Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist

Description

Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

The Organization

Since 1944, Heifer International has supported more than 36 million Small Holder Farmer (SHF) families globally lift themselves out of hunger and poverty while caring for the earth in partnership with the communities we serve including Youth & Women. Heifer International is now accelerating its strategic approaches to closing the Sustainable Living Income (SLI) gap for 10 million additional SHF households globally by 2030.

In Rwanda, our aim is moving 300,000 smallholder farmers to achieve sustainable living income by 2030 against Heifer Africa target of 6.745 million. Heifer does this through the sustainable locally led Development approach.

Function

The MEL Specialist, will lead on monitoring and evaluation (“M&E”), planning and activity implementation for Heifer Project International’s projects carried out by HPI’s branch office in Rwanda (“Heifer Rwanda”). S/he will be responsible for building practices for in-country and across-countries knowledge management through full utilization of Heifer’s global systems. S/he will also be responsible for the collaboration and documentation of quality data, dissemination of lessons learned, producing best practices, and guiding the overall monitoring learning and evaluation strategy of the country program as delineated in the Country Program’s framework. This includes setting up the MEL systems for Country program and projects that are aligned with Heifer’s global MEL framework and ensuring appropriate capacity within the Country Program. The MEL Specialist is also responsible for developing staff’s capacity to implement good quality MEL processes which will provide a basis for decision making and promote accountability for resource use in Heifer Rwanda.

The MEL Specialist will also represent the HPI’s country level management, program knowledge and perspective in the development of strategies within HPI at large.

Essential Character Traits

Respect, accountability, courage, excellence, analytical ability, interpersonal skills and proactive problem solving.

Responsibilities & Deliverables

A. Implement monitoring, evaluation, learning and systems for country specific projects. (30%)

• Collect/manage data to support needs assessment, project design, project logical framework design and target setting, and progress management.
• Define the Rwanda living wage target for every region where Heifer Rwanda implements its projects, and thereafter tracking the progress of its achievement annually.
• Conduct/manage project baseline, regular monitoring to track project progresses, and evaluations as per M&E plan.
• Ensure the effective implementation of Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Systems (“MELS”) policies, procedures and guidelines for country specific projects.
• Ensure proper use of available digital tools and technology for effectively managing MELS activities.
• Ensure/provide proper support to implementing “partners” in preparing their MELS plans, and in using digital tools for data collection and management.
• Support Heifer wide research for learning when needed.
• Elevate any MELS related challenges to Country Director for coordination with Heifer’s headquarters-based staff (desk officer and MELS staff) to find timely solutions.

B. Contribute to program effectiveness: design monitoring, evaluation, learning and systems for country specific projects. (20%)

• Design M&E plan incorporating core standard indicators defined by Heifer’s Project International and set targets for indicators.
• Create indicator reference sheet for all indicators.
• Develop the projects results framework and logical framework for all the projects.
• Design data collection tools, plans and processes for all required information, ensuring high quality and integrity of data.
• Review and adjust M&E plans and targets, tools and processes periodically as needed.
• Ensure alignment of country’s/projects’ M&E plans and procedures with organization’s standards and requirements.
• Support development of a MELS budget and staffing plan per each funded project.

C. Data management, analysis and utilization for learning. (20%)

• Manage all data properly in clean form, and analyze to use for project management, learning and meet all the reporting needs.
• Summarize/ aggregate data at country level and contribute to organization-wide aggregation.
• Ensure timely data availability and reporting to stakeholders.
• Respond to periodic donor and headquarters requests for additional information on project activities and results.
• Country Program level learning to action agenda developed, monitored, refined, and acted upon.
• Document lessons learned, successes, failures, and best practices via case studies.

D. Capacity Development: equip MELS staff and implementing partner staffs with skills to deliver MELS activities efficiently (20%)

• Supervise and manage supporting MELS staff for efficient work and maintaining compliance.
• Provide proper coaching / training to equip MELS staff deliver the assigned responsibilities efficiently.
• Contribute in the recruitment, training and supervision of external parties that are contracted to implement special surveys and studies required for evaluating project effects and impacts.
• Orient and build implementing “partners” capacity in MELS activities including proper record keeping and data management.

E. May perform other duties as assigned. (10%)

• Coordinate with area MELS and Heifer’s headquarters’ MELS team to keep them updated on MELS activities, and to understand stakeholders needs.
• Support research and evaluation initiatives in country.
• Support the development of concept notes, project proposals, and submission to potential donors.
• Assist in networking with other development organizations, governments and other line agencies in promoting Heifer’s development model/initiatives, and potential collaborations.
• Perform other job related duties as requested.

Minimum Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree in international development, project planning and management, economics and/or statistics, or an equivalent with an academic focus on monitoring and evaluation or another related field.
2. Minimum of five (5) years of direct relevant experience in MELS.

Preferred Requirements

1. Demonstrated experience in coordinating and working with international donors and grantees on PME/MEL systems.
2. Experience in supporting and monitoring field-based programs in the region.
3. Experience in managing databases and coordinating evaluations, surveys and impact monitoring.

Most Critical Proficiencies

1. Proven team leadership and supervisory skills with the ability to train and work cooperatively with a diverse staff, including field staff in several locations.
2. Experience with the NGO/private voluntary organizations approach, and knowledge of global sustainable development.
3. Demonstrated ability to implement a logical framework approach or other strategic planning approaches.
4. Innovative, analytical, and solutions oriented.
5. Demonstrated effective organizing and planning skills.
6. Ability to write clear and concise reports and to make effective oral presentations.
7. A good understanding of and sensitivity to issues associated with poverty, hunger and the environment, and knowledge of the context in which non-profit organizations operate.
8. Knowledge of youth workforce development issues, especially in rural communities of the East Africa region.
9. Good understanding of the different value chains within the agricultural sector.
10. Knowledge of enterprise development and linkages to poverty alleviation.
11. Excellent organizational skills, including strong attention to detail.
12. Proven experience in building the capacity of “partner” institutions to document and disseminate industry information, manage knowledge, measure progress and plan and advocate within the industry.
13. Proficient knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, presentation tools, electronic mail (Microsoft Office preferred) and Internet.
14. Demonstrated proficiency in English, both oral and written.
15. Ability to work in a team.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands

1. Ability to prepare and present documents in a well-designed and attractive format with superior attention to detail.
2. Ability to understand, appreciate and implement Heifer’s Values-Based Holistic Community Development model.
3. Demonstrated creativity, ability to think systematically, willingness and ability to incorporate innovative solutions.
4. Quantitative and qualitative approaches to evaluation and ability to communicate MEL concepts clearly with leadership, partners, and staff at all levels.
5. Willingness and ability to assign and review the work of direct reports and to use participatory management skills with junior and senior staff.
6. Proven team leadership and supervisory skills with the ability to train and work cooperatively with a diverse staff, including field staff in various locations.
7. Constant face-to-face, telephone and electronic communication with colleagues and the public.
8. Willingness and ability to travel extensively throughout Heifer project sites in Rwanda.
9. May require constant sitting, working at a computer and focusing for extended periods of time and performing office environment activities while on the road and/or in remote conditions.
10. Working with sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality.
11. Ability to manage and execute multiple tasks with little supervision while meeting sometimes inflexible deadlines.