Monitoring, Evaluation And Learning Officer

JOB SUMMARY: The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer (MELO) reports directly to the Country Director(CD). The incumbent receives technical advice and supervision from the Regional MELO. The MELO collaborates with staff, not only at the country office level, but also within the broader region and across the organization, globally. The primary roles and responsibilities of the MELO are to (a) manage and implement Right To Play’s country-level monitoring, evaluation and Learning plan, within the RTP global Monitoring and Evaluation (ME) framework and specific to country strategies, needs and contexts; (b) coordinate and implement the monitoring of program activities, participants, and outcomes and support the development of program reports; (c) support program planning at the country level by conducting appropriate assessments and through the provision of technical assistance; (d) support program evaluations; and, (e) help the country office utilize the findings in their planning and decision-making. The MELO leads the ME system across the country and plays an active part in the global Right To Play Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) community by contributing to the organization’s understanding of its program approaches and outcomes.   RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS  Job Responsibility #1: Data collection related to program progress and program outcomes Coordinates and implements regular monitoring of program outcomes by leading outcome studies at least once a year. Utilizes the global monitoring system to track program outputs such as number of trainings conducted and number of program participants. Coordinates the required preparations for all ME activities by identifying and preparing participants for samples, testing and translating data collection tools and liaising with schools/communities to secure time/space. Implements qualitative (focus groups, interviews, child observations) and quantitative (surveys) tools to collect data with children, youth, leaders, parents, partners and other stakeholders. Coordinates access to, and retrieval of, secondary data such as school records, community-level health statistics. Identifies innovations and improvements to enhance effectiveness of the global MEL framework and systems. Job Responsibility #2: Data storage, analysis and reporting Oversees data entry and transcribing processes both for primary and secondary data. Conducts data audits and checks data to ensure accuracy in data collection and entry. Conducts rudimentary analysis on quantitative and qualitative data such as descriptive analyses and identifying themes and sub-themes. Ensures data storage is in line with RTP standards such as confidentiality. Develops and submits output, outcome, and evaluation reports to the Country Manager and the Regional MELO. Job Responsibility #3: Monitoring, evaluation and learning plan for RTP country’s programs Assesses RTP’s global indicators and ME tools for relevance and appropriateness within country’s context and proposes revisions as required. Identifies gaps between global indicators/data collection tools and country’s program outcomes and proposes ways to address gaps. Develops MEL frameworks for new programs to include indicators, targets, data collection methods and schedules, and analysis plans and regularly reviews MEL frameworks for existing programs to ensure relevancy and effectiveness. Supports the planning for mid-term and final evaluations. Job Responsibility #4:  Capacity building for MEL through trainings and systems development Assesses country-level capacity for successful implementation of MEL work including staff skills and knowledge, data entry and data storage systems and develop strategies for increasing capacity. Trains data collection enumerators such as Field Facilitators and partner staff on data collection tools and processes. Provides workshops as needed on MEL for country staff, partners and stakeholders. Job Responsibility #5: Supporting and facilitating country planning processes Supports Country Office and Regional Office in developing logic frameworks for new programs and reviewing logic frameworks for existing programs including the identification of appropriate outcomes and SMART indicators. In collaboration with other staff in the Country Office and the Regional Office, identifies program and decision-making implications of ME findings. Develops summary materials and delivers presentations on ME findings to staff, partners, beneficiaries, and/or other stakeholders. Job Responsibility #6: Supporting the development and strengthening of RTP’s global ME framework Participates in RTP’s global MEL initiatives including ME portal, ME workshops and trainings and consultations. Shares ME best practices, lessons learned and other insights with RTP MEL colleagues. Maintains regular communications with the Regional MELO. Supports other global ME initiatives as required and as agreed to by the Country Manager. Job Responsibility #7: Performs other duties as assigned.   PLANNING AND ORGANIZING The incumbent is responsible for planning the MEL activities for the whole program in the country and is responsible for planning his/her own work priorities subject to oversight of the CM.   MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS (MUST HAVE) Education / training / certification Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, development or related discipline. Training in Monitoring and Evaluation such as university courses, workshops, certificates. Experience 3 years of practical experience developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks (developing logic frameworks, outcomes, indicators, targets and data collection plans). 1 year of practical experience working with social programs. 3 years leading and conducting data collection, both qualitative (focus groups, interviews, observations) and quantitative (surveys, statistics review). Experience conducting rudimentary analysis for quantitative data (descriptive analysis) and qualitative data (identifying key themes and sub-themes). Experience managing data sets (coordinating data entry, ensuring data quality, managing data confidential storage). Competencies / personal attributes Advanced interpersonal and written and verbal communication skills Strong analytical and conceptual skills to think and plan strategically and to identify trends. Strong problem-solving skills. Ability to work appropriately with a variety of populations and stakeholders, including children, youth, parents, teachers and school administrators, government, and other partners. Proven written communication and presentation skills, presenting evaluation findings through a variety of mediums— data visuals (graphs), reports and presentations Knowledge and technical skills: A background in program evaluation methodologies Understanding of quantitative and qualitative research approaches and best practices, and of child-friendly data collection methods Knowledge of SMART indicators A strong working knowledge of issues related to development and humanitarian programming (sport for development, health, education, community development, refugee and internally displaced populations, gender equity, inclusion and advocacy) Substantial knowledge of monitoring and evaluation processes for NGO programs Computer literacy in MS Word, Excel and Internet  Languages Fluency in written and spoken English and local language(s). French is also required in Francophone countries.   DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS (ASSET): Ability to work appropriately with a variety of populations and stakeholders, including children, youth, parents, teachers and school administrators, government, and other partners Experience designing and leading evaluation or research studies Experience conducting data collection with children Expertise and experience in training and capacity-building (e.g., developing and delivering workshops, mentoring and supporting colleagues, etc.) Expertise and experience in designing data collection tools both qualitative and quantitative Experience identifying program implications and recommendations from data findings Experience in monitoring and evaluation processes for NGO programs   Compensation:                        We offer a competitive salary and benefits package