Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Advisor

Job Description

Background

The International Rescue Committee’s mission is to help people whose lives and livelihoods are shattered by conflict and disaster to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. Founded over 80 years ago, the IRC is a leading humanitarian and development organization with presence in more than 40 countries. Across contexts, the IRC is committed to delivering innovative, high-impact programs tailored to the needs of communities affected by crisis.

Position Summary:

IRC is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Advisor for an anticipated multi-million dollar USAID BHA Ethiopia Rapid Response Mechanism (RRM). The aim of the mechanism is to facilitate time-bound emergency humanitarian assistance in the wake of an acute shock in any region of Ethiopia.

The MEL Advisor will be responsible for developing and implementing the project’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Strategy/performance monitoring plan, in accordance with IRC, BHA, and international best practices. The MEL Advisor will work closely with the COP, DCOP, and technical staff to ensure that relevant data is collected, analyzed, and used to inform management and design decisions, and to provide project updates, as required.

The position is contingent upon successful award of the project, and selection of final applicant is subject to BHA approval. The project is anticipated to begin in February 2024.

Job Responsibilities:

- Develop, manage and implement a monitoring and evaluation system (performance monitoring plan) across all project components that leverages qualitative and quantitative methods, and draws from a variety of data sources to measure progress and evaluate impact, as well as support collaboration, implementation science, learning, and adaptation. - Provide training, assistance, and consultation, as needed, on interpretation and use of performance benchmarking measures, indicators, and reports. - Lead collection of periodic data reports and compilation of narrative reports and submit to COP and DCOP. - Communicate information obtained through MEL activities to program staff, and external stakeholders, including BHA, to enable informed decision making. - Develop and ensure compliance with procedures for collection and reporting of project and program performance data to provide quality, timely data. - Regularly review data collection processes, perform data quality assessments, and make adjustments as needed. - Prepare the MEL section of the annual work plans, and of review or updates of it, as needed. - Participate and provide input to program strategy, including necessary adjustments or refinements to the work plan. - Oversee baseline surveys and assessments and the implementation of the MEL system on a day-to-day basis. - Lead mid-term and final evaluations to inform project to inform programming decisions. - Conduct regular visits to project sites, as possible, to provide technical assistance and ensure proper monitoring of project activities. - Lead learning agenda for the project and support integration of evidence into routine practice. - Prepare inputs for regular and ad hoc reports.

Qualifications

- Advanced degree (PhD or masters degree) from an accredited university in statistics, evaluation research, social science, international development, or a related discipline required; equivalent experience may be substituted for graduate degree; - Minimum of 8 years of experience in MEL and research for similar programming. - Experience with BHA, USAID, or FCDO funded projects for emergency response - Experience developing trigger monitoring tools, performance monitoring plans and associated data collection tools, systems and methodologies. - Demonstrated experience in use of qualitative and quantitative methods for data analysis; - Experience supporting local, regional and national disaster risk management offices. - Experience working on health and WASH programming in fragile contexts, including familiarity with BHA health indicators and approach. - Experience in monitoring and evaluation of Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA) for multi-sectoral humanitarian outcomes and associated data collection tools, systems and methodologies is an added advantage - Strong negotiation skills and the ability to develop relations with local counterparts, donors, and other stakeholders. - Strong communication skills, both oral and written. - Fluency in English required.

**Professional Standards****: The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Accountability, and Gender Equality. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity Anti-Retaliation and Combating Trafficking in Persons/

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.

Equal Opportunity Employer: IRC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. IRC considers all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.