Geo-Enabling Initiative for Monitoring & Supervision (GEMS) Specialist

Short-Term Consultancy, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia or Juba, South Sudan

Member of Geo-Enabling team for Monitoring and Supervision (GEMS)

1. Background: Operational Context in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States (FCS)

​​Fragility, Conflict, and Violence (FCV) impact the lives of over a quarter of the world’s population. Fragility, violent conflict and poverty are undoubtedly interlinked, as large-scale violence can significantly hamper development and destabilize countries and entire regions. About 60 percent of the world’s extreme poor are expected to live in FCV contexts by 2030. Addressing the challenge of FCV and reaching the affected populations is therefore 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.

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​Limited access in FCV contexts inhibits the World Bank from serving some of the people most in need. Fragility and violent conflict do not only lead to destruction, displacement, and deprivation, but also often result in access constraints on the ground, for security-related and logistical reasons. The lack of physical access and insights into specific dynamics and needs in FCV contexts inhibits operational engagement, precisely in some of the areas where development interventions are most urgently needed. This can limit the WBG’s ability to effectively deliver on its significant IDA-18 commitments in fragile contexts to reach the populations most in need, and thus, to effectively address poverty and marginalization.

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​To reach the most vulnerable, we need to get eyes on the ground where we cannot always have feet on the ground. As the WBG pivots toward a risk-based approach to FCV, the systematic use of Information and Communications Technology (ICT) will be crucial along the risk chain, from preparedness and prevention, to recovery and reconstruction. Not least given the significant allocation of IDA resources to FCV contexts, there is urgent demand by clients as well as WBG Global Practices (GPs) and Country Management Units (CMUs) for methods and tools that enhance transparency, efficiency, and effectiveness of interventions in regions with limited physical access. 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 agenda was integrated in the IDA 19 FCS policy Commitments as well as an operationalization measure in the recently adopted World Bank Group FCV Strategy. ​

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

The main pillar of ICT support provided by the FCV Group consists in rolling out the GEMS initiative systematically across fragile states, to geo-enable operations for remote project supervision, M&E, and third-party monitoring.

Development Objective: The GEMS method enables project teams to use open source tools for in-field collection of structured digital data that automatically feeds into a centralized M&E system. 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 GPs and CMUs with a platform for remote supervision, real-time safeguards monitoring, and portfolio mapping for coordination across projects and partners.

Focus of the GEMS method: The core of the GEMS methodology is an interactive face-to-face or online training with 2 main aims:

1. Building M&E capacity among government agencies, WBG Task Teams, and Country Teams to use the GEMS methodology independently and sustainably, customized to their specific project needs.
2. Implementing the method systematically across the portfolio, to allow for real-time supervision and coordination of operations via a centralized platform that puts all field data on an interactive map.

After the training, each participant should have acquired the necessary skills to use the tools and methods independently for the benefit of the portfolio’s M&E system and supervision needs. Moreover, the Country Teams will have access to a central digital platform for monitoring the portfolio in near real-time.

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

The FCV Group is looking to hire two short-term consultants (STCs) to join the GEMS team. Each consultant will be based in either Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, or Juba, South Sudan, and fully embedded in the GEMS team, within the World Bank’s Fragility, Conflict and Violence Group. Each consultant will work under the guidance of the FCV Country Coordinator and GEMS TTL. Each consultant will also closely work with other units of the WBG, in particular the Geospatial Operations Support Team (GOST).

A major objective will be to oversee the portfolio-wide implementation of the GEMS method by the client and Country Office/ CMU, for operational supervision, Monitoring and Evaluation, safeguards monitoring, and portfolio mapping. A major task will be to oversee the GEMS supervision system and implement the method across the WBG portfolios in Ethiopia, Sudan, and South Sudan. In this regard, each STC will be responsible for managing the CMU’s digital data collection and analysis platform and conduct customized geospatial analysis, as well as training workshops according to the CMU’s needs. The focus will be to support operational M&E, Project Supervision, Environmental and Social risks/safeguards monitoring and further the mapping of the operational portfolios across the CMU. Each consultant will also provide close support to ongoing and future work on geo-mapping and directly assist the Country Manager and other colleagues in the CMU. This work will be performed under the guidance of the Country Office/CMU and the GEMS TTL.

Each consultant will be responsible for regular follow-up engagement and technical support to clients, as required. This may include the delivery of GEMS capacity-building training for PIUs, WBG project task teams, safeguards and procurement specialists, and select partners. Additionally, this may include reviewing and drafting project documents, such as Project Appraisal Documents (PAD), M&E frameworks, TORs, etc. and any documents necessary to the full deployment of the GEMS method in a project, sector or administration.

Each consultant will provide GIS and cartography support to the internal and external clients. An additional role of each consultant will be to support the CMU and project teams with the creation and administration of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and related data platforms, as well as maps and spatial data analyses. This includes the responsibility to proactively liaise with technical counterparts, gather and process geospatial information, and create visualizations and technical analyses. Familiarity with data collection platforms such as KoBoToolbox, Enketo, OpenDataKit (ODK), SurveySolutions or SurveyCTO is strongly preferred. In-depth knowledge of geodatabases and GIS platforms, such as QGIS or ArcMap is mandatory.

Each consultant will directly support ministries and government agencies in Ethiopia, Sudan, and South Sudan as well as donors and other partners, if there is interest, in setting up systems for data collection, sharing and coordination. To leverage the GEMS system as an inter-agency coordination tool, each consultant will also build capacity with stakeholders outside of the World Bank. To this end, each consultant will closely work with government agencies, donors, UN agencies and other partners to leverage the GEMS tools and method for supervision and coordination. In this regard, each consultant will oversee the technical cooperation in terms of leveraging the GEMS tool, develop strategies for joint data analysis, and create data collection questionnaires upon agreement with the partners.

The value-add of in-person collaboration with clients, partners, and WBG staff to the success of each consultant’s work, particularly in relation to the delivery of training and capacity-building will require an emphasis on each consultant’s presence in-country.

The performance of each consultant will be continuously evaluated based on the specific work program agreement with the Ethiopia/Sudan/South Sudan CMU. The CMU-specific work program will be provided to each consultant and the specific tasks in relation to the work program will be discussed in detail with each consultant.

1. Deliverables

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

• Coordinate the ongoing implementation of the GEMS methodology in the CMU.
• Administrate the CMU’s GEMS system, based on a KoBo Toolbox platform.
• Deliver GEMS capacity building trainings to project task teams, client Project Implementation Units, and select partners in the CMU. These trainings may comprise online and/or in-person delivery.
• Leverage GIS and geospatial analysis and prepare maps at the demand of the CMU.
• Train World Bank staff in the GEMS method (train-the-trainers approach). Training may be provided online and/or in person.
• Oversee the sustainable application of the GEMS method across the CMU’s portfolio and ensure that gradually all projects are integrated in the system.
• Support other supervision initiatives in the CMU
• Support back-office tasks required for the systematic application of the GEMS method across the WBG portfolio.
• Provide follow-up support to clients, the CMU and project teams to ensure that the system is leveraged sustainably**.**
• Initiate, enhance, and sustain working partnerships with WBG-internal as well as external technical and operational teams
• Review or support the digitalization of data collection questionnaires and methods for specific clients and projects.
• Regularly record statistical data on training participants and trained/supported projects in a centrally provided database, including information on specific use cases by projects. Recordings are expected immediately after any trainings and provided project support.
• Update the abovementioned database on a regular basis, at least bi-weekly.
• Explore options for collaboration on data exchange and analysis with partners.
• Produce practical guidance material and use complementary field-appropriate ICT tools and procedures for operational engagement in FCV contexts.
• Prepare a monthly briefing note on the GEMS implementation and ongoing activities throughout the portfolio of the country.

1. Selection Criteria

The ideal candidates will have a primary expertise in M&E, FCV, GIS, ICT and digital data collection systems as well as an in-depth understanding of World Bank operations, policies and procedures. They 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. Fluency in English, enabling each consultant to conduct interactive technical trainings and to produce high-quality written outputs in English.
2. Proficiency or Fluency in local languages is preferred.
3. Master’s degree or PhD in either (i) engineering, geography, or computer science; or (ii) economics, development studies, international relations, public policy or a related field. In both cases, specific experience in using ICT to boost development effectiveness will be crucial.
4. At least 5 years of experience in issues related to M&E, ICT, geospatial analysis or development/humanitarian work, with a clear demonstration of the ability to apply technologies to solve the challenges of development/humanitarian interventions.
5. Advanced GIS skills and proven experience with geospatial data and analysis (through ArcMap, QGIS, R, and/or Python)
6. Experience contributing to and managing working partnership with a diverse range of technical and operational teams, but withan and between organizations and firms
7. Ability to manage databases and suite of large datasets.
8. Proven experience in using mobile data collection tools, such as KoBoToolbox, ODK, ONA, SurveySolutions, SurveyCTO, etc.
9. Knowledge of M&E systems, especially as they apply to fragile contexts, demonstrated through field experience.
10. Experience working with household survey/census/ firm data is a plus.
11. Knowledge of data analysis programs such as R, SPSS, Stata or Python is a plus.
12. Knowledge of Bank operational policies and business practices is a plus.
13. 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.
14. Excellent communication skills, with an ability to adapt to an audience that is operational, but not necessarily knowledgeable of ICT issues.
15. Advanced skills in MS office applications, in particular Excel and PowerPoint.
16. Excellent workflow management skills and a proactive attitude.
17. Solid understanding of FCV issues and travel experience to fragile states is preferred.
18. Administrative Arrangements

The selected consultants will be contracted by the FCV Group for a period of 100 days, at a fee to be negotiated with the supervisor and the possibility of extension. Each consultant will report to a Task Team Leader based in Addis Ababa or Juba. They will work under the additional guidance of the CMU-based colleagues in Washington, D.C., Khartoum, Juba, and Addis Ababa. Each consultant might also work with the Geospatial Operational Support Team (GOST) based in Washington DC, and with other relevant teams, as needed.

The contract will begin on December 16th, 2024, and comprise the Fiscal Year 25 (until June 30, 2025). Each consultant will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia or Juba, South Sudan, but can be expected to travel within the country and to other client countries in Africa, in particular Sudan and Ethiopia.