Monitoring & Evaluation Officer

WHO WE ARE

Plan International is a rights-based development and humanitarian organization working for better lives for all children. We are independent of government and have no political or religious affiliation. Our purpose is to strive for a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Our global strategy has a specific focus on girls, as they are often the most marginalized and most often left behind. We have committed ourselves to the ambitious target of reaching 100 million girls over 5 years, to ensure they can learn, lead, decide and thrive. This is our contribution to reaching the sustainable development goals, and in particular the goals on gender equality. Our organization is transforming itself to meet this enormous challenge everywhere we work. We need bold, forward-thinking and innovative individuals to lead our country operations, driving change and delivering results that will allow us to reach our target of 100 million girls.

With approximately 38 years of experience in implementing its programme, Plan International Kenya (PIK) mainly operates in nine geographical areas; Nairobi, Machakos, Kajiado, Tharaka-Nithi, Siaya, Kwale, Kilifi, Homa Bay, Kisumu and Tana River.

OUR STRATEGY STATEMENT

Plan International Kenya’s (PIK) strategic goal in the next five years is to end teenage pregnancies and end all forms of sexual and gender-based violence against adolescent girls and young women. We aim to help create an enabling environment where girls and young women are safe,
valued, equally cared for, and have equal opportunities. PIK will contribute to the global strategy by aiming to reach directly approximately 2.75 million (children, including girls and young women over the period of the strategy 2022-2026 and to reach additional beneficiaries through its interventions.

ABOUT COSME PROJECT

Plan International’s Conservation and Sustainable Management of Coastal and Marine Ecosystems (COSME) project aims to significantly scale up Plan International Kenya’s current women-led, climate-resilient livelihoods and coastal management project in Kwale and Kilifi counties. It takes an ecosystems-based approach in partnership with Jane Goodall Institute (JGI) Canada, COSME will also capitalize on opportunities for South-South learning by working between Kenya/Tanzania cross-border communities within the same marine coastal and coastal forest eco-regions. The project will be instrumental in driving Nature Based Solutions (NbS) for climate adaptation and biodiversity conservation in the selected eco-regions: i) mangrove restoration and conservation; ii) sustainable seaweed farming; and iii) locally-led forest management and conservation. Small-scale conservation agriculture practices will also be deployed to build the resilience of women in selected communities. The ultimate project outcome is improved climate-resilient, equitable economies within communities relying on coastal and marine ecosystems.

THE ROLE

The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer will be charged with the responsibility of coordinating and managing COSME project related monitoring and evaluation activities on specific location (Kwale/Kilifi Program Units) The role has an assignment to drive project Data Quality Assurance and specific data requirements for projects/programmes as well as tracking and reporting on project outcomes and impact of the COSME project interventions. The M&E Officer will enable documentation of project best practices, lessons learnt and project learning. He/She will work towards profiling COSME work and impact stories.

Reports to: The Senior Project Manager, COSME

Dotted line: To the Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator in Kwale

Direct reports: No direct reports

LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN

Mid-level: medium level of engagement with children

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

• Typical office environment with (60%) travel to various program offices and project sites.

ACCOUNTABILITIES AND MAIN WORK ACTIVITIES

Monitoring Implementation and M&E Coordination at Strategic Level (20%)

• Support in the design and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation frameworks of COSME project and information system to track delivery against targets, outcomes and impacts
• Ensure the execution of functional M&E framework based on tracking of outcomes and impacts
• Ensure the activity monitoring logs are well kept in a quick and easy to access and retrieve
• Analysis of data collected for assessment of progress and areas of improvement and overall data management
• Support in developing monitoring tools to track program performance in line with the Theory of Change and the M&E Plan
• Monitor and evaluate overall progress on achievement and sustainability of results
• In liaison with project team, coordinate periodic reporting, monthly, quarterly, half-yearly and annual progress on all project activities.
• Manage and conduct quantitative and qualitative monitoring, evaluations and studies among program beneficiaries and other stakeholders,

Quality Improvement and Standards (30%)

• Track implementation of indicators and sets of measures of sustainability and success to generate reliable evidence for project improvement
• Uses on-going project monitoring and assessment reports, working closely with project teams to improve the quality of implementation and adapt project design.
• Provides input, information and statistics for quarterly, annual and other reports to Project Management
• Support in application of strategies to the Project Management for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of the project by identifying ad dealing with bottlenecks
• Employs data quality management standards through use of appropriate data collection tools, data management and analysis methods
• Ensures adherence to M&E standards, Research and evaluation standards and all M&E cooperate standards at the Project level.
• Establishes and manages a performance monitoring and evaluation framework with specific goals, outcomes, inputs, outputs, processes, indicators, data needs and sources as well as reporting templates and frequency, for effective monitoring, reporting and updating of the progress of the project.

Documentation, Data Management, Learning and Knowledge Management (30%)

• Supports project team to develop case studies, change/impact stories to inform projects achievements
• Provide advice to the partners and project team on improving project performance using M&E findings.
• Leads and conducts analysis of quantitative data as well as qualitative data on all project inputs, outputs and outcomes to inform project management
• Dissemination of Monitoring Reports for internal and external audiences
• Supports the Project Manager to respond to Senior Management or donor data queries in an -accurate and timely manner
• Creates, establishes and maintains project level monitoring tools and databases that are mainstreamed to existing systems and aligned with programme design
• Develops and maintains an updated database of all completed interventions and periodically carry out meta-analysis of the information.
• Ensures all the data is disaggregated by sex, age and disability and that all the studies are gender responsive
• Responsible for supporting from a gender perspective, data collection, analysis and utilization across all programs at the hub level, based on the standard tools.
• Ensures that the project team utilise the country-based data collection tools and observe data quality controls
• Facilitates and supports the documentation of best practices and lessons learned from project outputs for audiences within and outside Plan International
• Leads the project team in developing case studies and change stories periodically.
• Identifies and documents interventions and initiatives, and knowledge management products that can be replicated or scaled up.

Capability Building through Knowledge Sharing, Networking and Coaching (10%)

• In liaison with the Project Manager, reviews M&E findings and best practices and disseminates information to stakeholders to facilitate evidence-based planning, learning and informed decision-making
• Promote individual and organisational learning through systematic reflection processes, documentation, dissemination and knowledge management.
• Support coaching and training of project staff and partners for improved MERL practices in response to needs.
• Builds, maintains and engages in internal and external MERL partnerships and networks.
• Builds capacity of the project implementation team in M&E data collection, analyses, verification and reporting
• Facilitate access to relevant and accurate information on the Project stakeholders including the Community groups and Beach Management Units.

Safeguarding Children and Young People (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) 5%

• Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and GEI policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), ensuring that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.
• Leads the orientation of programme staff to ensure that they are properly inducted on and understands their role in upholding Plan International’s safeguarding and GEI policies.
• Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in project design, during implementation and as principles applied in day-to-day work of Programme team.
• Ensures that Plan Kenya contributes to Plan International’s global efforts to ensure safeguarding and GEI, including making sure that relevant reporting and data are submitted.

Others (5%)

• As assigned by the supervisor

LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

• Courageous in taking a lead, focussed on Plan International’s purpose and making the most effective contribution within my own work context.
• Behaves in line with our values and safeguarding practices, inside and outside work.
• Challenges own attitudes, unconscious bias and behaviour and speaks up when they see wrongdoing, especially by those who use their power over others to create fear or abuse.
• Understand and adhere to the policies, processes, practices and standards relevant to own work and keeps their knowledge and skills up to date.
• Honest and efficient in use of resources, including own time.
• Takes responsibility for own performance and development: reflecting; seeking and listening to feedback; learning from mistakes; finding people or resources to help them learn.
• Constructive and optimistic in facing setbacks, challenges and change, using own initiative to analyse issues and improve things.
• Good team player, communicating effectively and being open and supportive towards those around them.

BUSINESS MANAGEMENT COMPETENCIES

• Understands relevant sectoral context including how the sector operates in terms of funding and governance and awareness of Plan’s purpose, values, and global strategy
• Manages legal and reputational risk including risk assessment, communication, risk management and reporting in full compliance with risk-related standards, including in areas such as Child and Youth Safeguarding and Protection, Gender equality and inclusion, Counter Fraud, Safety and Security
• Managing activities and resources including skills in strategic thinking, planning and organising, financial planning and monitoring, negotiation and programme and project management
• Managing people and information including skills in assessment and coaching, evidence-based management, communication skills, both speaking and writing, and digital working, including personal digital skills
• Managing resources and delivery: -Knows the resources required for their role. Manages their own workload, avoiding under or overcommitting to delivery activities; -Works according to a budget and uses the relevant financial systems.; -Works according to principles of data protection.
• Understands how information is used for reporting and decisions making; – Seeks to continually improve personal working practices.
• Programme and project management: -Aware of the programmes that Plan International delivers directly and through partner organisations. -Aware of the programme and project management procedures relevant to their role.; -Complies with financial procedures and controls relevant to their role; -Seeks opportunities to reflect on and learn from all work.
• Digital working: Identifies ways to use digital to improve the effectiveness of work activities. Understands how digital enablers can contribute to achieving Plan International’s purpose. Utilises the digital tools available in line with privacy and safeguarding guidelines.
• Evidence-based management: Understands the importance of high-quality data and the implications of poor data. Understands what data Plan International needs to inform decision-making. Interprets a range of sources to inform evidence-based decisions relevant to their role.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Qualifications/ experience essential:

• Minimum of a University Degree in Social Science, Economics, statistics, development studies or any other related field from a recognized university.
• At least 3 years of demonstrated successful coordination of M&E functions and experience
• Grounded understanding of qualitative and quantitative methodologies in research and evaluation
• Experience with evaluations/research logistics, administration and/or project or research management
• Experience with database design and management including advanced use of Excel and data analysis and entry packages including at minimum SPSS, Stata, R, Epiinfo, Atlas-Ti, CSpro and the use of KOBO Collect platforms for data collection
• Experience in climate change adaptation practice developing community-based adaptation, or integrating climate change issues into the design, monitoring, and evaluation of conservation and/or development projects and programs.is an added advantage,
• Strong demonstrable levels of knowledge of and experience with gender sensitive research design, performance monitoring, impact evaluation, and / or social and environmental research methodologies
• Demonstrated experience on Impact reporting
• Minimal supervision experience

Qualifications/ experience desirable:

• Evidence of experience in development of longitudinal real time data bases including online application for management of data
• Experience in advising / coaching individuals, teams and / or organisations in M&E system design, research methodologies, research design
• Previous experience with mobile data collection (Kobo, ODK, CsPro) and GIS mapping an asset
• Experience in the application of MER systems and frameworks including theory of change and logical frameworks

Languages required

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Knowledge of Kiswahili, desirable

TECHNICAL COMPETENCIES

Knowledge:

• Well-developed knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to MERL initiatives for programme and influencing, including data collection and analysis, appropriate for different information needs, respondents and contexts with a particular focus on those that are participatory, gender and age sensitive and inclusive.
• Grounded understanding of gender and inclusion attitudes and power dynamics, including why they exist and how they change, and how these attitudes and dynamics shape MERL methods and approaches.
• Knowledge of essential sample strategies and frameworks appropriate for wide range of data needs and MERL initiatives.
• Broad understanding of data quality assurance requirements and approaches for a wide range of data needs and MERL initiatives.
• Knowledge of data visualization principles and approaches for a wide range of data types, and appropriate for different information needs.
• Proper understanding of data ownership, transfer, retention and management requirements and approaches.
• Knowledge of accountability and reporting requirements to internal and external stakeholders especially a multiplicity of major international donors.

Skills:

• Hand on experience and skill in result based MERL system
• Proficiency in applied statistics
• Understanding of quantitative methods for data collection and analysis.
• Understanding of sampling strategies for quantitative methods.
• Experienced in Training of data collectors/enumerators in quantitative data collection methodologies
• Proficiency in statistical analysis software – SPSS, R, STATA, NVivo, ATLAS ti etc.
• Understanding of qualitative methods for data collection and analysis

Behaviors:

• Able to apply evaluation and research methods and approaches for a wide range of programme and influencing interventions.
• Ability to apply ethical requirements and principles in MERL initiatives.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational and team working skills
• Good cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Highly approachable, trustworthy and confidential
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Works well under pressure and meets deadlines
• Excellent planning, coordination, and reporting skills, with the ability to organize a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.