Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer at Colleges and Institutes Canada

Job Summary

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer is expected to support CICan project MEL for Young Africa Works in Kenya-TVET and KBEST, including data collection, entry, analysis and research in collaboration with teams in Kenya and Canada.

The Officer will work under the direction of the Nairobi-based MEL Specialist, in close collaboration with the Kenya-based Senior Technical Advisors (STAs) for both programs, to support the development, planning and implementation of program activities, and coordination of day-to-day work. The Officer is also expected to work closely with Canadian-based staff including the Managers of Operations, STA, Senior MEL Officer, Senior Program Officer, Program Officers, and Administrative staff.

The position is expected to involve some travel within Kenya.

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of the monitoring and evaluation framework for Young Africa Works in Kenya-TVET
• Support the development of the KBEST Project Implementation Plan, including revisions to the program’s Logic Model and Performance Measurement Framework, including the development of relevant indicators and targets.
• Support the development and roll out of project data systems.
• Support the development of research and learning information systems.
• Support the use of appropriate quantitative and qualitative instruments for data collection and analysis.
• Carry out data entry and analysis using necessary software where applicable.
• Ensure that data collected through MEL processes is reliable, accurate and complete to the extent possible in the project context Ensure that tools in use meet the needs of the projects and that CICan staff and partners have the capacity to utilize them effectively for monitoring progress towards outcomes reporting
• Generate reports from datasets including data visualization (charts, tables, etc.).
• Synthesize analyzed data into succinct summaries for including in resulting reports.
• Support MEL reporting for quarterly, mid-year and annual reports for both programs by reviewing partnership narrative reports to synthesize data.
• Ensure project data quality management through execution of regular data quality audits and onsite verification exercises Provide support to external evaluation processes.
• Support partnerships and partners with all aspects related to optimal functioning of monitoring and evaluation systems and procedures.
• Assist the MEL Specialist in training staff and partners in use of data gathering tools and strengthening the MEL capacity of implementing partners.
• Support regular reflection and analysis of Young Africa Works and KBEST project monitoring information that feeds into project learning for adaptive management
• Support and improve feedback forums on a regular basis to share learning across within the team and advise decision makers on the improvements to activity design and implementation processes.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned from time to time.

Reporting

The employee will work under the direction of the MEL Specialist, in close collaboration with project STAs in the CICan Kenya Office and Ottawa-based Managers of Operations for both projects.

Qualifications

• Full fluency in English and Swahili.
• Kenyan citizen or legally permitted to work in Kenya. Note: CICan will not provide a work permit or sponsor individuals.
• Bachelor’s degree or higher in MEL, economics, public policy, political science, international development or a related field.
• At least 3 years of professional experience working on MEL on international development/ cooperation projects, ideally in the education or TVET sector.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to collect, organize, analyze, and disseminate significant amounts of information.
• Experience in mobile/ digital data technology (Kobo/ODK/ONA preferred) and surveys.
• Proficiency with MEL and statistical analysis software (strong proficiency in PowerBI will be an added advantage).
• Experience conducting research, entering and synthesizing primary and secondary data.
• Experience in conducting data quality audits
• Excellent communications and writing skills – able to express complex information in a simple and succinct manner in English and Swahili
• Experience of developing performance indicators; conducting routine monitoring of data for donor-funded projects; and conducting participatory or impact evaluations.
• Experience working with an international team.
• Demonstrated competence in the planning, implementation, administration, and reporting of donor-funded projects, ideally with experience with the Mastercard Foundation or Global Affairs Canada.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively on a team.
• Strong writing, computer, and data skills.