Monitoring Evaluation Research and Learning (MERL) Officer

MONITORING EVALUATION RESEARCH AND LEARNING OFFICER

VACANCY SUMMARY

1. Vacancy No 04/2023: Monitoring Evaluation Research and Learning (MERL) Officer

NEXUS Consortium Somalia (https://nexusom.org/) is an association for civil society leadership to advance a new community-driven model of partnership promoting peaceful, thriving, and empowered communities in Somalia and Somaliland. This unique platform, led by nine pioneering Somali NGOs, aspires to lead a locally driven agenda for change, finding common cause and syncing interventions with government authorities, private sector, and the international community.

1. Job Purpose: The Monitoring Evaluation Research and Learning (MERL) Officer will be responsible for the design, coordination and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation, research, and learning framework of the anticipatory emergency response project. He/she will develop a systematic monitoring framework to improve the qualitative and quantitative evidence gathered by the Project. He/she will also provide technical assistance to the implementing agencies, particularly in relation to monitoring, evaluation and reporting.
2. Reports to: Nexus Consortium Executive Director.
3. Duty Station: Somalia/Somaliland with external travels.
4. Responsibilities

• Assist in the revision of the project log frame matrix, particularly in the areas of performance indicators and their measurement.
• Assist in the development and/or finalization of the project Work Plan and keep it updated in accordance with project activities and timeframes as relevant.
• Develop the overall framework, for project M&E, for example mid-term project review, impact assessment, final evaluation, develop project Performance Monitoring Plan with relevant data collection systems.
• Review the quality of existing data in the project subject areas, the methods of collecting it, and the degree to which it will provide good baseline statistics for impact evaluation.
• Develop baseline data for each project component and for all project indicators.
• Review their existing approaches and management information systems and agree on any required changes, support and resources with collaborating partners.
• Develop a plan for project-related capacity-building on M&E and for any computer-based support that may be required.
• Organize and undertake training with collaborating partners on M&E as required.

1. Implementation of M&E and coordination:

• Collect data on a regular basis to measure achievement against the performance indicators.
• Check data quality with partners.
• Data analysis and interpretation experience and proficiency using SPSS, STATA or other statistical analysis package highly desired.
• Maintain and administer the M&E database; analyze and aggregate findings.
• Support project progress reporting, project mid-term review and final evaluation.
• Identify areas where technical support to project partners is required.         

1. Communication:

• Produce reports on M&E findings and prepare presentations based on M&E data as required.
• Provide the Consortium Director with management information she/he may require.
• Check that monitoring data are discussed in appropriate forum and in a timely fashion in terms of implications for future action. If necessary, create such discussions to fill any gap.
• Perform other duties as may be assigned by the MERL Manager and the Consortium Executive Director.

• A bachelor’s degree in, Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation, Social Sciences, Development, Economics, or related studies is required.
• Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in an M&E position responsible for implementing M&E activities of international development projects.
• Experience in designing, implementing, and operating project M&E systems from project initiation to closeout stages.
• Experience in designing and managing beneficiary monitoring and database systems.
• Experience in strategic planning and performance measurement, including indicator selection, target setting, reporting, database management, and developing M&E and performance monitoring plans.
• Knowledge of the major evaluation methodologies (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, mixed-method, and impact) and data collection and analysis methodologies.
• Experience in planning and managing surveys.
• Experience in developing and refining data collection tools.
• Experience with data quality assessments and oversight.
• Experience in managing and providing training to partners and target beneficiaries.
• Ability to facilitate and serve as project liaison for externally managed evaluations.
• Excellent written and spoken command of English.

• Good knowledge of programme implementation, monitoring and evaluation techniques and practices.
• Familiarity with impact assessment an advantage
• Familiarity with some of the substantive issues handled by the project such as labour inspection, labour law enforcement, social dialogue.
• Good knowledge and experience regarding gender mainstreaming.
• Good moderation, facilitation, and training skills.

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications, an updated CV with a comprehensive summary of similar or comparable work. The CV should include three (3) referees from past employers with telephone and email contacts. Also include the current salary and expected salary in US$. Thorough and exhaustive reference and background checks will be conducted to ascertain the suitability of the candidate.

Complete applications should be sent to [email protected] by 10th April 2023, 5:00 PM East African Time.

We regret that only short-listed applicants will be contacted.

Early application is encouraged as this position is urgently required. This is a rolling recruitment and Nexus reserves the right to appoint a suitable candidate as soon as they are identified.

Nexus consortium is committed to equal opportunities and diversity. We welcome and encourage applications from women, minority and underrepresented groups.