Monitoring , Evaluation and Research Specialist 31 views0 applications 132 views

role PURPOSE

Plan International is an independent child rights and humanitarian organisation committed to children living a life free of poverty, violence and injustice.

We actively unite children, communities and other people who share our mission to make positive lasting changes in children’s and young people’s lives. We support children to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to claim their rights to a fulfilling life, today and in the future. We place a specific focus on girls and women, who are most often left behind.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 75 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Plan International Ethiopia is looking for Monitoring , Evaluation and Research Specialist for a five-year project, “PlayMatters”, funded by the LEGO Foundation. This position will be a part of the larger PlayMatters initiative to increase play-based learning opportunities for nearly 1 million pre-primary and primary school aged refugee and host community children impacted by the humanitarian crises in East Africa and living in Ethiopia and Uganda. This project seeks to build children’s social, emotional, cognitive, physical and creative skills through play in their homes, schools, and communities and will be implemented in partnership with War Child, Plan International, Ubongo, Behavioural Insights Team and Innovations for Poverty Action.

The overall purpose of this role is to strengthen Plan’s Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (MER) system of the LEGO Play Matters Project in support of programme development, learning and accountability (PALS) and quality improvements in Gameblla, Afar and Benishnaguel Gumuz. He/she ensures that program quality is reflected within the entire project cycle and that all field program implementation (in Gameblla, Beinshanguel Gumuz and Afar) is undertaken efficiently and effectively by reflecting that all M&E requirements are in place and that cross cutting issues of inclusion and DRR are properly incorporated.

Dimensions of the Role

·        The post holder will report to the MEL Lead as well as to the LEGO project lead and will be responsible for the Lego Play Matters project Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning

·        The job holder is responsible for initiating, development and delivery of a Monitoring, Evaluation and Research Framework as part of the Lego Play Matters project.

·        S/he provides managerial and technical leadership in the development of the Lego Play Matters project Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (MER) Plan.

·        S/he will be responsible for providing technical leadership and support in program/project design, planning, information gathering and synthesis, reflection and reporting processes.

·        The position will be based at the Country Office.

Accountabilities

Monitoring, Evaluation and Research

·        Ensure Lego Play Matters project planning, monitoring and evaluation processes meet the Donor standards and comply with Donor accountability requirement.

·        Provide quality guidance to Gambella, Afar and Benishnaguel Gumuz programs in implementing PALS in their planning, monitoring and evaluation processes of the Lego Play Matters project.

·        Facilitate the monitoring, evaluation and research network in the country to promote good practice and identify ways to strengthen Lego Play Matters project’s planning, monitoring and evaluation processes.

·        Ensure that M&E data from Gambella, Afar and Benishnaguel Gumuz for both external and internal audiences as required are collected, analyzed and availed for decisions

·        Identify and respond to information requirements of different stakeholders and make information accessible on timely basis.

·        Manage consultants and research partners to ensure that commissioned researches and evaluations are carried out to a high, international standard and successfully completed.

·        Support knowledge management and learning by producing specific programme information resources.

·        Produce Gambella, Afar and Benishnaguel Gumuz level programs’ performance reports (quarterly, APPR and CPPR) to enable effective decision making by the management teams – both at PA and CO.

·        Provide timely feedbacks to all relevant staff about the outcomes and quality of programs’ mid-term and end evaluation.

·        Proactively seek and promote best practice as part of monitoring, evaluation and program effectiveness practice.

·        Maintain consistency in monitoring and evaluation standards in the organization, leading the consistent application of MER system and donors compliance in programs’ cycle management process.

·         Identifies weaknesses in monitoring and evaluation practice and develops targeted solutions alongside the identification and promotion of high quality evaluation practice.

·        Work closely with the Gambella, Afar and Benishnaguel Gumuz Monitoring, Evaluation and Research coordinators to improve the quality of monitoring and evaluation and provide technical supports as needed to PAs and CO’s program team.

Internal collaboration

·        Collaborate with technical programme specialists in the country and with NOs staffs (when required) to develop monitoring and evaluation frameworks

·        Ensure donors’ programmatic compliances issues are adequately met.

·        Ensure CCCD principles and strategies are mainstreamed in MER tools and frameworks.

·        Collaborate with other functions (finance, risk management, grant compliance coordinator and gender) to ensure that Programme Quality standards and processes integrated across functions.

·        Mainstream child Protection in the program area as well as observe the Child Protection Policy and be vigilant to report all child protection concerns.

Dealing with Problems

·        This position requires a very high degree of conceptual, analytical and deductive thinking. It requires ability to investigate into and solve complex problems that the project focuses on.

·        The position requires an objective, integrated and multidisciplinary approach to programming.

·        The post holder requires a clear understanding of the policies, procedures, strategic direction of the organization and the ability to conceptualize the existing interrelationships, organizational working environment and other prevailing conditions. The post holder must be able to cope up with and address all M&E related problems that the project will face.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Education, qualification, knowledge and experience.

·        Masters degree in development studies, Agricultural economics/economics and 5 years substantial experience in managing corporate system for Planning, monitoring and evaluation.

·        Excellent English both written and verbal

·        Knowledge of current international development trends and thinking on programme effectiveness, learning and in Child Rights programming.

·        Grass-root development management experiences-understanding challenges and opportunities in the communities and field level realities of NGOs are desirable.

Skills specific to the post

·        Excellent conceptual and strategic thinking skills

·        Strong analytical skills and high attention to detail

·        Negotiation and influencing skills

·        Excellent writing and editing skills

·        Strong team building and motivational skills

·        Skills of Statistical data analysis

·        Strong organizational and project management skills, and ability to deliver within tight deadlines

·         Establishes strong working relationships with colleagues from different functions and cultures.

·        An understanding of and commitment to the aims and values of Plan.

Competencies

·        Able to perform under stress,  innovative, build relationships, communicate effectively, coach and mentor, facilitate change, develop teams, initiate action, strategic decision making, planning and organizing and a personal commitment to children’s development and protection.

Values

·        Commitment to Plan Ethiopia Values:

•        Integrity

•        Unity/Oneness

•        Accountability

•        Excellence

•        Embracing Change

•        Speed/Agility

Leadership Attitudes & Behaviours

·        Positively promotes team effort and high performance by all staff through shared successes

·        Creates highly motivated team of unified PArpose

·        Relates to people in a friendly, open manner and engenders trust from other staff

·        Creates strong sense of PArpose within organisation and with stakeholders

·        Holds self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and standards of behaviour

·        Sound judgement and decision-making in complex situations

·        Aware of impact on others and adjusting own behaviour accordingly

·        Humble, supportive, ethical and service oriented

·        Promotes innovation and learning

·        Pleasant and polite attitude at all times;  ability to reflect professional standards

·        Able to work with minimal supervision.

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

·        Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.

·        Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.

·        Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.

·        Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.

·        Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

·        Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.

·        Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.

·        Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.

·        Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

·        Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.

·        Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.

·        Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.

·        Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

·        Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.

·        Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.

·        Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.

·        Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

Physical Environment

The MER Specialist is expected to make his/her 40% time for field travel to all PA’s programs and projects implementation districts.

Level of contact with children

Low contact: No contact or very low frequency of interaction