Job Opportunity : Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Coordinator

Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Coordinator

Date: 29-Sep-2020

Location: Garoua, NO, CM

Company: Plan International

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

ROLE PROFILE

Title Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Coordinator
Functional Area Programme
Reports to Programme Influencing and Implementation Manager
Location Garoua Travel required Yes
Effective Date October 2020

ROLE PURPOSE

Working in 50 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas, Plan International aims to reach as many children as possible, particularly those who are excluded or marginalized with high quality programs that deliver long lasting benefits by increasing its income, working in partnership with others and operating effectively. Plan International is committed to responding to children affected by emergencies in the countries of our operation.

The purpose of the Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Coordinator is, on the one hand, to improve program quality and accountability through supporting and implementing high quality MERL in programs and projects and, on the other hand, to provide evidence for programme design, planning and effectiveness.

The MERL Coordinator is in charge of supporting the PIIA to implement specific aspects of the country MERL roadmap. S/he is part of a Country MERL unit contributing to and disseminating good MERL practices for high program quality in Plan International Cameroon.

DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

This position is responsible for supervising all MERL processes related to the response in the North and Adamoua Regions respectively. S/he will work closely with the MERL Specialist of the P4G Project. S/he shall be charged with ensuraing the quality of internal and external reports, including defining and executing data editing and corrections, creating/accessing database, developing forms, documentation of procedures and data analysis for Garoua PIIA. The MERL Coordinator will be based at the Plan International Cameroon PIIA office in Garoua, with travels in all project locations.

ACCOUNTABILITIES

• Provide technical support to the PIIAM

• Provide technical support to monthly reporting

• Ensure that the information/data collection is made in accordance with projects’ specifications, guidelines of donors and in accordance with strategic guidelines and Plan International Cameroon’s programmatic standards

• Organize/supervise project specific data collection, their processing and analysis in the context of monitoring the indicators of the projects

• Train Plan staff, and members of parter organizations on the use of data collection tools

• Support specific project database, like the Child Protection Information Management System or the GBV Information Management System

• Ensure quality control of data and information collected, through the development and/or review of new tools for the data collection in accordance of the logical frameworks of the projects, the quality assurance system of Plan International

• Gurantee the quality of internal reports, including the monthly narrative reports and the workbook

• Guarantee the quality of external reports, including those addressed to donors and clusters

• Provide support to the analysis of key projects indicators with produce graphs, maps and infographics

• Based on the data collected, conduct needs and gap identification for the relevant sectors

• Proactively gather information from relevant partners and other organisations which may be of use for making strategic decisions

• Promote and sustain all existing information-sharing platforms (Project Management Solution, Monthly Reporting Tracker etc. )

• Guarantee the quality and timely submission of project/programme documents and reports in the PIIA

• Attend all relevnt coordination meetings related to M&E as delegated by the PIIAM.

1. Information and Co-ordination

• Provide regular weekly updates with inputs from all Project Managers/Coordinators

• Guarantee all monthly Internal Review Committee (IRC) meetings are held as scheduled.

• Guarantee the monthly submission of progress reports to the PIIAM by 5th of every month

2. Human Resources and Administration

• Assess the PIIA needs in terms of M&E in collaboration with the MERL Specialist of the P4G Project and build a team able to support all projects.

Dealing with Problems:

• Excellent and innovative leadership skills will be needed to properly implement the activities, in accordance with the standards, principles and with possible resistance from colleagues.

• S/he should work under pressure and accept travels and stays in areas often austere

Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection (CPP) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS

• Keeps and maintain high contact with the ERM and the Project Coordinators

• Maintains high contact with local partners as needed arises.

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE

Essential

Qualification and Experience

• A university degree in Social science or equivalent (demography, measurement, planning, monitoring & evaluation, development studies, project management)

• At least 05 years of experience in monitoring, evaluation research and learning functions including knowledge management

• Experience in database design, database distribution and map production and capacity building to give "hands-on" training on database management and reporting. Proficient in use of GIS, Advanced Excel, SPSS or STATA and other related software packages

• Demonstrated skills and experience in data and data analysis visualization.

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviors Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:

Knowledge

• Understanding of integrated development issues and critical analysis of child poverty

• Knowledge of theories of rights based programming and child protection (programmatic and safe-guarding)

• Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges and opportunities and implications to community development

• Demonstrated experience as a development professional in planning, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and learning programs

• Knowledgeable on participatory MERL tools and systems

• Knowledgeable on tool design for qualitative and quantitative research

• Knowledge of strategic planning processes

• Knowledge of the context in the northern regions of Cameroon is an advantage

Skills

• Strong planning and organizational skills

• Skills in managing qualitative and quantitative data collections

• Working experience in community participation in development/programming

• Skills for data base management (design, entry, analysis)

• Strong analytical skills

• Ability to deliver to tight deadlines

• Demonstrated facilitation and active listening skills

• Good presentation skills

• Solid writing skills (report writing, concept paper writing, ToR, etc.)

• Fluency in French and English (required)

• Skills in using Microsoft Office and other software applications relevant to MERL (e.g. SPSS, epi-info, CSPro, KOBO Collect, etc)

Behaviours

• Coaches and builds capacity of project staff on MERL in the PU

• Promotes innovation and learning

• Communicates clearly and effectively

• Strong team building and motivational skills

• Demonstrates clear respect to all and especially children and women without discrimination

• Involves others in setting and achieving goals

• Demonstrates honesty and transparency in holding self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and Plan’s standards of behaviour

• Sees contribution of own part of the organisation in wider Plan and external context

• Balances future vision with practical delivery

• Cross culturally adept

• Acts as a team player, willing to get the best outcome overall, adjusting own priorities if necessary

• Promotes a strong learning culture in the organisation

• Remains calm and positive under pressure and in difficult situations

• Committed to promoting children and young people safeguarding, gender equality at the workplace and beyond

PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES IN PRACTICE

We are open and accountable

1. Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.

2. Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.

3. Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.

4. Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.

5. Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

1. Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.

2. Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.

3. Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.

4. Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

1. Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.

2. Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.

3. Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.

4. Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

5. Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.

6. Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.

7. Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.

8. Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT

• Work both at the office and in the field

• Ability to work under pressure and in remote areas

• Periods of intense work at all times of day and night

• Working in multiple locations.

LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN

Low contact- the job responsibilities of this position does not require the post holder to have any one-to-one contact with children on a daily basis. There would be occasional contact with children and it is expected that children shall be protected at all times.

Location: Garoua

Type of Role: MERL Coordinator

Reports to: PIIAM

Closing Date: 08/10/2020

All applications must be submitted ONLINE at : https://jobs.plan-international.org/job/Garoua-Monitoring%2C-Evaluation%2C-Research-and-Learning-%28MERL%29-Coordinator-NO/622460001/|

COMMENT POSTULER

ONLINE at : https://jobs.plan-international.org/