Consultant with international expertise in planning, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (PMEAL)  

Call for expressions of interest for a

Consultant with international expertise in planning, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (PMEAL)

Preliminary terms of reference (13.08.2025)

medica mondiale e.V. and Emma Organisation for Human Development are looking for a regional consultant with international expertise in planning, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (PMEAL) for the project "Living in Dignity II" that is implemented in the Autonomous Region of Kurdistan in Iraq.

About the project

The “Living in Dignity II” project is implemented with funding from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) to provide holistic stress- and trauma-sensitive support for women.

• Project title: Living in Dignity – a safe environment and an empowering connection for women affected by (S)GBV in the Kurdish Autonomous Region in Iraq by access to a holistic stress- and trauma-sensitive support
• Project focus: Protection and support for women, including displaced and vulnerable groups
• Project country: Kurdistan Autonomous Region in Iraq (KRI)

1. Project duration: 10.2024-31.03.2027

At the individual level, the project offers comprehensive support services that address the physical, psychological, legal and economic needs of women affected by violence. These services are stress- and trauma sensitive, ensuring that survivors receive support to rebuild their lives.

At the institutional level, the project works in partnership with key organizations to implement a coordinated approach that recognizes the specific needs of survivors of violence. This collaboration strengthens referral systems, ensuring that survivors receive holistic support across different sectors.

Within communities, the project promotes awareness and understanding of family and social responsibilities, emphasizing the importance of upholding dignity, rights and supporting women affected by violence. On a broader societal level, it aims to raise awareness of the long-term effects of trauma, while fostering a culture of protection and support for all members of society.

Planning, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (PMEAL)

The project aims to achieve sustainable and measurable outcomes. To ensure its success, Emma and medica mondiale e.V. require a strong PMEAL framework, alongside the capacity to independently manage and implement it.

The consultant will co-create and guide PMEAL processes in close coordination with project stakeholders, including Emma organisation’s project team and the International Programs department at medica mondiale e.V. ensuring alignment with international standards, donor requirements and global good practices. Additionally, the consultant will focus on enhancing Emma's and medica mondiale’s e.V. internal PMEAL-capacity especially in how to collect, understand and use data to improve project work. This will help the teams make better decisions, adapt to changes and plan for the future in a sustainable way. The consultant will facilitate a co-creative process, engaging selected key stakeholders such as the project teams. This process will make sure that learning and improvements are rooted in the local context and responsive to the community's needs. The goal is to support Emma and medica mondiale e.V. in making informed, data-based decisions and achieving joint project goals.

Evaluation management

In addition to strengthening the PMEAL framework of the project as well as the PMEAL capacities at Emma organisation, the consultant will lead and oversee the planning and implementation of the final project evaluation in the last year of the project in close cooperation with medica mondiale’s Evaluation and Quality department. The consultant will oversee the tender process of selecting an external consultant team and ensure the Terms of reference align with the project’s objectives. The consultant will also review key deliverables, including the inception report, evaluation design and final evaluation report, providing feedback and ongoing technical support. This ensures that the evaluation is methodologically solid, aligns with project goals and generates actionable recommendations for future project improvements.

Scope of work

The consultant will be responsible for the following:

1. Co-create PMEAL framework and tools: Collaborate with Emma and medica mondiale project/regional team to co-create a customized PMEAL framework that is practical, impact-focused and aligned with Emma’s and medica mondiale’s needs. This will include the creation and review of data collection tools, monitoring systems and reporting formats, ensuring these tools are easy to use, efficient and aligned with the project’s goals and context.
2. Training and mentorship: Conduct tailored training sessions and provide hands-on mentorship for Emma’s PMEAL staff and medica mondiale staff, ensuring they gain and expand the skills needed for independent PMEAL management
3. Technical support: Offering continuous support, including reviewing data and reports, addressing challenges and ensuring quality control in data collection and analysis
4. Good practices and international standards: Ensure compliance with international standards, donor requirements, and ethical practices, while promoting a Do No Harm approach and incorporating a survivor-centered, power-sensitive and intersectional approach throughout all PMEAL activities.
5. Evaluation management and quality assurance: Under the mandate of the Evaluation and Quality Department, manage and quality-assure all phases of the final project evaluation – from tendering and inception to final reporting and management response. Oversee the external evaluation team, review all deliverables, and ensure methodological rigour, alignment with evaluation objectives, and adherence to evaluation standards.

Planning, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (PMEAL)

• A master’s degree or equivalent years of professional experience in a relevant field such as Planning, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (PMEAL), Social sciences, International cooperation, Public policy or Statistics
• At least 5-8 years of international experience in planning, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (PMEAL), with proven experience of supporting complex international cooperation projects, particularly those focused on women's rights and empowerment in conflict or post-conflict settings
• Expertise in designing and implementing co-creative PMEAL frameworks for international cooperation projects, with a focus on impact evaluation, results-based management and women-centered programming
• In-depth knowledge of intersectional, women-centered, and empowerment-focused approaches, including power-sensitive, co-creative and participatory methods. Very good ability in applying women’s rights frameworks and addressing violence against women and girls and/or public health topics within the context of PMEAL systems
• Proven experience in developing and applying survivor
• centered and stress and trauma
• sensitive PMEAL approaches that also address the specific challenges of women's organizations in conflict-affected Iraq and similar conflict-affected environments
• In-depth knowledge of donor requirements related to PMEAL, particularly in conflict zones and experience in aligning PMEAL systems with international PMEAL standards
• Strong capacity in establishing web-based monitoring systems and robust data management and the ability to apply these techniques in challenging, low-resource environments
• Experience supporting learning and skill-building in MEAL, data literacy, statistics, and digital tools (Excel, Kobo Toolbox, etc.). Expertise in skill strengthening for a women's organization in Iraq or SWANA, through remote and in-person training and mentorship
• Demonstrated ability to work in highly sensitive, confidential, complex and unstable environments with a deep understanding of the ethical considerations and risks when working with vulnerable groups, particularly survivors of violence
• Conflict-sensitive programming experience, with the ability to ensure PMEAL systems are designed to prevent exacerbating existing tensions or creating new risks in politically or socially unstable settings
• Ability to facilitate discussions on sensitive topics such as violence against women and girls, sexual and reproductive health ensuring the safety and dignity of participants
• Fluency in English, both verbal and written, is required and proficiency in Arabic or Kurdish (Sorani, Badini) is desirable, as it will facilitate communication with partner organizations and stakeholders
• Recent security training is a formal requirement in case of travel to Iraq

Evaluation management

We are seeking a methodologically strong and highly experienced evaluation professional with a proven track record in managing complex evaluation processes in fragile and conflict-affected contexts and conducting evaluation as lead evaluator.

The ideal candidate will bring:

• At least 7–8 years of proven experience in conducting, leading and managing evaluations of complex development cooperation projects in fragile or conflict-affected contexts, preferably in Iraq or the region including on conflict related sexual violence (CRSV) with solid practical knowledge of qualitative and quantitative data analysis as demonstrated by references, CV and/or list of publications.
• Proven experience and competences in evaluation quality assurance, including the development and application of quality grids and evaluation standards, is required.
• Demonstrated and comprehensive understanding of the international OECD-DAC evaluation criteria, with proven ability to apply them confidently
• Strong familiarity and proven experience in conducting and managing evaluation studies in line with the guidelines of the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
• Expertise in conflict-related sexual violence (CRSV) and stress- and trauma-sensitive approaches
• Extensive methodological expertise and in-depth knowledge of diverse evaluation approaches and designs, enabling the selection and application of methods best suited to the projects objectives and the evaluation purpose and the context
• Proven ability to design and facilitate participatory, power-sensitive evaluation processes remotely that actively involve partners, value contextual knowledge, and strengthen organisational capacity
• Proven experience with MEAL-related software such as Kobo Toolbox, MAXQDA, Excel or other relevant applications, as well as knowledge of web-based monitoring systems and the use of digital data collection tools in evaluation. Proficient use of MS 365 and MS Teams is required.
• Demonstrated ability to apply data security, confidentiality and data protection standards in practice.
• Excellent communication and coordination skills to ensure effective collaboration between the evaluation team, the project team and medica mondiale, combined with strong project management skills to plan, coordinate and deliver evaluation activities on time and within scope and budget.

How to apply:

This Call for Expressions of Interest is open to individual consultants as well as consultant teams or consultancy firms, provided they meet the required qualifications and experience outlined in these Terms of Reference. The contract will be awarded for the entire scope of work described; partial applications covering only certain tasks or deliverables will not be considered.

Interested candidates are invited to submit the following documents:

1. Curriculum vitae:
2. A detailed CV that clearly demonstrates relevant qualifications and experiences in planning, monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (PMEAL) as outlined above under qualifications
3. Technical proposal:
4. A technical proposal outlining the following:

• A methodology for completing the assignment, with particular emphasis on PMEAL frameworks for women’s organizations in conflict-affected areas
• A work plan that includes a detailed timeline and milestones for the assignment
• Any context-specific considerations you would take into account when working with woman’s organizations in Iraq or similar contexts
• A brief outline (maximum 3 pages) for the proposed evaluation management process, as well as a methodological proposal describing the evaluation approach and methods, drawing on the information provided in this Call for Expressions of Interest and on our website

1. Financial proposal:
2. The financial proposal should outline the daily rate, estimated working days and any applicable travel or logistical costs. It should also include a detailed budget breakdown, including VAT (if applicable) and align with the work plan and deliverables.
3. References:
4. Contact details for at least two professional references who can speak to the consultant’s qualifications and experience in similar assignments, especially in conflict or post-conflict environments.
5. Language skills:
6. A brief statement of your language skills, particularly in English (required) and Arabic or Kurdish (is desirable).
7. Security training (if applicable):
8. Proof of recent security training (if applicable), especially for work in high-risk or conflict zones.

Submission details:

To express your interest, kindly submit all the required documents as outlined above. Please ensure all documents are compiled into a single PDF file, not exceeding 2 MB in size. All applications should be sent electronically to evaluation@medicamondiale.org by 28 August 2025, 16:00 CEST. Please include the following in the subject line of your email: “Application for PMEAL Consultant KRI”. Kindly note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted following the application due date.

Selection process:

The selection process will include a review of the submitted documents, followed by interviews with short-listed candidates. Interviews will take place online at the beginning of September 2025. Further information on medica mondiale and our projects can be found on our website: medicamondiale.org