Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Advisor at SNV Netherlands Development Organisation

About the Project

The Integrated & Climate Smart Innovations for Agro-Pastoralists and Landscapes (ICSIAPL) is a partnership of SNV, Kenya Agriculture Research Organization (KALRO) and the three county governments of Taita Taveta, Kajiado and Narok. The project will apply research towards building more resilient and market-based solutions for improved forage production and livestock husbandry through climate smart innovations and sustainable landscape management. The project aims to stimulate business models, and forage production and sales in order to provide opportunities for women and youth enterprise development, as well as opportunities for large scale commercial production. ICSIAP aims to support counties to build on the commercialization of climate smart innovations and to develop sustainable landscape management.

Job Description

SNV Kenya is seeking a professional with qualification and experience in planning, monitoring, evaluation, learning and communication. The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Advisor will be responsible for the design, coordination and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation, research, and learning framework for the ICSIAPL project. He/she will develop a systematic monitoring framework to improve the qualitative and quantitative evidence gathered by the Project. He/she will also provide technical assistance to the implementing agencies, particularly in relation to monitoring, reporting and governance issues.

Main duties and responsibilities
The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer will be responsible for the design, coordination and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation, research, and learning in accordance to the project M&E framework. He/she will develop a systematic monitoring and evaluation framework to improve the qualitative and quantitative evidence gathered by the Project. He/she will also provide technical assistance to the implementing agencies, particularly in relation to monitoring and evaluation, reporting and governance issues.

Specific duties:

Setting up the system:

• Assist in the revision of the project log frame matrix, particularly in the areas of performance indicators and their measurement;
• Assist in the development and/or finalization of the project Work Plan and keep it updated in accordance with project activities and timeframes as relevant.
• Develop the overall framework, for project M&E, for example mid-term project review, impact assessment, final evaluation, develop project Performance Monitoring Plan with relevant data collection systems.
• Review the quality of existing project data, data collection methods, and assess the degree to which it will provide good baseline statistics for impact evaluation.
• Develop baseline data for each project component and for all project indicators.
• With collaborating partners, review their existing approaches and management information systems and agree on any required changes, support and resources.
• Develop a plan for project-related capacity-building on M&E and for any computer-based support that may be required.
• Organize and undertake training with collaborating partners on M&E as required.

Implementation of M&E and coordination:

• Collect data on a regular basis to measure achievement against the performance indicators.
• Check data quality with partners.
• Maintain and administer the M&E database; analyze and aggregate findings.
• Support project progress reporting, project mid-term review and final evaluation.
• Identify areas where technical support to project partners is required. Organize refresher training on M&E for partners as required.
• Identify lessons learned and develop case studies to capture qualitative outputs of the project. Provide advice to the supervisor on improving project performance using M&E findings.

Learning

• Working closely with project steering colleagues and steering committee, develop strategy for documenting existing situation and any good practices that have evolved;
• Keep up to date with emerging and trending best practice in processes and tools for M&E;
• Extracting and consolidate evidence and learning from the various consultants and partners / grantees involved in the project to identify best practice across the project;
• Working closely with the project manager, identify and secure attendance and speaking opportunities at appropriate forums for dissemination to stakeholders.

Communication:

• Produce reports on M&E findings and prepare presentations based on M&E data as required.
• Provide the Project Manager with management information she/he may require.
• Check that monitoring data are discussed in appropriate forum and in a timely fashion in terms of implications for future action. If necessary, create such discussions to fill any gap.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the Project Manager and the Sector Leader, Agriculture.

Qualifications

Education:

First level university degree in statistics, demographics, public policy, international development, economics, or related field. Advanced degree in M&E, statistics or economics preferred.

Experience:

• Minimum of three 6 years of professional experience in an M&E position responsible for implementing M&E activities of international development projects;
• Monitoring and evaluation of agriculture, conservation or resilience projects is preferred
• Experience in designing, implementing, and operating project M&E systems from project initiation to closeout stages.
• Experience with various monitoring and evaluation frameworks and theory of change.
• Experience in designing and managing beneficiary monitoring and database systems.
• Experience in strategic planning and performance measurement, including indicator selection, target setting, reporting, database management, and developing M&E and performance monitoring plans.
• Knowledge of the major evaluation methodologies (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, mixed-method, and impact) and data collection and analysis methodologies.
• Experience in planning and managing surveys.
• Experience in developing and refining data collection tools.
• Experience with data quality assessments and oversight.
• Experience in managing and providing training to partners and target beneficiaries.
• Ability to facilitate and serve as project liaison for externally managed evaluations.

Additional Information

Contract Duration: 2 years

Desired Start Date: January 2021