Consultant for Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Knowledge Management (Syria project)

World Council of Churches; United States; Remote; USD 60,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

The World Council of Churches invites a home-based Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Knowledge Management Consultant for the Syria Project. The role supports adaptive programme management, reviews outcomes, strengthens the Theory of Change, and ensures evidence-informed decisions.

Travel to Syria or Geneva may be required, with safety considerations guiding arrangements. The consultant will refine MEL frameworks, design practical tools, guide partners, and consolidate data for learning briefs

Qualifications

• Advanced degree in development studies, social sciences, monitoring and evaluation, peace and conflict studies, international relations, or equivalent qualifications.
• Demonstrated experience in design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation and adaptive management of complex peacebuilding programmes.
• Proven expertise in MEL, including Theory of Change development, results frameworks and qualitative methodologies.
• Experience analyzing qualitative information and documenting results, lessons learned and good practices.
• Experience facilitating strategic reflection, learning processes and programme reviews with multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience preparing donor reports, learning briefs, and ensuring consistency between results and evidence.
• Excellent analytical, drafting and communication skills.
• In-depth understanding of the Syrian context; English fluency.

Responsibilities

• Review and refine the MEL framework, Theory of Change, results framework, indicators and means of verification.
• Develop practical monitoring and documentation tools for dialogue, mediation, early warning and social cohesion.
• Provide methodological guidance and support to partners and coordinators in applying monitoring tools.
• Support collection, consolidation and qualitative analysis of information from partners and networks.
• Assess progress towards outcomes including changes in relationships and trust.
• Facilitate periodic learning and reflection with WCC team and partners.
• Document good practices, lessons learned and significant changes.
• Review programme reports for consistency between activities, evidence and results.
• Contribute to knowledge management and learning briefs/reports.

Skills

Analytical skills

Drafting

Communication skills

English fluency

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Advanced university degree in development studies or related field

Job description

The World Council of Churches is looking for a Consultant for Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Knowledge Management (Syria Project).

Location: Home-based, with possible travel to Syria, Geneva, or other locations as required and subject to security considerations.

Duration: Initial consultancy from November 2026 until August 2027, with the possibility of extension subject to satisfactory performance and the availability of funding.

1. Background

The World Council of Churches (WCC) is a global fellowship of churches committed to promoting Christian unity, justice, peace, and human dignity. Since 2012, the WCC has accompanied locally led peacebuilding initiatives in Syria through sustained engagement with religious leaders, civil society actors, and local communities.

Building on more than a decade of experience, the current phase of the programme seeks to strengthen civic mediation, social cohesion, and inclusive peacebuilding by supporting locally owned dialogue processes, community-based conflict monitoring, and cooperation among religious and civic actors. The programme combines local accompaniment with national dialogue mechanisms, early identification of emerging tensions, mediation support, and evidence-informed programme management.

2. Purpose of the Consultancy

Working closely with the Geneva-based programme team, implementing partners, and field coordinators, the consultant will support adaptive programme management by reviewing implementation progress, assessing emerging outcomes and lessons learned, strengthening the programme's Theory of Change, and ensuring that programme decisions are informed by evidence, learning, and conflict-sensitive approaches.

3. Scope of Services

• Review and refine the project's MEL framework, Theory of Change, results framework, indicators and means of verification.
• Develop practical monitoring and documentation tools adapted to dialogue, mediation, early warning and social cohesion interventions.
• Provide methodological guidance and technical support to implementing partners and local coordinators in applying monitoring tools, documenting results, and ensuring the quality and consistency of information collected.
• Support the collection, consolidation and qualitative analysis of information from implementing partners, local coordinators and community networks.
• Assess progress towards intended outcomes, including changes in relationships, trust, cooperation and capacities for preventive engagement.
• Facilitate periodic learning and reflection exercises with the WCC team and implementing partners.
• Support the documentation of good practices, lessons learned and significant changes.
• Review programme reports to ensure consistency between reported activities, supporting evidence, indicators and results.
• Contribute to knowledge management and the preparation of learning-oriented briefs and reports.

4. Expected Deliverables

• Updated MEL framework and practical monitoring tools.
• Periodic monitoring and learning summaries.
• Contributions to programme progress reviews and donor reporting.
• Documentation of selected results, lessons learned and good practices.
• Recommendations for improving evidence collection and adaptive programme management.

The specific deliverables, their scope and timing will be agreed with the WCC programme team during implementation, taking into account programme priorities and the actual number of working days requested.

5. Guiding principles and values

Given the sensitive context in which the programme operates, the consultancy requires a high degree of confidentiality and discretion. All materials developed under the consultancy will remain the property of the WCC, and their circulation will be subject to WCC authorisation. The consultant will be expected to respect these confidentiality requirements and comply with the WCC Code of Conduct.

7. Timeline

The consultant is expected to commence work as soon as the selection and contracting procedures are completed. The initial contract will run until 31 August 2027, with a maximum of 90 working days over the contracted period. The actual number and distribution of working days will be determined and agreed in advance in consultation with the WCC programme team, depending on the progress of project implementation, emerging needs, and agreed priorities. Working days will be undertaken as requested and agreed with WCC, without exceeding the contractual ceiling. The consultancy may be extended, subject to satisfactory performance, programme needs, and the availability of funding.

8. Qualifications and Experience

Required:

• Advanced university degree in development studies, social sciences, monitoring and evaluation, peace and conflict studies, international relations, or another relevant discipline, or equivalent professional qualifications and experience.
• Demonstrated professional experience in the design, implementation, monitoring, evaluation, and adaptive management of complex peacebuilding and social cohesion programmes.
• Proven expertise in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL), including Theory of Change development, results frameworks, qualitative and participatory methodologies, outcome assessment, and the development of practical monitoring and documentation tools.
• Experience in analysing qualitative information and documenting programme results, lessons learned, and good practices.
• Experience in facilitating strategic reflection, learning processes, and programme reviews with multidisciplinary teams and implementing partners.
• Demonstrated experience in preparing and quality assuring donor reports, learning briefs, and other programme documentation, ensuring consistency between reported results and supporting evidence.
• Excellent analytical, drafting, and communication skills, with the ability to synthesise complex information into clear findings and practical recommendations.
• In-depth understanding of the Syrian political, social, and religious context, with previous professional experience related to Syria considered a strong asset.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.

Desirable:

• Good knowledge of Arabic and French would be a distinct advantage.
• Experience working with faith-based organisations, civil society actors.
• Familiarity with donor-funded programmes and their reporting requirements.