Somalia: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Advisor

Position:Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Advisor

Reports to: GEC Programme Director

Location:Nairobi, Kenya with frequent travels to RI operational areas in Somalia - South Central, Somaliland, and Puntland.

About RI: Established in 1990, Relief International (RI) is a leading global humanitarian, nonprofit organization committed to transforming adversity into renewal for the world’s most vulnerable populations. By partnering with communities on the front-lines, RI innovatively bridges the gap between immediate relief and long-term community development, providing them the tools and support they need to gain self-reliance.

Position Summary:

Relief International (RI) is looking for a senior level MEL technical specialist, with particular expertise in education. The MEL Advisor will be responsible for ensuring rigorous monitoring and evaluation, establishing standards, quality assurance mechanisms, guidelines and tools where needed and extracting learning for both an internal and external audience. RI is committed to establishing innovative and sophisticated approaches to MEL including an increased emphasis on measuring change at the output, outcome and impact level.

The MEL Advisor would be supporting a girls’ education project in Somalia. The project is part of the Girls’ Education Challenge, funded by the UK Department for International Development (DFID). There is a significant emphasis on close monitoring and evaluation in the programme which includes an extensive study where a large sample of households is surveyed annually to evaluate the effectiveness of the project’s Theory of Change. This is likely to include supporting, overseeing and possibly carrying out project evaluations; advising the organisation on MEL best practice; developing quantitative and qualitative evaluation tools, approaches; and training materials to build the capacity of country teams.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Review and refine existing MEL framework and tools to ensure they are fit for purpose in terms of measuring progress against logframe indicators and to ensure the capturing and dissemination of high quality evidence on programme progress for internal learning and external reporting as well as beneficiary accountability
• Coordinate the implementation of the MEL framework, partly remotely, and lead on the in-house quality assurance measures to ensure adequate and timely roll out of project MEL, detect bottle necks and other quality issues, and identify management responses to address these MEL challenges.
• Build the capacity of MEL and Programme staff within RI and within partner organisations to ensure MEL is delivering high quality data on programme progress for both internal and external reporting and learning. Capacity building will involve the entire cycle from data collection, data entry, data analysis, to computer assisted data collection
• Lead on developing appropriate education evaluation methodologies, mixed methods, for projects, develop corresponding ToRs for external evaluators, and manage the relationship with external evaluator to ensure timely delivery and quality of products to be delivered
• Conduct data quality assessments to determine the validity, reliability, and integrity of performance data gathered to monitor programme performance
• Provide oversight and collaborate with MEL and programmes staff in Somalia, to ensure the MEL framework is fully and accurately implemented
• Conduct data quality assessments to determine the validity, reliability, and integrity of data gathered to monitor programme performance
• Liaise with external project stakeholders including donors, evaluation managers in all matters concerning MEL

Qualifications and Requirements:

• A master’s degree or equivalent experience in evaluation research, statistics, or a related field in an international setting (advanced degree preferred)
• Specific specialism in evaluating methods in relation to education programmes preferred
• Practical and theoretical expertise in designing and managing rigorous evaluations, preferably in the education sector;
• At least 7 years of relevant experience in an MEL specialist role in an NGO or evaluation consultancy
• Experience in designing qualitative and quantitativeMEL tools, such as pre/post training questionnaires; household surveys; FGD guidance tools; questions for one-to-one interviews; key informant interviews, and standardized learning assessments to measure learning outcomes.
• Proficiency in Data Analysis and Statistical Software such as STATA
• Strong analytical skills, including the ability to analyse qualitative information, and familiarity with a range of statistical analysis methods such as randomisation, counterfactual methods and difference-in-difference evaluations
• Experience in conflict, post-conflict, or transitional state environments highly desirable
• Excellent oral and written English and communication skills
• Strong organisational skills and resourcefulness
• Experience in a diverse and fast-paced work environment
• Willingness and ability to travel, including to Somalia
• Right to live and work in Kenya (Nairobi)

We would like to share Relief International's Values with you:

We uphold the Humanitarian Principles: humanity, neutrality, impartiality, and operational independence.

We affirmatively engage the most vulnerable communities. We value:

• Inclusiveness
• Transparency and Accountability
• Agility and Innovation
• Collaboration
• Sustainability

Please go to: http://chc.tbe.taleo.net/chc01/ats/careers/requisition.jsp?org=RI&cws=4&rid=714

Please submit the following: resume, cover letter, three professional supervisory references (with contact information), your date of availability.

Incomplete applications will not be considered.