Request for Proposal (RFP)
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Capacity-Strengthening Workshops for Urban Nature-Based Solutions Partners in Africa
Organization: International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD)
Project: Scaling Urban Nature-Based Solutions for Climate Adaptation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SUNCASA)
Location: Remote with in-person workshops in Dire Dawa (Ethiopia), Kigali (Rwanda), and Johannesburg (South Africa)
Application Deadline: 30 January 2026
Application Link:
https://iisd.bamboohr.com/careers/869
Background
The SUNCASA project aims to strengthen climate resilience, biodiversity protection, gender equality, and social inclusion across three African cities: Dire Dawa, Kigali, and Johannesburg. Led by IISD in partnership with the World Resources Institute and local organizations, the project addresses climate-induced risks such as flooding, landslides, and soil erosion through gender-responsive urban nature-based solutions (NbS).
Core interventions include afforestation, agroforestry, urban greening, and the establishment of vegetated buffer zones to enhance ecosystem services and reduce vulnerability among urban communities—particularly women and underrepresented groups.
Effective Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) systems are central to measuring impact, supporting adaptive management, and informing evidence-based decision-making. IISD therefore seeks a qualified MEL consultant to design and deliver in-person capacity-strengthening workshops tailored to project partners working on urban NbS in Africa.
Objectives of the Assignment
The objective of this consultancy is to strengthen MEL capacity among SUNCASA partner organizations by delivering three in-person, one-day (7-hour) workshops, one in each project city.
The workshops will be:
- Highly participatory and interactive
- Designed for diverse stakeholders including grassroots organizations, municipal NGOs, women’s groups, and community-based organizations
- Attended by approximately 8–15 participants per city
The workshops will cover the following themes, with a primary focus on data collection tools and methods:
Workshop Themes
A. Introduction to MEL for Urban NbS Projects
B. Developing Theories of Change (ToC)
- Designing, validating, and updating ToCs
- Linking ToCs to MEL frameworks and adaptive management
C. Data Collection Tools and Preparation (Core Focus)
- Selecting and designing MEL tools for NbS
- Innovative approaches: mobile data collection, participatory mapping, citizen science
- Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI)-responsive data collection
- Case studies of NbS tools (e.g., TreeTracker, TreeMapper, Regreening Africa)
D. GESI-Responsive Data Analysis
- Integrating gender and social inclusion into MEL systems
- Use of gender-specific indicators and data disaggregation
Scope of Work & Deliverables
Component 1: Workshop Design and Preparation
Deliverable 1:
- Annotated workshop agenda and facilitation plan
- Proposed methodology, work plan, and timeline
Deliverable 2:
- Final workshop agenda and facilitation plan
- PowerPoint presentations, exercises, and case studies
- Detailed agenda with time allocation
- One round of revisions following IISD feedback
Component 2: Workshop Delivery
Deliverable 3:
- Delivery of three (3) in-person workshops
- Locations: Dire Dawa, Kigali, Johannesburg
- Duration: 1 full working day (7 hours) per workshop
Component 3: Post-Workshop Reporting
Deliverable 4:
- Final post-workshop technical report (maximum 10 pages), including:
- Workshop structure and participation
- Participant feedback
- Key lessons learned
- Recommendations for further MEL capacity strengthening
- Workshop materials and reference resources
Duration of Assignment
Estimated total: 18–20 working days
- 5 days: onboarding, document review, and material development
- 10 days: travel and workshop delivery
- 3 days: reporting and wrap-up
All travel and meeting-related expenses will be covered by IISD.
Consultant Qualifications
The consultant (or consultancy firm) must meet the following criteria:
- Senior MEL professional
- Advanced degree in MEL, Development Studies, Climate Change, or related field
- Minimum 10 years’ experience in MEL for climate adaptation, environment, or NbS in African contexts
- Proven experience designing and facilitating participatory MEL workshops
- Technical expertise in innovative MEL tools (e.g., mobile data collection, GIS, NbS software)
- Demonstrated experience integrating GESI into MEL systems
- Strong communication skills and ability to work in multicultural environments
- Familiarity with urban NbS and climate adaptation programming
- Ability to travel to Ethiopia, Rwanda, and South Africa
- Fluency in English required
Proposed Timeline
- Kick-off meeting: Shortly after contract signing
- Deliverable 1: One week after contract signing
- Draft workshop materials: Two weeks before workshops
- Final materials: One week before workshops
- Workshop delivery: Tentatively February 2026
- Final report: Within two weeks after workshops conclude
Application Process
All applications must be submitted in English and include:
- Cover letter outlining relevant experience and availability
- Detailed CV highlighting MEL experience in African contexts
- Technical proposal describing methodology, work plan, and timeline
- Financial proposal with daily rate
- At least two (2) professional references from similar assignments
📌 Application Deadline: 30 January 2026
📎 Apply online:
https://iisd.bamboohr.com/careers/869