of relevant analyses (e.g., PEA, context analysis, etc.).

LISA, implemented by SoCha, is seeking to engage two consultants to provide capacity building support to the LISA team. LISA seeks to hire a Capacity Building Expert, which will be the more senior role among the two, in addition to a Capacity Building Specialist.

Roles and Responsibilities

The consultants will support the LISA team with the following tasks:

• Conduct comprehensive capacity assessments related to the MEL capacity of all 10 DGPS partner organizations.
• Develop tailored training and support materials to address MEL capacity gaps, including issues such as learning agendas, data quality, and adaptive management.
• Conduct interviews and surveys with DGPS partners in addition to a desk review of MEL documentation.
• Deliver presentations to DGPS and partners on progress.
• Participate in quarterly MEL meetings, as well as debriefs with the Mission and LISA staff.
• Other activities as agreed upon with LISA staff.

Required skills

• Master’s degree or doctoral degree in international development, social science, or related fields from a recognized university.
• Experience conducting organizational capacity assessments and developing capacity building plans.
• Demonstrated knowledge of monitoring and evaluation topics, including data collection, learning agendas, data quality, analysis, and reporting.
• Familiarity with USAID requirements and compliance, including ADS 201.
• Experience working on or implementing programs in Kenya, preferably related to democracy and governance.
• Ability to diplomatically communicate and work effectively with a wide range of USAID implementing partners and stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and writing skills, with proven experience in authoring reports.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience in presenting to the Mission, national government, or related entities.

Deliverables

The following deliverables will be required from the consultants:

• Baseline capacity assessments for each of the ten DGPS implementing partners, documenting MEL capacity gaps.
• Tailored skills training materials for implementing partners, with a focus on learning and adaptive management along with data quality.
• Effective and responsive tailored MEL support and mentorship (in-person and remote) for implementing partners towards developing and implementing their learning agendas.
• A biannual report updating on progress made toward MEL support priority areas.
• Other items as required by the team leader.

Location

Will be based in Nairobi County with travel to partner offices in locations around Kenya as needed.

LOE or Contract Length

The consultants are expected to work from July to September 2024 for a maximum of 20 days LOE.