Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist

Grade : Senior

Job ID : 13-7130

Location: MW-Lilongwe

# of Positions : 1

Center/Office : CLM - General

Posted Date : 2013-12-04

Project/Program : Proposal

Application Due Date : None

Overall Responsibilities

MSH is seeking candidates for an upcoming USAID-funded program to build capacity of local non-governmental and civil society organizations in Malawi. The anticipated multisectoral organizational capacity project will specifically work to improve CSO financial management, strategic planning, program management, monitoring and evaluation, research, and constituent outreach for increased civic participation and improved access to quality health services.

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MERL) Specialist is responsible for the project’s monitoring and evaluation as well as leading the development and implementation of a plan to monitor progress, evaluate effectiveness, and disseminate results of both CSO and Project activities and innovations. The MERL Specialist has primary responsibility for identifying  M&E needs, designing and maintaining data collection systems and for ensuring that all necessary information, from both routine reporting as well as from ad hoc data collection efforts and special studies, is collected, analyzed and used in guiding internal project planning and informing external partners about project activities and accomplishments. The MERL Specialist conducts all appropriate analyses, including the use of complimentary data sets and secondary analysis, and fully documents activities and accomplishments in the form of reports for the project. S/he will build the internal project capacity in M&E. 

Position is contingent upon project and award and funding. 

Specific Responsibilities

1. Provide technical assistance through training, coaching and mentorship to CSOs to ensure stronger M&E systems so that they can improve decision making and performance.
2. Develop new, as well as incorporate, enhance and implement, existing country CSOs organizational capacity assessment tools and guidelines with the aim of identifying systems gaps for strengthening and sustainability. 
3. Review and operationalize the project M&E plan, Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP), M&E strategy and project tools.
4. Support CSOs to implement the M&E mentorship plans as well as monitor the progress in implementation of the overall institutional strengthening plans.
5. Develop and implement routine data quality protocols both at CSOs and overall project level.
6. Coordinate project reporting to USAID, ensuring data is up to date and timelines are met as required.
7. Provide technical oversight in monitoring the service delivery, especially on data collection, data quality and reporting.
8. Organize trainings and other relevant technical learning forums as part of building the CSOs capacity in M&E.
9. Provide oversight to CSOs in consultant engagement by ensuring quality assurance of the assignments done.
10. Coordinate accurate, complete, and timely M&E data collection and reporting by various CSOs; review and provide recommendations for action and improvement.
11. Provide project capacity building within M&E.
12. Provide advice to the project staff and CSOs to the selection of indicators, collection of primary data and use of existing data sources for various project monitoring.
13. Monitor and evaluate the use of data quality protocols that support data integrity and the data collection processes.
14. On needs basis, design and implement survey protocols to identify and document achievements of relevant project outcomes.
15. Capture lessons learned and best practices. Provide documentation and dissemination of information; develop presentations, abstracts, articles, etc.

Qualifications

1. Advanced degree in public demography or relevant field.
2. At least five (5) years’ experience in M&E, data analysis (both qualitative and quantitative).
3. Understanding of the existing and future challenges for CSO in M&E, reporting and learning.
4. Good working knowledge of descriptive, inferential and advanced statistics.
5. Proficiency in evaluation design and development of indicators.
6. Demonstrated ability to transfer monitoring and evaluation skills to colleagues, partners and local organizations through training, mentoring and coaching.
7. Demonstrated competences in documentation and dissemination of best practices, designing and implementing survey protocols and demonstrate the link between M&E and project management.
8. Experience managing and executing M&E activities for USAID funded programs is highly desirable.
9. Strong team player with excellent interpersonal, facilitation, relationship-building, negotiating and influencing skills.
10. Ability to work with minimal supervision under tight timelines and be able to support cross technical teams.
11. Computer proficiency in word processing, databases, spreadsheets and presentation programs (Microsoft applications preferred); and also data analysis programs (SPSS, Stata, MS Access and EpiInfo) is required.
12. Excellent written and oral communications and presentation skills in English.

Notes

Position is contingent upon project and award and funding.

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