Monitoring, Impact and Measurement (MIM) Officer

PROJECT SUMMARY

The Virus Resistant Cassava for Africa Plus (VIRCA Plus) is a collaborative project between the Donald Danforth Plant Science Center (DDPSC), USA, MEDA, the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), Kenya, the National Agricultural Research Organization (NARO), Uganda, the Rwandan Agricultural Board (RAB), Rwanda, and the National Root Crops Research Institute (NRCRI), Nigeria. The project has developed pathogen-derived RNAi technology to produce genetically modified cassava displaying high level resistance to Cassava brown streak disease (CBSD). Varieties developed from VIRCA Plus project offer unique potential to address a significant threat to the livelihoods of 100s of millions of African smallholder farmers and their communities. The project will run from 2020 to 2025.

POSITION SUMMARY

The MIM Officer has the overall responsibility for coordination of all monitoring and impact measurement (MIM) and Knowledge Management (KM) activities for the VIRCA Deployment Program in both Kenya and Rwanda. The MIM Officer will be responsible for establishing and implementing an effective MIM system and plan to monitor and evaluate progress, impacts and successes of project activities and performance at all levels, including outcomes related to gender equality. The MIM Officer will work with the MIM Specialist, CPM, Gender Advisor, and Area Managers to develop MIM plans and monitor all project activities to ensure that the project complies with USAID and BMGF performance standards.

• Job Status: Full-time Contract
• Anticipated Start Date: December 2022/January 2023
• Location: Nairobi, Kenya

POSITION RESPONSIBILITIES

• Work collaboratively with the HQ MIM Specialist and program team to develop a MIM plan, refine the program Theory of Change, Results Framework, Log frames/Results Tracker and compile to donor standards
• Design and supervise the implementation of baseline and periodic surveys and other relevant quantitative and qualitative data collection supported by the MIM Specialist and crosscutting services team
• Work with the Project team to integrate gender (including disaggregating gender data) into ongoing project planning and implementation systems and ensure adherence to donor standards
• Take the lead in the development of appropriate monitoring, tracking, and reporting systems, tools and templates that enhance monitoring of project outputs and quality, generate quality evidence on project impact and promote and ensure use of data for decision-making processes working in collaboration with relevant team members
• Leverage on available technology (Power Business Intelligence, CRM) to generate data reports (tables/graphs/reports) from the database at regular intervals, ensuring reports/information are available for program implementation staff as required. Facilitate data analysis with program implementation team as requested.
• Contribute to understanding of and support for mobile data collection (i.e QuestionPro) hardware and software.
• Coordinate the collection, writing and conducting reviews of stories of change
• Work with the HQ MIM and KM Specialists to generate data reports (tables/graphs/reports) from the database at regular intervals, ensuring reports/information are available for program implementation staff as required. Facilitate data analysis with program implementation team as requested.
• Conduct field visits to ensure all elements of the data system is being utilized effectively, assessing, and identifying breakdowns and areas that require clarifications and improvements; Analyse project results and inform senior project management of any gaps or shortcomings in the attainment of project goals.
• Work with Cassava Seed Entrepreneurs/Enterprises (CSEs) and project partners in evaluating gathered data and analyzing lessons learned and best practices for subsequent activities including from a gender and social inclusion.
• Work closely with the project teams to develop and deliver staff/partner trainings, improving capacities in monitoring and evaluation and database management: data collection, entry, verification, and analysis; gender equality and social inclusion (GESI) and other identified needs
• Contribute to understanding of and support for mobile data collection hardware and software in collaboration with the IT/KM Specialist
• Prepare and complete periodic appraisal reports including annual surveys, midterm and final evaluation to fulfill project requirements.
• Work with HQ MIM Specialist to collect and report on corporate related data (such as decent work)
• Perform any other duties to advance the MIM objectives of the project as necessary.

Any other duties and/or requirements as assigned

REQUIREMENTS

Education: Master’s degree in quantitative discipline (Preferably in Statistics, Economics, Social Science or any Development related field)

Experience;

• At least 5 years’ experience in the field of Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation.
• At least 5 years’ experience in private sector and international development required. Experience in gender equality and social inclusion is an added advantage
• Knowledge of major quantitative & qualitative monitoring methodologies and proven ability to design monitoring instrumentation while mainstreaming gender equality and sustainability
• Extensive experience with assessments, monitoring, learning & evaluation; information systems including MS Suite (Word, Excel, Power BI etc.), database and other computerized cloud data storage, data statistical analysis and management programs, and mobile data collection platforms.
• Experience working directly with target clients (e.g farmers, MSMEs, service providers etc)
• High level of proficiency in data collection tools (ideally QuestionPro)
• Experience in agri-market systems is desirable
• Demonstrated project assessment and report writing expertise in preparing reports for major donors.
• Strong facilitation, interpersonal, motivational, and communication/writing skills.
• Written and spoken English and Swahili required
• Willingness to work under pressure and to work extra hours when required.
• Willingness to travel 50% of the time to the project areas for project monitoring.