Developing a Social Inclusion Theory of Change, Indicators, and Measurement Guidance Consultancy 3 views

Description

Background:

Mercy Corps is a leading global organization powered by the belief that a better world is possible. In disaster, in hardship, in more than 40 countries around the world, we partner to put bold solutions into action — helping people triumph over adversity and build stronger communities from within.

In 2023/2024, Mercy Corps developed results frameworks for four outcome areas in our Pathway to Possibility (P2P) – economic opportunities, food security, water security, and good governance. When these results frameworks were developed, social inclusion results were integrated into the results frameworks. However, the logical flow of social inclusion change pathways was not fully articulated in the outcome area results frameworks and are not detailed in other documents or resources. This results in a lack of consistent understanding of the causal pathways needed to, for example, shift gender norms to promote more equitable decision making to improve household nutrition. Additionally, in Mercy Corps’ 2025 Organizational Outcome Measurement (OOM) report, social inclusion themes were identified as a consistent gap in data collection, analysis, use and reporting.

Creating a theory of change and results framework with outcome areas around themes of shifting power, safety, wellbeing, and social behavior change will help unify some approaches, pathways and indicators across gender equality and social inclusion (GESI), adolescent and youth development, and protection technical areas. Creating a reference point will make it easier for program design teams to incorporate inclusion outcomes into their program theories of change more effectively, and to better measure the results.

Purpose / Project Description:

This project is aimed at strengthening social inclusion evidence, quality, accessibility, and use for program teams to achieve high impact programs reaching marginalized groups and prioritized participants. This builds our ability to be accountable to our organizational commitment of safety, diversity, and inclusion (SDI), which is present within our teams, operations, and programs. Currently, we are measuring social inclusion in our programs in a variety of ways, including through our program indicators, safeguarding standards, GESI minimum standards, organizational outcome dashboard, and participant reach data. However, we still face a data, analysis, and reflection deficit that inhibits our ability to fully understand how different participants benefit from program interventions in light of the challenges they face with safe, dignified access and meaningful participation. Without this information, we struggle to measure progress towards the aspirations of the SDI commitment.

Specific challenges this project will address:

• Identify areas of harmony and distinction between GESI, adolescent and youth development, and protection technical areas

• Identify and link key social inclusion themes that are represented across the P2P Outcome results chains and evidence and learning agendas

• Better articulate how and why outcome results chains will lead to more equitable outcomes for women, men, girls, boys, persons with disabilities, and other marginalized groups.

• Strengthen social inclusion measurement in order to better assess how our programs benefit different groups

• Encourage better usage of existing data at Mercy Corps

Consultant Objectives:

The individual or team will develop a unified Social Inclusion Theory of Change (ToC), results framework, and measurement indicators and guidance such as performance indicator measurement sheets (PIRS) for priority themes not fully captured in the P2P results framework with alignment across GESI, adolescent and youth development, and protection technical areas and applicability in both humanitarian and development contexts.

Consultant Activities:

The Consultant will:

• Conduct mapping of social inclusion intermediate results and existing indicators across P2P results frameworks and select program models

• Review available social inclusion data across the outcome areas, Mercy Corps’ Evidence and Learning Center, and sex and age disaggregated data from the organizational Participant Count

• Conduct key informant interviews with 5-8 technical team members to understand current measurement challenges across GESI, adolescent and youth development, and protection.

• Facilitate a participatory workshop with the global Social Integration and Development team to co-design a theory of change and results framework

• Develop a social inclusion theory of change with key outcomes and change pathways articulated. ToC will integrate the socio-ecological model

• Validate the theory of change with key stakeholders (outcome area leads, MEL team, program teams)

• Map how the theory of change relates to Mercy Corps’ evidence and learning agendas

• Identify a long list of indicators to measure GESI, adolescent and youth development, and protection aligned with the TOC and results framework, mapping them to the P2P outcome results frameworks and prioritized program models

• Create performance indicator reference sheet, including data collection tool and guidance for 10-15 indicators prioritized from the long list

Consultant Deliverables:

The Consultant will deliver:

• Inception report/workplan with refined scope, methodology, timeline, and stakeholder engagement plan.

• Key informant interview guide

• Evidence synthesis brief summarizing literature review including internal/external evidence for social inclusion pathways and analysis of key informant interviews.

• Facilitation materials for two-day, in-person, TOC workshop

• Unified Social Inclusion Theory of Change (diagram + narrative), and results framework with change pathways.

• Indicator catalog covering key domains to be determined but likely to include themes of safety, empowerment, inclusion and disability inclusion, and power shifts.

• Performance indicator reference sheets including data collection tool and guidance for 10-15 prioritized indicators.

• Final Package: ToC and results framework diagrams and narrative, indicator catalog, and measurement tools and guidance for 10-15 prioritized indicators.

Timeframe / Schedule:

This consultancy has an estimated LOE of 37 days, beginning in late January through July 31, 2026.

The Consultant will report to:

Sahar Alnouri, Senior Director of Social Integration and Development

The Consultant will work closely with:

Social Integration and Development team, MEL team, Outcome Area leads

Required Experience & Skills:

• 7+ years’ experience working in programs that have a focus on gender equality and social inclusion, adolescent and youth development and/or protection mainstreaming. Importantly, a good understanding of the interplay across these technical areas.

• Proven experience facilitating participatory theory of change workshops and translating discussions into clear, actionable frameworks.

• Demonstrated expertise with GESI, adolescent and youth development and protection measurement approaches

• Proven expertise in developing program indicator reference sheets, measurement tools, and measurement guidance.

• Exceptional written and interpersonal communication skills.

• Demonstrated strong understanding of one or more regional contexts where Mercy Corps operates, including Africa, Middle East, Asia and the Americas.

• Ability to work effectively under tight deadlines and availability to travel to the UK for a workshop first week of March

• Fluent spoken and written English.

How to Apply

To apply, please submit a brief proposal outlining your approach to the consultancy, including methodology, timeline, and any innovative ideas for achieving the deliverables. You may use the provided template to ensure consistency, which should include:

• Methodology: Describe the methodology you will use to address each deliverable.

• Work Plan and Timeline: Outline how you will allocate the working days across all deliverables, including review and revision periods.

• Consultant/s Profile: Provide the CV for the consultant/s.

• Budget/Fees: Provide your daily rate or, if proposing a team, the total budget with a breakdown of fees by consultant or role.

Team Engagement and Effectiveness

Achieving our mission starts with how we build our team and collaborate. By bringing together individuals with a variety of experiences, backgrounds, and perspectives, we strengthen our ability to solve complex challenges and drive innovation. We foster a culture of trust and respect, where every team member is valued for their contributions, empowered to reach their full potential, and motivated to do their best work.

We recognize that building a strong and effective team is an ongoing process, and we remain committed to learning, improving, and growing together.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal opportunity employer committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion or belief, national origin, age, disability, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected under applicable law.

Safeguarding & Ethics
Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary General and IASC. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner, respect local laws and customs, and to adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct elearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.

Strengthening Measurement: Developing a Social Inclusion and Development Theory of Change, Indicators, and Measurement Guidance Proposal Instructions

Please review the guidelines on this page for what to include in your proposal.

2. Complete the summary work plan showing how you will allocate the estimated working days across all tasks. Include key milestones, deliverables, and review periods. You may add more rows to the table included in the template on page 2 if needed. A more detailed workplan will be developed after the onboarding process.

3. State your daily rate and provide a total estimated budget for the consultancy.

Section 1: Methodology

Evidence Synthesis Brief:

Develop a unified Social Inclusion Theory of Change (ToC):

Workshop Facilitation:

Indicator Development:

Section 2: Work Plan and Timeline

Section 3: Daily Rate and Budget