Vacancy: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

Background

Cultural Emergency Response (CER) works to support locally-led protection of cultural heritage in crisis contexts. Over recent years, CER has developed key elements of a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) system, including a Theory of Change, project monitoring processes, and donor reporting mechanisms.

As a growing organisation, these elements have evolved organically and are not yet fully integrated into a coherent MEL system. In particular, there is a need to better align CER’s programme-level objectives with project-level data collection, and to strengthen the measurement of outcomes and impact beyond outputs.

This consultancy focuses primarily on operationalising CER’s existing Theory of Change, translating it into practical tools, processes, and guidance that can be consistently applied across programmes.

At the same time, CER operates within a broader sector where cultural heritage is increasingly recognised as contributing to sustainable development and humanitarian outcomes, including through frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). However, translating these contributions into consistent and comparable evidence remains a challenge. Strengthening CER’s MEL system therefore also presents an opportunity to better align with relevant international frameworks and contribute to sector-wide evidence on the value of heritage protection.

Goals

The objective of this consultancy is to support CER in developing a coherent, practical, and scalable MEL system that:

• Aligns CER’s Theory of Change with programme and project-level monitoring
• Strengthens measurement of outcomes and impact
• Improves consistency and quality of data collection across programmes
• Supports both donor reporting and internal learning and decision-making
• Remains feasible and proportionate for a small organisation and its local partners
• Where relevant, support CER in aligning its MEL approach with broader international frameworks (e.g. SDGs) and contributing to sector-wide evidence on the impact of cultural heritage protection

Scope of work

The consultant will work closely with CER to refine and strengthen its MEL system. The scope includes the following components:

1. MEL System Assessment Report:

• Review existing MEL frameworks, tools, processes, and data collection methods.
• Map and analyse how MEL is currently applied across CER’s core areas of work, including emergency response projects, regional hubs, capacity-building and network activities, and advocacy.
• Conduct consultations with key staff and stakeholders
• Identify strengths, gaps, and redundancies

2. MEL Framework Strengthening & Systems Development

• Develop or revise results frameworks (outputs, outcomes, impact)
• Propose a streamlined set of indicators (quantitative and qualitative), ensuring that programme-level outcomes are clearly reflected in project-level data collection
• Develop/revise MEL tools and templates across CER's different programmes, . including emergency response projects, the regional hub programme, capacity-building and network activities, and advocacy work. These tools should be practical, consistent across programmes, and feasible for CER and its partners to use.
• Where relevant, this process may also consider alignment with broader international frameworks (e.g. SDGs) and sector-level indicators.
• Propose data management and tracking systems appropriate to CER’s scale.
• Review CER’s annual report and donor reporting practices to align with CER’s MEL system. This may include developing more standardised donor reporting formats that meet external requirements while also supporting internal learning and decision-making.

3. MEL Internal Capacity Strengthening: Develop user-friendly guidance materials (example, MEL handbook or toolkit) as well as practical guidance and training to CER staff Report on full process and recommendations for the future.

Key evaluation questions

The study should address, but not be limited to, the following questions:

System design

• How can CER create a MEL system that is coherent but lightweight?
• How can the system remain feasible for CER staff and partners across different contexts?

Measurement

Which outcomes are:

• Essential to measure in line with CER’s Theory of Change?
• Realistically measurable across contexts?
• How can complex outcomes (e.g. capacity, cultural continuity, sustainability) be translated into practical indicators or questions?
• How can CER’s MEL system better align with relevant international frameworks (such as the SDGs) while remaining practical and proportionate?

Alignment

• How can programme-level outcomes be effectively translated into project-level data collection and reporting?
• How can MEL tools better support consistent data collection across CER’s different programmes?

Donor reporting & KPIs

• How can CER’s KPI tracking and donor reporting be better aligned with programme outcomes?
• What formats and tools could improve consistency, clarity, and efficiency in donor reporting while also supporting internal use?

Evidence

• What constitutes credible and useful evidence in CER’s context?
• How can CER better integrate qualitative insights alongside quantitative data?

Learning & use

• How can MEL better support:
  • Decision-making?
  • Organisational learning?
  • External communication and fundraising?

Methodology

The consultant is expected to propose a methodology, which may include:

• Desk review of CER documentation
• Interviews with CER staff and selected partners
• Review of project reports and data
• Workshop with CER team
• Iterative development and testing of tools

Deliverables

The consultant will be expected to deliver:

• Phase 1: System Assessment Report
  The first phase of the assignment will focus on developing a baseline operational document that describes CER’s current MEL system. This will include an overview of existing tools, data collection methods, and reporting practices across CER’s programmes, as well as an initial identification of key gaps and areas for improvement. A brief inception note outlining the proposed methodology, workplan, and timeline will also be included in this phase.
• Phase 2: MEL Framework Strengthening & Systems Development
  The key deliverables for this phase will include:
  • Revised or newly developed results frameworks (outputs, outcomes, impact)
  • Streamlined set of quantitative and qualitative indicators aligned across programme and project levels
  • Standardised MEL tools and templates for use across CER programmes
  • A set of practical reporting questions to improve data quality and relevance
  • Proposed data management and tracking system(s) appropriate to CER
  • Updated or improved annual and donor reporting formats and guidance aligned with the MEL framework

• Phase 3: MEL Internal Capacity Strengthening
  The final phase of the assignment will focus on strengthening internal capacity through the development of user-friendly MEL guidance materials, including a practical MEL handbook and toolkit tailored to CER’s needs, alongside the delivery of targeted training and hands-on guidance for staff to support the consistent application of MEL approaches across programmes. IIn addition, the consultant will produce a final report documenting the key findings, and lessons learned, as well as providing clear, actionable recommendations to support the continued strengthening and long-term sustainability of CER’s MEL system and internal capacity.

Timeline

Start: Mid-August/September 2026

• Phase 1: MEL System Assessment Report (1 Month)
• Phase 2: MEL Framework Strengthening & Systems Development (3 months)
• Phase 3: MEL Internal Capacity Strengthening (2 months)

Duration: 6 months

Budget

Indicative budget allocation: 8,000 EUR

Required expertise

• The consultant or team should demonstrate:
• Experience designing MEL systems
• Understanding of cultural heritage / development / humanitarian sectors
• Experience with small organisations and practical MEL systems
• Strong qualitative and quantitative methods
• Ability to translate theory into usable tools

Submission of proposals

Interested consultants are invited to send to r.delaporte@culturalemergency.org before July 31.

• A technical proposal outlining methodology and approach
• CV
• Relevant writing sample(s)

Reporting & coordination

The consultant will work in close coordination with the program manager Capacity & Networks ,and with the rest of the CER team. Strategic guidance and formal feedback on key deliverables will be provided by the Head of Emergency Response.

Intellectual property

All outputs produced under this contract, including reports, data, and presentation materials, shall be the property of CER. The consultant will be credited as the author of the work in all uses and dissemination of the outputs, unless otherwise agreed in writing.

Guiding principles

The study should align with the following principles:

• Learning-focused: Prioritise actionable insights and shared learning
• Collaborative: Engage network members throughout the process
• Context-sensitive: Reflect diverse project contexts and realities
• Practical: Produce outputs that can be realistically applied
• Ethical: Ensure confidentiality, data protection, and respect for partners