Thematic Director, Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning & Sharing
The Sasakawa Africa Association (SAA) is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning & Sharing Thematic Director (TD-MELS) to be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The strategic goal of the TD-MELS is to establish information and knowledge management systems that enable adaptation, modification and change of technologies and approaches, improve efficiency and impacts, and communicate lessons and best practices for timely evidence-based decision-making.
The TD-MELS reports to the SAA Managing Director.
Scope of work
1) To effectively and efficiently undertake baseline surveys and needs assessments on interventions in SAA sites,
2) To collect, analyze, use and report in a continuous and systematic manner, monitoring data and information from selected SAA intervention areas,
3) To measure and assess SAA program(s) and project(s)’ impacts on smallholder farmers, partners and agricultural development in the 4 focus countries,
4) To develop and implement appropriate strategies for periodic internally and/or externally commissioned evaluations to assess performance - relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact and sustainability, and guide decision-making, and
5) To ensure evidence-based reporting, learning (including capacity building), sharing of lessons and good practices on SAA interventions.
Priorities for MELS Theme
1) Assessment of effectiveness of matrix management on implementation of SAA Programs and thematic synergies along the value chain,
2) Baseline surveys for new intervention areas (subject to coverage in past baselines) or new projects,
3) Outcome monitoring of SG 2000 Programs’ interventions, such as: Technology Option plots (TOPs), Women Assisted Demonstrations (WADs), Production Test Plots (PTP) farmers, Extension Agents (EAs) and Community Based Facilitators (CBFs) on technology diffusion, Commodity Association Trainers (CATs) and assessment of multiplier effects,
4) Impact assessments and in-depth studies of SG 2000 Program interventions, such as: adoption and impact (yield, income, nutrition) of Crop Productivity Enhancement (CPE) promoted technologies; effectiveness/performance of technologies in terms of yield, food security and incomes and role of CATs in linking farmers and farmer organizations to input and output markets and credit access,
5) Evaluation of SG 2000 programs and projects: mid-term, final or as directed by SAA Management and/or donors, and
6) Learning and sharing of findings, results, lessons and best practices.
The successful candidate will have:
1) A PhD or equivalent in Development Economics, Agricultural Economics, Social Sciences or related field,
2) 10 years minimum Impact Assessment and MELS experience, preferably in or related to agricultural development and extension in Africa,
3) Extensive knowledge of monitoring and evaluation principles, techniques and methods,
4) Knowledge of word processing, data management, and statistical programs (e.g. MySQL, Access, STATA, SPSS, SAS, etc.),
5) Understanding and skills in using ME&L and other strategic information to inform program and policy decisions,
6) Strong communication skills – written and verbal,
7) An ability and willingness to travel within the country of assignment, to all SAA focus countries, as well as internationally in Africa and elsewhere, and
8) Fluency in English, the working language of Sasakawa Africa Association, is required; French is an asset.
About SAA
The Sasakawa Africa Association was established in 1986 and is registered in Geneva, Switzerland as a Swiss NGO. SAA spearheads efforts to modernise activities along the agricultural value chains, including crop (and livestock) production practices used by smallholder farmers, post harvest and agro-processing practices, and supporting the formation of farmer organisations that will enable them to obtain credit, acquire inputs, and market their produce more successfully. SAA efforts are currently focussed on Ethiopia, Mali, Nigeria and Uganda. SAA’s broader mission is to help sub-Saharan African governments reduce poverty, enhance food security, and protect the natural resource base through the accelerated adoption of improved agricultural technologies. For more information about SAA and this position, go to: http://www.saa-safe.org.
Job Email id: kdbromham(at)gmail.com
The TD-MELS reports to the SAA Managing Director.
Scope of work
1) To effectively and efficiently undertake baseline surveys and needs assessments on interventions in SAA sites,
2) To collect, analyze, use and report in a continuous and systematic manner, monitoring data and information from selected SAA intervention areas,
3) To measure and assess SAA program(s) and project(s)’ impacts on smallholder farmers, partners and agricultural development in the 4 focus countries,
4) To develop and implement appropriate strategies for periodic internally and/or externally commissioned evaluations to assess performance - relevance, efficiency, effectiveness, impact and sustainability, and guide decision-making, and
5) To ensure evidence-based reporting, learning (including capacity building), sharing of lessons and good practices on SAA interventions.
Priorities for MELS Theme
1) Assessment of effectiveness of matrix management on implementation of SAA Programs and thematic synergies along the value chain,
2) Baseline surveys for new intervention areas (subject to coverage in past baselines) or new projects,
3) Outcome monitoring of SG 2000 Programs’ interventions, such as: Technology Option plots (TOPs), Women Assisted Demonstrations (WADs), Production Test Plots (PTP) farmers, Extension Agents (EAs) and Community Based Facilitators (CBFs) on technology diffusion, Commodity Association Trainers (CATs) and assessment of multiplier effects,
4) Impact assessments and in-depth studies of SG 2000 Program interventions, such as: adoption and impact (yield, income, nutrition) of Crop Productivity Enhancement (CPE) promoted technologies; effectiveness/performance of technologies in terms of yield, food security and incomes and role of CATs in linking farmers and farmer organizations to input and output markets and credit access,
5) Evaluation of SG 2000 programs and projects: mid-term, final or as directed by SAA Management and/or donors, and
6) Learning and sharing of findings, results, lessons and best practices.
The successful candidate will have:
1) A PhD or equivalent in Development Economics, Agricultural Economics, Social Sciences or related field,
2) 10 years minimum Impact Assessment and MELS experience, preferably in or related to agricultural development and extension in Africa,
3) Extensive knowledge of monitoring and evaluation principles, techniques and methods,
4) Knowledge of word processing, data management, and statistical programs (e.g. MySQL, Access, STATA, SPSS, SAS, etc.),
5) Understanding and skills in using ME&L and other strategic information to inform program and policy decisions,
6) Strong communication skills – written and verbal,
7) An ability and willingness to travel within the country of assignment, to all SAA focus countries, as well as internationally in Africa and elsewhere, and
8) Fluency in English, the working language of Sasakawa Africa Association, is required; French is an asset.
About SAA
The Sasakawa Africa Association was established in 1986 and is registered in Geneva, Switzerland as a Swiss NGO. SAA spearheads efforts to modernise activities along the agricultural value chains, including crop (and livestock) production practices used by smallholder farmers, post harvest and agro-processing practices, and supporting the formation of farmer organisations that will enable them to obtain credit, acquire inputs, and market their produce more successfully. SAA efforts are currently focussed on Ethiopia, Mali, Nigeria and Uganda. SAA’s broader mission is to help sub-Saharan African governments reduce poverty, enhance food security, and protect the natural resource base through the accelerated adoption of improved agricultural technologies. For more information about SAA and this position, go to: http://www.saa-safe.org.
Job Email id: kdbromham(at)gmail.com
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