Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Specialist at Plan International

Akwajobs   (Garoua, North Cameroon)

Posted : 7 November, 2019

Category : Monitoring and Evaluation   Location : Garoua, North Cameroon

Job type : Full Time

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Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Specialist

 Location: Garoua, NO, CM

Company: Plan International

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected. Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Position

Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Specialist

Grade

Department & Location Programme

Garoua PU Office

Date September 2019

Reports to: P4G Project Manager

Purpose:  How does this post support Plan’s strategy and mission?

Working in 50 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas, Plan aims to reach as many children as possible, particularly those who are excluded or marginalized with high quality programs that deliver long lasting benefits by increasing its income, working in partnership with others and operating effectively. The purpose of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (MER) Unit is, on the one hand, to  improve program quality and accountability through supporting and implementing high quality MERL in programs and projects and, on the other hand, to provide evidence for programme design, planning and effectiveness. The Monitoring. Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) specialist of the Plan for Girls (P4G) Project is in charge of supporting the project to implement specific aspects of the country MERL roadmap.  S/he is part of a Country MERL unit contributing to and disseminating good MERL practices for high program quality in Plan International Cameroon.

Dimensions of Role

• Responsible for effective implementation of the global MERL policy through its guidelines and tools for the P4G project
• Lead support to the P4G project in implementing Cameroon’s Country Strategy for MERL in the project cycle
• Member of the Country MERL team
• Does not line manage other staff

Typical Responsibilities - Key End Results of Position

1. Quality monitoring and evaluation is effective the P4G Project and at Garoua Programme Unit

• Provides technical support and oversight to the P4G project to ensure quality implementation of its strategy regarding monitoring and evaluation, in particular related to gender transformative M&E practices
• Offers technical support to the P4G team in the development of M&E tools, survey design, methodology, data analysis, and other services as may be required for project monitoring and evaluation
• Facilitates the development and quarterly update of the P4G project’s evaluation and research plans
• Identifies and/or contributes to innovations, scaling up and improvements to enhance effectiveness and efficiency as well as value for money
• Supports Head of MERL in review of country strategies for integration of effective MER measures
• Supports the development and implementation of MERL tools for the P4G project
• Monitors the effective implementation of the MERL policy in the P4G project

1. Improved accountability, programme and reporting quality through highly efficient monitoring and feedback systems

Activities

• Design and provide support to the implementation of participatory monitoring tools
• Support/lead the design and set up of community based monitoring and reporting systems
• Develop and implement a project performance database to monitor key project indicators
• Set up child-friendly feedback and complaint mechanisms to gather data on perceptions and opinions of children, young people and community members and partners on Plan’s work
• Compile reports for management on feedback and complaints from children, young people, communities and partners
• Update and generate relevant project reports from SAP for decision making
• Supports country gender transformative research projects (including conduct of literature reviews, writing of concepts notes and ToR, guidance and supervision of consultants, report reviews) for the P4G project
• Disseminates research results (for example, writing of abstracts and summary papers, presentations at conferences and workshops, designing of dissemination material)
• Documents and disseminates internally good practices and lessons learnt on MERL from the P4G project

1. Evidence for success or failure and knowledge on what works and what doesn’t in programmes through the planning and implementation of high quality ER&L

• Facilitate the development of the annual evaluation and research plan of the P4G project in a participatory manner
• Develop ToR for E&R activities;
• Support the recruitment of consultants for E&R initiatives;
• Design E&R data collection tools as well as quantitative and qualitative data analysis for the P4G project;
• Review baseline, evaluation and research reports and give recommendations regarding approval to programme management;
• Lead post intervention monitoring and studies;
• Support the P4G project in organising and gathering quarterly and annually feedback on progress, and compile reports from these gatherings;
• Produce and disseminate cases studies and reports of the P4G project to the program specialists;

Dealing with Problems:

Complexity of problems handled & the degree of investigation, analysis, & creative thinking required to solve them

Monitoring, Evaluation Research and Learning (MERL) are crucial components for ensuring high quality outcomes and impact in rights based programming.

Likewise, meeting high standards of MERL is a crucial requirement for learning and continuous improvement.

Communications and Working Relationships:

High level contact:

Internal:

The Garoua PU Office Programme Team;

Country MERL network (country level MER teams);

External

Partners at Garoua PU level

Qualification, Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:

Qualification

• A university degree in Social science or equivalent (demography, measurement, planning, monitoring & evaluation, development studies, project management)
• At least 05 years of experience in monitoring, evaluation research and learning functions including knowledge management

Knowledge

• Understanding of integrated development issues and critical analysis of child poverty
• Knowledge of theories of rights based programming and child protection (programmatic and safe-guarding)
• Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges and opportunities and implications to community development
• Demonstrated experience as a development professional in planning, implementing, monitoring,  evaluating and learning programs
• Knowledgeable on participatory MERL tools and systems
• Knowledgeable on tool design for qualitative and quantitative research
• Knowledge of strategic planning processes
• Knowledge of the context in the northern regions of Cameroon is an advantage

Skills

• Strong planning and organizational skills
• Skills in managing qualitative and quantitative data collections
• Working experience in community participation in development/programming
• Skills for data base management (design, entry, analysis)
• Strong analytical skills
• Extensive working experience of SAP and SAP BI Online
• Ability to deliver to tight deadlines
• Demonstrated facilitation and active listening skills
• Good presentation skills
• Solid writing skills (report writing, concept paper writing, ToR, etc.)
• Fluency in French and English
• Skills in using Microsoft Office and other software applications relevant to MERL (e.g. SPSS, epi-info, CSPro, KOBO Collect, etc)

Behaviours

• Coaches and builds capacity of project staff on MERL in the PU
• Promotes innovation and learning
• Communicates clearly and effectively
• Strong team building and motivational skills
• Demonstrates clear respect to all and especially children and women without discrimination
• Involves others in setting and achieving goals
• Demonstrates honesty and transparency in holding self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and Plan’s standards of behaviour
• Sees contribution of own part of the organisation in wider Plan and external context
• Balances future vision with practical delivery
• Cross culturally adept
• Acts as a team player, willing to get the best outcome overall, adjusting own priorities if necessary
• Promotes a strong learning culture in the organisation
• Remains calm and positive under pressure and in difficult situations
• Committed to promoting children and young people safeguarding, gender equality at the workplace and beyond

Office: Plan International Cameroon

Location: Garoua, Cameroon

Employment status: Full time

Contract status: Local

Deadline for submission:

Female applications are highly encouraged

Location: Garoua

Closing Date:06 /10/2019

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International's Safeguarding Children and Young People policy.

As an international child centred community development organisation, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realisation of children's rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. We must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for. Our organisation is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We will provide equality of opportunity and will not tolerate discrimination on any grounds. We foster an organisational culture that embraces and exemplifies our commitment to gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion while supporting staff to adopt good practice, positive attitudes and principles of gender equality and inclusion.

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