Monitoring, Evaluation , Accountability, Research and Learning (MEARL) Officer

Terre des Hommes Netherlands (TdH NL) prevents child exploitation, removes children from exploitative situations and ensures that these children can continue their development in a safe environment. Globally, and in Africa, Terre des Hommes Netherlands focuses on Child Exploitation (CE) as the overall theme of our work. Under our new Global Strategy (2021 – 2025), TdH NL is redefining and refining its overall role as a child rights organisation to engage more deeply into identifying, exposing and responding to hidden and emerging forms of child exploitation taking place all over the world.

Building on our previous experience on themes such as child trafficking and unsafe migration, addressing the worst forms of child labour, child abuse and stopping sexual exploitation of children (including online child sexual exploitation), TdH NL will widen its scope and target all forms of hidden and emerging exploitation happening to children, aiming to stop exploitation so children can be children.

Under the new strategy, our approach follows a 5 phase model: 1. Identify (child exploitation issues); 2. Research (investigate the nature and scope of these issues); 3. Expose & Design (design evidence-based interventions. share research findings, and work with key stakeholders to co-create solutions); 4. Mobilise (bring key stakeholders together to ensure solutions are scalable and sustainable); and 5. Hand over & monitor (ensure sustainable handover to partners). The strategy also places a strong emphasis on innovation and the use of technology to help tackle exploitation, whilst also ensuring children remain at the centre of all our work.

In Africa, Terre des Hommes Netherlands is currently working in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Madagascar and remains committed to working in other geographical locations across Africa where child exploitation issues may arise.

In Kenya, TdH NL programmes are implemented in Central, Rift Valley, Coastal, Western and Northern regions of Kenya where we collaborate with other CSOs and networks in the execution of projects aimed at preventing child exploitation and providing assistance to exploited children and youth.

About the role

Research is an important cog in our new five phase approach (identify-research-expose design-mobilise-handover), and the incumbent will be expected to support the new strategic direction by designing and managing research initiatives, support in gathering data and evidence which will then be used to inform potential solutions to child exploitation issues. Research will also form a key part of future campaigning, lobby and advocacy work with children and all our key stakeholders.

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Research and Learning (MEARL)) Officer is expected to support the implementation of the PMEL system and processes in the Kenya Country Office. Where applicable, s/he will be required to strengthen and enhance the PMEL system and for effective knowledge management.

Objective of the function

The MEARL Officer is responsible for the coordination of the research, monitoring, evaluation and learning for projects and programs in Kenya. With guidance of the Regional R&PMEAL Coordinator, the incumbent will contribute to the development, and implementation of PMEL policies and systems to ensure the quality management of Kenya Country projects and programmes. The post holder will be responsible for data verification, analysis and utilisation with an aim of providing management with relevant and timely information for decision making and programme improvement. S/he will support quality programme design ensuring country plans incorporate key MEARL information for adaptive programming or management. The MEARL Officer will work together with the Regional R&PMEAL Coordinator and Kenya team to ensure strengthened knowledge management, effective performance management as well as quality and timely reporting. The officer will provide oversight at country level in issue identification and research linked to the strategy five phases.

Position within the organisation

The MEARL Officer reports to the Country Manager and provides functional guidance and support to the country team in relation to quality programme/project planning, monitoring, evaluation, research, learning and reporting. He/she will receive technical guidance from the Regional R&PMEAL Coordinator (based at the Regional Office East Africa in Nairobi)

Main duties, responsibilities and Result areas

1. Programme design and planning- (including utilising about 80% LoE on the Child Labour project )

2. Provides high quality technical input into inclusive ideation, programme and project development processes, particularly on logic of intervention (Theory of Change, logical frameworks and PMEL plans), with an emphasis on ensuring sound understanding of how changes happen and sound programme logic and objective setting that is informed by contextual information

3. Provides guidance to Kenya Country Office (KCO) team in ensuring that programme quality is embedded in new programmes and projects and that TdH NL quality standards are met.

4. Supports TdH NL KCO team and partner teams on quality information gathering and analysis at country level to facilitate informed and evidence-based programme and project design.

5. Supports programme and project managers to design and monitor MEARL budgets and spending in line with donor requirements.

Results: Quality project design and implementation planning with sound understanding of how change happens.

1. Set up and implement monitoring, evaluation research and learning system (including utilising about 80% LoE on the Child Labour project )

2. Support in the development and implementation of a MEARL system and strategy in accordance with TdH NL standards, regulations and instruments – including the definition of specific processes, methodologies and tools– for an optimal accountability process with regard to implemented policies and programs and/or projects.

3. Provides technical advice, training, coaching and support to TdH NL KCO staff, and partner teams in various aspects of planning, monitoring and evaluation to ensure the overall quality of TdH NL and partner teams’ field data collection, data management, and analysis processes.

4. Attends M&E country meetings convened by the Regional R&PMEL Coordinator for collective analysis and interpretation of MEARL information.

5. Leads in information and knowledge management to ensure appropriate information is collected by project teams and aligned to TdH NL’s Strategic Objective areas and progress on KPIs, which is needed for an effective M&E system.

6. Promotes the utilisation of the collected data at country level in monitoring of strengths, weaknesses and gaps in the implementation of the TdH NL’s programmes, adaptation of monitoring plans to ensure achievement of envisaged outcomes and strategic use of information for improvement of programme impact.

7. Signals and analyses any improvement points regarding the accountability of the programs/projects implemented by the organisation, taking into account the applicable laws and regulations.

8. Facilitates local analysis and interpretation of PME information as an input to regular narrative reports covering progress of the TdH NL programme. This includes ensuring regular updates of the PRIMAS system.

9. Oversees quality assurance of feedback and complaint mechanisms and sharing of accountability findings with programme teams and senior management.

10. Exchange of PME expertise and experience between the countries and partners and within the TdH NL organisation.

Result: PM&E system supported in such a way that standards, regulations and instruments have been developed, data have been analysed and the KCO project/program activities can be accounted for in a timely and accurate manner.

1. Strategic research support (including utilising about 80% LoE on the Child Labour project )

2. Supports identification of CE issues in Kenya

3. Guided by the strategic plan, provides support on research, evidence generation and use of research products in lobby and advocacy

4. Supports identification and on-boarding of strategic research partners including academia, research think tanks, policy institutions, research NGOs and other local research partners

5. Coordinates strategic research components with TdH NL Regional Office research and advocacy teams, providing the contextual elements

6. Supports research activities, including advising on methodology, sampling and tool development for relevant research initiatives aligned to TdH NL’s policy and project needs.

7. Supports identification of research activity spinoffs from ongoing projects

8. Contributes to program development by monitoring the changing research, identifying opportunities in line with TdH NL strategy and monitoring international best practices and development trends

9. Monitors and follows up on utilisation of recommendations from researches and surveys including establishing key learning and recommendations to inform future research work.

Result: High quality research in line with the 2021 – 25 strategic plan is generated and informs the strategy phases and actions. Interventions are developed informed by high quality data and evidence.

1. Evidence based Learning and Reflection (including utilising about 80% LoE on the Child Labour project )

2. Promotes evidence based learning through undertaking assessments, baselines and evaluations including operational/action research and documentation at country level in compliance with TdH NL’s evaluation policy.

3. Supports the programme teams and partners in extracting lessons learnt and good practices, and documenting case studies which demonstrate qualitative and quantitative changes.

4. Analyse and provide monitoring data generated from PMEL systems and used for management purposes in line with appropriate decision making, course adjustments and future designs through reflection and learning forums, events and periodical reviews organised on a regular basis.

5. Supports Kenya Country Office in documenting and disseminating innovations and new research findings in line with TdH learning framework

6. Synthesises and summarises trends in country monitoring data and data generated from evaluations that can be used to inform global level programming

7. In consultation with the Regional R&PMEL Coordinator takes lead in disseminating Evaluation and Outcome Level findings and track Programme/Project utilisation of Evaluation findings

8. Identifies, tests and rolls out approved innovative MEARL approaches and methods.

Results: A system for evidence based learning and reflection is in place and utilised by staff and partners to craft and steer interventions. Knowledge generations well anchored in the country and with clear links to the TdH NL research and knowledge hub.

1. Give advice and provide information (including utilising about 80% LoE on the Child Labour project )

2. Is the point of contact for substantive questions regarding the own focus area.

3. Provides solicited and unsolicited advice, information, and support regarding the policies pursued and programs/projects within the organisation and their accountability.

4. Generates (management) information for annual plans, the budget, and budget monitoring.

Result: Advice given and information provided in such a way that those involved have been informed and advised in an expert manner.

1. Maintain contacts

2. Maintains internal and external contacts associated with the function.

3. Builds and maintains a network of stakeholder organisations.

4. Initiates and develops information and knowledge transfer in the applicable policy area and provides information and advice to internal and external stakeholders.

Result: Contacts have been maintained in such a way that the organisation is well represented in external MEARL circles.

Knowledge and skills

• A degree or equivalent in Monitoring and Evaluation, Project Management, Statistics, Demography, or a related field is required. (Masters degree will be an added advantage)

• At least 4 years practical experience with an INGO/child rights agency in managing data intensive programs and designing, monitoring, and evaluation methodologies.

• Knowledge of designing and managing PMEL systems at a national level for effective generation of monitoring data used in tracking programme and improved service delivery and support related to development programming

• Experience in designing and guiding high level research and evidence based advocacy with ability to translate knowledge into practice is desirable.

• Good understanding of implementing results based monitoring, evaluation and learning systems, results frameworks and theory of change methodology.

• Skills in developing, implementing and evaluating policies.

• Experience in designing PMEL methodologies and tools, and the ability to coach and train others in their use is desirable.

• Experience with qualitative and quantitative PMEL data collection and analysis methods, including tracking outcome indicators, is desirable.

• Experience measuring change in lobby and advocacy and campaigning work is desirable

• Ability to work with interdisciplinary teams and a wide range of program/project activities

• Proven conceptual and analytical skills, ability to take an evidence-based approach to programming.

Competence profile

A. Analytical capacity

Understanding the essence of complex issues by logical reasoning, investigation of potential causes, separation of key messages from the mass of detail and acknowledgement of their interdependence.

• Supports and involves others in the immediate vicinity in issue analysis while demonstrating exemplary behaviour.

B. Driving for quality

Setting stringent requirements for the quality of your own or other people’s work; striving for continuous improvement.

• Sets high standards for the quality of work within the organisational entity and encourages continuous quality improvement.

C. The power of persuasion

Expressing opinions convincingly, demonstrating interaction and debating effectively, thereby generating acceptance of viewpoints and ideas.

• Defends and argues points of view with tact and in a clear and convincing manner while taking another opinion into account.

D. Networking

Builds relationships and networks that are helpful when realising objectives and utilises informal networks to get things done.

• Actively builds relationships and maintains contacts related to the achievement of personal objectives.

• Contract Period: One year contract with a possibility of extension