Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL), Coordinator at Aga Khan Foundation

ROLE PURPOSE:

The MERL Coordinator is responsible for overall implementation of Monitoring and Evaluation activities for the AKF programme in the Coast Region of Kenya

SCOPE OF ROLE:

Oversee and coordinate the monitoring, evaluation and learning agenda for the Coast Region programme which includes Civil Society, Education, Early Childhood Development, Work and Enterprise projects. 

KEY AREAS OF ACCOUNTABILITY:
M&E planning and coordination

• Coordinate and deliver the MERL agenda of the Coast Region programme.
• Lead development and implementation of M&E frameworks, indicators, protocols, and tools for all projects in Coast Region Kenya for efficient and effective tracking of programme’s progress.
• Leads on monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tools and processes, including but not limited to: develop and operationalize a comprehensive M&E plan, establish indicator tracking system, design measurement tools and reporting processes, and execute data collection, analysis, and reporting.
• Coordinate projects related evaluations, surveys, and studies.
• Designing consultancy TORS for project evaluation, surveys, and studies
• Supervise consultants conducting evaluations, surveys, and studies in all programme areas.

Programme reporting

• Coordinate production of high-quality M&E reports for donors and AKF management

• Ensure reporting deadlines are met and communication of relevant notifications to program leads for timely reporting.
• Track reporting writing and provide targeted support to staff to meet set submission deadlines.
• Coordinate core sector indicator reporting and validation in liaison with the Regional MERL Coordinator
• Timely updating on quarterly basis, the Awards Information Management Systems (AIMS)
• Reporting the annual Global Reach System (GRS) data for Kenya.

Quality control

• Coordinate quality assurance activities of the area programme including conducting regular programme quality assessments, partner assessments, routine field monitoring visits and supervision of all related projects data collection.
• Responsible for managing the data collection and coordination with the Country team (and consultants if necessary) ensuring a high quality of data collected and the use of evidence to inform adaptive management.
• Conduct routine quality control checks of M&E work, overseeing that planned monitoring and evaluation activities are taking place as planned.
• Promote individual accountability and commitment by clearly and regularly communicating expectations and providing constructive feedback.
• Enhance use of digital data management within the program, this includes use of Kobo, among other programs.
• Knowledge Management
• Co-lead the reviews and reflections processes across the area programme in liaison with project managers and area programme manager.
• Promote sharing of lessons learned from programme monitoring and evaluation to improve future programme selection, design, and implementation.
• Create and instil an M&E culture that promotes the learning and self-critical skills of program staff in the pursuit of project excellence.
• Track planned evaluations, research, and ensure that these reports are obtained and shared to facilitate learning.
• Document lessons learnt and good practices and share them with the broader organisation in liaison with the AKF Coast Region Programs Manager.
• Manage and mentor the projects staff on MERL processes.
• Provide training, coaching, and mentoring to CSO partners, ensuring their proficiency in implementing M&E activities and producing necessary information and reports.

The requirements

QUALIFICATIONS/EXPERIENCE:

• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in relevant discipline, including Monitoring and Evaluation, international development, project management, social sciences, or  economics.
• Minimum 6 years of relevant professional experience in designing and implementation of M&E of development programmes with international NGOs or donor agencies; at least 2 of these years in an M&E related management position.
• Respectful of diversity; sensitive toward others in their context, situation, and challenges; pluralistic, open, and understanding toward other people’s cultures, values, autonomy, and faiths; demonstrates compassion and empathy; is courteous to others with respect for their background, religion, ethnic, social, cultural, gender, and age
• Committed to acting ethically and upholding safeguarding standards towards all staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries of the organisation.
• Extensive knowledge of Results-Based Management (RBM), including how to develop logic models and SMART indicators.
• Demonstrated ability in design and implementation of surveys and qualitative studies.
• Proficiency in use of statistical packages (e.g., SPSS or STATA) is desirable.
• Proficiency in Mobile Data Collection systems (e.g., Kobo Collect, SurveyCTO, etc) is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to write high quality results-based and donor reports.
• Strong interpersonal and people’s management skills
• Excellent written and oral communications skills in English