Terms of Reference (ToRs) for Hiring of Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Advisor

1.  Background

The Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Advisor will be responsible for design, implementation, and management of ASF’s monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning systems. Agribusiness Support Fund (ASF) is implementing several projects and the MEĮ Advisor will play a strategic role in ensuring data-driven decision-making, quality reporting, and continuous performance improvement across ASF projects and programs, in line with donor requirements.

ASF intends to engage a qualified M&E Advisor to establish and strengthen the project's monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework, ensure systematic tracking of project results, document achievements, and support evidence-based decision-making and donor reporting.

2.    Objective of the Assignment

The primary objective is to develop and implement an effective M&E system to monitor progress of different projects against approved targets and indicators, assess outcomes and impact, document lessons learned and success stories, and ensure timely and quality reporting to ASF and the donors.

3.    Scope of Work / Key Responsibilities

The Advisor will be a hands-on technical POC, working closely with senior management, field teams, and project partners to strengthen institutional M&E capacity and ensure adherence to donor requirements:

1. Develop and operationalize the projects’ Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan, including indicators, data collection methods, and reporting mechanisms.
2. Establish monitoring mechanisms to track implementation progress, beneficiary participation, enterprise performance, income changes, employment generation, and other project indicators.
3.  Develop and maintain appropriate data collection tools,  reporting templates, and databases to ensure data quality, consistency, and            accuracy.
4.  Prepare baseline, monthly, quarterly, biannual, and project endline and impact reports in accordance with ASF and Donor reporting requirement.
5. Document project achievements, lessons learned, and challenges through the development of beneficiary success stories and case studies.
6. Provide technical inputs and MEĮ support for product development initiatives, including product innovation, product diversification, and innovation.
7. Monitor and document the results of market-driven product design and branding workshops, master trainer development, one-on-one coaching, trade fairs, exhibitions, and cluster-level knowledge exchange visits, outreach, and impact for the projects.
8. Participate in project review and catch-up meetings with ASF management and Donor representatives and provide relevant progress updates, evidence, and analytical inputs.
9. Develop an end line survey tool and provide technical support for outcome-level data collection and analysis.

The Advisor will be responsible for producing the following deliverables:

 No. Deliverable

1.    Project M&E Plan and implementation framework
2. Standardized monitoring tools, data collection formats, data analysis and reporting templates
3.  Endline survey questionnaire and data analysis framework
4. Monthly, quarterly, and biannual, impact progress reports
5. Success stories and beneficiary case studies
6.  Project Endline Report, including outcome-level analysis and lessons learned

 5.    Duration of Assignment

The assignment will commence from December 2026 and remain effective until further notice. The Advisor will work according to an agreed work plan and deliverable-based schedule, with periodic reviews by ASF management.

6.    Required Qualifications and Experience

• Master's degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Economics, Statistics, Agriculture, Management Sciences or a relevant discipline.
• At least 5–7 years of relevant experience in monitoring, evaluation, research, and reporting, preferably in donor-funded development projects.
• Proven experience in developing M&E frameworks, indicators, survey tools, and conducting quantitative and qualitative data analysis.
• Experience in enterprise development, women's economic empowerment, livelihoods, value-chain development, or private-sector development projects will be an advantage.
• Strong report writing, analytical, documentation, and presentation skills.
• Familiarity with digital data collection tools such as KoboToolbox or equivalent etc.