Openings at ICS- SP Africa

Job Profile

Roles include but is not limited to;

• Project management: Oversee project start-up, management, and administration. Ensure program implementation is on time, scope, budget, and donor regulations.
• ECD technical guidance: Provide technical support to the design and implementation of ECD projects and interventions. Contribute to the development of new ECD resources and tools. Build the capacity of ICS SP team on ECD programming.
• Project accountability: In line with organizational processes and donor requirements, and timelines, develop and present progress, process and financial reports.
• Monitoring, learning and research: Develop and implement an effective M&E and learning framework for the project. Keep abreast of evaluation and research best practices related to multisectoral ECD interventions and in collaboration with M&E coordinator and research partners, provide technical support on how to incorporate these best practices/approaches in the project. Explore strategic opportunities to share and disseminate project evaluation and research results.
• Partnerships and networking: Foster meaningful working relationships, work in close collaboration with relevant government departments and strategic technical partners and utilize national, and sub national partnerships, technical working committees and networks to advance project goals and outcomes.
• Advocacy for government uptake and scaling : Lead on the ECD advocacy agenda and participate in strategy design meetings at national and sub national level , and provide evidence, and strategic direction for the uptake, institutionalization and scaling of cost-effective evidence based ECD solutions by line ministries and partners.
• Influence and representation: Represent ICS SP at government, donor, partner and other relevant meetings and events, in close coordination with the Director.
• Human resource management: Assist in designing of performance objectives and indicators for project staff, guide and support staff to meet desired deliverables and conduct performance appraisals as guided by organizational HRM policies.

Desirable requirements

1. At least 10 years proven programming experience (with at least 6 years in ECD programmes)
2. Extensive understanding of global evidence, best practices and gaps around Early Childhood Development Interventions, including the nurturing care framework and care for child development
3. Strong advocacy and influencing skills.
4. Demonstrated experience in operationalizing ECD interventions in government systems and service delivery platforms.
5. Sound comprehension of working with research partners to evaluate and disseminate ECD project outcomes.
6. Proven track record to coordinate complex family and child development programs with diverse range of partners.
7. Solid understanding on planning, budgeting and project reporting
8. Strong interpersonal, analytical, reporting, communication and presentation skills
9. Proven ability to manage self and, guide and lead employees to ensure appropriate programme management processes are being used.
10. Degree in development studies/ social sciences/gender/ public health/ early childhood development. Master's degree in related disciplines will be an added advantage.
11. A sound understanding of adolescent programming is a plus.

go to method of application »

Purpose of function

The Research, Monitoring and Learning Officer will work in coordination with Project Coordinator and will be responsible for implementing and managing the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities according to ICS SP Monitoring and Evaluation protocols including the coordination of externally conducted impact evaluations in order to deliver a high-quality, results-oriented project for an upcoming project aimed at establishing the cost and cost effectiveness of a parenting intervention that aims at improving caregiver wellbeing and optimal development outcomes for children aged 0-3 years

Key areas of responsibility

• Design, implement, and operate project M&E systems from project initiation to closeout stages
• Undertake performance measurement, including indicator selection, target setting, reporting, and developing M&E and/or performance monitoring plans and data collection tools
• Support research design and methodology for project-related research
• Serve as project liaison for externally-managed evaluations
• Translate information from research and M and E activities to support communication and dissemination of research findings and lessons learned
• Monitor the results of the program’s activities; design and implement systematic program learning tools and activities designed to build staff capacity in M and E
• Improve program performance and utilization of learnings for future programs and resource mobilization
• Ensure that development results are demonstrated and communicated in ways that assure that ICS SP value is recognized within the development sector and by the public.
• Contribute extensively to quarterly and annual reports
• Ensure compliance with donor and ICS SP regulations related to child development programming.

Qualifications and skills

• Bachelor’s degree with an advanced certificate in M&E, statistics, research or economics
• Excellent knowledge of holistic child development, home and school factors influencing child outcomes
• Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in a M&E position responsible for implementing research, monitoring and learning activities of social and child development projects
• Top tier research skills, including research design, instrument development, and data collection procedures and data analysis required
• Knowledge of statistics and psychometrics preferred and familiarity with statistical applications such as SPSS, SAS or STATA

Excellent writing skills required:

• technical writing for project reports and publications, including writing about data from large and small data sets, and writing about child development;
• persuasive writing for proposals and grants.