Senior Monitoring & Evaluation Expert at MDF | Empowering People, Creating Impact

Job Description

• MDF West Africa is looking for an experienced Monitoring and Evaluation expert to join our M&E and Learning (MEL) Team in the acquisition and execution of M&E-related assignments across the West Africa region and beyond.
• The MEL team specialises in the execution of assignments in different thematic areas which include but not limited to WASH, Education, Agriculture, Empowerment and Entrepreneurship, Governance, Humanitarian Aid.
• The ability of the MEL Team to implement assignments that cut across different thematic areas allows the cross-fertilisation of resources and ideas, generating optimum service to our clients. 
• Within this role, you will have the opportunity to work with a variety of clients and travel within the West Africa region. You will be part of the international MDF network and therefore work with and learn from colleagues from Africa, Europe, and Asia.

MAIN TASKS AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Acquisition of Assignments 

• Support the identification, follow-up, and responses to training & consultancy opportunities with clients in the West African region. This includes exploring opportunities within the MDF network.
• Analyse and understand client requests for services based on available terms of reference/request for proposal and/or direct contact via phone, intake meetings (visits) and or email.
• Support and steer the proposal writing process together with selected team
• members.
• Develop strategies and put in writing how you would approach an assignment i.e.,the methodological approach, work plan, budget, team composition etc.
• Represent MDF during functions and participate in formal and informal gatherings to build a network of clients and partners.

Execution of Assignments

• Execute consultancies assignments in planning, monitoring and evaluation.
• Take the lead and steer a team of 2 to 5 staff/colleagues/partners during execution of assignments.
• Update MDF West Africa management on assignment execution status whilst presenting issues/concerns and recommended measures to address them.
• Maintain client contact during execution and contracting of assignments i.e.,process management. Be the focal person for the client.
• Lead the report writing process and ensure report quality.
• Maintain client and partner relationships.
• Provide needed support on other assignments where other MDF colleagues are Team Leaders.

NEEDED COMPETENCIES 

• Technical Competencies and Professional Experience
• Management expertise in projects, programmes, teams, or organisations i.e.,steering people, providing business advisory, client management, fiscal management, knowledge management.
• Served as team leader for single and multi-country programme external evaluation assignments applying quantitative and qualitative methodologies such as outcome mapping, outcome harvesting, contribution analysis, and quasi-experimental studies applying sampling techniques and using among others difference-indifference methods.
• Expertise in assisting organisations or programmes in the design and management of monitoring and evaluation strategies, frameworks and plans including the development of data collection, analysis, and reporting tools and templates.
• Strong expertise in online data collection and analysis using digital technologiessuch as Kobo Collect, Survey Monkey, Akvo FLOW, and Ona, among others.
• Strong data collection and processing skills i.e., data gathering via interviews, focus-group discussions, checklists and analysing situations, documents, data sheets.
• Strong quantitative data analysis skills via Excel, SPSS, Nvivo, MaxQData and other data analysis software. A background in statistics studies and application at workwill be an advantage.
• Ability to write strong proposals and reports i.e., clear, to-the-point, high analytical, in-depth, proper English (or French), timely, understanding client needs.
• Previous consultancy and advisory expertise, individually or as part of an organisation/firm.
• Strong participatory, facilitation, and presentation skills/expertise. Confidence in presenting to and guiding a group (4-25 people) with an international profile.
• Maintaining client relationships and networking.
• At least 10 years of working experience in an international context, with a minimum of 5 years as lead evaluator/consultant.
• Ability to handle administrative, modern communication and knowledge management technologies – Office 365 Suite, Adobe, PiktoChart, online data collection tools and more.
• Sub-Regional (ECOWAS) and international working experience.
• Education level: Master’s degree or equivalent in (international) business management, social studies, international development and or relations, international trade etc.
• Excellent ability to speak and write in English on a professional level. Knowledge of 
• French will be an asset.

Personal/Social

• Service-and-client-oriented.
• Independent worker, pro-active/takes initiative, business-driven, professional attitude.
• Team player, flexible, goes the extra mile, not a 9 to 5 mentality.
• Effective communication skills (both verbal and written) on a regional and international level via email, phone, and face-to-face i.e., respectful, businessoriented, broad vocabulary, understanding of culture and customs.
• Practice transparency in dealing with colleagues and clients.
• Can deal with productivity and turnover targets.
• Committed to continuous learning and self-improve
• Interest in management for developmen