Short-Term Consultant (STC) | M&E, Digital Data Collection, and GIS Specialist (Islamabad, Pakistan)

Short-Term Consultancy, based in Islamabad, Pakistan

Member of Geo-Enabling team for Monitoring and Supervision (GEMS)
Experience in monitoring, evaluation, and digital data collection is required

1. ICT for Operational Effectiveness in the FCV contexts and the GEMS Initiative

Having lasting impact on development and reaching the most vulnerable populations is a strategic priority for the World Bank Group (WBG) and a necessity for achieving the twin goals of eradicating extreme poverty and boosting shared prosperity. To accountably implement development projects in field environments, we need to ‘get eyes on the ground where we cannot always have a physical presence on the ground.’ The Geo-Enabling methodology for Monitoring and Supervision (GEMS) has been developed in response to this demand, with the aim to provide project teams, client agencies, and partner organizations with timely access to invaluable field information from areas that cannot be regularly visited. This is of particular importance in settings facing Fragility, Conflict and Violence (FCV), such as Balochistan and the merged areas.

Development Objective: The GEMS method enables project teams to use simple and low-cost open-source tools for in-field collection of structured digital data that automatically feeds into centralized digital Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems. The integrated data can include any kind of indicators, based on tailor-made forms; photos, audio, videos; time and date stamps; and GPS coordinates that allow for automated geo-mapping of the information. Using these tools systematically allows operations to enhance the transparency and accuracy of M&E and increase the accountability of third-party monitoring (TPM). Moreover, the GEMS method provides WBG Global Practices (GPs) and Country Management Units (CMUs) with platforms for remote supervision, real-time risk and safeguards monitoring, as well as portfolio mapping for coordination across projects and partners.

2. Objective and Scope of Work: Leveraging ICT to Enhance M&E, Supervision, and Citizen Engagement

The WBG Pakistan Country Office is looking to hire a short-term consultant (STC) to join the GEMS team. The consultant will be based in Islamabad, Pakistan, and fully embedded in the GEMS team, within the World Bank’s FCV Group. The consultant will work under the guidance of the GEMS TTL and in very close coordination with the CMU and the Senior Social Development Specialist based in Islamabad.

The focus of the consultancy will be to systematically implement the digital data collection/analysis method across WBG portfolio in Pakistan, with a focus on the use of KoBoToolbox as well as PowerBI for customized project monitoring. The consultant will be responsible for the delivery of capacity-building trainings in the use of the KoBoToolbox and PowerBI software suites and ongoing hands-on support for projects, government agencies, safeguards specialists, and select partners. This will also include reviewing and contribution to project documents

and regular follow-up engagement and technical assistance for clients. The STC will also be responsible for managing the CMU’s digital data collection and remote supervision platform and conducting tailored data analyses, based on demand.

A complementary focus will be on developing training guidelines, protocols, and technical platforms, for systematizing and scaling the GEMS support across clients in Pakistan. The consultant will support the team in (1) rolling out a standard learning package on the use of digital monitoring tools; (2) developing and managing cost-effective dashboards combining spatial project implementation data with other relevant contextual information; and (3) establishing internal standards and guidelines for the sustainable implementation of the GEMS method.

The consultant will also support the wider remote supervisionagenda. The consultant will work with the GEMS team, the CMU, and a range of partners to explore and apply complementary field-appropriate ICT tools and procedures to improve remote supervision as well as effectiveness and accountability of operational engagement. Supervision solutions that will be explored will include inter alia (a) earth observation and remote sensing through satellite imagery; (b) “big data” including call detail records and social media data for complementary monitoring tasks; and (c) mobile network/SMS-based systems for citizen engagement, beneficiary feedback, and grievance redress mechanisms. The above list is not exhaustive and may be extended during implementation of the activity.

3. Deliverables

The selected STC will be responsible for the following main deliverables:

1. Devise an annual work plan in coordination with Operations Manager, Pakistan, or his/her designee, and the GEMS team for GEMS implementation in the Pakistan office.
2. Conduct GEMS needs assessment across the Pakistan portfolio while engaging with task teams and projects’ PIUs and develop capacity-building schedule for both internal and external clients.
3. Establish and administrate a project mapping and remote supervision platform, based on KoBoToolbox, PowerBI, and potentially complementary tools
4. Support the sustainable application of the GEMS method for digital data collection and operations monitoring across projects in the Pakistan portfolio
5. Deliver technical capacity building trainings to project task teams, client Project Implementation Units, and select partners, in cooperation with the global GEMS team.
6. Support back-office tasks required for the systematic application of digital monitoring tools across the WBG portfolio.
7. Provide analytical support to the CMU and individual projects
8. Provide follow-up support to clients, the CMU and project teams to ensure that the system is leveraged sustainably**.**
9. Review or support the digitalization of data collection questionnaires and methods for specific clients and projects.
10. Explore options for collaboration on data exchange and analysis with partners, upon agreement with the CMU.
11. Explore the use of complementary technology and procedures for remote supervision of operational engagement, support project teams with the implementation and produce practical guidance material.
12. Keep real-time statistics on project support in databases crafted for CMU and GEMS Team overview.
13. Provide monthly/quarterly updates to Operations Manager and GEMS teams on the progress.
14. Selection Criteria

The ideal candidate will have expertise in M&E with relevant international development experience, as well as a complimentary technical skillset (e.g., GIS, dashboard creation, ICT). S/he will be familiar with ways in which technology can be applied to monitor projects and other dynamics on the ground and will meet the following selection criteria:

1. Master’s Degree with relevant professional or educational experience
2. At least 5 years of experience in issues related to M&E, digital data collection, management, and analysis for development/humanitarian work, with a clear demonstration of the ability to apply technologies to solve challenges related to development/humanitarian interventions.
3. Knowledge of M&E systems, especially as they apply to fragile contexts, demonstrated through field experience.
4. Proven experience in using mobile data collection tools, such as KoBoToolbox, ONA, SurveyCTO, SurveySolutions, etc.
5. Experience creating digital monitoring dashboards using programs such as Power BI, Tableau, R Shiny, etc.
6. Demonstrated initiative, leadership skills, innovation and drive for results including ability to undertake a diversity of tasks within a rapidly changing and demanding environment on short deadlines.
7. Excellent communication skills, with an ability to adapt to an audience that is operational, but not necessarily knowledgeable of ICT issues.
8. Fluency in English and Urdu, enabling the consultant to conduct interactive technical trainings with clients and to produce high-quality written outputs.
9. Advanced skills in MS office applications, in particular Excel and PowerPoint.
10. Excellent workflow management skills and a proactive attitude.
11. Preference for candidates with GIS skills and proven experience with geospatial data and analysis (through ArcMap, QGIS, R, and/or Python) and ability to manage databases and suites of large datasets.
12. Knowledge of World Bank operational policies and business practices is a plus.

Candidates who bring direct personal and professional experience and background from diverse FCV or forced displacement-affected backgrounds are preferred.

4. Administrative Arrangements

The selected consultant will be contracted by the FCV Group for a period of 40 days, at a fee to be negotiated with the supervisor, with possibility of extension based on business need and performance**.** The consultant will report to a Task Team Leader based in Washington DC. S/he will closely collaborate with the Pakistan Country Management Unit, the World Bank’s GEMS team (FCV Group), based in Washington DC, as well as the Operations Manager, based in Islamabad.

The contract is expected to comprise the period from September 2023 to June 2024, with the option of extension.

The consultant will be based in Islamabad and will be required to travel within Pakistan, as needed, with prior approval of the Operations Manager, Pakistan.