Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist, Water Funds at Nature Conservancy

WHAT WE CAN ACHIEVE TOGETHER
The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist will be responsible for the design, coordination, and support for implementation of an M&E and learning framework by the Resilient Watersheds program’s 15+ projects. Reporting to the Region’s Water Funds Director, the position will be based at a suitable TNC office in Kenya, Tanzania, Gabon, Zambia or South Africa.

No relocation or visa sponsorship or assistance is being offered with this position. This is a 2-year term limited position. Extension of tenure will be subject to performance and availability of funds.

The responsibilities and scope for this position are:

• Develop and institutionalize a strong program-level MEL system for the program
• Develop the program’s Performance Monitoring Plans and provide M&E support in refining results frameworks and identifying relevant indicators to report on results.
• Generate timely and accurate donor reports with necessary data support and own the reporting process including preparing presentations based on MEL data as needed.
• Support the development and application of appropriate data collection tools and methods
• Develop the program’s field-monitoring framework that allows for systematic planning and tracking of implementation activities e.g., templates for specific project’s field monitoring and reporting.
• Provide timely and accurate updates for program activities to the regional dashboard and the TNC Hub.
• In collaboration with each of the Water Fund leads, strengthen data collection to measure progress towards both TNC’s 2030 and program level targets.
• Foster cross site learning, prepare and manage visitor schedules, strengthen a Community of Practice for compiling case studies, sharing of best practices and lessons learned for adaptive management.
• Provide advice to the Resilient Watersheds team on improving program/project performance using MEL findings.

WE'RE LOOKING FOR YOU

• The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist is a core team member of the multi-disciplinary Resilient Watersheds (Water Funds) program that advances environmental conservation, economic development, and human wellbeing goals across the Africa region. The role is responsible for supporting all monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) related to water funds and catchment investment mechanisms, including gathering credible data and related activities. The bearer of this role will benefit from technical support provided to the wider TNC regional and global freshwater strategy and Resilient Watersheds program leaders, through TNC’s Monitoring and Evaluation teams.
• The position will develop a systematic monitoring framework to improve the qualitative and quantitative evidence gathered by the various projects and strategies. They will design and execute relevant trainings, provide technical assistance to TNC partners and the implementing agencies, in relation to monitoring, reporting, and learning. The work will be a blend of supporting the ongoing M&E activities of existing projects and strategies including strengthening existing M&E systems, reporting on outputs and outcomes, and applying adaptive management approaches. They will support the development of Monitoring and Evaluation activities, support the development and maintenance of databases and analytical systems, for new and existing projects, to report on outputs and outcomes that are aligned to the projects and strategies. They will feed outputs from the M&E process to various donor, internal and technical reports and ensure timely and accurate data collection and processing for reporting.

WHAT YOU'LL BRING

• Bachelor’s Degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, natural resources management, development studies, statistics, project management, social sciences, or related disciplines related field is required. and 5 years’ experience in conservation practice or equivalent combination of education and experience
• Experience in developing monitoring and evaluation systems, including development of tools and methods, indicators, data quality control and reporting requirements.
• Experience offering MEL technical support during project implementing and providing guidance on monitoring and evaluation for projects to multiple projects across various locations/ countries in Africa
• Experience in partnership development with non-profit partners, community groups and/or   government agencies 
• Experience synthesizing, interpreting, and communicating scientific information.
• Experience preparing reports of findings.
• Experience working and communicating with a wide range of people
• Experience managing project, workloads and finances under deadlines.

DESIRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Master’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, natural resources management, development studies, statistics, project management, social sciences, or related disciplines related field is required.
• Over 7 years’ experience in implementing activities related to biodiversity conservation, partners, and community conservation and/or natural resource management.
• Experience offering MEL technical support during project implementing and providing guidance on monitoring and evaluation for projects to multiple projects across various locations in Africa
• Expertise in rigorous quantitative and qualitative research and analytical evaluation methods including research design and implementation and data cleaning and analysis.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative data collection skills in similar or related fields.
• Strong data analytical skills, interpretation, and presentation of information to a broad range of audiences         
• Experience in designing, managing, supervising, and reporting on digital data collection activities
• Experience analyzing data using GIS and statistical packages such as Excel
• Experience maintaining an online database for monitoring performance and outcomes.
• Experience with strengthening local organizations and building local capacities for MEL.
• Experience working in complex partnerships and with multiple stakeholders.
• Record of peer reviewed publications in scientific journals.
• Good command of English language. Understanding of French, Swahili is an added advantage
• Willingness to travel to remote geographies in Africa and lead prolonged field work and with multiple cultures and economic contexts.
• Demonstrated experience of
  • The development of quantitative and qualitative MEL tools and methods
  • Data analysis skills and knowledge of statistical software such as Excel
  • The selection and definition of SMART indicators
  • Data analysis, aggregation, and reporting methods
  • The production of MEL performance reports
  • Data quality control, overseeing data collection and quality assurance.