Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.
Function
Reporting to the Country Signature Program Technical Lead, the position will manage the development and implementation of Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Systems for the country Signature program and projects within the country program portfolio. A strong emphasis is placed on data collection, integrity, data analysis, reporting and dissemination to key stakeholders. S/he will provide technical input to project reviews and proposals and will provide leadership and support in the implementation of Heifer’s global monitoring and evaluation systems at the country level, ensuring standards in baseline surveys, impact monitoring and evaluation processes that contribute to the global strategies.
The PME Manager represents Heifer’s country-level management, program knowledge and perspective in the development of strategies within Heifer at large and the development and private sector.
Essential Character Traits
The ideal candidate is strategic, detailed oriented, self-driven and has strong leadership skills.
Responsibilities & Deliverables
A. Design and carry out assessments and research exercises as appropriate Data management, analysis and utilization for learning. (20%)
- Summarize/ aggregate data at country level, and contribute to organization-wide aggregation.
- Manage all data properly in clean form, upload on the organization’s management information systems platform and analyze to use for project management, learning and meet all the reporting needs.
- Create and/or manage a database of the country program’s performance data and ensure easy retrieval as appropriate.
- Collaborate with the Signature Program Technical Lead in ensuring results-based reporting that complies with Heifer International and donors’ reporting cycles.
- Organize periodic “pause and reflect” that provide opportunity for reflection on the country program’s achievements, shortfalls, lessons and challenges to inform adaptive management
- Ensure timely data availability and reporting to stakeholders as needed.
- Respond to periodic donor and headquarters requests for additional information on project activities and results.
- Develop Country Program level learning to action agenda is developed, monitored, refined and acted upon.
- Document lessons learned, successes, failures and best practices via case studies.
- Develop and monitor Country Program level action agenda to ensure that they are refined and acted upon.
- Ensure reporting deadlines are met along with sending out notification to project partners and managers.
- Ensure quality control and editing of all reports and documents generated at the country level, ensuring all documents reflect sound monitoring and evaluation practice and are accurate, clear and informative.
B. Contribute to program effectiveness: design monitoring, evaluation, learning and systems for country specific projects (20%).
- Work closely with Signature Program Technical Lead to ensure the country program teams leverage evidence gathered from MEL processes to continuously improve the quality of project execution and operations.
- Design monitoring and evaluation plan for every new project and Signature Programs, incorporating core standard indicators defined by HQ and other appropriate project specific indicators, and set targets for indicators.
- Develop the projects Results Framework & logical framework for all the projects and create associated performance indicator reference sheets (PIRS) for all indicators.
- Design data collection tools, and develop plans and processes for all required information, ensuring high quality and integrity of data.
- Review and adjust M&E plans and targets, tools and processes periodically.
- Ensure alignment of country’s/projects’ M&E plans and procedures with organization’s standards and requirements.
- Support development of a MELS budget and staffing plan per each funded project.
- Assist in networking with other development organizations, governments and other line agencies in promoting Heifer’s development model/initiatives, and potential collaborations.
C. Implement monitoring, evaluation, learning and systems for country specific projects. (30%)
- Coordinate the Collection and management of data to support needs assessment, project design, project logical framework design and target setting, and progress management.
- Coordinate and manage project baseline, monitoring and evaluations in liaison with respective Project managers and MEL officers as per MEL plans, ensuring that Heifer International developed tools are incorporated accordingly.
- Track planned evaluations and ensure evaluation reports are obtained and shared to facilitate learning.
- Ensure the effective implementation of MELS policies, procedures and guidelines for country specific projects.
- Ensure proper use of available digital tools and technology for effectively managing MELS activities.
- Provide support to implementing/project partners in setting up and preparing their MELS plans, and in using digital tools for data collection and management and ensure the data is shared in a timely manner for reporting.
- Support Heifer wide research for learning and adaptive management as needed.
- Lead periodic “pause and reflect” at least once in six months that provides opportunity for the country program team to reflect achievements, challenges, lessons learned to inform adaptation of the implementation strategy.
- Elevate MELS related challenges to Signature Program Technical Lead for coordination with MEL Regional and HQ based staff mto find timely solutions.
- Coordinate with Project Managers in timely project updates in the Heifer Integrated Project Managaement System (IPMS).
D. Capacity Development (20%)
- Equip country project MELS staff and implementing partner staffs with skills to deliver MELS activities efficiently.
- Orient and build implementing/project partners capacity in MELS activities including proper record keeping and data management.
- Supervise and manage country projects MELS staff for efficient work and maintaining compliance.
- Provide coaching and training to equip MELS staff to deliver the assigned responsibilities efficiently.
- Contribute in the recruitment, training and supervision of external parties that are contracted to implement special surveys and studies required for evaluating project effects and impacts.
E. Fundraising (10%).
- Support the development of concept notes, project proposals, and submission to potential donors. Coordinate with Area MELS and HQ MELS team to keep them updated on MELS activities, and to understand stakeholders’ needs.
- Support research and evaluation initiatives in-country.
- Assist in networking with other development organizations, governments and other line agencies in promoting Heifer’s development model/initiatives, and potential collaborations.
- Perform other job-related duties as requested.
Minimum Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in International Development, Project Planning and Management, Economics and/or Statistics, or an equivalent with an academic focus on monitoring and evaluation or another related field.
- Minimum of five (7) years of direct relevant experience in MELS.
Preferred Requirements
- Demonstrated experience in coordinating and working with international donors and grantees on PME/MLE systems.
- Experience in supporting and monitoring field based programs in the region.
- Experience in managing databases and coordinating evaluations, surveys and impact monitoring.
Most Critical Proficiencies
- Innovative, analytical, and solutions oriented.
- A good understanding of and sensitivity to issues associated with poverty, hunger, agriculture and the environment, and knowledge of the context in which non-profit organizations operate
- Knowledge of market systems interventions and linkages to poverty alleviation.
- Excellent organizational skills, including strong attention to detail.
- Proven experience in building the capacity of partner institutions to document and disseminate industry information, manage knowledge, measure progress and plan and advocate within the industry.
- Proficient knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, presentation tools, electronic mail (Microsoft Office preferred) and Internet.
- Strong knowledge and skills in data management and analysis using statistical software’s (eg. STATA, SPSS, SAS, Eviews, etc.).
- Demonstrated proficiency in English, both oral and written.
- Experience with ICT.
- Ability to work in a team.
Essential Job Functions And Physical Demands
- Ability to understand, appreciate and implement Heifer’s Values-Based Holistic Community Development model.
- Demonstrated creativity, ability to think systematically, willingness and ability to incorporate innovative solutions.
- Quantitative and qualitative approaches to evaluation and ability to communicate MEL concepts clearly with leadership, partners, and staff at all levels.
- Willingness and ability to assign and review the work of direct reports and to use participatory management skills with junior and senior staff.
- Proven team leadership and supervisory skills with the ability to train and work cooperatively with a diverse staff, including field staff in various locations.
- Constant face-to-face, telephone and electronic communication with colleagues and the public.
- Working with sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality.
- Ability to manage and execute multiple tasks with little supervision while meeting sometimes inflexible deadlines.
- Willingness and ability to travel.
Deadline for Application: 20th August 2024.
