Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist- Mid-term review support

Location: Remote

Organization: Plan International

Experience: Senior level

Themes: Protection and Human Rights

Start date: As soon as possible

Contract: 3 months fixed term

Summary:

The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist is responsible for the technical leadership and guidance of the mid-term review and annual reporting on M&E data for the project “Joining Forces to Protection Children from Violence during COVID-19” which is being implemented in five countries (Senegal, Mali, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda) across three years (2020-2023).

The project is funded by the EU and is implemented by a consortium of the six biggest child focused agencies Child Fund Alliance, Plan International, Save the Children International, SOS Children’s Villages International, Terre des Hommes International Federation, World Vision International

The project is ongoing and will be finished in August 2023. The Mid-term review is starting in June 2022 and is to be completed by the end of August 2022. The annual report is to be completed by the end of September 2022 and is to include a consolidated mid-term review report and up to data M&E data as part of the project logical framework update.

Plan International Germany is the consortium lead employs the overall Project Manager, MERL Coordinator and Finance Coordinator. The long term MERL Coordinator position is currently vacant and has recently been re-advertised, which means that the position is unlikely to be filled until September/ October 2022. This consultancy is to support key M&E activities until a full time replacement for the MERL Coordinator role is recruited.

Dimensions of Role:

The M&E Specialist is responsible for technical leadership and guidance of the mid-term review and annual reporting on M&E data for the project. She/he will oversee and ensure that country-based mid term review processes, conducted by external consultants with support from in-country teams, are consistent with overall project standards and guidelines. The M&E specialists will also support country teams to ensure that M&E data is fed into the overall project framework to allow results-based monitoring, and maintains a coherent monitoring approach across the five countries – together with the country-based MERL specialists of the different consortium members. The MERL coordinator will also be responsible for writing of one consolidated MTR report, made up of data and information from each of the 5 country reports, which will be submitted to the donor (the European Union) as part of the year 2 reporting package at the end of September 2022. She/he will co-ordinate closely with the Project Manager, the country coordinators and the MERL staff in the country lead organizations and implementing partners. The M&E specialist is a remote position, but must be available during the working hours of the country teams in West Africa and East Africa.

Key End Results and Responsibilities:

Mid-term Review (MTR):

• Support country teams to interview and select external consultants to conduct project mid-term review
• Train and support country teams and consultants to consistently apply the existing standard project tools for the mid-term review (MTR)
• Support country teams to implement the MTR of the project as per the existing ToRs
• Support country teams to troubleshoot any arising issues during implementation of the MTR
• Analyse and feedback on country level mid-term review reports
• Consolidate findings from each of the 5 country MTR reports and produce one consolidated report for submission to the EU by the end of September 2022.

M&E data for annual reporting:

• Maintain an effective information database on the project for beneficiaries and participants, to ensure information reported to the EU in the second annual report is correct and has been checked for data quality.
• Ensure quality control of data and information collected, through a review of country level data submitted for Q8 of the project (in August 2022).
• Analyse and feedback on quarterly and annual country level reports submitted in August 2022
• Support PM to consolidate quarterly and annual country level reports into global report and logical framework with progress of indicators against targets

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:

Knowledge

• Degree in social sciences, statistics, economics or other related sectors;
• Eight (08) years minimum experience in M&E for complex development projects
• Experience providing remote support to in-country M&E staff
• Experience working in complex, multi-country and/ or multi-agency programmes or projects
• Solid experience in conducting mid-term reviews and/ or evaluations for large complex projects
• Experience in managing evaluations via consultants
• Experience in Child Protection program MERL
• Knowledge of ethical principles and safeguarding standards for involving children in MERL activities
• Practical and relevant experience in interventions in emergency contexts;
• A knowledge of the intervention countries would be an asset;
• Good knowledge and understanding of humanitarian principles and established international child protection and safeguarding standards; SPHERE standards and the Red Cross/ NGO Code of Conduct.

Skills

• Fluency in French and English essential
• Skills in participatory assessment, particularly with children
• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Skills in managing qualitative and quantitative data collections
• Skills for data base management (design, entry, analysis)
• Strong analytical skills
• Ability to deliver to tight deadlines
• Demonstrated facilitation and active listening skills
• Good presentation skills
• Solid writing skills (report writing, concept paper writing etc.)
• Requires general finance, administration, information management and telecommunication skills and proficiency in information technology/ computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, SPSS and other statistical analysis software, data base software);
• People Skills: Ability to work independently and as a team player who demonstrates leadership and is able to support and train local staff and also able to work with displaced persons and communities in a sensitive and participatory manner.
• Communication Skills: Well developed written and oral communication skills. Able to communicate clearly and sensitively with internal and external stakeholders as a representative of Plan. This includes effective negotiation and representation skills.
• Commitment to and skills in capacity building – together with the ability to assess and coach others.

Behaviours:

• Commitment and adherence to humanitarian values and standards,
• Cross-culturally agile
• Demonstrates clear respect to all and especially children and women without discrimination
• Aware of own strengths, weaknesses and pro-active in using feedback and self-development
• Works with trustworthiness and integrity and has a clear commitment to Plan’s core values and humanitarian principles
• Demonstrates honesty and transparency in holding self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and Plan’s standards of behaviour
• Resilience/Adaptability and flexibility: Ability to operate effectively under extreme circumstances including stress, high security risks and harsh living conditions. Works and lives with a flexible, adaptable and resilient manner.
• Awareness and sensitivity of self and others: Demonstrates awareness and sensitivity to gender and diversity. Have experience and the ability to live and work in diverse cultural contexts in a culturally appropriate manner. Has a capacity to make accurate self-assessment particularly in high stress and high security contexts.
• Patient, able to improvise and remain responsive under pressure.

Physical Environment and Demands:

• Remote- frequent video and voice calls with project manager and country- based staff during office hours (9am-5.30pm GMT for West Africa and 9am-5.30pm EAT for East Africa)

Interaction with children:

• No interaction with children