Monrovia, CA, USA
19 days ago
Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Advisor, USAID Sahel Regional Resilience Activity

With over 70 years of experience, our focus is on helping the most vulnerable children overcome poverty and experience fullness of life. We help children of all backgrounds, even in the most dangerous places, inspired by our Christian faith.

Come join our 33,000+ staff working in nearly 100 countries and share the joy of transforming vulnerable children’s life stories!

Employee Contract Type:

International Assignment - Fixed Term (Fixed Term)

Job Description:

World Vision seeks a Monitoring and Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Advisor for the proposed Leader with Associate Award for technical implementation of the USAID Sahel Regional Resilience Activity (SRRP LWA). The Activity will strengthen individual, household, and formal and informal institutions and networks to deliver improved natural resource management and the adoption of sustainable agriculture practices. The SRRP aspires to achieve increased food security, income generation, water and sanitation and hygiene, climate adaptation, nutrition and improved conflict mitigation, and enhanced community resilience. This activity is a 5-year program worth approximately $200 million, with the leader award of $35M ($20M for rapid response programming).

The MEL Advisor will be responsible for establishing a robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning system to ensure effective monitoring of the Activity and early identification of problems and results. S/he will take the lead on building and/or strengthening monitoring systems, quantitative and qualitative analysis, survey and sample design and effectively promoting evidence-based program management. S/he will provide technical leadership in generating and analysing quality evidence and data through monitoring, assessments, and evaluations.

The MEL Advisor position is contingent upon funding and donor approval and will be based Dakar, Senegal. The M&E Advisor will report to the Chief of Party of the SRRP LWA.

Project monitoring and evaluation strategy and Standards 

Contextualize the project monitoring and evaluation strategy including developing an MIS system for M&E and reporting, and recommend any possible changes based on the lessons learned. Develop and ensure that the established guidelines on project monitoring and evaluation for different project components are respected by WV team as well as consortium members in alignment with the agreements reached. Coordinate with WV staff and sub-grantees staff on meeting the monitoring and evaluation requirements.  Identify information requirements of components concerning planning, monitoring and evaluation. During the life of the intervention, review the performance indicators and reports produced by different stakeholders and suggest necessary changes. Monitor and report on the performance of the project and suggest measures to improve the monitoring system. Ensure that data quality assessments and other data audits are planned for and are performed on regular basis. Lessons learned are drawn and shared and course correction is undertaken to continuously improve and strengthen the M&E system.

Coordination & Communication with Stakeholders 

Coordinate with communities, service providers, and local governments, consortium members and donor representative to reach agreement on the M&E system set up and continuously review the M&E practice to ensure meaningful participation of stakeholders in improving the system. Serve as a liaison between the project team, consortium members, project participants and the donor representative to ensure harmonization, shared learning, collaboration, and alignment of efforts in monitoring and evaluation. Ensure timely and effective communication and information sharing between different stakeholders. Assess training needs relevant to monitoring, evaluation and information management systems and provide, if required, training to local stakeholders. Facilitate processes according to which consortium members, relevant government representatives and donor representatives are collaborating, reflecting on the M&E data, drawing lessons learned and making recommendations to project leaders for further improvements and adaptations in project implementation for higher efficiency and effectiveness. 

Research and Learning 

Work with the SLA to ensure high quality, coordinated, and demand driven learning, knowledge management and capacity strengthening activities. Prepare TORs for special studies when necessary and participate in the recruitment of any potential consultant that will carry out the study. In collaboration with the CoP, review and approve proposed study designs and oversee the work during the studies to ensure protocols are followed to meet internal and external validity requirements of that given study.  

Capacity Building 

Set up operational arrangements for collecting, analysing, and reporting project data, and for investing in capacity building, to sustain the Monitoring and Evaluation function.

Staff Management 

Hire staff to fill the required M&E staff positions as per the organogram of the LWA.  Supervise staff that report directly to this position. Conduct regular coaching and implement the Performance Development Management system. Conduct regular field visits to monitor implementation, to ensure compliance with operational procedures and assess progress as well as to deliver technical support to field staff, provide resources, and make clear recommendations on ways to strengthen the program and share learning across programs. Ensure that project staff conduct monitoring activities adhering to the donor/SO standards and that the information is used to enhance performance and by the decision-making process within and outside the organization. 

Reporting 

Prepare quarterly and annual reports and assist in the preparation of the annual work plans and detailed implementation plans (DIPs) for all consortium members.  Manage annual participant-based survey reporting processes in accordance with USAID requirements. Work with the MIS Manager to maintain a participant-level tracking database that is fully capable of providing data for quarterly, annual and other reports that meet USAID data quality standards. Work with the GIS Specialist to ensure that all monitoring data meet USAID’s geolocation requirements. Ensure that all documents are reviewed before sending out of the office. Also ensure that reviews are carried out at each level. Ensure appropriate technical review for the final report of any study undertaken in the life of this intervention and ensure that the quality standards are met, and conclusions are accurate. Perform other duties as required.

Knowledge/Qualifications:

A master's degree (PhD preferred) in a quantitative or highly-relevant related field (economics, agricultural/development economics, statistics, biostatistics, nutrition, or other relevant subject) with significant training in quantitative methods plus seven years of relevant experience with multi-sectoral programs, and five years of field experience, is required.  Experience with M&E for graduation or other multi-sectoral, integrated programs is required.  Experience in leading the M&E of a large award; knowledge about ToCs, logic models, food security indicators, M&E plans, data quality assurance, data utilization, and gender and youth integration into M&E; and experience and expertise in developing and operationalizing a comprehensive M&E plan.  Experience in building or strengthening monitoring systems, quantitative and qualitative analysis, survey and sample design and effectively promoting evidence-based program management.   Experience with RCTs, either as a member of an implementing organization whose program was evaluated with an RCT, or as a member of a research team conducting an RCT.  Experienced in providing monitoring and evaluation support to a large grant involving Title II commodities and/or cash transfer mechanisms. Previous experience with large USAID grants including Leader with Associate Awards is preferred. Familiarity with incorporating gender and social inclusion (GESI) into monitoring and evaluation activities is required, as demonstrated by at least two years of senior-level experience working on projects that addressed GESI constraints. Experience in supporting implementation of an effective CLA approach, where an activity was revised as per the changes in the context to achieve desired outcomes. Knowledge about TOCs, logic models, food and nutrition security indicators, M&E plans, data quality assurance, data utilization, and gender integration into M&E and expertise in developing and operationalizing a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan.  Experience developing and using M&E MIS systems and technology to track program outputs and indicators.  Strong management and interpersonal skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, French and local language(s).Conversational French is preferred.  Mentoring and facilitation skills.The ability to network and communicate with a wide range of stakeholders,  Field experience in low-resource environments.  Demonstrated communication, creative problem solving, and management skills.   Ability to use data analysis software such as SPSS, STATA, Epi Info, CommCare, GIS software, etc. Experience working with Sahel region. Experience in managing inter-agency consortiums is preferred.   Must be able to travel to implementation sites and regional, global meetings as required. Ability to travel to the United States WVUS Washington, DC Office to meet with donors and other stakeholders. 

Applicant Types Accepted:

Local and International Applicants (IA's) Accepted
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