Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning Specialist

The Opportunity

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning (MERL) Coordinator is responsible for the technical leadership and guidance of monitoring, evaluation, reporting and learning activities in 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. Plan International Germany is the consortium lead.

Dimensions of Role:

The MERL Coordinator is responsible for technical leadership and guidance of monitoring, evaluation, reporting and learning in the context of project implementation. She/he will oversee and ensure that country-based information is fed into the overall project framework to allow results-based monitoring, and will maintain 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 overall knowledge management and documentation of best practices and lessons learnt from the project. She/he will also strengthen the projects country teams and will provide technical support to the MERL staff of country leads and implementing partners. 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 MERL Coordinator will be based at one of the five target countries (Senegal, Mali, Ethiopia, Kenya and Uganda), or in Germany (flexible) and will be hosted by the Plan office in that country.

• Support PM to consolidate results of country level outcome monitoring, mid-term review and end-line assessment reports into global report and logical framework with final achievement of indicators against targets
• Organize and ensure all data collection for the capitalization of lessons learned and good practices identified in the context of the project implementation
• Develop guidance and support country teams to organize lessons learnt and knowledge sharing workshops and learning exchanges for effective project performance improvement
• Perform any other tasks assigned by the Project Manager

The Individual

The following requirements as essential;

• Degree in social sciences, statistics, economics or other related sectors
• Significant experience in monitoring, evaluation, reporting and learning in programmes and projects
• Experience working in complex, multi-country and/ or multi-agency programmes or projects
• Solid experience in setting up M&E systems and processes for large projects
• Experience in managing base-line, mid-term and end-line evaluations
• Experience in conducting needs assessments
• 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;
• 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
• 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.