Procurement notice for vacancy: Monitoring Expert for the EU-Funded Project “InKoom – Fostering a Fair and Inclusive Society in the Kyrgyz Republic”

An EU-funded project titled “InKoom – Fostering a Fair and Inclusive Society in the Kyrgyz Republic” seeks to engage a qualified Monitoring Expert to design, implement, and oversee a robust monitoring framework. The project focuses on empowering youth by promoting gender equality, freedom of the media, human rights, and democracy, with the ultimate goal of reducing violence against women, youth, and children, and enhancing the capacities of human rights organizations and media outlets.

2. Objective of the Assignment

The selected Monitoring Expert will ensure the effective measurement of the project’s outcomes and impact, adhering to EU requirements and international best practices in monitoring and evaluation (M&E). The expert will also provide technical support, training, and field-level guidance to project staff and partners.

3. Scope of Work

1. Review and Finalize Monitoring Framework:
   • Refine project indicators, baselines, and targets to ensure clarity and relevance.
   • Align the monitoring framework with EU standards and project objectives.
2. Develop Monitoring Tools and Data Collection Methods:
   • Create instruments (e.g., surveys, checklists) to capture progress on youth empowerment, gender equality, media freedom, and human rights activities.
   • Incorporate disaggregated data (age, gender, ethnicity, disability) to measure inclusivity.
3. Ongoing Monitoring and Field Visits:
   • Conduct regular site visits to verify data quality and support local partners.
   • Identify challenges and propose practical solutions to improve M&E processes.
4. Data Analysis and Reporting:
   • Consolidate and analyze data to assess progress against targets.
   • Produce periodic monitoring reports, highlighting key findings, lessons learned, and recommendations.
5. Mid-Term and Final Evaluations Support:
   • Collaborate with evaluators by sharing monitoring data and insights.
   • Recommend adjustments to the project’s strategy based on emerging trends.

4. Deliverables

• Final Monitoring Report

5. Duration and Location

The consultancy is expected to commence in March, 2025 and continue until the project’s conclusion in 31 of March, 2025. The Monitoring Expert will be based in Bishkek, Kyrgyz Republic, with periodic field visits to project sites as required.

6. Required Qualifications

• Education: Advanced degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Statistics, Public Administration, or related field.
• Experience:
  • Minimum 3 years of experience in M&E of development or human rights projects, preferably EU-funded.
  • Proven expertise in quantitative and qualitative data analysis, including disaggregated data approaches.
• Technical Skills:
  • Proficiency in designing logframes, indicators, and data collection tools.
  • Knowledge of software for data management (Excel, SPSS, etc.).
  • Familiarity with gender equality, youth engagement, and media freedom indicators.
• Language: Fluency in English; Russian/Kyrgyz proficiency is an asset.
• Personal Attributes:
  • Strong communication and organizational skills.
  • Ability to work effectively under deadlines and in a multicultural context.

7. Application Procedure

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following documents to [email protected]  by 10 of March 2025:

1. CV/Resume outlining relevant M&E experience.
2. Cover Letter detailing suitability for the assignment and proposed methodology.
3. Financial Proposal indicating daily or monthly rate, inclusive of applicable taxes.

8. Evaluation Criteria

1. Technical Expertise (40%) – Demonstrated experience in M&E within development or human rights projects, particularly under EU-funded initiatives.
2. Methodology and Approach (30%) – Clarity and relevance of the proposed M&E approach and tools.
3. Qualifications and Skills (20%) – Academic background, language abilities, and familiarity with gender equality, youth empowerment, and media freedom.
4. Financial Proposal (10%) – Cost-effectiveness and alignment with the project’s budget.

9. Disclaimer

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted for further steps, such as interviews or presentations. The final scope of work may be refined in consultation with the donor (EU) and the project’s stakeholders.

 

Terms of Reference

Monitoring Expert for the EU-Funded Project: “InKoom – Fostering a Fair and Inclusive Society in the Kyrgyz Republic”

1. Background

The “InKoom” project aims to empower youth by promoting gender equality, freedom of the media, human rights, and democracy in the Kyrgyz Republic. It addresses barriers to meaningful youth participation and leverages key drivers that enable young people to play a significant role in advancing these values. Young people can make a substantial contribution to human rights, democracy, gender equality, and media freedom, and society stands to benefit from their involvement. Sound laws, effective institutions, and youth empowerment are interlinked aspects of a robust democracy.

1.1 Project Description

The project’s primary goal is to contribute to the reduction of violence against women, youth, and children and to enhance the capacities of human rights organizations and media outlets. By providing accessible, independent, and high-quality resources—including free legal aid—and expanding citizens’ rights and access to the human rights agenda, the project seeks to establish key developmental priorities in the Kyrgyz Republic.

1.2 Main Focus Areas

1. Strengthening Civil Society, Women’s, and Youth Organizations
   • Combating all forms of discrimination, particularly violence against women.
   • Facilitating political dialogue on gender equality and women’s rights.
   • Ensuring inclusive growth and decision-making through the empowerment of women, regardless of ethnicity, religion, or disability.
2. Enhancing Media Capacities and Fundamental Freedoms
   • Fostering journalistic investigations and promoting freedom of opinion and expression through transparency and accountability.
   • Strengthening media and digital literacy skills while countering hate speech in the media.
   • Engaging youth in sustainable development geared toward building a fair and inclusive society.

2. Objective of the Assignment

The Monitoring Expert will be responsible for designing, implementing, and overseeing a comprehensive monitoring framework to track the progress, outcomes, and impact of the “InKoom” project. The expert will ensure that the project’s objectives—such as reducing violence against women, youth, and children, and expanding high-quality resources for human rights and media organizations—are effectively measured and reported in alignment with EU requirements and best practices in monitoring and evaluation.

3. Scope of Work

Under the supervision of the Project Management Team, the Monitoring Expert will perform the following tasks:

1. Review and Finalize the Monitoring Framework
   • Examine existing project documentation (logframe, indicators, work plans) and refine the monitoring framework to ensure clarity, relevance, and alignment with project goals and EU standards.
   • Define clear quantitative and qualitative indicators, baselines, and targets for all project components.
2. Develop Monitoring Tools and Data Collection Methods
   • Design data collection instruments (questionnaires, interview guides, observation checklists) that capture information on gender equality, youth participation, human rights advocacy, and media freedom activities.
   • Incorporate methods to capture disaggregated data (e.g., by age, gender, ethnicity, disability) to assess inclusivity and equity.
3. Ongoing Monitoring and Field Visits
   • Conduct periodic field visits to verify data quality and assess project activities (trainings, awareness campaigns, advocacy sessions, etc.).
   • Provide hands-on guidance to local implementing partners on data management and record-keeping.
4. Data Analysis and Reporting
   • Consolidate and analyze collected data to measure progress against targets and indicators.
   • Prepare regular monitoring reports (monthly, quarterly) summarizing key findings, challenges, and recommendations for improvement.
   • Collaborate with the project team to integrate monitoring results into project planning and decision-making processes.
5. Mid-Term and Final Evaluations Support
   • Contribute to mid-term and final project evaluations by sharing monitoring data, insights, and lessons learned.
   • Propose adjustments to the project’s strategy or approach based on evidence and trends observed during the monitoring process.

4. Deliverables

1. Field Visit Reports
   • Brief summaries of findings from on-site visits, including validation of data and quality assurance.
2. Final Monitoring Report
   • A comprehensive overview of the monitoring process, lessons learned, and strategic recommendations for future projects.

5. Timeframe

The assignment will begin in March 2025 and is expected to continue until the conclusion of the project in 31 March 2025. The Monitoring Expert will provide regular updates and reports according to the agreed-upon schedule with the Project Management Team.

6. Qualifications and Experience

• Education: Advanced degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Statistics, Public Administration, or a related field.
• Professional Experience:
  • At least 3 years of proven experience in monitoring and evaluation of development or human rights projects, preferably within EU-funded initiatives.
  • Demonstrated expertise in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Technical Skills:
  • Proficiency in designing logframes, indicators, and M&E tools.
  • Strong command of data management software (e.g., Excel, SPSS, or similar).
  • Familiarity with gender equality, human rights, and media freedom indicators.
• Languages: Fluency in English is required; knowledge of Russian and/or Kyrgyz is an asset.
• Personal Attributes:
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
  • Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and ability to work under tight deadlines.
  • Cultural sensitivity and commitment to inclusivity.

7. Management and Reporting

The Monitoring Expert will work under the overall guidance of the Project Coordinator and in close collaboration with the project team, including local partners and stakeholders. S/he will provide regular progress updates and consult with the Project Management Team on any strategic or operational issues that may arise.

8. Application Process

Interested candidates should submit the following documents to [email protected]      by 10 of March 2025:

1. CV/Resume highlighting relevant experience.
2. Cover Letter explaining suitability for the assignment and approach to monitoring.
3. Financial Proposal indicating daily or monthly rate, inclusive of any applicable taxes.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for an interview.