Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Advisor

This position is contingent on IRC being awarded funding and is anticipated to begin in September 2022.

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world’s leading humanitarian relief and development organizations. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people survive, recover and regain control over their lives. Working in more than 40 countries, the IRC is helping to restore hope and opportunity to millions of people.

At the height of the civil war in 1999, the IRC began implementing emergency interventions in Sierra Leone and supported the country throughout its 2014 Ebola outbreak which affected more than 14,000 individuals, by providing protective equipment to frontline workers, developing public health plans with local officials, and conducting community sensitization on hand washing and other safety measures. The IRC continues to assist vulnerable communities throughout the country to this day. Current programs support the rebuilding of health and education services while actively promoting women and girls’ empowerment. Since the start of its implementation in Sierra Leone, the IRC has reached over two million beneficiaries.

Project scope and objectives:

The project “Civic Engagement in Local Governance for Accountability (CELGA) in Sierra Leone” funded by USAID aims to foster the social contract between local governments and citizens in through scaling up successful initiatives that support local governments and relevant national government institutions, civil society, and citizenry to 1) increase citizens’ participation in local government and political processes, and 2) bolster the provision of critical services by local governance institutions through processes that are transparent and accountable to citizens. The project will work directly with local government entities and the citizenry, especially women and youth engagement, local CSOs, and government entities working on decentralization, local governance, and elections with an anticipated $3.5M budget.

The monitoring, evaluation, and learning advisor position:

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Advisor will be responsible for developing and implementing the project’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning strategy, in accordance with IRC, USAID, and international best practice. S/he will work closely with the Project Director and technical staff to ensure that relevant data is collected, analyzed, and used to inform management and design decision, and to provide project updates, as required.

Main Responsibilities:

• Develops and manages a monitoring, evaluation, and learning system 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, learning, and adaptation.

• Communicates information obtained through M&E activities to program staff, and external stakeholders, including USAID and the Ministry of Education, to enable informed decision making.

• Ensures data collection process is functioning in all activity locations to provide quality, timely data.

• Regularly reviews data collection processes, perform data quality assessments, and make adjustments as needed.

• Conducts regular visits to project sites, as possible, to provide technical assistance and ensure proper monitoring of project activities.

• Produces M&E monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual reports for the Project Director and donors

Job Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university in Accounting, Business Administration, Commerce or Finance with a recognized professional certificate in accounting such as CPA, or a master’s degree in Accounting.

• Advanced degree (PhD or MA) from an accredited university in M&E, education, international development, or related field.

• Minimum of five years of experience in M&E for similar education programming.

• Significant previous experience carrying out M&E activities for USAID and/or international donor projects in similar contexts. Strong communication skills, both oral and written.

• Fluency in English required.

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. 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, and Anti-Retaliation.