Democratic Republic of the Congo: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability & Learning Coordinator

Job Description

The IRC is looking for a dynamic, experienced and technically sound Monitoring, Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator to provide leadership and support the restructuration of the M&E function, as well as to strengthen organization and staff capacities to ensure high quality, innovative and accountable programming in the conflict affected eastern provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo. If you are a strong analytical thinker, able to build a cohesive team and strong working relationship, deliver quality and timely outputs, including when under pressure, please do apply.

Background

Responding to humanitarian, recovery and developmental needs in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) since 1996, the IRC in DRC is guided by its core principles of capacity-building, participation, partnership, protection and promotion of human rights and holistic programming. Today IRC in DRC is focusing on the following core programming areas: emergency preparedness and response, primary health care, reproductive health, nutrition, governance and conflict management, women and girl’s empowerment, including gender based violence prevention and response, education and child protection.

Job Overview/Summary:

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Programs (based in Goma) and technically supported by the Regional Measurement Action Coordinator (RMAC), the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Coordinator works in close collaboration with program, grants and support teams to optimize monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning capacities and opportunities of the IRC mission in DRC to ensure high quality, appropriate and learning based programming.

To this end, s/he is tasked to review and strengthen the current M&E structure in order to maximize MEAL outcomes and oversee the management of M&E for the entire IRC programming. S/he is responsible for ensuring that suitable monitoring and data collection systems are in place and effectively implemented, and are contributing to improved learning and program quality. She is equally responsible for ensuring that MEAL principles are integrated in every step of the project cycle, as per IRC corporate guideline (ex IRC’s Outcome Evaluation Framework (OEF) and Monitoring for Action (MfA). S/he moreover contributes to the implementation IRC DRC’s Strategic Action Plan (SAP), by leading on all MEAL commitments identified and agreed to, among which the strengthening and roll out of comprehensive, multi-dimensional need assessments and the roll out of the client responsiveness mechanisms

In support of these goal, s/he provides necessary technical assistance and MEAL training to staff and partners. Moreover, she works with program teams to ensure that evaluations reflect key learning questions, that recommendations and lessons learned are capitalized upon and used to improve programming and inform decision making and client accountability.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

GENERAL

• Lead the MEAL unit and technically supervise all country program M&E/MEAL staff

• Provide technical leadership and support for the introduction, strengthening or maintenance of monitoring system, including data collection, analysis and learning events, and build staff competencies to in all aspects pertaining to MEAL.

• Lead the review and strengthening of the current M&E structure to cover the complete MEAL package. In line with the SAP, lead the elaboration of IRC DRC’s vision and strategic objectives for MEAL and oversee the implementation of a supporting action plan aimed at reinforcing IRC program’s capacities to design and implement systems and approaches that are compliant with MEAL procedures and good practices, that meet project needs, enable responsiveness to both beneficiaries and donors, and that ensure program quality;

• Work with and provide necessary technical guidance and support to IRC program and support staff and partners as relevant, to ensure the adequate integration of MEAL principles and approaches in each step of the project cycle, including through the use of IRC standard tools;

• Ensure accountability to our stakeholders by developing, promoting and/or contributing to systems, policies, procedures that ensure participation of stakeholders, transparent communication, responsive client feedback mechanisms, and adherence to internal and external quality standards and requirements;

• Ensure that the minimum standards of humanitarian relief are maintained in accordance with the Sphere Charter and Red Cross Code of Conduct in particular during times of emergency response

TECHNICAL OVERSIGHT & QUALITY ASSURANCE M&E

• In collaboration with program and support staff, develop, translate, pilot and/or finalize data collection, storage and management tools and systems and oversee the appropriate collection and introduction of data into these systems, including by ensuring necessary technical guidance and support.

• Organize regular data quality audits and analysis and MEAL action planning meetings to allow for, ea. timely identification and resolution of issues affecting data quality, but also for the comparison of data against project milestones and quality expectations, enabling the identification of corrective action as needed;

• In close coordination with support and program teams and partners as appropriate, lead, develop and oversee the implementation of assessments, (base, mid and end term) surveys and (multi-sectoral) evaluation tools, ensuring that data findings are of high quality, properly analyzed, documented and shared with appropriate sources. Work with concerned departments to develop the TORs for these needs assessments, including detailed work plans and budgets and ensure the appropriate use and analyses of their findings to inform progress on projects or strategic objectives, learning and donor reporting.

• Support staff and partners in the development of quality project proposals, by ensuring that the project design is logically sound, beneficiary-informed and contextually appropriate, includes a solid Theory of Change and SMART logical framework and indicators enabling rigorous MEAL during implementation, and that builds upon learning and best practices;

• Work to ensure projects are supported with adequate funding and staffing for MEAL activities and include comprehensive monitoring plans and see to the adequate implementation and tracking of these plans.

• Strengthen staff capacities to analyze and report on data collected, including training in quantitative and/or qualitative analysis and support them in the effective use of MEAL data to review project theory of change/assumptions and adapt project strategies, as needed, to ensure high quality programming.

• Help ensure integration of cross-sectoral priorities in MEAL, including gender, protection mainstreaming, disaster risk reduction, Do No Harm and conflict sensitivity and provide technical leadership and support to staff on key M&E questions, such as the design and planning of beneficiary selection criteria, selection and determination of monitoring activities, data collection methods.

• Be familiar with and advise on integrating relevant donor MEAL requirements (e.g. USAID and relevant US agencies, DFID, UN agencies, World Bank and other potential donors).

LEARNING AND ACCOUNTABILITY

• Work with staff to review, strengthen and roll out of reinforced client response mechanism that meet stakeholder information needs, enable community engagement and ensure accountability of our actions;

• Work with IT and programs to develop information and communications technology (ICT)/management information systems which meet stakeholder information needs and streamline MEAL management;

• Support staff to promote knowledge management and collaborative learning processes at the project, program and institutional levels, generating robust evidence for project and programmatic learning that leads to action, decision-making and influence;

• Participate in and encourage the organization and facilitate the documentation of lessons learned, resulting from mid and end program implementation review meetings, focused on documenting ‘good and bad’ practices and experiences in program implementation, and as needed, the introduction of corrective measures, or exploitation and/or scaling up of good practices.

HUMAN RESOURCES

• Participate in the recruitment of country program MEAL staff or consultants, support onboarding, and identify and/or facilitate relevant staff development opportunities.

• Ensure the management and coaching of MEAL staff, providing necessary tools and resources, as well as on the job training, set clear performance objectives and ensure regular performance reviews of staff under his or her technical and direct supervision and sustain regular communication and follow up to help staff advance in his or her objectives.

• Lead and co-facilitate MEAL training events;

KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:

Position Reports to: Deputy Director of Programs, with technical support of the RMAC

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: M&E managers, sector coordinators and heads of program/projects, Grants, Human resources, relevant Regional/HQ-based Technical Advisors, M&E/MEAL Coordinators in other country programs.

External: local partners, consultants

REQUIREMENTS:

• Master’s degree in International Development, International Relations, statistics, social science, public health, development economics, or a related discipline relevant to a senior MEAL position in an international NGO. Additional experience may substitute for some education.

• Minimum 7 years of working experience in progressive responsibility within the humanitarian, development or private sector, preferably in Sub Saharan Africa, of which at least 5 years of MEAL experience.

• Thorough familiarity with principles and current approaches to MEAL of humanitarian and development programs using both quantitative and qualitative methods.

• Proven technical skills in monitoring and evaluation, including experience with multi-sectorial and multi-donor funded programs and experience with qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis;

• Proven abilities in developing monitoring plans, data collection, information management, use of databases, and analysis and performance monitoring -.

• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring, and other formal and non-formal methods

• Excellent data management and data analysis skills, with solid skills in Microsoft Excel;

• Experience with appropriate software - Previous experience with GIS mapping would be an asset;

• Strong management and interpersonal skills. Able to work with diverse groups of people in a multicultural, team environment.

• Experience in organisational restructuring a plus.

• Comprehensive knowledge of humanitarian accountability principles and their translation into practice;

• Excellent organization, planning and analytical skills; detail oriented.

• Self-motivated and able to work without close supervision, including prioritizing work and multi-tasking to meet deadlines.

• Strong presentation and reporting skills;

• Understanding of donor expectations and trends for MEAL, notably that of US or European donors

• Strong commitment to IRC’s mission, purpose and values.

• Willingness to travel to various provincial and field-level offices

• Fluency in French and English.

Housing

The M&E Coordinator will be based in the town of Goma, North Kivu. Accommodation is in shared-housing.

Deployment Security Protocols

The town of Goma is in security phase 3 (Orange) so the M&E Coordinator will be expected to respect the security protocols in place in the country. Phase 3 requires clear contingency planning in place with staff prepared should hibernation or evacuation be called. This position is unaccompanied.

Applications to be submitted on: https://rescue.csod.com/ats/careersite/jobdetails.aspx?site=1&c=rescue&id=4015