The International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT)
Seeks
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager
ICRISAT is a non-profit, non-political organization that conducts agricultural research for development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa with a wide array of partners throughout the world. Covering 6.5 million square kilometers of land in 55 countries, the semi- arid or dryland tropics has over 2 billion people and 644 million of these are the poorest of the poor. ICRISAT and its partners help empower these disadvantaged populations to overcome poverty, hunger and a degraded environment through better agricultural production systems. For more details, please visit – www.icrisat.org.
ICRISAT is seeking applications for the position of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager, under the direct supervision of the Chief of Party (COP) for the overall management of an Activity funded by the United State Agency for International Development (USAID) Resilience Challenge Funds (RCF). The program is designed to promote the establishment of a Resilience Community of Practice (RCOP) that incentives USAID-funded and non-USAID-funded programs working across the Mali Resilience Focus Zone (RFZ) in Central Mali to collaborate, and to monitor, and measure the impacts of layering, sequencing, and integrating (LSI) Humanitarian and Development Assistance activities to enhance development impact, cost effectiveness, and learning.
ILRI works to improve food and nutritional security and reduce poverty in developing countries through research for efficient, safe and sustainable use of livestock. It is the only one of 15 CGIAR research centres dedicated entirely to animal agriculture research for the developing world. Co-hosted by Kenya and Ethiopia, it has regional or country offices and projects in East, South and Southeast Asia as well as Central, East, Southern and West Africa. The duty station: ILRI office at ICRISAT – Bamako Research Station in Samanko, Mali. www.ilri.org
Overall responsibility
The MEL manager will have the overall responsibility the design and management of the program monitoring, evaluation and learning activities including the development of an MEL plan, developing indicators for monitoring performance of ILRI and the RCOP, to help inform USAID, the Chief of Party, and members of the RCOP of project status and progress toward achievement of key results as agreed in the annual work plans. The M&E Manager should bring expertise developing metrics and reporting on complex collaborative work among a wide range of programs dealing with layering sequencing and integrating technical assistance Activities. The MEL expert will be responsible for managing the detailed implementation of monitoring, evaluation and learning activities including the improvement of performance monitoring systems, data monitoring, analysis and reporting on resilience interventions, joint planning and joint implementation of humanitarian and development assistance activities and contribute to the design specific evaluation efforts
Key responsibilities
The MEL will perform the following tasks under the direction of the of Chief of Party:
- Develop the program Monitoring and Evaluation Plan with the project team including the design and piloting of custom indicators to measure collaboration among technical assistance Activities
- Design quantitative and qualitative data collection tools, analytical methods, and study methodologies and quality assurance methods.
- Develop methodology for systematic data collection and analysis of program indicators
- Collect and analyze data to inform various reports to ILRI and USAID and maintain the project database;
- Employ strong collaboration, learning, and adapting (CLA) practices throughout the work, with an understanding of the USAID Program Cycle.
- Develop surveys and survey administration protocols to inform certain project outcome indicators and possibly to assess the impact of training
- Contribute to development of program updates, performance reports (monthly, quarterly and annual reports) and other communication materials including success stories, newsletters, and blogs.
- Provide training on necessary M&E templates and tools to staff and partners and facilitating learning sessions
- Coordinate with technical teams and relevant stakeholders to ensure that monitoring tools are properly used and reported to the project and in compliance with USAID requirements.
- Collaborate and interact with the USAID/Mali MEL Resilience team
- Review technical MEL products designed by consultants. Establish methodological processes and standards that are compliant with USAID Evaluation Policy and ADS 201 for staff to adhere to on project monitoring and evaluation activities.
- Other duties as assigned by the COP.
Requirements
- Master’s degree in social sciences, agricultural sciences, development studies, or a related field.
- Minimum of four (4) years of demonstrated experience managing concurrent monitoring, research, and evaluation activities for improved development outcomes.
- Strong knowledge and understanding of M&E concepts, with the ability to explain them with clarity and Knowledge of USAID M&E framework is an asset.
- Experience with USAID data reporting system such Development Information System-DIS is required.
- Proficiency in database management and data analysis tools.
- Strong writing abilities.
- Fluent English and French required.
- Experience supporting design or implementation of complex monitoring systems required. This includes designing indicators and data collection tools, conducting data collection, and analyzing/reporting on monitoring data. Experience implementing monitoring systems in line with USAID requirements preferred.
- Expertise in sampling methodologies, data collection tool design, qualitative data coding and analysis, and statistical analysis and software (e.g., Stata).
- Use of quantitative and qualitative software analysis programs such as Stata, SPSS or others.
- Extensive experience drafting and finalizing evaluation reports and disseminating findings.
- Experience managing complex relationships with a variety of stakeholders, including with government officials at different levels.
- Working knowledge of and experience with USG-funded program management, policies, regulations, and procedures.
- Strong communication, supervision, and management skills required.
- The initial contract will be for 2 years with a possibility of renewal based on satisfactory performance, need for the position and availability of funds.
Post location:
The position will be based in Bamako, Mali, West Africa
Terms of Appointment:
This position is at job grade 8 and is a two (2) year contract, renewable subject to satisfactory performance and availability of funding. ICRISAT offers a competitive salary and benefits package which includes; medical and other insurances.
How to apply:
Applicants should apply on or before 23 May 2023 on icrisat-mli@icrisat.org, with a letter of motivation, latest curriculum vitae, and the names and contact information of three references that are knowledgeable about your professional qualifications and work experience. All applications will be acknowledged; however only short-listed candidates will be contacted.