Evidence Action Senior Associate (Accountability and Learning) Job in Nairobi, Kenya

Organization: Evidence Action

Position Title: Senior Associate, Accountability and Learning

Reporting to: Manager, Data Innovation, Accountability and Learning (DIAL)

Location: Nairobi, Kenya

Start Date: February 18th, 2016 (or ASAP)

Deadline: Rolling Basis

About Evidence Action: Evidence Action scales proven development solutions to benefit millions of people around the world. We fill the gap between knowing ‘what works’ and having impact at scale. 

We implement cost-effective interventions whose efficacy is backed by substantial rigorous evidence. 

 

We identify innovative, appropriate financing mechanisms and build best-practice operational models. 

While Evidence Action continues to grow the pipeline of proven-interventions to bring to scale – otherwise known as Evidence Action Beta – its current “flagship” programs in the Africa Region include:

• Dispensers for Safe Water is a comprehensive sustainable rural water service that installs hardware, provides community education, and ensures ongoing maintenance and chlorine supply.


• The Deworm the World Initiative is a coalition of partner organizations, led by Evidence Action.  It assists governments with comprehensive technical assistance in the implementation of national school-based deworming programs.

About Monitoring Learning and Information Systems (MLIS) Team

The MLIS team embodies the evidence-based nature of Evidence Action’s work and enables us to be a data-driven organization. 

The team provides services across Evidence Action Africa region in meeting the following outcomes:

• All ongoing program monitoring needs met (including M&E design and quality data collection)


• Programs delivered with access to timely and useful data for day-to-day programmatic planning and decision making


• Analysis and research conducted to support program improvements (including operation research, market research and cost-efficiency analysis)


• Support with timely, useful and clear information for evidence-based decision making (including provide support to connect the dots)


• Support provided to regional leadership for new programs and partnerships for exploration and evaluation


• Standards, systems and processes setup for delivery of all functions (monitoring, analysis, research, information systems and quality data)

The team provides services across Evidence Action’s Africa Region through three sub-teams that work closely together to deliver quality, timely and useful information:

• Data Collection and Information Systems (DIS): Responsible for training, data collection and logistics of M&E activities in the field. Information systems ensure that the program have access to timely and useful data through a cloud-based multi-user system.


• Design, Data Processing and Analysis (DPA): Responsible for data management, analysis and research. DPA ensures that all ongoing program monitoring needs are met and analysis and research is conducted to support program improvements.


• Data Innovation, Accountability and Learning (DIAL): Responsible for supporting the program teams with timely information in innovative, useful and clear ways to translate analysis and research to evidence-based decision making and action. DIAL also seeks out innovative ways to engage with program and is responsible for internal communications.

We are looking for a motivated individual to join our team as a Senior Associate, Accountability and Learning, working within MLIS’s Data Innovation, Accountability and Learning (DIAL) team. 

DIAL’s role is to understand the M&E needs of the program and to translate lessons learned from data collection to decision making. 

The successful candidate, like the MLIS team, will embody the evidence-based and data-driven nature of the organization.

About the Position:

The Senior Associate, will carry primary responsibility for:

1. Creating a shared understanding of MLIS services to Evidence Action program teams;


2. Ensuring effective information flow within and between program teams and MLIS divisions;


3. Lead the communication of clear research and findings in a timely manner, including donor report writing;


4. Creating shared accountability for MLIS services;


5. Engage with MLIS stakeholders to ensure clear channels for feedback;


6. Spearhead professional development activities within MLIS;


7. Support MLIS in conducting secondary research activities;

Goals and Responsibilities

Accountability

• Fully understanding program needs for data and translating that back to the MLIS team, including developing tools that enable clear and effective information gathering


• Seeking out, prioritizing, and communicating requests from programs teams to the MLIS team


• Identifying, and documenting the best approaches for the MLIS team to serve programs

Ensure effective information flow and communication of lessons learned from MLIS to programs

• Collaborating with the MLIS delivery teams to ensure that all program team members to have continuous, error-free access to required data for day-to-day programmatic business, planning and decision making


• Writing and editing reports and presentations with a keen eye for how the information should be phrased based on the view point of the target audiences (i.e. data visualization software, infographics, etc.)


• Extracting learnings from analysis and research products that enable program teams to make evidence-based decisions


• Collecting and organizing/curating information from various sources (i.e. existing program (primary) research, external (secondary) research, new analyses, management information systems, etc.) to help programs in making decisions


• Leading the coordination of the three MLIS delivery teams

Market and Showcase MLIS Services

• Responsible for making program leadership and program delivery teams aware of the ways in which the Monitoring, Learning, and Information Services (MLIS) team can assist programs in making evidence-based decisions

Team Management

• Managing the productivity, professional development skill building and liaising of at least one Associate, Learning and Communication


• Managing the work plans and priorities of the Learning and Communication Associate

Qualifications and Experience

• Master’s degree (preferred) or Bachelor’s (and additional work experience) in data-oriented social sciences (i.e. economics, quantitative political science), data-journalism, public health, epidemiology, or related field


• A minimum of 2-5 years work experience generating high quality, clear, thought leadership pieces and managing communications within organizations and to partners and external audiences


• Experience in data visualization and/or building infographics and/or using design and infographic software (e.g. Gapminder, StatSilk, Adobe Illustrator/Photoshop, OmniGraffle etc.)

Skills Required

A successful Senior Associate, Learning and Communication will have the following attributes;

• The ability to work independently with minimal instruction


• The drive to seek out new opportunities for work


• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to work effectively with a team that is geographically dispersed


• Self-directed/self-motivating personality, with proven ability to manage demands from multiple supervisors while adhering to program deadlines and priorities


• Strong critical and analytical thinking skills


• Intellectual flexibility and willingness to form and adjust opinions based on evidence


• Quick to learn, motivated to self-teach and capable of independently translating new knowledge into practice


• An active approach to problem-solving and an orientation toward practical knowledge-seeking through learning, questioning, and experimentation


• A belief that the timely and right-sized application of knowledge and information is a requirement for strong decision-making and high-quality service delivery.


• Highest quality, professional writing and communications skills

How to Apply

NOTE: Please specifically illustrate the above desired qualifications in your cover letter by giving examples from your experience.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted by email for an interview. 

Applicants are encouraged to apply early, as applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and a decision may be made before the deadline.