National Consultant: MEAL and Data Management

Deliverable 1 – End of Month 1: Submit the first monthly programme monitoring and reporting package, including: (i) reporting compliance tracker; (ii) updated performance monitoring framework covering programme indicators, milestones and Schedule C commitments; (iii) verified programme datasets; and (iv) a summary of reporting compliance, data quality issues and corrective actions undertaken during the reporting period.

Deliverable 2 – End of Month 2: Submit the second monthly programme monitoring and reporting package, including: (i) updated compliance tracker; (ii) updated performance monitoring framework; (iii) verified reporting datasets; (iv) evidence of partner coordination and reporting support activities; and (v) updated programme records in relevant ITC corporate systems and repositories.

Deliverable 3 – End of Month 3: Submit the third monthly programme monitoring and reporting package, including: (i) updated compliance tracker; (ii) updated performance monitoring framework; (iii) consolidated activity tracking records for missions, workshops, events and technical assistance activities; (iv) verified supporting documentation and evidence files; and (v) analytical performance summary highlighting progress, challenges and recommendations.

Deliverable 4 – End of Month 4: Submit the fourth monthly programme monitoring and reporting package, including: (i) updated compliance tracker; (ii) updated performance monitoring framework; (iii) validated datasets for programme reporting; (iv) updated programme dashboards and KPI scorecards; and (v) a management brief summarizing implementation progress, risks and mitigation measures.

Deliverable 5 – End of Month 5: Submit the fifth monthly programme monitoring and reporting package, including: (i) updated compliance tracker; (ii) updated performance monitoring framework; (iii) verified programme datasets and supporting evidence; (iv) updated dashboards and management reporting tools; and (v) donor and corporate reporting inputs prepared during the reporting period.

Deliverable 6 – End of Month 6: Submit the sixth monthly programme monitoring and reporting package, together with a Final Consultancy Report summarizing activities undertaken during the assignment, key achievements, reporting compliance performance, programme monitoring results, lessons learned, recommendations, and an audit-ready repository of supporting documentation, datasets and evidence.

Established in 1964, the International Trade Centre (ITC) is the joint technical cooperation agency of the United Nations and the World Trade Organization (WTO) in charge of the sustainable promotion of trade and in particular of exports from developing countries and economies in transition. The goal of the ITC is to make businesses in developing countries more competitive in global markets, accelerate economic development and contribute to the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Thus, the organization contributes to the creation of jobs at the level of segments of agricultural value chains and promising services, especially for young people and women. This post is located within the Women, Youth and Vulnerable Communities (WYVC) section in the Division of Sustainable and Inclusive Trade (DSIT).

About the project: The 3-year initiative, “Enhancing Skills and Enabling Financial Inclusion for Young Women in the Creative Economy”, will engage over 84,000 financially disadvantaged young women in Uganda and directly enable 40,000 to have access to dignified work within the creative economy. It aligns with Foundation’s Young Africa Works strategy and Uganda’s 2030 private-sector-driven vision. The Program will advance gender- inclusive skills development, financial inclusion, and entrepreneurial growth in the creative sector. Activities will include skills training, market access support, financial literacy programs, and advocacy for inclusive policies, especially around intellectual property and access to finance. The project is now in the implementation phase and requires a MEAL and Data Management Associate to support programme performance tracking, partner reporting, data quality assurance, digital MEAL systems, and donor reporting across consortium partners.

Description of Duties/Responsibilities: The consultant will work under the overall supervision of the Chief, WYVC, under the direct supervision of the Youth and Trade Programme Officer and the Project Manager, and in close cooperation with the project team. The consultant will carry out the following duties:

• Digital MEAL System support with data quality: Support the implementation and day-to-day operation of the CREATE programme's digital MEAL system; Serve as the primary focal point between consortium partners, MEAL coordinators and the ITC MEAL focal point; Support data collection and data curation activities to ensure accuracy and completeness of programme records; Monitor data quality issues and follow up with partners to resolve inconsistencies; Support the testing of new forms, workflows, and system functionalities; Support tracking of programme results, targets, milestones and deliverables.
• Partner Support and Capacity Building: Provide ongoing technical support to consortium partners and programme coordinators; Organize refresher sessions and training activities; Monitor partner reporting compliance; Support onboarding of new partners and staff.
• Activity and Mission Tracking: Maintain an up-to-date record of programme activities, missions, workshops, events, and technical assistance interventions; Coordinate with programme staff and partners; Ensure supporting documentation, attendance sheets, participant lists, and event records are properly archived.
• Reporting and MEAL Support: Support the preparation of monthly, quarterly, annual, and ad hoc programme reports; Collect, consolidate, and verify data; Assist in the analysis and presentation of programme results; Support the MEAL focal point and programme managers; Contribute to the preparation of dashboards, data summaries, success stories, and reporting products; Maintain records and evidence files for audits, evaluations, donor reviews; Support consolidation of lessons learned.
• Coordination and Communication: Participate in weekly meetings with ITC project management; Facilitate coordination among consortium partners; Support ITC and donor led evaluations.
• Programme Performance Tracking: Support tracking of programme implementation against approved workplans, targets and milestones; Flag delays, data gaps and reporting risks; Produce periodic performance summaries.

• Undergraduate degree in Monitoring & Evaluation, Statistics, Economics, Development Studies, Social Sciences, Information Systems, Public Administration or related field. Extensive relevant experience may be accepted in lieu of a university degree.
• At least 5 years of professional experience in monitoring and evaluation, data management, programme reporting, programme coordination or related areas, preferably within donor-funded programmes.
• Experience in project management, Monitoring and Evaluation required.
• Experience working in Uganda required.
• Proven ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams, including external agencies and consortium partners.
• Strong analytical, reporting and data quality assurance skills.
• Ability to manage multiple reporting timelines and work with consortium partners.
• Knowledge of the creative industries is required.
• Experience using digital data collection and management platforms (e.g. Airtable, Jotform, Power BI, Kobo, DHIS2 or similar) is a plus.

Advanced knowledge of English is required. Another Ugandan language is an asset.