National Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager

Established in 1915 with Helen Keller as a founding trustee, Helen Keller International works to save the sight and lives of the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. Headquartered in New York City, Helen Keller Intl currently offers programs in 21 countries in Africa and Asia, as well as in the United States. The organization combats the causes and consequences of blindness and malnutrition by establishing programs based on evidence and research.

In Kenya Helen Keller collaborates with the Ministry of Health in implementing health and nutrition projects that focus on strengthening health system and provision of vitamin A and deworming treatment to children 6-5 years in various counties.

Helen Keller International in Kenya is seeking a National Monitoring and Evaluation manager, based in Nairobi who will perform the tasks described below.

Job Title: National Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEAL) Manager**

Duty Station: Nairobi, Kenya

Supervised by: Head of programs

Managing: 1 Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

Type of contract: Fixed-term contract

Duration of the contract: 2 years renewable

Travel requirements; 40% field travel.

Summary of the Position

This position provides technical guidance and backstopping support on all monitoring and evaluation aspects, research, and learning. The MEAL Manager will ensure robust M&E systems that include frameworks, methodologies, databases, and data utilization for program quality improvement. He/she will provide significant input on technical M&E portions of proposals, project design, and project implementation, and day-to-day support to project-based M&E officers and their direct reports. He/she will also promote learning within the organization by identifying learning needs, developing learning and knowledge products and organize capacity development for the team.

The MEAL manager will support and lead field teams on baseline assessments and reports, and final evaluations and may be deployed to the field locations to execute surveys and evaluations.

Responsibilities:

Technical:

• Provide technical leadership on M&E for all projects.
• Lead the design and the roll-out of a sound and adapted-to-context MEAL strategy that is in line with the country strategy.
• Provide start-up support for new projects and expansion, including executing baseline assessments and overall set up of new M&E systems.
• Provide technical oversight and leadership in the design, development, planning, and implementation, and capacity-building of M&E components of the projects.
• Demonstrate good judgement in selecting methods, techniques, and evaluation for criteria for obtaining solutions.
• Critically review all M&E products from the field before submission to the donor, ensuring that data is indicative of the realities on the ground.
• Track delivery of M&E outputs.
• Provide support to field-based M&E officers and consultants, ensuring adequate coverage of resources and overall quality of the M&E sector.
• Coordinate request from the field teams for technical assistance promptly, ensuring that the field teams are equipped with proper tools and templates for delivery of activities.
• Develop M&E tools for designing and implementing baseline reports, end-line surveys, final evaluations, and other assessment tools.
• Represent Hellen Keller International in National level coordination forums.

Reporting:

• Work closely with program managers to ensure project management frameworks are updated frequently to inform programs progress and performance.
• Lead baseline assessments, final evaluations, and other surveys like Post Event Coverages including the drafting and reviewing of reports, as required.
• Work with program managers to ensure timely submission of quality program reports to the donors.
• Help in the development and review of work plans of various projects and departments.
• Serve as the primary reviewer for M&E deliverables.

Business Development:

• Provide input and review on M&E for new proposals (logical frameworks, project management frameworks) and support in reviewing the existing ones.
• As required, draft components of proposals, annexes, and work plans.
• Support the development of organization scorecards and other internal or external initiatives that contribute data demonstrating achievements and progress.

Research and Learning:

• Support the Country’s Research and Learning Agenda, in identifying relevant challenges to be explored and understood through programmatic learning or operations research.
• Support teams to identify areas of learning, develop approaches for capture and dissemination, and feedback for program quality improvement and program evolution.
• Identify opportunities to highlight, share, and promote Helen Keller’s research and learning work.
• Organize regular capacity development events based on team needs

Qualifications and skills:

• Master’s Degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Public Health, Statistics, Social Sciences or Related Field.

• At least 5 years of professional experience in monitoring and evaluation of projects.

• Prior work experience in a non-governmental organization (NGO) implementing humanitarian assistance or development programs in M&E.

• Demonstrable experience designing and leading technical assessments using proven and effective methodologies.

· Strong quantitative and qualitative analysis experience, with proven ability to use data, analysis, and visualization softwares (STATA, SPSS, ENA for SMART, EPI info, and mobile data collection software such as ONA, ODK, Kobo).

· Experience with nutrition surveys methodologies (PECs, SMART, SQUEAC/LQAS etc.).

• Masterly of computer applications including Microsoft Office 365 (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Outlook). **

• Strong knowledge and skills in M&E and research, and expert understanding of M&E concepts, principles, operational processes, procedures, and workflow.

• Strong interpersonal skills and display evidence of good leadership and influencing skills.

• Well-organized, resourceful, effective, and efficient at coordinating multiple resources and demonstrates sensitivity in diverse, cross-cultural settings.**

• Team player, flexible and open-minded.

• Have a good command (spoken and written) of English.

• Be able to solve problems.

• Be able to work in a complex environment