Senior Monitoring And Evaluation Manager

CONTEXTUAL BACKGROUND The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and is at work in over 40 countries. In response to the influx of Syrian refugees in Lebanon, the IRC provides income and livelihoods support to vulnerable Syrian refugees and host communities, through its Economic Recovery and Development Program. The objective of the program is to assist vulnerable households in the most affected areas of the Akkar and Mount Lebanon in building income and assets, as well as meet their basic needs in order to avoid the use of negative coping mechanisms Interventions include multi-purpose cash assistance, cash for work, vocational training, legal and job counseling, apprenticeship, microenterprise support and job referrals through a livelihoods center. Additional market assessments and other research is conducted under this program, particularly on the impact of bundled livelihoods services. The main target groups are acutely vulnerable registered and unregistered Syrian refugees and Lebanese households. The ERD program will develop synergies with the other programs implemented by the IRC in Lebanon, particularly the Protection sector to mainstream protection principles throughout livelihoods approaches, but also the Women Protection and Empowerment sector and the Child Protection sector. The ideal candidate will have demonstrated experience in monitoring and evaluation, information management and data analysis and some statistical experience, preferably with expertise in livelihoods programming and market based approaches. They will be capacity and learning focused, and be seeking to contribute to ambitious data collection and information management initiatives. The Senior M&E Manager will lead the design of the program’s M&E framework and tools and work plan, ensuring that the effect of the project is effectively tracked, documented and shared, and represented to internal and external stakeholders. The Senior M&E Manager will also provide some technical input into both cash and protection team approaches, particularly around data analysis, impact evaluation and other learning. Job Overview/Summary: the Senior M&E Manager will direct and supervise the M&E and ICT4P teams of the ERD Program, and will lead the design and roll-out the program M&E framework and tools, in line with reporting requirements. They will provide technical input to interagency processes on monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning.  The main objective of this position is to ensure that data on program beneficiaries, processes, progress and performance are effectively collected, entered, analyzed and documented, in a way to inform timely decision making and the adoption of sound corrective measures, as well as contribute to broader learning on livelihoods approaches. Major Responsibilities: Develop M&E frameworks for all ERD programs in consultation with the ERD Coordinator, the Senior Livelihoods Manager and other Program Managers at the project onset, and revise it periodically as required and based on lessons learned. Directly manage the M&E team based in Akkar and Mount Lebanon, as well as the database and data analysis staff based in Beirut, and provide guidance on strategy, M&E approaches, and capacity building to team members. Build national capacity for staff to take on increasingly senior M&E roles.  Develop quantitative and qualitative tools and analysis frameworks for each of the program interventions, including data collection instruments (e.g. survey questionnaires, focus group discussions, key informant interviews), analysis plans and data entry spreadsheet. These tools shall allow for the tracking of impact on beneficiaries, value for money and spillover effects; Contribute to the development of the Livelihoods Information Management System (LIMS), a customer relationship management tool developed for IRC Lebanon’s livelihoods programming that associates clients with various data collection tools such as an intake form for registration at Livelihoods Centers, baselines, endlines, etc and tracks clients through the various services they receive.  Supervise data collection at the field level, by making sure that data collection teams are organized and resourced as needed, and that they deliver as per action plans and according to high quality standards.  Train team members and partners on high quality data collection, cleaning and analysis.  Lead analysis and reporting of program data, including by strengthening the reporting functions of LIMS, to provide clear feedback and statistics necessary for reporting and ensure the results feed meaningfully into program design and implementation plans. Provide leadership on program and sector learning, ensuring a learning agenda is kept up to date and progress on learning concepts and initiatives moves forward.  Liaise with interagency and outside technical stakeholders to ensure technical input is provided to the development of interagency tools and harmonized approaches to cash and livelihoods.  Provide representation to both internal and interagency working groups and technical bodies, in conjunction with the ERD Coordinator.  Build the technical capacity of all ERD staff members on monitoring and evaluation, and ensure specific knowledge sets around indicator development, data analysis, database knowledge, focus group delivery and developing program logic are embedded in the M&E team.  Provide M&E technical support to other IRC sectors teams as necessary, particularly where program activities have an ERD component or aspect.  Feed into larger regional and global IRC data management learning, and liaise with other IRC stakeholders to provide input on M&E, ICT and data collection initiatives. Staff Management and Development Coach, train, and mentor staff with the aim of strengthening their technical capacity, exchanging knowledge within the team and providing professional development guidance Supervise and mentor direct-report staff, including communicating clear expectations, setting performance objectives, providing regular and timely performance feedback, and providing documented semi-annual performance reviews. Provide constructive feedback and counsel on appropriate career paths and professional development. Promote and monitor staff care and well-being; approve and manage all leave requests to ensure adequate coverage. Offer leadership support for successful adherence by staff to IRC’s Global HR Operating Policies and Procedures. Key Working Relationships: Position Reports to:  ERD Coordinator Position directly supervises:  Over 8 M&E and ICT4P team members in two field locations and Beirut office Indirect Reporting: none Other Internal and/or external contacts: Internal: Regional M&E Coordinator, other M&E Managers and staff in other sectors, Deputy Director for Programs External:  M&E and ICT staff in partner and stakeholder organizations, other contacts Job Requirements: Bachelor of Arts or Science in Economics, International Development/Relations, or related field Certification or specific training in Statistics and/or Data Management, additional experience with ICT4P or client systems preferred Proficiency in the use of statistical and research methods for socio-economic research At least 4-5 years of relevant working experience in the area of M&E, preferably on cash and livelihoods interventions. 1 – 2 years of management experience Demonstrated experience in developing assessment tools (e.g. questionnaires, focus group discussions) Demonstrated experience and knowledge in developing and managing information management systems Demonstrated experience and capacity in conducting field-level data collection and data entry Demonstrated experience and knowledge in data analysis Previous experience in drafting reports Proven experience in leading a team to ensure high quality data collection and analysis Strong ability to work independently, organize work, meet deadlines, maintain composure, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail Excellent interpersonal and problem-solving skills, creativity and flexibility, experience building the capacity of teams preferred INGO experience preferred Personal qualities: works well in and promotes teamwork, comfortable in a multi-cultural environment, flexible, sense of humor, ability to work across various teams and stakeholders, and able to handle pressure well. Fluency in Arabic and English required, written and oral The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way - Standards for Professional Conduct.  These are Integrity, Service, and Accountability.  In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation. Returning National Candidates:  We strongly encourage national or returning national candidates to apply for this position. If you are a national of the Country in which this position is based and are currently located outside of your home country and possess over two years of international work experience, the Syria Response Region has introduced an attractive remuneration package. The package includes competitive compensation,   return flight to post, shipping allowance, temporary housing and a relocation allowance. Certain restrictions may apply. IRC strives to attract, motivate and retain qualified national staff in our programs. Working Environment:  The position is based in Beirut, Lebanon, which has a high quality of life including medical care, movement and amenities.  The position is expected to travel to the northern province of Akkar, with the potential for other nationwide travel to other offices and field sites.