Fresh Openings at DAI Kenya - Development Alternatives, Inc.

Position Background:

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist (MEL Specialist) will support monitoring and evaluation for the KEA-Buy in by drafting, monitoring, and reporting on the monitoring and evaluation plan and progress against each activity; in monitoring/facilitating sub-activities, ensures technical support to each activity area is effective and efficient. The MEL Specialist will support the ATI MEL Director with drafting, monitoring, and reporting on the Performance Monitoring and Evaluation Plan (PMEP) and progress against each activity; in monitoring/facilitating sub-activities, ensuring technical support to each activity area is effective and efficient. He/she will provide support of the information management and design of a monitoring and reporting system including development of program indicators to help inform USAID, the Chief of Party, and Technical Program Officers of project status and progress toward achievement of key results. He/she will be responsible for the following:

Responsibilities and duties

• Collect data on program performance and impact, including undertaking field visits to activity sites
• Contribute to contract reporting requirements and success stories, conduct periodic data quality and completeness reviews, particularly collect and review evidences for indicator reporting data, and assist the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Director in analysis of project results
• Oversee and manage the monitoring and evaluation system, including implementing the ATI Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (AMELP), developing data collection methodology and tools, and leading complex statistical analyses and MEL reporting
• Manage the implementation of baseline surveys, program indicators and targets, and gather qualitative and quantitative data related to those indicators and targets.
• Provide performance monitoring and evaluation to include developing appropriate indicators, implementing systems to safeguard the collection and management of program data, and recommending changes to performance monitoring and work plans
• Support development of the project database system and coordinate with provincial staff to ensure the flow of reporting data from the field to central level; oversee, maintain and regularly update the database system.
• Provide training on tools and methodologies to staff and local partners as needed.
• Coordinate with the Communications Specialist to ensure timely preparation of MEL related progress reports on a weekly, monthly and quarterly basis
• Provide technical assistance and training on tools and methodology to staff and local partners
• Provide support to local partners to develop and test theories of change, and create forums for information sharing and learning
• Provide data analysis in support with periodic reporting, success stories in collaboration with the Communications Specialist
• Working closely with the project team, subcontractors, other partners and stakeholders in achieving high MERL standards and the collection, analysis, utilization, dissemination of data and learning.
• Conduct internal and grantee data quality assessments to test the validity and reliability of data used to measure program impact
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Director

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field.
• 9+ years of progressively responsible experience in monitoring evaluation, program management, or knowledge management
• Substantial experience with baseline survey design, supervision and analysis
• Experience training local partners and staff in MEL and knowledge management initiatives
• Excellent writing and organizational skills and experience preparing well-researched reports
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with institutional and private-sector partners and stakeholders in a multi-country setting
• Proficiency in database management and data analysis
• Experience in development of web-based data management system is a plus
• Excellent writing, speaking, and reading skills in English.

Skills:

• Excellent technical skills in quantitative and qualitative monitoring and results measurement (MRM) methods.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative analytical skills with the ability to interpret complex and conflicting information, generate ideas and establish means of effectively testing them.
• Strong strategic thinking skills and good judgment – the ability to reflect on the variety of likely impacts or outcomes from the activity and to determine pragmatic approaches to getting results.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English and the ability to communicate complex issues with clarity and structure, and to deliver documents to the highest level of professionalism.
• Ability to think strategically and critically, and to bring imagination to solving problems with substantial complexity and ambiguity.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and emotional intelligence: a genuine team player with strong listening, negotiating, and persuasive skills.
• Able to identify the key internal and external customers of the services provided by the MEL function, understand their requirements, and deliver services that they value within appropriate timescales.
• Ability to gain the trust and confidence of external and internal stakeholders at all levels.
• Genuine interest in business fundamentals and commercial analysis.
• Results-focused, consistent, and accurate with a strong commitment to data integrity.
• Able to plan and deliver work according to timescales and required milestones.
• Able to engage and work with a range of expert consultants and senior and middle management staff.
• Able to work with people of different professional, national and cultural backgrounds.
• Able to work independently, analyze and solve problems, and prioritize issues.
• Able to be flexible, versatile, and learn quickly in new or changing environments.
• Values-driven, demonstrating integrity and firm ethical standards.

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Responsibilities and duties

Human Resources Management

• Coordinate new hires joining date and lead the onboarding process with the hiring unit and operations team to ensure a smooth integration, finalizing the first-day agenda, and arranging necessary office equipment.
• Prepare the new employee file with all the necessary documentation in accordance with DAI policy and ensure all documentation is stored appropriately in TAMIS and in Sharepoint.
• Ensure employees are using TAMIS to request leave and work with the accounting team to track leave.
• Establish a calendar and process for completing annual and probationary employee performance evaluations. Train supervisors charged with conducting evaluations of staff members in their units and monitor compliance with the process. Track and notify managers when annual appraisals are due – managing any resulting staffing change requests and contract amendments including any promotion and/or annual salary increase recommendations – and ensuring that policies and procedures are followed according to the Personnel sections of the ATI Field Operations Manual (FOM).
• Maintain a tracker of project-wide staff contract executions, modifications, and terminations, coordinating closely with the Operations Manager and HR Officer to ensure documentation is complete.
• The HR Manager will be responsible for the completion of all contractual documentation, documenting on SharePoint and in TAMIS Pro per standard DAI guidance.
• Establish and maintain a complete set of Organizational Charts; update and distribute them regularly to key staff within the Project.
• Ensure employee subscription for health insurance.
• Ensure that accounting has all necessary information for employee payroll and that timesheets are being completed correctly.
• Assist staff to abide by the DAI employee policies and ethics.
• Advise and assist teams with the development and execution of a performance improvement plan (PIP) for employees as needed
• Coordinate with the home office team, project leadership, and local attorneys, as needed, to determine an appropriate course of action on any labor-law related matters that arise
• Manage all steps and paperwork involved in the exit process for departing staff.
• Supervise (whether directly or via matrix supervision) and provide training and development for other HR support staff on the project, including but not limited to the HR Officer and HR and Administrative Assistant
• Conduct periodic reviews of staff salaries across ATI’s offices, positions, and grade levels to ensure salary equity and, as needed, coordinate with the home office team to request salary revisions to maintain equity
• Maintain tracker and files regarding work permit status of staff, as needed, to ensure compliance with local labor law
• Coordinate with ATI leadership to develop and/or identify professional development and training opportunities for staff
• Advise project management and staff on HR-related issues and conflicts
• Any other duties as assigned.

Recruitment

• Manage the recruitment and selection process based on the project’s HR needs. Support country office recruitment efforts, ensuring that ATI’s recruitment process is consistently followed. Hands-on assistance may include advertising positions, scheduling interviews, sourcing candidates, adapting interview questions, serving as “recruitment coordinator” for assigned positions, conducting reference checks, verifying work permit status, and negotiating salary offers.
• Participate in job interviews and make hiring recommendations, communicate recruitment policies with the hiring manager to ensure the effectiveness of selection techniques and recruitment programs, ensure a transparent and bias-free recruitment process. Work with senior leadership to determine the terms of employment (type of contract, salary, and benefits) and negotiate the final agreement with the successful candidates.
• Work with supervisors to develop job descriptions, scopes of work/terms of reference, and job qualifications.
• Maintain the database of recruitment files.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Human Resources, Business Administration or other relevant degree
• 9+ years of progressive human resources experience, preferably with USAID programs
• Familiarity with USAID rules and regulations regarding human resources, compensation, and recruitment is required.
• Experience supervising staff
• Ability to identify time-sensitive demands & inquiries and respond effectively
• Demonstrated knowledge of internal controls and audit processes
• Demonstrated report writing skills in English is required.
• An articulate individual who possesses excellent communications and personnel management skills, strong operational focus, ability to work in a fast-paced environment and who can relate to people at all levels of an organization
• Ability to handle with discretion and sensitivity, and advise others, on sensitive personnel matters
• Previous experience with DAI policies, procedures, and systems (TAMIS, etc.) is preferred