Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Officer

Job Description

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Officer will provide technical leadership for the M&E approach, strategies, activities, and knowledge management for the project. The MEAL officer will directly report to the Peacebuilding Manager, with secondary reporting responsibility to the Project Consortium Consultant. This position will manage the program’s monitoring and evaluation strategy and its information inputs and outputs by coordinating technical, programmatic, logistical, and financial aspects of all quantitative and qualitative M&E activities. The MEAL Officer is also responsible for ensuring comprehensive and timely delivery of monitoring and evaluation data to feed into quantitative and qualitative indicators in order to report on expected program results to senior management and to donors. The Monitoring and Evaluation Lead will also liaise with additional project staff and relevant stakeholders to ensure log frame elements, sectoral issues, and gender and inclusion issues are well integrated in all M&E plans.

Key Responsibilities:

Monitoring

- Ensure collection of quantitative data: a) Ensure the appropriate use of data collection and reporting tools in project target locations; b) Ensure that the current tools integrate effectively with program implementation including its logistical, technical, human resource and administrative needs; c) Oversee data collection and database management, including troubleshooting monitoring tools and performing program site quality control and trainings with staff to guarantee the regular flow of quality information. - Perform analysis of quantitative data: a) Ensure necessary data analysis to feed into donor reports and reporting against log frame milestones; circulate program data among the program staff to monitor program results; b) Recommend adjustments to improve M&E tools and guarantee that accepted adjustments are integrated into the system to ensure both data quality and effective program implementation. - Manage qualitative monitoring pilot initiatives: Manage implementation and documentation of pilot qualitative studies on the program’s priority areas for learning with the support of Technical Unit staff.

- Reporting and learning: Contribute to institutional learning through timely and in-depth analysis of quantitative and qualitative project data and production of monitoring progress reports. - Ensure partner agencies involved in the implementation of the program contribute adequately to monitoring and evaluation data to document progress on activities and results for internal and external (donor) reports.

Evaluations

- Manage and contribute to the project’s Evaluation Strategy, including its implementation plan, staffing plan and budget; manage relationships between project staff, key local, private, and governmental stakeholders, donors, etc. - Plan and coordinate the implementation of mixed methods evaluation activities through the finalization of the evaluation survey and database, the recruitment and training of a data collection team and the coordination of quality field data collection on time, within budget, and in line with IRC corporate security and administrative policies. - Design and lead implementation of qualitative components of the final evaluation on time, within budget, and in line with IRC corporate security and administrative policies. - Manage administrative and financial resources including spending plans, contracts and relationships related to data collection and data entry for the endline evaluation. - Produce evaluation progress reports and briefs. - Analyze the project’s evaluation data and production of the baseline evaluation report, as well as provide support for the external endline/final evaluations. - Conduct perceptions surveys and other M&E evaluations after project activities.

Learning

- Support the development of a learning agenda across all partners during the inception phase of the project. - Monitor progress towards the learning agenda and support with the compilation and creation of learning outputs from all partners. - Work closely with the IRC M&E team and M&E Coordinator to ensure all activities are implemented according to plan and that learning is captured and disseminated across all partners. - Conduct any other duties as assigned by the Peacebuilding Manager or Project Consortium Consultant.

Qualifications

- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Economics, Statistics, International Development, Governance, or related field. - At least three years of relevant professional work experience in monitoring and evaluation, preferably both quantitative and qualitative research methods. - Demonstrated experience developing and managing data-intensive monitoring and evaluation systems and methodologies, using online and offline tools. - Experience in designing surveys, databases and conducting statistical data analysis. Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Excel and working knowledge of Microsoft Access and statistical programs (STATA, SPSS). - Demonstrated experience working with ICT tools to collect and analyze data, such as ODK/Kobo Toolkit, PowerBi, Tableau, GIS, etc. - Strong understanding of donor logical frameworks and performance measurement. - Familiarity with theories of change and experience in design, implementation, and reporting on theory-based rigorous end-line evaluations, - Relevant experience in international development including program-related experience in a developing country, preferably in Africa and/or post-conflict settings; previous experience with Community-Driven approaches (CDD or CDR) or local governance programming is a strong advantage. - Proven ability to write clear and concise reports; excellent analytical, presentation, communication, and reporting skills.

Required Competencies:

Commitment to service, strong communications skills, ability to be punctual and ensure timely reporting, proactive, a good team player, and ability to work under difficult conditions in the field

All IRC staff are required to adhere to the IRC Way Standards for Professional Conduct and the IRC country employment policies.

Standards of Professional Conduct:

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in the IRC Way – Code of Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Harassment-Free Workplace, Fiscal Integrity, Anti-Retaliation, Combating Trafficking in Persons, and several others.

Gender Equality:

IRC is committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits and allowances.

Diversity and Inclusion:

at IRC, we are passionate about creating an inclusive workplace that promotes and values diversity. Organizations that are diverse in age, gender identity, race, physical or mental ability, nationality, and perspective are validated to be better organizations. More importantly, creating a safe workspace environment where everyone, from any background, can do their best is the right thing to do. So, bring your whole self to work.

IRC is committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment. IRC expressly prohibits and will not tolerate discrimination, harassment, retaliation, or bullying of IRC Persons in any work setting. All IRC staff, wherever they are located, are accountable for creating an environment free of discrimination, harassment, bullying, and retaliation.