Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Coordinator

Job Details

Description

Everyone deserves the opportunity to build a better future. This simple idea has been at the heart of TechnoServe’s work around the world for over 50 years. TechnoServe is a pioneer in leveraging the power of business and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty.

The low-income communities in which we work are full of enterprising people. Their small-scale farms and businesses are the keys to economic development. But they face many challenges: low literacy, lack of access to jobs and markets, unpredictable political dynamics and, increasingly, the effects of climate change. For many women and young people, the challenges are even more daunting. Working with TechnoServe staff, people around the world are lifting themselves out of poverty. The results are amazing…when incomes increase and living conditions for families get better, they are able to access health care and education previously out of reach. Communities and even whole countries are better off.

Job Summary:

The MEL Coordinator will be responsible for the design, coordination and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation, research, and learning framework of the program. He/she will develop a systematic monitoring framework to improve the qualitative and quantitative evidence gathered by the program

Program/Practice/Department Overview:

TechnoServe Zimbabwe has integrated farmers into the poultry, beef, and fresh produce supply chains by providing them with technical assistance, infrastructure, and linking them with markets. We have cultivated a culture which values the impact of our programs with respect to jobs supported, number of farmers trained, value of incremental revenue and net profit per farmer. TechnoServe is developing innovative approaches and building relationships with both corporate and public partners to enable more smallholder farmer households to achieve livelihood security.

The MEL Coordinator will be responsible for the design, coordination and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation, research, and learning framework of the program. He/she will develop a systematic monitoring framework to improve the qualitative and quantitative evidence gathered by the program. Reporting to the Program Manager, the role will focus on the logframe, corporate measurement, Program Status reviews and reporting thereof, interacting with team members, farmers, private sector companies and other stakeholders. The position should result in the following milestones being achieved:

•  An up to date work plan, in synch with the log frame and the program’s theory of change
•  Program monitoring and review results. Program Quality score of at least 95%.
•  Up to date corporate measurement results and reporting
•  Up to date Program Status Reports
•  On-time program reports and analytics to help inform objective decision making.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

• Developing and Managing the MEL System

• Assist in the revision of the program log frame matrix, particularly in the areas of performance indicators and their measurement;
• Assist in the development and/or finalization of the Program Work Plan and keep it updated in accordance with project activities and timeframes as relevant.
• Develop the overall framework, for program M&E, for example mid-term project review, impact assessment, final evaluation, develop project Performance Monitoring Plan with relevant data collection systems.
• Review the quality of existing data in the project subject areas, the methods of collecting it, and the degree to which it will provide good baseline statistics for impact evaluation.
• Develop baseline data for each project component and for all project indicators.

• Implementation of M&E and coordination
  • Collect data on a regular basis to measure achievement against the performance indicators.
  • Coordinate program quality, PSR, corporate measurement, and jobs supported processes
  • Maintain and administer the M&E database; analyse and aggregate findings.
  • Support program progress reporting, project mid-term review and final evaluation.
  • Identify areas where technical support to program team is required. Organize refresher training on M&E as required.
  • Identify lessons learned and develop case studies to capture qualitative outputs of the program. Provide advice on improving project performance using M&E findings

• Stakeholder management
  • Develop an excellent working relationship with the farmers, farmer groups, Program Manager, ARDA and ARDAS personnel and all project partner organizations
  • Develop and nurture excellent working relations with all relevant stakeholders in Midlands province (exporters, private sector companies, ARDA, ARDAS, financial institutions and local authorities)

• Communication

• Produce reports on M&E findings and prepare presentations based on M&E data as required.
• Provide the Program Manager with management information he may require.
• Check that monitoring data are discussed in appropriate forum and in a timely fashion in terms of implications for future action. If necessary, create such discussions to fill any gap.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Program Manager

Basic Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Mathematics, International Development, Economics, Agricultural Economics, or related field. Advanced certificate in M&E, statistics or economics preferred.
• Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in an M&E position responsible for implementing M&E activities.
• Experience in designing, implementing, and operating project M&E systems from project initiation to closeout stages. Experience in strategic planning and performance measurement, including indicator selection, target setting, reporting, database management, and developing M&E and performance monitoring plans.
• Knowledge of the major evaluation methodologies (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, mixed-method, and impact) and data collection and analysis methodologies. Experience in developing and refining data collection tools.
• Ability to facilitate and serve as project liaison for externally-managed evaluations.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Good knowledge of program implementation, monitoring and evaluation techniques and practices.
• Good knowledge and experience regarding gender mainstreaming
• An analytical mind: you know how to break a problem into easily understandable pieces of information. You use your intuition and logic to guide your research and find solutions.
• Ability to tell stories with data, educate effectively, and instil confidence, motivating stakeholders to act on recommendations
• Outstanding communication skills, both written and oral. Ability to develop well written, cohesive analyses and reports
• Computer skills in MS Word, PowerPoint and Excel

We encourage all qualified individuals who share TechnoServe’s vision of improving the lives of others through proven business solutions to apply.

With our commitment to diversity, we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer and affirmative action employer and do not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, HIV/AIDS status, protected veteran status, disability and all other protected classes.

We are also proud of our commitment to protecting staff, partners, and beneficiaries from abuse and exploitation and thoroughly vet all final candidates through rigorous background and reference checks.

If you have a disability that affects your ability to use our online system to apply for a position at TechnoServe please contact the Human Resources at [email protected] or call +1 202 785 4515.

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in Statistics or related field.

Experience

Required

3 years: Professional experience in an M&E position responsible for implementing M&E activities.

3 years: Experience in designing, implementing, and operating project M&E systems from project initiation to closeout stages. Experience in strategic planning and performance measurement, including indicator selection, target setting, reporting, database management, and developing M&E and performance monitoring plans.