Senior Project Officer (SPO) – Monitoring Evaluation and Learning
Background
In 2009 the Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies adopted a new global strategy (Strategy 2020) which articulates the Federation’s direction for the next 10 years. Specifically the strategy lays out three strategic aims:
1) Save lives, protect livelihoods and strengthen recovery from disasters and crises.
2) Enable healthy and safe living.
3) Promote social inclusion and a culture of non-violence and peace.
The East Africa Regional Office of IFRC has interpreted these aims into a strategic approach for IFRC Technical Support in the region. The Community Risk Management (CRM) approach encompasses much of the work of the previous departments of Disaster Management, Health and Water/Sanitation but focuses it more coherently on integrated outcomes at community level which build community resilience and safety.
Community Resilience can be defined as: The ability of a community to mitigate, prepare, manage, respond and recover from the effects of hazards in a timely and efficient manner, preserving or restoring its essential basic structures, functions and identity. A resilient community is well-placed to manage hazards, to minimize their effects and/or to recover quickly from any negative impacts, resulting in a similar or improved state as compared to before the hazard occurred. Resilience varies greatly for different communities and even within different community groups.
As noted in 2011 the IFRC RO is undertaking a programmatic and management transition that reflects the changing circumstances of a highly diverse region. The TSU in 2011 has started with a more strategic approach towards improving quality and technical support for project/program design, monitoring, evaluation and learning. More attention will be given to the development and implementation of branch, national and regional M&E systems and tools in order to monitor progress and processes towards achievement of strategic objectives.
IFRC EA Region seeks to establish and implement M&E systems that will enable improvement of internal management, program/project performance and data/evidence-based decision making. Additionally seeking to increase capacity to design and implement relevant and meaningful M&E systems as part of proposals and reports to donors, so the RC/RC movement is able to demonstrate results to stakeholders thus becoming more competitive within the humanitarian sector.
Within this context, the Senior Project Officer - MEL will provide technical support to the region and identified National Society programmes in all matters pertaining to M&E. S/he will build capacity in the region and national societies by identifying and supporting the implementation of effective, cost efficient, and meaningful M&E systems and move the region to a more strategic approach towards M&E.
Job Purpose
The purpose of the position is to increase the technical M&E capacity and to ensure technical quality of M&E activities in the region. The Senior Project Officer – Monitoring, Evaluation Learning primary function:
Build regional and national capacity in monitoring, evaluation and learning by guiding, supporting and leading design and implementation of M&E systems and procedures that are appropriate, effective and cost-efficient.
The SPO-MEL must effectively manage relationships with selected national society programmes and support the team in identifying and/or in creating and implementing M&E systems that will lead to improved program quality.
S/he in coordination with the Programme Coordinator leads development and implementation of regional M&E systems and processes as well as mechanisms for information and knowledge sharing. In addition will provide technical input on M&E to project reviews and proposals.
The SPO-MEL will provide leadership and support in the design and implementation of the Knowledge and Learning Management Strategy.
This position is part of the Technical Support Unit. This position has a substantial level of autonomy in execution of responsibilities. S/he does not make strategic decisions; rather through his/her efforts decisions made by others are informed decisions supported by data and best practices.
Planning/Development (30%)
Coordinate the development of a comprehensive overall monitoring, evaluation and learning framework, including practical toolkits for the IFRC EA TSU.
Design, lead and manage participatory processes to establish regional, and identified national M&E systems within agreed National Society programmes.
Design, coordinate and/or deliver a cohesive training and capacity building program on behalf of the IFRC TSU for National Societies that transfers and enhances capacity to design, introduce and implement appropriate M&E systems;
Develop and/or participate in development of guidance and frameworks for regional procedures, policies and processes that will institutionalize and support high quality Design, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning in IFRC RO.
Help establish M&E guidance and tools for IFRC EA TSU roll out with National Societies.
Programme Support/Technical Assistance (40%)
Support National Societies within selected programmes in providing hands-on technical assistance in all aspects of Design, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, including development and implementation of M&E systems and tools, reviewing project proposals, leading or assisting in mid-term and final evaluations.
Promote cross-learning among National Societies and between identified Programmes and the wider movement to consolidate the emergence of best practices in RC/RC MEL.
TSU Coordination (20%)
Ensure that MEL is embedded as an integral part of technical support provided by the TSU for National Societies
Develop and oversee integrated work plans on MEL for the TSU specific thematic areas.
Provide assistance and coordinate where appropriate within the wider Movement technical assistance and related initiatives in MEL.
Analyse reports and produce a synthetic and analytical progress report to guide management decision-making;
Organise learning events to share best practices between National Societies and the RC/RC movement in East Africa.
Manage the budget and reporting requirements for MEL
Lead and support further development and implementation of regional Knowledge and Management Learning Strategy
Communication/Information Management (10%)
Promote an efficient Management Information System enabling systematic and efficient data collection, sharing of best practices and lessons learnt;
Coordinate, lead and manage participatory and innovative data collection initiatives e.g. the pilot mobile data collection system, analysis and reporting.
Communicate and disseminate information on IFRC M&E standards, policies, practices and indicators; coordinate with other regions, the Zone and Geneva in developing best practices and sharing lessons learned;
Establish and maintain mechanisms for capturing, analyzing, reporting/sharing and applying M&E findings, information, lessons learned, and best practices among RC/RC movement personnel.
Promote the replication of documented best practices among National Society organisations in East Africa and internationally where appropriate.
Represent the technical content of IFRC M&E systems externally to donors and other organizations.
Other:
Other duties may be assigned within the nature and scope of the position employed or the above redesigned where appropriate.
Duties applicable to all staff
Actively work towards the achievement of the Federation's goals.
Abide by and work in accordance with the Red Cross Red Crescent principles.
Perform any other work related duties and responsibilities that may be assigned by the line manager.
Required Qualifications
Technical/Professional
Five years of progressively responsible and directly relevant professional experience; at least two years of working directly in M&E;
Thorough familiarity with principles and current approaches to M&E using both quantitative and qualitative methods;
Demonstrated M&E field experience; skilled in collecting, manipulating, synthesizing and analyzing data;
Experience linking grass roots initiatives with policy level work
Understanding of donor expectations and trends for M&E;
Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring, and other formal and non-formal methods;
High level of English-language proficiency (speaking, reading, writing);
Excellent analytic and computer skills;
Experience with management information systems;
Willingness and ability to travel approximately 60% of time;
Education:
Graduate degree in a directly related field, such as operations research, quantitative analysis, etc.;
Significant work experience in a directly related field will be considered in lieu of graduate degree.
Skills
Skilled in influencing and obtaining cooperation of individuals not under supervisory control; able to manage long-distance relationships to achieve results;
Ability to engage and motivate staff and National Society partners in a challenging new area;
Demonstrated strengths in relationship management; able to work with diverse groups of people in multicultural, team oriented environment;
Self-motivated and able to work without close supervision;
Able to prioritize work, multi-task and meet deadlines;
Strong interpersonal skills and good understanding of working in a partnership framework
Drive for change and improvements and ability to deliver strategies in a challenging environment
Languages:
Fluency in written and spoken English, Knowledge of Kiswahili and French an advantage
Competencies:
Results Focus & Accountability
Teamwork
Communications
Professional Mastery
Leadership
Managerial Effectiveness
Innovation
Submission of applications:
Applications should be submitted by email to zonehr.easternafrica@ifrc.org ; to be received not later than July 15th 2011.
Kindly note that:
- Only e-mail applications will be accepted
- Due to large volumes of applications only short listed candidates will be contacted
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