International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO)

Deadline: 5 April 2021

Office Location: Harare, Zimbabwe

New or Replacement: New Position

Supervisor Title: Chief of Party

Full or Part-Time: Full-Time

Expected Project End Date: 8/31/2026

Position purpose

An International Non-Governmental Organization (INGO) seeks an experienced Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MERL) Manager for the anticipated Zimbabwe Citizen Action for Accountability Activity. The activity aims to strengthen a culture of political and civic engagement in Zimbabwe by promoting greater and more effective citizen participation in governance processes at multiple levels with an eye to improved, citizen-driven development. This is anticipated to be a five-year activity. This position is contingent upon award.

Key responsibilities

The MERL Manager provides strategic guidance, vision, and management for the successful monitoring and evaluation of the program, as well as the research component that will be conducted with external partners. This individual also supervises MERL staff and ensures the strategic and functional integration of all MERL activities as well as active collaboration with sub-awardees and Donor. The Manager oversees all MERL activities, provides technical direction and support, ensures the accurate reporting of results for program activities, and ensures the program aligns with INGO’s quality standards for MERL in close coordination with INGO’s Results and Measurement (R&M) Team.

Specific duties

The specific duties to be carried out by the successful candidate are listed below:

Oversee the design and implementation of the project’s MERL system in coordination with INGO’s Results and Measurement (R&M) Team to develop key performance indicators, targets, tools, and appropriate MERL responsibilities across the project; Manage baseline assessments and support the implementation of research studies with INGO’s HQ R&M Team; Coordinate any external evaluation and research processes, including drafting Terms of Reference and selection of firms, in alignment with award; Develop and disseminate relevant M&E tools, formats and lead the provision of M&E specific technical training; Oversee data collection, collation, storage, analysis, and reporting, ensuring that data is of high quality and audit worthy; Supervise other M&E staff and oversee consortium partners’ compliance with project MEL system and standards; Ensure appropriate training and supportive supervision of all partners in monitoring and evaluation procedures, data collection tools, and data management practices in alignment with the MERL plan; Work closely with partners to establish their internal MERL systems, M&E plans, and data quality management, oversee partners’ compliance with MERL system, and design and conduct trainings to support capacity for MERL among partners; Strengthen staff and partners’ capacity in qualitative and quantitative monitoring and evaluation techniques through comprehensive staff training, mentoring, and/or coaching; Conduct and manage Routine Data Quality Assessments (RDQA); ensuring implementation of corrective actions to improve data quality and accountability of staff and partners; Oversee the development and maintenance of a comprehensive project database, ensure accurate and timely storage of electronic files; Responsible for calculation and reporting of INGO’s Global Indicators through imPact, INGO’s instance of DHIS2, and calculation and reporting of project data into impact; Responsible for the data analysis, writing, and review of the results and learning sections of program reports in collaboration with program staff, before submission to donor and ensure consortium partners’ compliance with internal data quality requirements and timely submissions for reporting; Commitment to applied learning and adaptation based on data: Lead the program team on routine reviews and interpretation of data for learning and adaptation, package and disseminate timely findings in a meaningful way, and make suggestions for adaption; Create a learning agenda and implement a system designed to identify lessons learned and disseminate timely information; Produce learning products and thought leadership pieces relevant to the project intervention; present in local conferences or on webinars regarding project’s MERL successes; Other tasks as assigned.

Basic requirements

Master’s degree in any of the following or related fields: social science, international development, public health, evaluation, statistics, or economics; At least 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in designing, managing, and implementing results-based MERL activities; At least 5 years of supervisory experience; Demonstrated relevant technical skills in analyzing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data and packaging the findings; Excellent organizational as well as English oral and written communication skills; Progressively responsible experience in monitoring and evaluation of key populations, program beneficiaries, and program staff; Experience in utilizing gender and social inclusion sensitive indicators and measures; Extensive knowledge of reporting procedures, including USAID best practices, guidelines, and tools for monitoring, evaluation, and learning, including impact evaluation; Ability to work well on team and with various partner organizations; Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, i.e., Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc., and the ability to use various commercially available statistical software programs; Experience in utilizing gender and social inclusion sensitive indicators and analysis; Experience in Zimbabwe; Understanding of USAID standard indicators; Fluency in English (oral, writing and reading).

Preferred qualifications

Experience with DHIS2 platform and mobile data collection software; Experience working with community-based organizations in Zimbabwe; Experience with supporting or carrying out applied political economy analysis (APEA) or similar methodologies; Zimbabwean nationals are encouraged to apply.