Request for Proposal (RFP) - Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Capacity-Strengthening Workshop for Urban Nature-Based Solutions Partners in Africa

The International Institute for Sustainable Development is seeking a consultant to conduct a 1-day in-person Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) capacity-strengthening workshop for urban nature-based solutions in three cities: Dire Dawa (Ethiopia), Kigali (Rwanda), and Johannesburg (South Africa). The objective is to enhance the MEL capacity of partner organizations through interactive workshops focusing on data collection tools and effective MEL frameworks tailored to local contexts.
This job posting includes assignments for three (3) cities: Dire Dawa (Ethiopia), Kigali (Rwanda) and Johannesburg (South Africa).

Background

The Scaling Urban Nature-based Solutions for Climate Adaptation in Sub-Saharan Africa (SUNCASA) project aims to enhance resilience, gender equality, social inclusion, and biodiversity protection across three cities, Dire Dawa (Ethiopia), Kigali (Rwanda) and Johannesburg (South Africa). This initiative is led by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD) in partnership with the World Resources Institute, together with local partners. The main objective of SUNCASA is to address climate-induced risks (e.g., floods, landslides, and soil erosion) by implementing gender-responsive nature-based solutions (NbS). This is aimed at strengthening the resilience of urban communities, watersheds, and biodiversity to the impacts of climate change, while reducing barriers to NbS participation among women and underrepresented groups. This would be achieved through targeted interventions, such as afforestation programs, agroforestry, urban greening, and the establishment of vegetated buffer zones in affected areas.

Effective monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) is central to understanding and communicating the impacts of NbS, informing adaptive management, and supporting evidence-based decision making. To this end, IISD seeks to engage a MEL consultant to design and deliver a 1-day in-person MEL capacity-strengthening workshop tailored to the needs of project partners.

This RFP outline the scope, objectives, and deliverables for engaging a MEL consultant for workshop preparations and delivery.

Objectives of the Assignment

The purpose of this consultancy is to prepare and deliver a series of capacity-strengthening workshops to partner organizations in each of the three cities involved with SUNCASA to strengthen their MEL capacity to design and implement effective MEL systems for urban NbS in African contexts.

Capacity strengthening will be in the form of a 1-day (7-hour) workshop facilitated in person in three separate cities (Dire Dawa in Ethiopia, Kigali in Rwanda, and Johannesburg in South Africa). Workshops should be interactive and anticipate group work involving participants of different backgrounds.

Partner organizations that will be invited can include the following and may differ per city: grassroots organizations, local municipal non-governmental organizations, women’s groups, community-based organizations, etc. We expect approximately 8–15 participants per city workshop.

Participants have expressed interest in the main themes below, which should be covered, albeit with a focus on theme C (data collections & tools):

(a) Intro to MEL for NbS projects

(b) Developing theories of change (ToCs) for MEL frameworks
• * Practical exercises for designing, validating, and updating ToCs: linking ToCs to an effective MEL framework and adaptive project management

(c) Data collection tools & preparation (core of the workshop)
• Selection and design of appropriate tools for NbS MEL, including innovative methods (e.g., mobile data collection, participatory mapping, citizen science)
• Gender equality and social inclusion-(GESI)-responsive data collection methods
• Case studies on NbS software, such as TreeTracker, TreeMapper, Regreening Africa, and/or others

(d) GESI Data Analysis
• Integrating GESI in project MEL: collecting and analyzing data with a gender and socially inclusive lens (i.e., gender-specific indicators; disaggregation in indicators)

Tasks and Deliverables

Component 1: Develop a participatory workshop agenda and materials (including PowerPoint presentations, exercises, and case studies) that reflect best practices in MEL for NbS in urban African contexts.

Deliverable 1: Annotated outline for the workshop agenda, facilitation plan. This should outline the proposed approach to the assigned activities within the scope of work, a work plan, and approximate timeframe.

Deliverable 2: Final workshop agenda, facilitation plan, and materials. This should include the final approach of the workshop, the slides/materials, exercises, and a detailed timeframe for the day. We expect at least one iteration of comments and revisions between the draft materials and the final materials to ensure quality assurance, at the discretion of the MEL lead.

Component 2: A 1-day, in-person workshop delivered in three separate cities (Dire Dawa, Ethiopia, Kigali, Rwanda, and Johannesburg, South Africa).

Deliverable 2: Delivery of workshops. One in each city (Dire Dawa, Kigali, and Johannesburg) with a duration of a full workday (7 hours).

Component 3: Post-workshop report (maximum 10 pages)

Deliverable 3: Final post-workshop report
describing participation and summarizing key learnings, recommendations, and resources from workshops.

Technical report with the following information:
• Workshop structure and participation comments
• Participant feedback
• Lessons learned (collective and/or individual)
• Recommendations for further MEL capacity strengthening
• Workshop materials and resources for ongoing use

Duration of Assignment
• Estimated total of 18–20 days:
• 5 days for onboarding on the project, document review, and developing workshop materials
• 10 days for travel and delivery of the workshop
• 3 days for wrap-up and final report development
• All travel and meeting expenses will be covered by IISD.

Consultant/Consultancy Firm’s Qualification and Experience

The consultant for this assignment must have the following experience and qualifications:

Senior MEL Professional
• Advanced degree in MEL, development studies, climate change, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of professional experience in MEL for climate adaptation, environment, or NbS programming in African contexts.
• Demonstrated experience designing and facilitating participatory MEL workshops, ideally with diverse, multi-sectoral partners.
• Technical expertise in innovative MEL tools (e.g., mobile data collection platforms, GIS, other NbS software a plus).
• Proven experience integrating GESI into MEL systems.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work in multicultural settings.
• Familiarity with urban NbS and climate adaptation concepts.
• Ability to travel to Ethiopia, Rwanda, and South Africa.
• Language proficiency in English is required.

Estimated Timelines
• Kick-off call: Between consultant and SUNCASA MEL lead shortly after contract finalization to discuss context and work
• Deliverable 1: Annotated outline of the workshop and facilitation plan
• Due date: one week after signing the contract
• Deliverable 2: Full materials developed and shared with the IISD MEL lead for review
• Draft due date – draft materials 2 weeks prior to workshop
• Final due date – final materials 1 week prior to workshop
• Workshop delivery
• Tentative timeline for February 2026
• Deliverable 3: No later than 2 weeks after workshops conclude

Read the full Terms of Reference here for Reporting, Evaluation and Selection Criteria.

RFP-Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Capacity-Strengthening Workshop for Urban Nature-Based Solutions Partners in Africa

Application deadline: January 30, 2026

Application Process

All applications must be submitted in English.

To apply for this consultancy, please send:
• Cover letter outlining the relevant professional experience and availability.
• Detailed CV highlighting professional experience with working in MEL in African contexts.
• Technical proposal outlining how the consultant(s) plans to undertake the assignment, including a proposed work plan and timeline.
• Financial proposal that includes a daily rate to carry out the activities outlined in the Tasks and Deliverables.
• At least two (2) references from previous related projects