Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager - DFID STEP

The DFID-funded Subsidised Temporary Employment Programme (STEP) in Lebanon aims to incentivise small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) to expand production and create new permanent jobs. STEP will achieve by providing financial and non-financial support in the form of Business Development Services to SMEs.

The primary responsibility of the MEL Manager will be to lead and oversee the development and implementation of the MEL framework, approach, and activities including the Theory of Change and logframe in close coordination with the MEL specialist, DFID and Independent Evaluator. The MEL Manager will also manage data collection, project monitoring and reporting needs and train relevant staff, partners and SMEs. Due to the emphasis on evidence building and learning, the position will require a high level of technical inputs to develop a sound methodology and process for supporting impact evaluations, randomized control trials alongside creation of high quality knowledge products (e.g. articles, case studies, research, blogs, etc) to be shared with DFID and external audiences.  

Primary responsibilities

• Working with the Programme Team and MEL Specialist to (i) design, organise and facilitate Theory of Change workshops involving all key stakeholders, (ii) develop Theory of Change based on workshop discussions, and (iii) conduct periodic systematic review of Theory of Change to make any necessary updates.
• Leading development of a programme-wide Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Plan based on Theory of Change, involving designing and setting up of feasible and context-relevant systems and processes across programme interventions.
• Closely coordinating with the Programme and Independent Evaluation Teams to ensure that key data requirements are being met and incorporated within the programme MEL Plan.
• Technical input to support design, implementation and monitoring of the Investment Fund, wage subsidies and refugee savings accounts; ensuring activities leverage best practices, are context relevant and deliver Value for Money (VfM) to DFID
• Working with the Programme Team and MEL Specialist to revise the programme logframe, and ensure that key data is organized and available to report on logframe indicators at a pre-defined frequency.
• Closely working with implementing stakeholders, programme and Independent Evaluation teams to implement MEL plan. This will involve but not limited to developing monitoring, and data collection and management systems, including leading design and implementation of data collection activities such as baseline and endline surveys, to ensure timely data collection and ensuring adherence to quality protocols.
• Working with the programme team in training and overseeing staff within partner organization on best practices of MEL-focused data collection and reporting that will be conducted on different activities. This will also entail training and mentoring grantees and enabling them to comply with the MEL contractual requirements.
• Coordinating and implementing MEL Self-Assessment and Systems Strengthening Workshops for implementing partners with MEL Specialist and other relevant members of programme team.
• Supporting MEL Specialists in conducting periodic Data Quality Assessments (DQA) to ensure high-quality data collection and management systems in different phases of the programme.
• Coordinating closely with Independent Evaluation Team and working with the Programme Team and implementing partners to ensure the implementation of and compliance with protocols defined by the evaluation design within programme activities.
• Collating, analyzing and synthesizing data in narrative and graphic form for periodic reporting to donor and other stakeholders;
• Leading bi-Monthly workshops and meetings with Independent Evaluation Team to review progress on different aspects of Randomized Controlled Trials-based impact evaluation. This will involve review of MEL plan, data collection activities and gauging compliance with different evaluation protocols defined by the Independent Evaluation Team.
• Leading a team of researchers and consultants and coordinating with local MEL partners in conducting targeted research or field work for producing learning products and insights to improve programme MEL systems and their implementation.
• Regularly liaise with the Team Leader and Palladium MEL Specialist to support programme implementation
• Close coordination with Grants Manager to capture key data on baseline, progress and impact as well as flagging any potential risks and issues
• Manage overall team and partner inputs for regular reporting to DFID and key stakeholders
• Spearhead knowledge management activities including development of a learning agenda, regular knowledge products (e.g. research, blogs, articles, case studies) for internal and external audiences

Required qualifications and professional experience

• Master’s Degree in International Development or related field;
• At least 5 years’ experience working with development projects;
• Experience with DFID projects;
• Experience with MEL in the context of job creation, SME support and/or refugees is preferred.
• Political Economy Analysis skills preferred;
• Experience with the Problem Driven Iterative Approach to evidence collection and analysis preferred;
• Excellent skills in data management;
• Experience leading teams, managing contractors and partners.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English, good working knowledge of Arabic is essential;
• Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships across teams and organizations; and
• Attention to detail and ability to effectively and efficiently perform multiple tasks and balance competing priorities often within a required timeframe.