Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Lead, WISH Policy and Systems (P&S) TA Programme at Options Consultancy Services Limited

Position

Options seeks a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Lead for the anticipated WISH Policy and Systems TA component (WISH P&S) of the FCDO-funded Integrated Sexual Health Dividend (WISH Dividend) programme.

The MEL Lead will provide flexible, demand-led technical assistance on demographic transition (DT) and sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) to countries in sub-Saharan Africa, prioritising need and countries not supported with service delivery under WISH Dividend.

Summary purpose and objective of role

The MEL Lead will work closely with the project team to:

• Design and implement the project’s monitoring, evaluation, adaptation and learning framework and plan, to assess and track project activities, and to report on outputs and outcomes.
• Contribute to adaptive management across the programme, to drive programme quality, efficiency and effectiveness.
• Lead development of and reporting against the project results framework.
• Lead the design, and support the delivery of a strong learning agenda, to build evidence of what works in delivering effective technical assistance in sexual and reproductive health and rights and demographic transition.

Requirements

• Minimum of ten years’ experience in MEL, in a large scale, multi-country development programme that includes a significant technical assistance component
• The ability to design and lead implementation of a bespoke and innovative MEL framework for a complex, multi-country technical assistance programme
• Deep and up-to-date understanding of programme evaluation and learning cycles, data analysis and presentation of results
• Experience using major evaluation methodologies (qualitative, quantitative and mixed methods) and data collection and analysis methodologies
• Experience working with consortia and with a dispersed team and network of consultants
• Experience of working in the programme’s technical areas (demographic transition and SRHR) or a closely aligned technical area
• Previous experience in MEL for programmes funded by UK aid or other major donors
• Excellent English verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to synthesise, present and draw meaning from complex data and evidence for a variety of different audiences (from civil society organisations to FCDO officials and Ministries)
• Proficient in Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) and Teams
• Ability to multi-task and cover multiple work streams simultaneously, to work independently, and as a team member, under pressure and to deadlines
• Degree in a relevant discipline.