Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor, Somalia Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA) at World Vision Kenya

Job Description:

• World Vision seeks a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Advisor for the proposed USAID-funded Somalia Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA). The goal of the Activity is to improve and maintain the food security of extremely poor, socially marginalized populations in IDP settlements and surrounding host communities despite shocks and stresses. This activity is a 5-year program worth approximately $72 million.    
• The M&E Advisor will be responsible for establishing a robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning system to ensure effective monitoring of the Activity and early identification of problems and results. S/he will take the lead on building and/or strengthening monitoring systems, quantitative and qualitative analysis, survey and sample design, and effectively promoting evidence-based program management. S/he will provide technical leadership in generating and analyzing quality evidence and data through monitoring, assessments, and evaluations. 
• The M&E Advisor will work closely with the Strategic Learning Advisor (SLA) and the learning partner. S/he will support the SLA to implement adaptive learning within and across interventions and will support the transition of refinement activities and learning into implementation. 
• The M&E Advisor position preference is to be based in Somalia but with an option to be based in Nairobi, Kenya with 50% travel to Somalia. The M&E Advisor will report to the Chief of Party of the RFSA. 

Major Job Responsibilities
Project monitoring and evaluation strategy and Standards

• Contextualize the project monitoring and evaluation strategy including developing an MIS system for M&E and reporting, and recommend any possible changes based on the lessons learned.
• Develop and ensure that the established guidelines on project monitoring and evaluation for different project components are respected by the WV team as well as consortium members in alignment with the agreements reached. Coordinate with WV staff and sub-grantee staff on meeting the monitoring and evaluation requirements. 
• Identify information requirements of components concerning planning, monitoring, and evaluation.
• During the life of the intervention, review the performance indicators and reports produced by different stakeholders and suggest necessary changes.
• Monitor and report on the performance of the project and suggest measures to improve the monitoring system.
• Ensure that data quality assessments and other data audits are planned for and are performed regularly. Lessons learned are drawn and shared and course correction is undertaken to continuously improve and strengthen the M&E system    
• Appropriate Monitoring and evaluation approaches were implemented throughout the life of the project. 
• High quality assurance standards.
• Improved information management system in place to facilitate information storage, organization, and retrieval.
• Accurate Indicator Performance Tracking Table that is continuously updated
• Quarterly, participant-based survey (PaBS) and annual results report fully meet donor quality standards and all other applicable requirements
• Project progress and performance are tracked for timely adjustments.
• Improved M&E system in place

 Coordination & Communication with Stakeholders

• Coordinate with communities, service providers, local governments, consortium members, and donor representatives to reach an agreement on the M&E system setup and continuously review the M&E practice to ensure meaningful participation of stakeholders in improving the system.
• Serve as a liaison between the project team, consortium members, project participants, and the donor representative to ensure harmonization, shared learning, collaboration, and alignment of efforts in monitoring and evaluation.
• Ensure timely and effective communication and information sharing between different stakeholders.
• Assess training needs relevant to monitoring, evaluation, and information management systems and provide if required, training to local stakeholders.
• Facilitate processes according to which consortium members, relevant government representatives, and donor representatives are collaborating, reflecting on the M&E data, drawing lessons learned, and making recommendations to project leaders for further improvements and adaptations in project implementation for higher efficiency and effectiveness.    •    Well-coordinated M&E system is in place.
• Good communication is maintained to facilitate timely decision-making.
• A good flow of information is assured amongst partners and other stakeholders concerning M&E activities.
• Contextualized M&E processes and other data collection tools are in place and lessons learned are being implemented for improved program results.

Research and Learning

• Work with the Senior Learning Advisor (SLA) to ensure high-quality, coordinated, and demand-driven learning, knowledge management, and capacity-strengthening activities.
• Prepare TORs for special studies when necessary and participate in the recruitment of any potential consultant who will carry out the study. In collaboration with the CoP, review and approve proposed study designs and oversee the work during the studies to ensure protocols are followed to meet internal and external validity requirements of that given study.   
• Lessons learned and best practices are well documented to improve current and future RFSA interventions.
• Assessments, baseline, evaluations, and other research are well-planned and quality reports are produced and supported as necessary. 

Capacity Building

• Set up operational arrangements for collecting, analyzing, and reporting project data, and for investing in capacity building, to sustain the Monitoring and Evaluation function.
• The Monitoring function is up and running with minimal challenges.

Staff Management

• Hire staff to fill the required M&E staff positions as per the organogram of the RFSA. 
• Supervise staff that report directly to this position. Conduct regular coaching and implement the Performance Development Management system.
• Conduct regular field visits to monitor implementation, ensure compliance with operational procedures, and assess progress as well as to deliver technical support to field staff, provide resources, and make clear recommendations on ways to strengthen the program and share learning across programs.
• Ensure that project staff conduct monitoring activities adhering to the donor/SO standards and that the information is used to enhance performance and by the decision-making process within and outside the organization.    
• All required M&E Staff are filled as per the organogram of the RFSA. 
• All staff are motivated and well-equipped to accomplish their tasks.
• Appropriate M&E tools are available for optimum program results and program compliance to donor’s requirements is ensured.

Reporting

• Prepare quarterly and annual reports and assist in preparing the annual work plans and detailed implementation plans (DIPs) for all consortium members. 
• Manage annual participant-based survey reporting processes per USAID requirements.
• Work with the MIS Manager to maintain a participant-level tracking database that is fully capable of providing data for quarterly, annual, and other reports that meet USAID data quality standards.
• Work with the GIS Specialist to ensure that all monitoring data meet USAID’s geolocation requirements.
• Ensure that all documents are reviewed before sending them out of the office. Also, ensure that reviews are carried out at each level.
• Ensure appropriate technical review for the final report of any study undertaken in the life of this intervention and ensure that the quality standards are met, and conclusions are accurate.  
• BHA-compliant quality program reports completed.

Required Education, Professional Experience for the Role  

• A master's degree or above in a quantitative or highly-relevant related field (economics, agricultural/development economics, statistics, biostatistics, nutrition, or other relevant subject) with significant training in quantitative methods plus seven years of relevant experience with multi-sectoral programs, and five years of field experience, is required.
• Experience with M&E for graduation or other multi-sectoral, integrated programs is required.
• Experience in leading the M&E of a large award; knowledge about ToCs, logic models, food security indicators, M&E plans, data quality assurance, data utilization, and gender and youth integration into M&E; and experience and expertise in developing and operationalizing a comprehensive M&E plan.
• Experience in building or strengthening monitoring systems, quantitative and qualitative analysis, survey and sample design and effectively promoting evidence-based program management.  
• Experience with RCTs, either as a member of an implementing organization whose program was evaluated with an RCT, or as a member of a research team conducting an RCT.
• Experienced in providing monitoring and evaluation support to a large grant involving Title II commodities and/or cash transfer mechanisms.
• Previous experience with large USAID grants including Resilience Food Security Activity (RFSA), Development Food Security Activity (DFSA), Development Food Assistance Programs (DFAP)s, Multi Year Assistance Programs (MYAP)s and/or Development Assistance Programs (DAP)s is preferred.
• Familiarity with incorporating gender and social inclusion (GESI) into monitoring and evaluation activities is required, as demonstrated by at least two years of senior-level experience working on projects that addressed GESI constraints.
• Experience in supporting the implementation of an effective CLA approach, where an activity was revised as per the changes in the context to achieve desired outcomes
• Experience developing and using M&E MIS systems and technology to track program outputs and indicators.
• Strong management and interpersonal skills
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English and other language(s)
• Mentoring and facilitation skills,
• The ability to network and communicate with a wide range of stakeholders,
• Field experience in low-resource environments.
• Demonstrated communication, creative problem-solving, and management skills. 

Preferred Knowledge and Qualifications  

• PhD in a quantitative field (economics, agricultural/development economics, statistics, biostatistics, public health, nutrition, applied sociology, anthropology, or other relevant subject)
• Ability to use data analysis software such as SPSS, STATA, Epi Info, CommCare, GIS software, etc.
• Experience working with Somali communities.
• Experience in managing inter-agency consortiums is preferred.
• Conversational Somali and/or Arabic is preferred. 

Travel and/or Work Environment Requirement    

• Mandatory travels to implementation sites and regional, and global meetings as required.
• Travel to the United States WVUS Washington, DC Office to meet with donors and other stakeholders.    
• Position preference is to be based in Somalia but there is an option to be based in Nairobi, Kenya with 50% of travel to Somalia.

Application Deadline: 22nd February 2024.