Monitoring And Evaluation Advisor at RTI International

Job Description

The MEL Advisor reports to the Deputy Chief of Party.  S/he provides supervision, technical guidance and support to the Monitoring Evaluation and Learning team comprised of the MEL Manager, Database Specialist and Regional M&E Coordinators covering Eastern, Western and Nyanza. S/He plays an essential role in ensuring that the MEL team has clear guidance and support, opportunities for personal initiative and growth, and the skills to improve performance.  The MEL Advisor also oversees and coordinates all work related to a) monitoring and evaluation activities of KCDMS, and Collaboration Learning and Adaptation (CLA)

In addition, the MEL Advisor is expected to contribute fully to the overall objectives of the KCDMS activity, always conducting him/herself in a proper manner as a senior representative of the program, and is responsible for the safe keeping and care of program assets assigned to his/her care.                                  

Essential Duties:  

The MEL Advisor will be expected to accomplish the following tasks:

1. MEL Systems: Oversee the development and maintenance of effective MEL systems in line with the KCDMS MEL Plan; facilitate the development of intervention/grantees specific results frameworks, measurement plans, projections, and actual monitoring and results measurement
2. Data management system: Oversee development and maintenance of KCDMS data management system which enables quality and timely collation (from grantees, MEL team, researchers, consultants etc.), aggregation, analysis and report generation for various audiences and needs.  This should be coupled with a good quality assurance system, effective data collection tools including ICT based tools, and user-friendly operation manuals.
3. Assessment: Supervise the design and implementation of periodic internal and external assessments of KCDMS’ work on the ground, and the preparation of quality reports. Work with the data manager to analyze the assessments and to update the databases. Work with the Implementing teams, Regional MEL Coordinators to set up learning forums with the grantees and other relevant stakeholders for performance improvement.
4. Reporting: Take charge of the KCDMS quarterly and annual reporting, generating MEL components of accountability and informational reports and publications (monthly, quarterly, and annual or as and when required) as well as consolidate other components reports into one narrative that tells the performance of KCDMS to the various stakeholders.
5. Liaison with Donor: Serve as primary liaison to USAID and project M&E/CLA counterparts regarding coordinated monitoring, evaluation and learning activities and reporting.
6. Capacity building on MEL: Facilitate and conduct capacity building on M&E for private sector development and market systems for all KCDMS staff and partners; and on data management for market actors. This also includes instruction to new staff on their role in MEL.
7. Manage teams, work plan, budget and spending:
8. Supervise and provide managerial support to the MEL Manager, Database Specialist, MEL regional coordinators, Communication Specialist develop the annual ME/CLA implementation plan with support from MEL Team, Busara Centre, Nutrition and Social Inclusion Component Leads. Develop detailed M&E/CLA annual budget ensuring adequate resources and effective spending.

Collaboration, Learning and Adaptation

1. The MEL Advisor will also have the responsibility for facilitating knowledge sharing and learning activities, and monitoring behavior change and adaptation across all KCDMS stakeholders. This will include individual actions, organizational operating principles, societal cultures, local laws, policies, and institutional operating principles. The KCDMS MEL team led by the MEL Advisor will apply integrated research methods to understand how systems are transforming and changing at different levels and scales over time, generating a robust evidence base for learning and adapting within KCDMS.
2. This culture begins internally with the KCDMS team and is reflected outwards in interactions with partners; stakeholders; and, more broadly with external stakeholders including USAID and partner projects.
3. The MEL Advisor will provide guidance to the MEL Manager and team on integrating learning and adaptation and will closely collaborate with the behavior change scientists at Busara Center and KCDMS Communication Specialist, leveraging these various functions to advance CLA efforts.

Key Responsibilities under CLA include:

1. Development of annual CLA strategy as part of the MEL plan and lead the CLA activities which include monitoring behavior economics, periodic internal/external knowledge sharing and learning sessions, training and communications
2. Work directly with the technical project component leads to plan, design, and or/manage specific CLA strategies and activities, such as supporting incorporation of technical, contextual and experiential learning into technical strategies, interventions, and processes. Assist in developing, capturing, sharing, and testing methods, models, and tools to advance these objectives.
3. Leverage a mix of informational sources and research methods – project M&E data, observations, findings from behavior economics surveys, from staff and partners, other USAID programs, primary and secondary market research – to (i) analyze project progress towards goals and learning objectives, (ii) communicate those findings externally (e.g. to donor, external partners) and internally (e.g. to project staff), and (iii) apply that learning into improved work planning and project activities.
4. Ensure overall quality control and responsiveness of these efforts to the KCDMS team needs, and facilitating integration of these efforts throughout project components.
5. Senior Management meetings: Participate in regular senior management planning meetings, and provide analytical feedback and support to inform technical decisions by senior management and the technical component leads.
6. Perform any other duties as may be required by the CoP/ DCoP.

Minimum Required Education & Experience

1. Master’s degree in statistics, public administration, economics, business, agricultural or rural development or any other field providing technical expertise in the field related to monitoring, evaluation, knowledge management, and learning and ten years of relevant experience.
2. At least 5 years experience in managing performance monitoring plans, evaluation, collaboration and learning, preferably with knowledge of USAID’s CLA approach and measuring systemic change.
3. At least 5 years of practical experience in using monitoring and evaluation and learning activities to inform activity implementation and results.
4. Experience in USAID project monitoring and evaluation
5. Proven ability to manage using USAID’s “collaborating, learning, and adapting” approach and experience applying it. Should demonstrate experience using a mix of informational sources and research methods to analyze project progress, communicate findings to a range of external and internal stakeholders, and apply learning to work planning.
6. Experience conducting research related to agricultural development
7. Demonstrated ability to build relationships and facilitate collaborative learning
8. Experience in Kenya is required.
9. Experience providing leadership, supervising staff, managing multiple complex project components, and convening people across technical teams to build consensus and achieve an outcome.
10. Superior, demonstrated writing, reporting, and oral presentation skills (ability to provide an original writing sample required).

Skills & Abilities

1. Excellent oral and written skills in English. Fluency in Kiswahili preferred.
2. Demonstrated ability to be collaborative across projects, flexible and creative.
3. Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.
4. Excellent knowledge of MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Excel
5. Ability to multi-task
6. Ability to work well with others
7. Ability to listen and communicate well both verbally and in writing
8. Ability to work independently
9. Ability to be collaborative across projects, flexible and creative.
10. Attention to detail and accuracy
11. Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills.