Project Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, County Measurement, Learning & Accountability Program at Palladium International

Project Overview and Role:

Palladium was awarded a cooperative agreement to implement the USAID County Measurement, Learning and Accountability Program (CMLAP) in Kenya from 2016.  The purpose of this activity is to support ongoing activities by the national and county governments and other development partners to strengthen outcome measurements, learning and accountability (MLA) systems in order to provide quality data and synthesized information for planning, implementation, policy development and decision making.  This activity focuses its support in the following HIV, malaria and MNCH focal counties of Homa Bay, Migori, Kisii, Siaya, Busia, Vihiga, Bungoma, Kisumu, Siaya, Nakuru, Samburu, Baringo and Turkana

The project has two sub-purposes:

1. Increased leadership and management capacity of county governments for effective outcome MLA systems;
2. Increased availability, analysis and use of quality data

A 29-person team currently work in Kisumu and surrounding counties (see above) to achieve the project results.  The team is led by a Chief of Party also based in Kisumu.  Palladium staff in Nairobi and our international offices will provide routine technical and administrative support and assistance.

Position Summary

The Project M&E Specialist will report to the DCOP, and will be responsible for tracking the implementation of the M&E plan for the project. The M&E Specialist will work closely with all staff to track project implementation, at cost, time and quality.
S/he will track the implementation of M&E activities as per the approved work plan and M&E plan (that details the logical framework, and gender-responsive Performance Indicator Reference Sheets). As required, the Specialist will support development of the project work plan; external evaluation, operational research, and M&E technical assistance activities. S/he will also establish a database for project information and implement the project data quality assurance and improvement processes.

Key Responsibilities

• Support and receive guidance from the DCOP;
• Track the project M&E framework, log frame, indicator sheets, and project annual work plan;
• Oversee the implementation of the Project M&E plan at cost, time and quality (project management);
• Provide support in the capacity building, deployment and implementation of database/ MIS to manage routine program data;
• Track project evaluation and performance management plan (EPMP), and mid-term and end-term implementation of the same;
• Provide support during data collection processes that may include annual pulse assessments, County Transition readiness assessments, data-informed annual work planning checklist and qualitative Index, monitoring of the project sustainability plan and maturity checklist, participate in other project reporting;
• Conduct analysis for routine donor reporting and ad hoc requests including special analysis such as gender and sustainability in the wake of Journey to Self - Reliance;
• Train CMLAP staff to fulfill their role to collect project data;
• Manage project data quality assurance and improvement processes and intervention;
• Provide data and information to the KM/Comms Specialist, as defined by the KM/Comms Specialist;
• Participate in identifying and documenting project success stories;
• Support project work planning to ensure it adheres to PMP.

Educational background and Experience

• Masters Level of Education in Public health, M&E or related course;
• Project Management Professional Qualification (PMP) preferred;
• 5+ years’ experience in an M&E position for a USAID project; PEPFAR is most preferred;
• Appropriate software skills necessary in use of project management software, such as MS Project or equivalent;
• Strong written and oral communication skills for high-level policy audiences especially at county level;
• Excellent coordination, and information management skills;
• The ability to work well under pressure and skilled in change management, crisis management, and problem solving;
• Ability and willingness to travel frequently within Kenya and work under field conditions.