Senior Advisor: M&E (Global Fund MENA PMU)

The International HIV/AIDS Alliance (the Alliance) and the Arab Foundation for Freedoms and Equality (AFEMENA) are soon to begin an exciting new three-year program (2019-2021) in the Middle East and North Africa region, which will increase sustainability of HIV services for key populations. Funded by a $7.5m grant from The Global Fund, this program will be implemented in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco and Tunisia by eight sub recipients/partners (one per country and three operating at regional level).

As the Principal Recipient of this grant, the Alliance is establishing a Program Management Unit (PMU) in Beirut, Lebanon, hosted by AFEMENA, which will be led by Lead: Programmes. The Senior Advisor:M&E will play an integral role in the delivery of this grant. The right candidate for this high profile grant will have a balance of technical monitoring and evaluation theory and practice as well as the skills to ensure strong delivery of this multi country programme.

You are a committed team member with a clear focus on team objectives, as well as your own. You will promote best practice within your field of expertise and will challenge ways of working to ensure the highest quality and levels of efficiency. Your actions will be aligned with the Alliance vision and you will inspire the same behaviour in your peers. You are comfortable working in a matrix management environment.

Key responsibilities

Programme Delivery: Provides leadership and direction of the monitoring, evaluation and learning strategy for the Global Fund MENA programme. Overseas the implementation of the agreed strategy and advises the core team on M&E to ensure that the programme has robust monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting activities. Ensures country M&E plans and activities are consistent with the programme plan. Works with partners to support the development and implementation of a monitoring and evaluation plan and system. Commissions and manages external evaluations of the project. Conducts analysis of quantitative and qualitative data generated. Supports the team to fulfil Global Fund data and reporting requirements.

Knowledge: Leads on the development of M&E tools for data gathering, analysis, learning and reporting and helps support their use at the global level and in the 5 programme countries. Builds the capacity and buy-in of staff and partners in the programme’s M&E processes, coordinates M&E technical support activities (e.g. workshops, support trips etc.) and inputs into related processes such as work planning.

Influence: Contributes and advises on identifying and contracting M&E expertise to support in-country programme M&E activities. Keeps abreast of, recommends and then implements new and innovative approaches to M&E within the programme, including approaches suitable for evaluating advocacy processes. Develops guidance and advisory materials. Supports sharing and use of learning generated by partners, and more widely.

Developing the Alliance culture: Sets a good example for others, shows consistency in words and actions, learns from personal and organisational experience, strives for self-improvement, earns the trust and respect of management, colleagues and partner organisations, and treats others with respect.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Prepare and assist in preparing MEAL Plan for the Program;
• Play a leading role in the planning and facilitation of data collection for ongoing monitoring, baseline/end line; 
• Leads on the development of M&E tools for data gathering, analysis, learning and reporting and helps support their use
• Help collect, enter, clean and analyse data needed for the Work Plan Tracking Measures with support of Grants Unit Director;
• Lead the use of digital data collection tools and ensure that proper orientation/training is provided to MEAL assistants and enumerators in the use new tools;
• Work with program teams and partners to ensure the quality of data reported;
• Identify errors/inconsistency and notify Grants Unit Director and Program Director;
• Support program teams with data collection and entry processes if needed;
• Develop and manage databases as required;
• Produce reports including narrative analysis and visual representation of data;
• Ensure effective storage of assessments, surveys, monitoring data and evaluations in shared folders;
• Conduct routine monitoring and evaluation of the program based on the directives of the Grants Units Director;
• Collect data, anecdotes, and other material for quarterly reporting and ensure the creation of tools and provide directives for program managers to produce such reports.
• Support Program Assistants and Managers to Conduct community visits including surveys, interviews and focus group discussions with beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries to receive feedback on programs

Relevant post graduate qualification or equivalent experience
Strong understanding of monitoring, evaluation and learning in international NGOs.
Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation for HIV and/or global health programs
Understanding of HIV and the impacts of the epidemic in the MENA context and of civil society work in the MENA region
Experience in supporting and implementing M&E activities in MENA
Experience conducting both quantitative and qualitative data analysis and presenting data for decision making and accountability purposes
Experience in commissioning and managing external evaluations
Experience of building the capacity of others in M&E 
Excellent interpersonal skills, demonstrating high levels of personal integrity and professional credibility
Excellent communication (written and verbal) skills for a range of audiences including being able to translate complex data generated through M&E into useful products to influence stakeholders.
Participatory and engaging training and facilitation skills
Strong analytical skills, both quantitative and qualitative
Language skills in English and French and/or Arabic
Excellent ability to work with colleagues from different cultural backgrounds
Able to build strong and credible relationships with implementing partners and wider stakeholders 
Able to work within the cultural and social context 
of the MENA region
Excellent computer skills, particularly with databases and Excel 
Acts as role model for colleagues by demonstrating positive behaviors.
Treats others with dignity and respect.
Creates an environment of openness and trust.
Demonstrates commitment to high performance and holds self and others to account.