Position: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning Officer
Reporting to: Executive Director.
Term: 1-year contract with possibility of extension based on performance and availability of funding
Start Date: 15th October, 2024.
Location: Nairobi Office
WHO WE ARE
“Youth Alive! Kenya (herein referred to as Y.A.K.) is a youth serving and youth-led Non- Governmental Organization (NGO) that works in partnership with youth organizations, civil society organizations, private sector, and government to advocate for youth responsive policies, legislation, and programs within Kenya in particular and the region through advocacy, mentorship and capacity development. Y.A.K. envisions “A society where young people are empowered to realize their full potential”.
Our projects are based on three thematic pillars; Good Governance; Economic Empowerment and Livelihoods; and Social Wellbeing and Equity. We are currently working with over 84 youth organizations in 12 counties in Kenya – with ambitions to grow our outreach in Kenya. We believe in strengthening youth participation in the development agenda in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) targets at the county, national, regional and global levels.”
Our team is young, highly professional and passionate in the youth agenda. As part of strengthening our capacity and adding to our dynamism, we are looking for you, yes you, to join our team as the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning
Officer.
About the role.
We are currently recruiting a Feminist Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning (MEAL) Officer to be based at the Nairobi office, who will oversee the design, implementation and evaluation of MEAL within the organization through a feminist approach and principles.
The purpose of this position is to improve program and project efficiency and effectiveness, decision making and learning during the project life cycle through MEAL. Specifically, the MEAL officer will create quantitative and qualitative data collection tools and processes documented in a learning agenda and a logframe, train staff and partners in MEAL system implementation, coordinate all data collection efforts, ensure data quality, process as well as analyze the data for donor reporting, adaptive management, and learning purposes. He/she will ensure that MEAL is visible within all YAK projects, and a key role in establishing and promoting quality and innovation through developing and improving monitoring, evaluation, impact assessment and learning methodologies within the organization.
The successful candidate will be detail-oriented, have outstanding judgment, possess outstanding written and oral communication skills, and be able to problem solve. He or she will work independently and be able to troubleshoot common problems.
Primary Responsibilities:
- MEAL technical support; 40%
- Facilitate and substantively contribute to the development of monitoring indicators, monitoring calendars, field monitoring plans and data quality assurance processes within the organization.
- Contribute to annual work plan monitoring, reviews and reporting and any other M&E related tasks.
- Include inputs from relevant evaluation finding, conclusions and recommendations into programme formulation.
- Provide research, planning and evaluation on quality data gathering and analysis to facilitate informed program and project designs. Coordinate with the program team to ensure that data collection and analysis from field visits are coordinated and standardized.
- Support program/project teams to set up accountability mechanisms to beneficiaries and community members. Review the responsive use of accountability mechanisms, data and
- Lead and follow up research, evaluations and learning events to document lessons learned and best practices from
- Draft donor and project reports (both narrative and financial).
- Identify relevant evaluation findings, conclusions and recommendations and integrate them into programme reporting.
- Collect and maintain data for Youth Alive!
- Knowledge management and capacity building; 30%
- Oversee the implementation of data management tools for process and quality improvement.
- Identify and disseminate good practice, lessons and knowledge, as identified through program implementation, monitoring and evaluation
- Ensure that analysis of evaluation findings and recommendations feedback into improved program quality, evidenced in subsequent program
- Conduct analysis of project and program results to support evidence-based program decision making and program quality
- Develop materials and facilitate learning events that build capacity through MEAL and project management.
- In line with YAK MEAL plan, support capacity development of staff
- Coordinate capacity assessments and review of MEAL systems to identify process, systems and capacity gaps.
- Business Development; 30%
- Research and identify new funding sources and emerging needs to support Y.A.K’s programming, administrative and strategic goals.
- Strengthen Y.A.K’s relationship with strategic partners such as donors, foundations, media, academia, corporate, youth and other relevant organizations to develop grantmaking and programmatic partnerships and collaborations
- Identify and utilize communications opportunities and strategies to raise awareness about Y.A.K’s programs and interventions.
- Work in collaboration with other Y.A.K teams, including Fundraising, Communications, and Finance
- Conduct research to further Y.A.K’s strategies and development and explore new opportunities and approaches.
- Contribute to the overall health and growth of the
Key performance Indicators.
- Timely and quality technical support to the program team and partners in line with the workplan.
- Quality and timely development and review of systems for tracking/monitoring
- Timely submission of quality and accurate
WHO YOU ARE
- Academic Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation Social Sciences or development studies, (post-graduate degree or qualification in M&E is preferred).
- Essential Experience
- Strong experience, minimum 3 years’, managing several international donor- funded projects and programs in a non-profit organization across the project management cycle Knowledge of results-based management and strong MEAL skills are required.
- Demonstrated experience in managing funding from diverse donor agencies including governments and aid agencies, private sector, international donors among
- In depth knowledge and experience in monitoring and evaluation, accountability, learning, research and evaluation methodologies, standards and practices.
- Understanding of contemporary trends and innovations in
- Demonstrated understanding of the feminist approach to program design, monitoring and evaluation;
- In-depth knowledge on feminist Understanding of ethics and how they apply to the lives and experiences of women and girls, intersectionality and women’s rights and power relations.
- Ability to manage diverse activities and to meet deadlines
- Strong time management and organizational skills;
- Ability to work with a small team and independently; and
- Strong computer skills
Desired skills and competencies.
- Past experience working on international development projects funded by international partners such as Global Affairs Canada, USAID, FCDO
- Familiarity with statistical packages, qualitative data analysis software and IT applications to support MEAL and knowledge management.
- Intentionally makes MEAL an empowering process that resonates with the interests and needs of the various stakeholders in the spirit of leaving no one
- Committed to feminist values and research
- Excellent report writing, communication and inter-personal skills
- Experience of training and capacity building
- Conflict resolution and problem-solving skills
- Fun to work with, pleasant and adaptable
Do you think you are who we are looking for? Great. Interested (and qualified) individuals are invited to submit your responses to this survey, describing why you think you would be a good fit for the role and the organization, attaching your current CV (Maximum 3 pages) and letter of motivation (Maximum 1 page).
The deadline for application is Wednesday, 25th September 5.00pm EAT.
This position is open to youth under 32 years.
The position is subject to funding availability. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
