Call for letter of Interest: Learning & Evaluation Consultant
Context
The intention and spirit of the Illuminate Network is to highlight, support, advocate and create pathways and connections in ways that reframe, reorient and redesign the field of systems change towards equitable and regenerative transformation. After three years of supporting and connecting thinkers and practitioners working at the intersection of equity, collective leadership and systems change there is a need to understand the impact of our work, so that we can iterate the program moving forward and engage broader communities in supporting our vision and efforts. The goal of the learning and evaluation project is to surface the insights and learnings that are emerging from the various initiatives that Illuminate has developed, implemented and supported; specifically the justice-aligned systems change learning cohorts and the Luminary Fund. Ideally this initiative will support Illuminate to continue to center justice and equity within its work and within the larger System Change ecosystem. This initiative aligns with our commitment to equity in that it will surface insights on how cohort models and collective leadership can support decolonizing spaces and structures and possibly identifying ways of knowing and working that support structural changes.
It is within this context that we are seeking a Learning and Evaluation consultant. The consultant is being retained to lead the Learning & Evaluation initiative including finalizing the evaluation plan, reviewing existing documents and offerings, collecting and analyzing feedback and insights from Illuminate Network members and our wider community of friends and family, facilitating collective sensemaking sessions and producing a final written report. The mandate will start at the beginning of March and will be spread over approximately 8 months.
SCOPE OF WORK
As part of this work the consultant will:
Facilitate regular sessions with the Stewardship Group to;
validate assumptions, evaluation questions and data gathering tools, and analytical framework
Identifying areas of learning or inquiry
ensure that project activities remain relevant and responsive
Facilitate regular sessions with a Cohort Group to collect qualitative data; insights, key learnings, etc.
Review existing reports, meeting notes, webinars, recordings and other documentary products of the Illuminate Network
Develop, administer/facilitate data gathering tools and mechanisms to assess if Illuminate activities achieved stated objectives, and identify unexpected results and challenges
Co- Facilitate in-person evaluative sessions of the Stewardship Group and the Cohort Support Group.
Draft preliminary findings of results and recommendations
Facilitate sense-making sessions with Cohort and Nodes members to validate findings and applicability of recommendations,
Produce draft of report with results, analysis and recommendations
Produce final Report of results, reflections and recommendations
DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS
Concrete experience in designing and implementing Developmental Evaluation processes focused on supporting ongoing learning and adaptation in complex and evolving contexts
In-depth knowledge of System Change theory and practices
High level of comfort with frameworks and practices which seek to shift harmful systems towards equity, social justice, health and balance.
Strong relationship building skills, particularly at a distance; effective team player, able to develop and maintain working relationships with dispersed teams
Proven experience facilitating and holding spaces that embrace complexity and guide toward sense-making
Concrete experience working in the social purpose sector, specifically with networks and membership networks and associations
Ease with remote work environments (including the digital tools that make it possible) and an ability to thoughtfully support teams across distances.
The contract is for a period of approximately 10 months starting in March 2024. The compensation is $50,000 (US).
HOW TO APPLY:
In the interest of respecting the time and energy it takes to put together a full submission the selection process will be in two stages. If you are interested please email a brief expression of interest to fabienne@caroldinstitute.org describing your relevant experience, what drew you to this consultancy and how you could support Illuminate efforts to build the field of systems change grounded in social justice and equity. From this initial stage two or three applicants will be invited to submit full proposals. Teams are welcome to apply.
