Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Lead Consultant Programme ILMpact

Location: Islamabad, Pakistan (with regular field visits to Punjab and KP)
Duration: 9 months (valid until 31 March 2026), with the possibility of extension for an additional 12 months, subject to the consultant’s performance and availability of programme funding.
Reporting to: Team Leader, ILMpact
Pay Package: Equivalent to PB-8 Level
Line Management: Supervise MEL Coordinator
Engagement Level: Senior Level Expert
Start Date: July 2025

Core Job Goal: Provide leadership and technical expertise in designing and implementing rigorous monitoring and evaluation approach and processes to measure learning outcomes and programme implementation in the field, ensuring remedial learning initiatives deliver on their objectives while managing monitoring, evaluation, and reporting responsibilities to the British Council, in line with FCDO reporting requirements.

1. Background

The ILMpact programme is a large-scale FCDO-funded education service delivery initiative designed to reach over 160000 children across Punjab and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Anchored in equity, inclusion, and evidence-based reform, the programme emphasizes real-time monitoring, adaptive management, and community-embedded approaches. This MEL Lead position is essential for ensuring the implementation of the programme’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Strategy, driving data quality, consistency, reporting and compliance.

2. Purpose of the Role

The consultant will lead the design, implementation and continuous strengthening of the ILMpact Programme’s MEL system. They will be responsible for overseeing results monitoring, reporting, field-based data validation, capacity development of partners in relation to MEL, and knowledge generation through research and reflection. The MEL Lead will act as the key interface between the ILMpact team, Sustainable Development Policy Institute, downstream partners, and FCDO to ensure credible, timely, and actionable data and learning across the Programme.

3. Key Responsibilities and Deliverables

A. Develop, Refine and Implement the ILMpact MEL System

• Operationalize and maintain a fully functional MEL system aligned with the Programme's logframe, KPIs, and Theory of Change.
• Translate the MEL strategy into standardized protocols, templates, dashboards, and practical tools.
• Ensure alignment of all partner MEL activities with the ILMpact MEL system.
• Coordinate with SDPI to finalize and integrate digital monitoring systems (for example, dashboards).

Deliverables:

• Fully implemented MEL system and protocols adopted by all partners.
• A central repository of MEL tools and templates for Programme-wide use.
• Quarterly reviews and refinements of the MEL system with summary repots shared by after the end of the quarter.

B. Results Monitoring, Reporting & Log frame Compliance

• Ensure accurate, precise and timely Programme data collection and reporting for all log frame indicators, including field-level learning data collection to track children’s learning outcomes and timely work on their learning levels.
• Lead regular reviews of results framework and maintain up-to-date indicator- tracking tables
• Develop evidence-based reports for ILMpact and FCDO (monthly, quarterly, annual), ensuring full compliance with FCDO reporting guidelines.
• Manage data integration from downstream partners and ensure consistency and verifiability of all reported results.

Deliverables:

• Monthly, quarterly and annual FCDO reports (including annexes such as VFM narratives).
• Validated Log frame tracking summaries against original source data.
• Indicator progress reports including variance analysis by indicator and reporting period.

C. Quality Assurance & Management of MEL Data Systems

• Provide oversight on the quality and reliability of the data uploaded to the MEL platform (MIS/data portal) by downstream partners.
• Troubleshoot MEL systems issues to and coordinate with the technical partners (including SDPI) to ensure smooth functioning of the platform.
• Lead periodic spot-checks, field validation visits, and comprehensive data quality audits.

Deliverables:

• Monthly data portal audit reports.
• Field-level data validation reports with actionable remediation plans.
• Documented system error logs with corrective action reports.

D. Field Monitoring, Partner Support & Capacity Development

• Conduct field monitoring visits across the 15 ILMpact districts.
• Support partners in developing and implementing district-level MEL plans aligned with Programme outputs.
• Deliver structured training sessions and on-site coaching on MEL tools, indicator definitions, and Programme reporting practices.

Deliverables:

• Field monitoring visit reports produced once every two months.
• District-level MEL performance summaries, compiled and submitted quarterly, aligning with field monitoring cycles and feeding into programme-level reporting.
• Capacity building plans and training reports for each downstream partner.

E. Reporting & Documentation

• Lead the drafting of high-quality narrative reports—monthly, quarterly and annual—based on evidence from MEL systems and partner inputs.
• Contribute to and review documentation of learning products, including process documentation and success stories.
• Coordinate with communication leads to ensure MEL-generated insights feed into advocacy and dissemination materials.

Deliverables:

• Monthly and quarterly progress reports submitted to PMU and FCDO.
• Finalized annual report incorporating contributions from all MEL workstreams.
• Documented lessons learned and field -based case studies.

F. Research, Innovation and Learning Agenda

• Lead the production of high-quality targeted research outputs (e.g policy briefs, synthesis papers, thematic studies) in collaboration with SDPI and other partners.
• Facilitate an annual learning and reflection workshop to synthesize findings and guide strategic adaptations.
• Develop outcome-harvesting logs, strategic adaptations memos, and innovation reviews linked to pilot MEL frameworks.

Deliverables:

• At least 2 learning briefs per year and one joint policy paper
• Reports from the annual learning/reflection workshop.
• Research concept notes and completed studies on innovation practices or special cases.

4. Required Qualifications and Experience

Education:

• Master’s degree in Education, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Statistics, or related field(s).
• Strong evidence of job grounding and experience in managing Monitoring and Evaluation system of an education programme

• Minimum 10 years’ experience in MEL in large-scale education or social development programmes preferably conducting and monitoring learning data.
• Proven experience in designing and operationalising MEL systems in multi-partner consortia with education focus. Please do not apply if you have generic experience
• Demonstrated experience in international donors’ programmes monitoring, including logframe and VfM reporting.
• Prior experience with digital data analysis tools and dashboard analytics.
• Strong track record in research, report writing, and results-based reporting.
• Field experience in Pakistan (Punjab and KP preferred) with community-based programming is a strong asset.

Skills:

• Exceptional analytical and writing skills.
• Strong facilitation, training and communication skills.
• Ability to work with diverse stakeholders, from field partners to senior technical leads.
• Fluency in English and Urdu

5. Reporting and Collaboration

• Reports to: Team Leader, ILMpact
• Coordinates closely with: SDPI MEL team, British Council MEL focal points, Consortium MEL Advisors, Field Partners.
• Supervises: MEL Coordinator

6. Performance Review and Other Details

The consultant’s performance will be assessed on a quarterly basis, focusing on the timely delivery of agreed outputs, the quality and clarity of submitted reports, effectiveness in field oversight, adaptability to learning needs, and feedback from key stakeholders including SDPI, implementing partners, and the British Council team.

This is a Pay Band 8 (PB8) level consultancy position. The proposed fee will be an all-inclusive amount, covering all professional services such as preparation, report writing, coordination, and implementation within the geographical scope outlined in the Terms of Reference.

The consultant is expected to bear all costs necessary to fulfil the scope of services, including but not limited to: personnel compensation (salaries, bonuses, benefits), medical and travel insurance, personal effects insurance, fees for personnel engaged by the consultant, equipment, administrative overheads, travel-related expenses (e.g., airport transfers, passports, vaccinations), accommodation, and any other incidental costs not explicitly covered by the British Council.

Any additional expenses directly related to the assignment may be reimbursed by the British Council, subject to prior written approval and submission of valid supporting documentation.

Please submit your application to Javed Malik at javed.malik@britishcouncil.org, and copy Sarah Rogerson at sarah.rogerson@britishcouncil.org.