Monitoring Evaluation Research and Learning Manager at Plan International

The Role

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Manager will provide oversight for program’s planning, evaluation, knowledge management and monitoring. He/she will identifiy performance indicators, develop quality assurance strategies, mentor program and MERL staff, maintains contact with program partners and ensure all program aspects comply with institutional requirements. He/she will develop an effective communication framework to enable all parties share and access all knowledge and information. He/she will provide technical leadership to capture program intervention activities and results, ensure high-quality, timely, valid and verifiable data collection and analysis, and lead dissemination and use of analysis findings to inform project leadership as well as external stakeholders, for continuous project improvement and adaptive management. The MERL Manager will provide technical guidance by preparing and implementing the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, including monitoring of fidelity of implementation of project activities, and promoting the use of interactive dashboards for data dissemination. This includes developing and implementing M&E tools and systems, and reporting on all output and outcome indicators for the program. He or she will ensure that all staff and local partners are trained on M&E components, as needed. This person will be responsible for managing the knowledge generated from the project's monitoring and evaluation system and ensuring the integrity of the data collected. He or she will contribute to a collaborative and adaptive approach, ensuring that findings from M&E activities are fed back into the project and disseminated to stakeholders for continuous adjustment. He or she will also ensure that sensitive and high risk data is properly safeguarded in line with PIK standard operating procedure

Qualifications/ experience essential:

• Master’s Degree in M&E, statistics, Economics, epidemiology, social sciences, development studies or a related field.
• At least 7 years of experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning, with over 3 years in MERL leadership.
• At least 3 years of demonstrated successful coordination of MERL functions and experience, including active mentoring and coaching, preferably with teams in cross-cultural setting and multi-sectorial programs 
• Experience in planning and executing data collection work during evaluations including baselines, midlines and end-lines, annual outcome surveys / periodic impact assessment, and other special studies.
• Experience with evaluations/research logistics, administration and/or project or research management 
• Demonstrated experience in leading and application of MERL systems and frameworks including theory of change and logical frameworks 
• Proven experience in development of longitudinal real time data bases design including online application for management of data 
• Grounded understanding of qualitative and quantitative methodologies in research and evaluation 
• Experience in database design and management including advanced use of Excel and data analysis and entry packages including at minimum SPSS, Stata, R, Epiinfo, Atlas-Ti, CSpro and the use of ODK platforms for data collection 
• Strong demonstrable levels of knowledge of and experience with gender sensitive research design, performance monitoring, impact evaluation, and / or social and environmental research methodologies 
• Demonstrated experience in coordination of M&ERL and LKM at a strategic and higher operational level.

Qualifications/ experience desirable: 

• Demonstrated experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning in humanitarian programming

Languages required

• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. Knowledge of Kiswahili, desirable 

Knowledge:

• Well-developed knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methodologies to MERL initiatives for programme and influencing, including data collection and analysis, appropriate for different information needs, respondents and contexts with a particular focus on those that are participatory, gender and age sensitive and inclusive. 
• Grounded understanding of gender and inclusion attitudes and power dynamics, including why they exist and how they change, and how these attitudes and dynamics shape MERL methods and approaches.  
• Knowledge of essential sample strategies and frameworks appropriate for wide range of data needs and MERL initiatives. 
• Broad understanding of data quality assurance requirements and approaches for a wide range of data needs and MERL initiatives. 
• Knowledge of data visualization principles and approaches for a wide range of data types, and appropriate for different information needs. 
• Proper understanding of data ownership, transfer, retention and management requirements and approaches.
• Knowledge of accountability and reporting requirements to internal and external stakeholders especially a multiplicity of major international donors.

Skills:

• Hand on experience and skill in result based MERL system
• Proficiency in applied statistics
• Understanding of quantitative methods for data collection and analysis.
• Understanding of sampling strategies for quantitative methods. 
• Experienced in Training of data collectors/enumerators in quantitative data collection methodologies 
• Proficiency in statistical analysis software – SPSS, R, STATA, NVivo, ATLAS ti etc.
• Understanding of qualitative methods for data collection and analysis
• Particular knowledge of standards, regulations, definitions and tools across sectors in humanitarian responses – in line with CHS and SPHERE. 
• Able to adapt methods for provision of quality and appropriate evidence from ongoing monitoring and evaluative initiatives (baselines, midlines, evaluations and reviews) in a rapidly changing, complex and high security contexts. 
• Particular knowledge of standards, regulations, definitions and tools across sectors in humanitarian responses – in line with CHS and SPHERE. 
• Adapting methods for provision of quality and appropriate evidence from ongoing monitoring and evaluative initiatives (baselines, midlines, evaluations and reviews) in a rapidly changing, complex and high security contexts.

Behaviors:

• Uses evidence to support decision making and driving change over time. 
• Understands issues, principles and strategies - Understanding issues and their root causes and working with Plan’s principles and a range of strategies and approaches to improve outcomes
• Able to apply evaluation and research methods and approaches for a wide range of programme and influencing interventions. 
• Ability to lead the identification, development of and defining appropriate and quality indicators/ research hypotheses for a wide range of programme and influencing interventions. 
• Ability to apply ethical requirements and principles in MERL initiatives. 
• Good communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong organizational and team working skills
• Good cultural awareness and sensitivity
• Highly approachable, trustworthy and confidential
• Excellent communication and presentation skills
• Works well under pressure and meets deadlines
• Excellent planning, coordination, and reporting skills, with the ability to organize a substantial workload comprised of complex, diverse tasks and responsibilities