Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MELS) Manager at Zizi Afrique Foundation

Operational Responsibilities / Tasks
Data management, analysis, and reporting

• Develop and manage all project performance monitoring activities and systems, including necessary data management and visualization software and data collection instruments, to collect, store, manage, analyze, and report M&E data on output, outcome, and impact indicators.
• Liaise with multiple stakeholders (Zizi Afrique Foundation colleagues, USAID, sub-contractors, partners, private firms, etc.) for timely data collection, verification, and feedback.
• Conduct regular and ad-hoc data analysis and work closely with the Reading Champions team and communications team to develop reports (monthly, quarterly, annual) to demonstrate progress and facilitate continuous learning for USAID and project management, and support other learning, communications and thought leadership materials and activities.
• Ensure data is input into USAID’s indicator reporting systems as required (directly input as appropriate).
• Support the Reading Champions Program in the development and dissemination of thought leadership and learning content including the preparation of responses and products for ad hoc learning requests from USAID.

Collaborative Learning and Adaptation

• Support in the development and facilitating tools and activities to help in the identification, analysis, and synthesis of lessons learned from program implementation; facilitate incorporation of lessons into the activity cycle with the COP and other program colleagues.
• Participate in regular project management planning meetings and provide analytical feedback and support to inform technical decisions.

Reading Champions Program and Buy-in MEL Plan Development and implementation

• Lead annual MEL planning process, including partners and stakeholders to adapt and improve the MEL plan; update, annually or as needed, the project’s MEL Plan.
• Work with the Reading Champions team to identify learning questions and outcomes of interest among Zizi Afrique Foundation and USAID during the early stages of new buy-ins.
• Lead the development and implementation of buy-in specific MEL strategies, including indicator selection, target setting, data collection methods, and data verification to track buy-in level performance and provide evidence to inform buy-in specific learning questions and ensure data is aligned with Mission and Operating Unit M&E requirements and rolled-up into top-line program indicators and MEL Plan, in collaboration with all stakeholders, buy-in clients, sub-contractors and partners.
• Directly support sub-contractors and grantees to track performance indicators and capture learning, as needed.
• Integrate MEL data collection and reporting requirements into Scope of Work for new buy-ins, grants, and subcontractor task orders, ensuring they are incorporated into deliverables or milestones.
• Verify transaction close-out reports, support transaction close out documentation, and review other MEL-related deliverables.

Data Quality Assurance

• Responsible for overall data quality control; conducting data verification and other quality assurance activities, including spot-checks, data quality assessments (DQAs), etc. to ensure accuracy of MEL data and reporting documents.
• Facilitate and/or provide M&E training to the project staff and partners.
• Travel to the site of buy in activities as needed.

Job Competencies (Knowledge, Experience and Attributes / Skills).
Academic Qualifications

• Master’s degree in a related discipline that demonstrates complementarity to the scope of requirements and 5 years of relevant work experience.
• Professional Qualifications / Membership to professional bodies
• Project Management Professional (PMP)

Previous relevant work experience required.

• Master’s degree in a related discipline that demonstrates complementarity to the scope of requirements and 5 years of relevant work experience.
• At least two years of proven experience managing MEL or research on USAID or other donor-funded projects.
• Working knowledge of USAID, or other donor MEL guidance and policy.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders for data collection, data verification, reporting and dissemination.
• Demonstrated experience in data analysis and data visualization.
• Excellent writing, communications and data management skills and attention to detail.