MERL Coordinator (SAIC)

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organization that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child. 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. In Zimbabwe, we have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 31 years. Plan International operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity.

Reporting to the Country Monitoring, Evaluation,Research and Learning Manager with a direct working relationship with Project and Program Area Manager. The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Coordinator (MERL C) will be responsible for providing guidance and support on MERL activities in line with the MERL policy and standards.

1. Monitoring and Perfomance Management

• Ensuring high-quality and timely delivery of all MERL products as defined in the specific project MERL strategy and aligned with the Country Strategy.
• Develop and ensure regular updates of Project M&E frameworks for projects in line with MERL standards.
• Support development of Project M and E tools and promote their effective application in tracking project progress.
• Performing quantitative and qualitative analysis of the information collected in the project, organizing it into reports for different purposes and different audiences. The analysis needs to be gender sensitive and inclusive.
• Plan and coordinate data quality assurance, including frequent data auditing and data spot checks for the Project.
• Ensure effective utilisation of PMERL for data collection, storage, analysis, reporting, data aggregation at different levels including use of data for reflective learning & feedback for the Project. The incumbent will also be responsible for ensuring quality and complete data entry; and reporting in the system.
• Support the development and rollout of project targets and standards to ensure the delivery of quality outputs.
• Provide technical guidance in developing and maintaining the project M&E database, including overseeing and leading the continuous update of project milestones in the PMERL system.
• Regularly track project progress and update the project indicator performance trackers to support the project reporting obligations to different stakeholders.
• Consolidate, track and share action points agreed upon monthly in all project review/reflection meetings and ensure all action points and next steps are comprehensively closed out promptly.

2. Knowledge Management and Learning

• Work collaboratively with project team to maintain a ‘knowledge hub’ for the project that will meet the information needs of the identified audiences.
• Build a well-curated database for learnings from evaluations, intervention reports, and other relevant information; ensure that users can navigate and upload or retrieve information quickly.
• Work collaboratively with the Communications team to support content management on the project and other information-sharing platforms; perform regular analytics to monitor utilisation and enhance user.
• Contribute to the deployment of appropriate, gender sensitive and inclusive community feedback mechanisms, ensuring processes are in place for timely and adequate analysis and response.
• Work with the MERL Team to ensure that strategies for monitoring, evaluation and learning are fully integrated into all of our activities and that lessons learned are incorporated into the design of new projects and funding windows.
• Support generation of project reports in line with donor requirements.

3. Evaluation and Research

• Support planning, design and coordination of project evaluations and research initiatives to ensure delivery of quality initiatives including implementation of the sampling methodology and data collection for evaluation and research initiatives.
• Review the project evaluation and research reports and give recommendations regarding approval to programme management.
• Esure dissemination of the project evaluation/research findings to donors, partners, key stakeholders and communities and their utilization in learning activities.

4. Capacity Building

• Provide PIZ staff and stakeholders with technical advice and support, enabling them to carry out Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning according to best practices.
• Conduct routine monitoring field visits of all the project activities to establish learning and development needs, using data collected to inform the learning and development of MERL interventions contributing to the knowledge and application of MERL best practices.
• Monitor capacity as the project is ongoing and provide technical support needed to ensure effective results measurement & reporting.
• Design and implement practical learning activities in collaboration with colleagues and stakeholders to facilitate effective knowledge capture and sharing.
• Build capacity of staff and partners on MERL initiatives in line with Plan`s MERL approach.
• Consolidate, follow up and document best practices, case studies, lessons learnt, Most Significant Change Stories and reflection of the project to provide evidence on project impact, including inclusiveness.

5. Safeguarding, Gender Incusion and Equality

• Ensure that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy, including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes but is not limited to ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies, and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

  Knowledge

• Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Quantitative Economics, Social Sciences, Social Work, Development Studies or a related field.

• At least 2 to 3 years of experience in providing M&E for Child Protection projects in development and humanitarian contexts.

  Skills

• Strong ability to analyse and interpret an appropriate range of data and evidence, both internal and external, using sound judgement to make balanced decisions based on insights gained, or projection of trends.

• Excellent ability to use ICT resources to improve work efficiency and effectiveness, whilst working in line with privacy and safeguarding guidelines.
• Strong written and spoken communication skills with an ability to effectively adjust content and presentation to suit varied audiences internally and externally to get key messages across.

• Networking, advocacy and partnership building skills, including the ability to work with dynamic partnerships with private institutions and decentralized government agencies and services.

  Behaviours

• Appreciates the expertise and creativity of others; actively seeks out others' views and incorporates their insights or perspectives into decision-making and action-planning.

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PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES IN PRACTICE

We are open and accountable

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

We strive for lasting impact

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

We work well together

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

We are inclusive and empowering

1. We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential.
2. We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge equality in our programs and our workplace.
3. We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and change their own lives.

Interested candidates who meet the above requirements are required to submit their curriculum vitae & cover letter outlining their suitability for the position. 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.

This position is open to Zimbabwean nationals

Location: Harare

Type of role: Fixed Term Contract

Closing Date: 7 February 2024

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