Kenya: Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist

Organization: Practical Action

Country: Kenya

Closing date: 20 May 2016

Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist

Practical Action is an international development agency working with poor communities to help them choose and use technology to improve their lives. We build on the communities’ knowledge and skills to come up with innovative, sustainable and practical solutions.

We are seeking a highly motivated, results-oriented and proactive team player to lead the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (ME & L) process of our Programmes. The position is based in Nairobi with considerable travel to the field.

The role:

The position is responsible for managing the monitoring, impact assessment and quality assurance of Programmes. The position will ensure that Practical Action’s work is in compliance with the organisational standards and those of donors who fund our programmes. The post holder will lead, develop and manage the quality assurance, monitoring and evaluation activities of the organization. Working closely with team leaders and project managers, the position will cover the whole programme and project cycle; managing research and participate in the designing, evaluation of programmes; developing projects on the basis of programme documents; ensuring systems are in place to monitor and evaluate impact. S/he will ensure strong integration of cross-cutting themes in all programmes and provide technical and administrative backstopping to programme teams in the development, implementation and assessment of projects and programmes of work. The position will work effectively with the Regional Director and the Regional Management Team (RMT) to submit quality and timely review reports.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Programme Development & Quality Assurance

• Responsible for managing the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) and reporting functions of the organization.


• Work with Programme Teams in designing and implementing plans for monitoring performance, achievements and impacts of projects.


• Facilitate and coordinate periodic project and regional programme reviews to assess the performance, achievements and impact of our work, distil lessons and propose measures to achieve even greater efficiency in project performance and programme delivery.


• To lead and support effective processes for reflection, learning, documentation and dissemination. Ensure meaningful participation of field staff, partners and beneficiaries in the reviews.


• In collaboration with team leaders, facilitate the conceptualization, formulation, documentation and periodic review of the strategic plans and programme processes.


• Assist Programme Teams in developing Concept Notes and Proposals with special emphasis on M&E aspects. Lead proposals for research, which will strengthen our MEL systems.


• Ensure detailed understanding of organizational key performance indicators (KPIs) to enable effective tracking of progress on monthly, quarterly and annual basis


• Ensure integration of Practical Action’s cross-cutting themes of Markets, Gender and Climate Change, including Practical Answers in all projects and programmes

Monitoring, Evaluation & Risk Management

• Manage the project database (including Practical Action’s Project Funding DataBase – PFDB), carry out regular analysis of M&E data and produce timely reports on project performance for internal and external review. Work with project managers, finance team and budget holders to ensure timely and effective reporting of project activities to donors in line with contractual terms and obligations.


• Manage day-to-day operations of the M&E system, including support of field officers in continued implementation of M&E tools and instruments.


• Work with field based project and programme staff to design and institute systems for monitoring and evaluating projects and use real time outputs to manage projects effectively and to the complete satisfaction of donors and client communities.


• Advice, guide and train project and programme managers in the principles and practice of monitoring and evaluation.


• Advise and assist programme staff in undertaking quality baseline studies, external midterm and final evaluations of their projects and follow up to ensure that recommendations are acted upon and where appropriate, made available to other members of the group.


• Ensure all new projects develop risk registers and use them to monitor, mitigate and escalate risks in a timely way. Distil risks and issues and share them with the Regional Director and RMT for timely address.


• Work with field staff/project teams, the communications team to identify and develop knowledge products for wider dissemination in the region.


• Provide technical assistance and data for the M&E component of grant proposal development


• Ensure proper coordination and effectiveness of quarterly program review activities to deliver coherently collated review reports for the EA region.


• Participate in working groups, conferences, consultations with other agencies on M&E issues


• In liaison with the Grants Officer, ensure compliance with internal procedures and contractual obligations paying special attention to start up and closure procedures and donor requirements.


• To ensure that organisational priorities and cross-cutting areas, such as Gender, Wellbeing, Markets, Climate Change and value for Money are integrating into the programme process

Requirements

The ideal candidate will have a strong track record of leading ME&L at senior level in the international development sector; proven project/programme management and research experience including programme design, project cycle management and grants management; ability to collect, collate and assimilate information from various sources and present to others effectively and strong competence in managing M&E database systems. In addition, s/he will have:

• Bachelor’s degree in development or relevant field or Post graduate Diploma in Project Planning or M& E


• Proven experience in strategic planning, project management and financial management


• At least five years relevant experience, two of which must have been at middle management level preferably in an international NGO or reputable organization.

How to apply:

If you have the experience, skills and the ability we are looking for, please send your application letter and updated CV to Practical Action, Eastern Africa Regional Office by email: recruitment@practicalaction.or.ke no later than 20^th May, 2016.

Practical Action is an equal opportunity employer; qualified women are encouraged to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Website: www.practicalaction.org