Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Lead at Africa Management Solutions Limited (AMSOL)

Primary Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic planning

•  Evidence-based strategy development processes, including programme design, theory of change and programme logical framework, incorporated as relevant in fundraising proposals; updated as needed on the basis of emerging evidence.
•  Facilitate the development and implementation of strategic planning, monitoring, evaluation and learning frameworks, approaches, and annual plans with programme leadership, staff and partners.
• Lead the development and maintenance of  organizational results framework, ensuring alignment with programme results frameworks and monitoring processes; develop annual results reports and/or other related products.
•  Facilitate active engagement and ownership of the Institute’s strategic planning and MEL processes by programme staff and partners, providing support as needed.
•  Contribute to the development of appropriate MEL methodologies, tools and processes in collaboration with the Institute’s staff and partners, and aligned with the Institute’s strategic plan.
• Contribute to MEL capacity building for the Institute’s staff and partners, including support and coordination of a MEL community of practice to enable shared exploration and strengthening of tools, practices and processes.

Programme Monitoring and Reporting

• Ensure timely monitoring of the implementation of the programme activities in accordance with annual operating plans.
•  Prepare monthly M&E update reports, regular implementation reports and analyses as required, and produce different analytical tables corresponding to reporting and M&E requirements.
•  Ensure the timely collection of M&E data (according to the tools and written reporting procedures).
•  Administer all databases used for M&E.
• Assist in the regular collection of results for the project process indicators, with participation of management and relevant staff.
• Document and track innovative strategies/best practices/new approaches.
•  Lead development of quality assurance systems for the project to ensure data quality.
•  Ensure appropriate data collection tools and systems are in place and are being used correctly by staff and partners to collect required and accurate data for performance, monitoring and evaluation.
•  Identify the M&E technical assistance (TA) needs of departments and provide/organise TA through training and mentorship, with support from management. .
•  Create results frameworks that are relevant, robust, and serve the informational needs of the programme (internal learning and external communications and donor reporting).
•  Design and coordinate annual (or as needed) data collection tools and processes with programme staff and partners to ensure timeliness, consistency and quality.
•  Lead consolidation and write up for donor reporting, communications and other organisational needs, including IBP’s organisational results framework.
• Lead in identifying priority evaluation questions and evaluation approach, including internal and external evaluations, as relevant; undertake internal assessment, and co-create and manage external evaluations, as required

Learning and Communication

•  Priority learning questions and learning approach, including annual (or as needed) review and reflection spaces, and agreed upon learning products; support programme staff to create a participatory learning culture actively involving partners and other relevant stakeholders.
•  Coordinate with programmes and communications teams to ensure alignment between external communications, donor proposals/reporting, and strategic planning and MEL processes and products.
•  Contribute to effective knowledge management practices and systems, ensuring alignment and compatibility with all programs, as well as fundraising and communications priorities.
•  Lead or support (as relevant) organisational assessments, evidence reviews, learning syntheses or other evidence generating processes or products.
•  Support and facilitate organisational strategy and learning processes and spaces, ensuring inclusivity and participation while ensuring engagement with evidence and insights from the Institute and external sources.
•  Facilitate and support evidence gathering and learning processes that address programme priorities and enable strategic and adaptive management, as well as documentation and sharing of progress and lessons with the Institute and external audiences, including funders.
• Ensure that robust, practical, relevant, and participatory strategic planning and MEL methodologies, tools, practices, and processes generate meaningful evidence and insights that inform programme strategic adaptation and other relevant decision making; develop and implement uptake and engagement plans for all assessments, evaluations, case studies, learning products, and other MEL processes and products.

Other Responsibilities

•  Participate in and facilitate meetings and spaces for staff to coordinate and co-create tools, practices, processes, and evidence.
•  Participate in team and organisational planning and retreats, annual personnel reviews
• Support an organisational culture that aligns with the Institute’s principles.

Qualifications

•  Master’s degree in social, economic, political sciences, or development studies and formal training in monitoring and evaluation systems, approaches and methodologies.
•  Minimum 5 years of experience in developing and implementing MEL frameworks and systems for governance, advocacy, or development organisations and multi-country programmes is required.
•  Field experience with implementing programme MEL strongly preferred.
•  Demonstrated experience with MEL (including appropriate tools and methodologies) for complex, politically informed and adaptive programming is required.
•  Familiarity with data analytics and database software such as Power BI is required.
•  Familiarity with data visualisation software such as Venngage and Canva is required.
•  Strong facilitation skills and demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with diverse individuals, teams and cultures is required.
•  Attention to detail and strong organisational, analytical, and critical thinking skills.
• Curious individual with ability to work both independently and collaboratively, and to seek assistance with projects as required.
•  Ability to supervise staff and delegate work effectively.
•  An interest in continual learning and professional growth.
•  The ability to thrive in a role with a great deal of autonomy in an environment that is highly collaborative, communicative, and team-oriented.
•  Excellent written and spoken English, proficiency conveying complex and technical processes and ideas to diverse audiences.
• Commitment to the Institute’s mission and values.