Programme Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer

YOUNG AFRICA INTERNATIONAL: VACANCY NOTICE

Job Title: Programme Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Officer

Location: Young Africa International office, Harare, Zimbabwe (with frequent travels from time in Southern Africa)

Reporting to: Head of Programmes

Working closely with: Grants/Projects Coordinators

Collaborating with: Communications Team, M&E Officers and Programme Officers from Young Africa Affiliates and License Holders

Purpose of Job: To ensure robust monitoring, evaluation, learning research and reporting functions are defined and implemented successfully. S/he will work closely with projects manager, M&E officers from affiliate countries.

Contract Period: 6 months (with possibility of extension based on availability of funding)

Job summary:

Under the overall supervision of the Head of Programmes and direct supervision and technical guidance of Grants Coordinator, the Programme MEL Officer will be responsible for providing day-to-day M&E support to assigned projects in close coordination with the respective Project Coordinators and Officers. She/he will also support the Affiliate M&E Officers to effectively perform their functions. The Programme MEL Officer coordinates on a daily basis with the respective Project Coordinators (primarily) and with Project Officers, other MEL Officers and partner M&E Officers in execution of her/his duties.

The specific responsibilities of the Programme MEL Officer to be performed in consultation with the Programmes team will include the following:

1. Coordinate the provision of technical support on MEL matters to Project Coordinator(s) of assigned national regional projects specifically as follows:

• Plan for and support the undertaking of baseline surveys, scheduled evaluations and any other MEL data collection exercises.
• Support the development of project M&E Frameworks or plans to guide M&E in the specific projects.
• Develop, test and roll out tools for project specific MEL data capture, analysis, dissemination and storage and ensure that project staff and partners have full understanding of the same.
• Develop and constantly update project specific databases to facilitate data collation, analysis reporting and feedback to stakeholder including donors.
• Periodically and consistently aggregate and analyse respective projects’ indicators data and develop indicator status reports and vital statistics to inform project management of progress of results achievement and for other purposes such as project visibility and communications.
• Periodically and consistently track workplan implementation and budget expenditure of respective projects and produce a monthly and quarterly M&E snapshot reports as applicable. In coordination with other M&E Officers/Assistants/Focal points at country level, coordinate the collection, processing and management of other data and facilitate its access by relevant internal and external stakeholders.
• Support the regular review of M&E plans, tools and other core documents such as results matrices, reporting templates, workplans etc, as may be necessary.
• Support the development or review of donor reports by providing M&E information and vital statistics.
• Carry out periodic field visits to create greater awareness and promote adherence to agreed M&E standards and norms; undertake M&E data quality assurance and data verification; identify bottlenecks impeding project delivery and gather feedback about the organisations work among others.
• Participate in or lead in project activities or events that are of relevance to M&E.

1. Provide technical support on M&E matters to organisational projects such as in TOR development, review of baseline and evaluation tools & reports, review of M&E data collection tools, recruitment and management of external M&E consultancies among others as may be required.
2. Support or conduct when requested, internal or external evaluation of projects.
3. Promote the inclusion and resourcing of M&E in projects so as to strengthen M&E matters in the region in line with the organisation’s M&E procedures and policies among others.
4. Support the Affiliate M&E Officer to monitor the implementation of evaluation recommendations by projects in the region.
5. Contribute to capacity building efforts on M&E for Affiliate staff and partners including through training, mentorship, coaching and sharing of information.
6. Represent the organisation (in consultation with Grants Coordinator) in relevant M&E networks/forums/events to learn from others and keep abreast with new developments and innovations in M&E that can be beneficial to the organisation
7. Perform such other duties as may be assigned.

Required Qualifications and Experience

Education:

• Bachelors’ or Honours Degree in Operations Research, Monitoring and Evaluation; Community or International Development Studies; Project Planning and Management; or other related social sciences from an accredited academic institution with at least four years of related working experience or
• Masters’ Degree in the fields of study with at least two years of relevant working experience,
• Applicants holding a specific M&E training certification in addition to the above qualifications will be considered favourably

Experience:

• Solid experience in Monitoring and Evaluation in the context of international, community, social development or non-profit interventions. At least, one-year M&E experience with governmental, non-governmental or intergovernmental organization.
• Excellent knowledge of research methodology and quantitative and qualitative techniques.
• Experience is collecting and handling project M&E data including production of data visualization.
• Excellent writing, presentation, facilitation and analytical skills.
• Experience in facilitating multi-stakeholder, multi-country M&E function is a strong advantage.
• Strong conceptual understanding of the Project Cycle and the role of M&E in the cycle.
• Tactful communicator, able to build and maintain relationships as a key team member.
• Ability to meet set deadlines and work independently and objectively in keeping with M&E principles.
• Strong cultural awareness; able to work effectively in multi-cultural environments.
• Knowledge of Ms Excel; Word, PowerPoint and Outlook required.
• Knowledge of relevant programmes such as Ms Access, IATI, Salesforce, Ms Project, SPSS, STATA, ODK, Kobo, XAMP etc is an advantage.
• Knowledge of, and experience with vocational training is an advantage.
• Languages: Fluency in English is a requirement. Working knowledge of Portuguese is advantageous.

APPLICATION DEADLINE: 25 January 2023

TO APPLY: Interested qualifying individuals should submit letter of motivation (1 page) indicating expected salary and start date, CV (not exceeding 3 pages) to [email protected]