Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Manager - Counterpart International

 Counterpart International

Job Description

 

Title : Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Manager

Reporting to : Chief of Party

Location : Timor-Leste

Start date : March 2022

 

 

Counterpart International helps people build better lives and more durable futures, community by community.  We equip individuals, organizations and communities-our counterparts- to become solution creators in their own families, communities, regions and countries.  We work with them in some of the world’s most challenging places to tackle social, economic, environmental, health and governance issues that threaten their lives and undermine their futures.

 

Job Profile: 

Counterpart International is currently seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager for the implementation of the USAID-funded NGO Advocacy for Good Governance activity in Timor-Leste. This five-year initiative seeks to expand the Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) enabling environment and strengthen the organizational, research, networking, and financial capacity for mid-level local advocacy NGOs in Timor-Leste to provide increased evidence-based, sustainable advocacy services on behalf of citizens.

Primary Responsibilities

The MEL Manager will be responsible for all aspects of program level monitoring, evaluation, and learning and related reporting, research, and communications. He/she will be responsible for the project’s MEL plan and related reporting as well as the research and learning agenda. In addition, the MEL Manager will lead the implementation of regular learning activities and all MEL reporting and communications. The successful candidate will be a leader who will provide local staff and partners with the evidence, capacity, tools, technical assistance, and/or services required to design, implement, monitor, and/or evaluate program interventions as well as implement learning activities. Reporting to the Chief of Party and working closely with the leadership team, this candidate will have experience working on USAID-funded activities, broad knowledge of Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA), participatory MEL approaches, and possess strong analytical writing skills. The position may involve supervising a MEL Assistant.

 

Responsibilities

• Develop, implement, and oversee the program’s performance management and reporting system, including preparing and reporting against the project’s MEL Plan;
• Implement flexible mechanisms for adaptive management and learning throughout the project cycle;
• Establish and provide training on data collection and management systems to in-country project staff;
• Design, conduct, and manage internal assessments and evaluations to assess program impact;
• Support external evaluators in the implementation of independent studies, assessment and evaluations of the project;
• Ensure the collection of quality quantitative and qualitative data is fed into the MEL Plan and corresponding documents through sound data collection methodology, data cross referencing, data tabulation/analysis, and by conducting periodic data quality assessments;
• Ensure data integrity throughout the process of data collection, storage, entry, verification, cleaning, analysis and reporting
• Conduct regular visits to project sites to provide continued technical assistance and ensure proper monitoring of project activities;
• Collect, analyze, and synthesize data for reports to USAID and Counterpart HQ;
• Work closely with the COP and HQ staff to review program performance and propose adjustments to reflect best practices and learning;
• Provide technical assistance to project partners and participants as required;
• Enter relevant information into USAID paltforms as required;
• Assist in projecting and monitoring budget execution as related to MEL activities;
• Oversee the identification of knowledge gaps and opportunities for improving knowledge and practice;
• Produce high-quality, accessible written analysis to inform priorities, stakeholders, and donors;
• Work with MEL staff, program management and HQ support teams on otherwise building the culture of adaptive management, evidence and learning in Timor-Leste and supporting better overall performance of the country team in these areas;
• Support a Learning Agenda and design and implement a learning dissemination strategy and hold regular learning activities to address critical knowledge gaps by prioritizing learning questions and planning and resourcing associated learning activities;
• Report on monthly, quarterly, and annual progress providing information to all relevant stakeholders, including project participants;
• Create and conduct staff trainings on data collection, MEL processes and participatory approaches to MEL;
• Manage and support MEL staff performance by establishing annual and monthly workplans, debriefing with team regularly, mentoring and building/strengthening capacity of the MEL team;
• Share resources, learning and innovations externally through collaboration, conferences; and
• Other MEL-related tasks as assigned.

 

Experience

• Master’s Degree in international development or other relevant social science
• 8-10 years of experience working in international development programs
• Experience managing MEL/CLA functions for international development programs, including designing and implementing MEL results frameworks; developing PMEPs, work plans, and indicators; developing and implementing learning agendas and activities; and monitoring on-going programs for USAID or other large donor organizations;
• Experienced in training and capacity-building and fostering a collaborative relationship with MEL and other program staff
• Experience facilitating meetings, workshops, (remote) trainings, and consultations
• Ability to produce different displays, summaries, reports, research briefs and other data-based products to facilitate user-friendly consumption of information
• Experience with data analysis and presentation using Excel, Kobo Toolbox, and advanced data analysis and visualization packages. Additional software and technical skills (databases, mobile technology, GIS, and statistical packages) preferred.
• Experience using statistical and qualitative analysis software packages, as well as spreadsheet, graphics, and presentation software
• Experience conducting research and analysis for technical programming
• Experience linking research and program findings into program design and implementation
• Experience in the design, research, and production of similar program-level reports that assess the progress of broad programmatic interventions toward strategic objectives
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods
• Demonstrated ability to work with the Gender Specialists on staff to develop gender-sensitive indicators and program approaches for activities that focus on minorities and marginalized groups
• Strong communication skills and ability to work with a geographically dispersed team
• Knowledge of, and experience applying varied CLA methodologies is strongly preferred
• Experience working on USAID-funded programs, and strong knowledge of policies and procedures is strongly preferred
• Experience working effectively with government officials, non-governmental partners, and USAID and/or other donors; 
• Advanced oral and written communication skills in English required

 

All interested candidates should submit a cover letter describing their suitability to the above requirements in English. The candidate should include a recent CV and names of three traceable referees with their contact details.

 

Please send your application to Nina da Costa, via email: nidacosta@counterpart.org  and all applications must be received by 1^st March 2022

 

Note: Only qualified candidates will be contacted.