Country:   Rwanda Description of the Assignment:  Recruitment of a Communications, Monitoring and Evaluation Consultant (National Individual Consultant) Period of assignment/services:  6 Months (115 working days)1.  Background and Context The Resilient Food Systems: Enhanced Value Chain and Post-Harvest Management Joint Programme focuses on implementing resilient and sustainable technologies for post-harvest handling and management in the grain value chain. The objective is to foster food and nutrition security, improve livelihoods, and enhance the marketability of products. The programme aims to strengthen smallholder farmers resilience and increase their income. The programmes anticipated key results are: (1)     Increased income, improved food and nutrition security, and enhanced resilience of smallholder farmers and youth in Rwanda. (2)      Access to cost-effective and resilient post-harvest handling and management technologies that reduce post-harvest losses. (3)     Improved knowledge and skills of smallholder farmers to adopt affordable, safe, and nutritious diets. (4)     Strengthened market linkages and profitable businesses for smallholder farmers through Public-Private Partnerships (PPP). The programme will also prioritize public awareness, advocacy, and communication, particularly on nutrition, food security, and post-harvest management practices. The Individual contractor will be based in the United Nations Resident Coordination Office (RCO) in Kigali, Rwanda, and report to the Associate Development Coordination Officer, Program Communication and Advocacy Associate.2. Purpose and objective of the recruitmentThe Communications and M&E Consultant will play a critical role in supporting the Joint Programme by focusing on several key areas essential to its success. One of their primary responsibilities will be to raise public awareness of vital issues such as food security, resilience, and nutrition, which are crucial for the overall well-being of communities. By effectively communicating these topics, the consultant will help inform and engage the public, fostering a greater understanding of the programmes objectives and impact. Additionally, the consultant will document good practices and lessons learned throughout the programmes implementation, providing valuable insights into its progress and effectiveness. This documentation will not only serve as a resource for future initiatives but also highlight the positive outcomes achieved.In parallel, the consultant will perform crucial monitoring and evaluation (M&E) functions that will underpin the programmes effectiveness. This includes establishing M&E frameworks to track key performance indicators, assessing the programmes impact, and providing feedback that can guide adjustments and improvements. By integrating M&E into the communications strategy, the consultant will ensure that data-driven insights are effectively communicated to stakeholders, further enhancing the programmes visibility and credibility. Furthermore, the consultant will support the design and implementation of targeted communication strategies aimed at enhancing the programmes visibility. These strategies will be instrumental in promoting engagement with key stakeholders, including government agencies, non-governmental organizations, and the communities themselves, ensuring a collaborative approach to addressing food security and nutrition challenges. Through these comprehensive efforts, the consultant will significantly contribute to the programmes mission of creating sustainable solutions that positively impact the lives of those it serves, while continuously learning and adapting based on robust evaluation practices.Proposals should be submitted directly in the portal no later than indicated deadline.Any request for clarification must be sent in writing via messaging functionality in the portal. UNDP will respond in writing including an explanation of the query without identifying the source of inquiry.Please indicate whether you intend to submit a bid by creating a draft response without submitting directly in the system. This will enable the system to send notifications in case of amendments of the tender requirements. Should you require further clarifications, kindly communicate using the messaging functionality in the system. Offers must be submitted directly in the system following this link: http://supplier.quantum.partneragencies.org  using the profile you may have in the portal. In case you have never registered before, you can register a profile using the registration link shared via the procurement notice and following the instructions in guides available in UNDP website: https://www.undp.org/procurement/business/resources-for-bidders.  Do not create a new profile if you already have one. Use the forgotten password feature in case you do not remember the password or the username from previous registration.