MEL SPECIALIST

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years, and are now active in more than 80 countries.

THE OPPORTUNITY

Plan International Ghana is looking for a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist to effectively lead the monitoring, evaluation and learning activities for a project titled “Women’s Innovation for Sustainable Enterprises (WISE)”. The WISE Project seeks to leverage the enormous potential and agency of Ghanaian women entrepreneurs aged 19 to 55 years in rural and peri-urban areas by employing both demand- and supply-side interventions to contribute to increased realization of rights to economic empowerment, well-being and inclusive economic growth in 3 districts in Bono and Ahafo regions (Sunyani Municipal, Tano North and Techiman Municipal) and 2 districts in Northern region (Kumbungu and Tolon). The project will start in February 2020, has a duration of 4 years, and a budget of over 5.5 million EUR.

ABOUT YOU :

The MEL Specialist will be responsible and ultimately accountable for developing and implementing the project’s MEL system, including the management of the project MIS, in close collaboration with Plan International Canada counterparts, providing capacity development in MEL to partner organisations, and implementing the project’s knowledge management system with the objective of improving program effectiveness.

They will also work closely with community organisations, NGOs, the Private Sector including Association of Ghana Industries, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, other decentralized agencies of the Government, private stakeholders, and Plan programme staff to implement appropriate tools and data collection techniques to systematically measure project progress and ensure continuous learning.

The incumbent should possess a passion for working for women’ rights and/or improving their socio-economic standing. The post-holder will be based in Tamale but travel to project districts where the WISE project operates for approximately 50% of her/his time.

TYPICAL RESPONSIBILITIES - KEY END RESULTS OF THE POSITION:

Management of MEL System: Lead the participatory development and implementation of the project’s MEL system. A strong understanding of results-based management, gender transformative programming and measurement, and technical proficiency in mixed methods, data collection, analysis and presentation is essential.

Capacity Development & Relationships: Through participatory approaches, the MEL Specialist will provide capacity development and ongoing coaching to project staff and implementing partners. Cultivating strong and respectful relationships with partners , women's groups and entrepreneurs will be an essential component of this accountability.

Knowledge Management & Reporting: Best practices and lessons learned are documented, shared, and integrated into programming.

Team Leadership: Lead and manage a MEL Coordinator, ensuring high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity and teamwork.

KEY QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE;

• Advanced degree in statistics, measurement, planning, monitoring & evaluation, development research, or other relevant fields.
• A minimum of 7 years’ experience in program planning, monitoring, evaluation, learning and research of complex development projects.
• Strong understanding of results-based management tools and approaches
• Demonstratable expertise and experience in developing and implementing MEL systems, inclusive of Management Information Systems
• In-depth knowledge of the processes, procedures and systems in project planning, management, monitoring and evaluation.
• Proven experience in leading quantitative and qualitative tool design and data collection techniques, statistical analysis, and data presentation and validation of results.
• Coaching and mentoring skills for building the capacity of partner organizations in MEL inclusive of design, implementation and reporting.
• Proven experience in developing, facilitating and delivering various trainings using participatory approaches.
• Experience in in directly managing staff ensuring high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity and teamwork.
• Knowledge in women’s economic empowerment programming and working with different stakeholders (the private sector, government and non-profit organisations) is an advantage.

SPECIFIC SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Demonstrable experience in implementing MEL frameworks in multimillion-dollar institutional grants through donors such as Global Affairs Canada, USAID, DFID and European Union.
• Strong understanding of feminist principles, gender equality, and women’s economic empowerment.
• Strong understanding of monitoring and evaluation, and results-based management tools and approaches.
• Strong understanding and proven application of project cycle management.
• Skills in the design, entry, analysis of data in Microsoft Excel and Access as well as for Microsoft word and PowerPoint; knowledge of statistical software (e.g. SPSS) preferred
• Experience in SAP is an advantage
• Solid writing skills (report writing etc.)
• Self-starter takes initiative and works with minimal direct supervision.
• Strong inter-personal and cross-cultural skills.
• Flexible, able to shift directions quickly and occasionally work long hours to meet tight reporting deadlines.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT & DEMANDS:

Typical office environment

TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS:

This post holder will be stationed in Tamale in the Northern Region with regular travel (approximately 50% of time) to project locations where women’s rights organizations operate.

LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN:

Responsibilities of this job require a low level of contact with children. Plan International’s global policy on safeguarding children and young people will be adhered to at all times.

PLAN INTERNATIONAL'S VALUES IN PRACTICE:

We are open and accountable

• Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
• Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
• Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
• Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
• Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

• Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
• Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
• Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
• Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

Please click on this link to see the Full Job Profile and Job Description ot the role: Full Job Description-MEL Specialist WISE+CNO.doc

Location: Tamale

Type of Role: Monitoring & Evaluation

Reports to: ProjecT Manager

Contract Type - Fixed Term

Closing Date: 9th November, 2023

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International's Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.