Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Officer - Nairobi at FilmAid

Job Purpose:

• Reporting to the Programs Manager, the role is responsible for managing MERL activities across FilmAid Kenya’s entire portfolio of donor-funded projects. The position requires exemplary research, analytical & interpersonal communication skills to support internal and external reporting and to ensure that impact and learning is promoted within the organization and appropriately packaged for donors, government, and other key stakeholders.

Indicators of Good Performance on the job:

• An appropriate MERL system is developed and managed.
• MERL plans and frameworks are developed and monitored at projects and organizational levels
• Program Teams are utilizing established MERL tools and observing program quality by following appropriate procedures and processes
• MERL data is disaggregated, aggregated, stored, and analyzed at a project, portfolio, and organizational level in a timely and efficient manner
• Learnings are packaged, and strategically shared internally and externally to key stakeholders
• M&E Staff, Team Leaders and other FilmAid Officers have been equipped with the knowledge and tools to support MERL functions within their projects.
• Coordination of proposal development and submissions

Main duties and responsibilities include:

Monitoring and Evaluation (50%):

Define, develop and rollout an effective MERL system. This should define;

The MERL structure and functions, relevant skills set for MERL staff, key MERL tools and templates, Guidelines for MERL plans and costs, Data management plans, dissemination, and use.

• Review current organizational M&E tools and implement appropriate revisions to ensure data quality and to meet contractual requirements.
• Maintain the organizational M&E database, deploy appropriate tools and methods of data management to respond to existing grants and organizational needs
• Define Standard Operating Procedures for the MERL team including; Standards for verifying and measuring quality of activities implemented, Data management standards, Feedback management and reporting
• Provide support to internal team and stakeholders on ways and means to improve M&E related components and activities
• Follow up on implementation of evaluation recommendations, ensuring the optimal use of evaluations by providing guidance in preparation of timely management response

Learning (10%):

• Design and lead research and learning activities for projects and organization. At a minimum, spearhead quarterly project review and learning meetings in collaboration with the Program team
• Contribute to global research and learning on Communication with Communities (CwC) methodologies
• Manage programmatic learning structures to ensure adaptive management and that best practices and challenges are incorporated with the support of Team Leads into continued activities.

Business and Program Development (30%)

• Support the development of project proposals – particularly performance monitoring plans and M&E sections. This includes a leading role in developing boilerplate components of the M&E sections for proposals, to be adapted in specific responses
• Builds relations with donors and NGOs to strengthen and forge future partnerships;
• Drafts concept notes and work closely with the Country Directors, Field Managers and Senior staff to brainstorm new activities and concepts;
• Leads the development of all proposals, actively contributing to the technical writing and ensuring compliance with solicitation requirements;
• He/She should work closely with Executive Director, Area Managers, and relevant Senior staff on GO/NO GO decisions for opportunities.

Management (10%):

• Design and deploy specific M&E plans for current grants and subsequently for the organization to guide roles within the department.
• Ensure the timely submission of quality program and M&E reports and contribute to other reports that require M&E inputs. He/she should take an active role in reviewing M&E reports from the field teams and sign off reports before submission.
• In collaboration with the senior management team, contribute and support the development of internal and external reports, including monthly, quarterly, and annual reports. He/she should ensure alignment with the M&E reports and project’s deliverables.
• Ensure the development and revision of M&E templates/forms, tools, and processes as part of organization-wide efforts to improve program reporting capabilities.
• Deliver training and capacity building as necessary for M&E and other staff on monitoring and evaluation, data collection, and analysis;

Knowledge, Skills, Behaviors, and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in statistics, economics, or related field. Advanced certificate in M&E, statistics preferred
• At least 3-4 years practical work experience in monitoring, evaluation and research of donor projects
• Solid experience in data management and participatory research methods
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office suite including Excel
• Working knowledge of electronic data collection and management platforms
• Proven knowledge to undertake quantitative and qualitative analysis
• Proven experience on working with SPSS, STATA, Atlas.ti, QSR Nvivo, etc
• Demonstrated professional maturity and able to work independently
• Good interpersonal skills for team working
• Knowledge of mixed research methodologies
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Ability to meet deadlines in multiple tasking environments
• Previous proven evidence of production of quality program and donor reports
• Knowledge and experience on how to synthesize large volumes of quantitative data into simple infographics for donor and external audience consumption
• A good planner with conceptual skills to think and plan for outcomes/impact
• Knowledge and application of computer and mobile systems or applications for data collection, reporting and storage

Competencies and Values:

• Supportive and versatile
• Ability to drive innovation and learning
• Results oriented and focused
• Respectful and a person with integrity
• Ability to use various statistical software and tools
• Good planning skills
• Very good reporting skills
• Diverse and has the ability to conceptualize various projects