Monitoring, Evaluation , Accountability and Learning Advisor

SNV’s mission is to support people to pursue their own sustainable development, where we leave no one behind. To do so sustainably, we need to address systemic issues that trap people into poverty and marginalization. Using a systems perspective means we seek to find ways of changing the underlying structures and dynamics to sustain access to services and income generation over time and grow them further. Attention to systems change, including power dynamics and mental models, can increase the quality, depth, and sustainability of results as well as their continued growth.

In its new Strategic Plan period (2019 – 2022), SNV will more explicitly aim for systems change during project preparation and implementation – by strengthening institutions and kick-starting markets that help many more to escape poverty beyond our projects. We will continue to position ourselves as a premium organisation and invest in making knowledge flow to and from the frontline.

SNV, Netherlands Development Organization, is operating in Ethiopia since the 1970s. Currently, SNV is working in eight regional states and the two city administrations of Ethiopia, providing technical assistance and program implementation in Agriculture, WASH, and Energy Sectors. SNV is an open and learning organization that focuses on improving the lives of Ethiopian through a market-based approach inclusive of women and youth. In its new Strategic Plan period (2019 – 2022), SNV will more explicitly aim for systems change including strengthening institutions and kick-starting markets that help many more to escape poverty beyond our projects.

For more information on SNV, visit our website: www.snv.org

Context and Purpose of the job:

SNV is partnering with Children Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) to implement the Market-based Innovation for Nutrition in Ethiopia (MINE) project. The overall objective of this project is to contribute to reducing stunting in children in the target areas by 5% through increasing 500,000 children’s and pregnant and lactating women’s consumption to at least one egg every other day. This project aims to improve the children’s dietary diversity and malnutrition by significantly and sustainably increasing supply and consumption of eggs.  It uses an innovative model that will strengthen the capacity of small-holder farmers to transition to commercial poultry farming, hence significantly increasing egg supply and making eggs affordable to rural communities. In the first three years, SNV will pilot the project in Bishoftu, Oromia and then scale up to other regions in the subsequent years based on the lessons learned from the pilot project.

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Advisor, determined as Key Personnel, will provide leadership and technical guidance to the MINE project team on all MEAL related issues and has primary responsibility for establishing and managing a data processing environment responsive to Children Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF) reporting and learning requirements, including SNV reporting expectations. The MEAL Advisor will lead the development, implementation, refinement, and harmonization of MINE MEAL system, including developing and operationalizing indicators, setting targets, monitoring MINEs implementation progress, ensuring timely data collection. Ensure learning is institutionalized for program improvements. Documentation and sharing of the M&E related activities of MINE including progress reports, profile data of project beneficiaries (lactating women and children) and other actors, survey results, etc. He/she will bring significant experience and fresh ideas to lead on MEAL system implementation, review and evaluations, MEAL budgeting, planning, as well as support to proposal writing and log frame development. The post holder will ensure that all project activities are supported to ensure quality, effectiveness, and appropriateness. It will be important for the post-holder to capture lessons learned and communicate this information in various capacities to improve on-going and future programming.

Management and Leadership

• Provide overall supervision and leadership on the MEAL functions and strategy delivery at the project level
• Oversee the MEAL budget and ensure effective and timely utilization for the appropriate MEAL activities
• Produce reports on M&E findings and prepare presentations based on M&E data as required.
• Check that MEAL evidence is discussed in appropriate forum and in a timely fashion in terms of implications for future action. If necessary, create such discussions to fill any gap. Ensure MEAL evidence is used for management decision-making and continuous performance improvement

MEAL System Development

• Ensure that project staff understand the steps and tools of the MEAL system and its consistent use
• Ensure the project is using Quality Standards as part of their day-to-day implementation and quality monitoring practices
• Support on the design and roll-out of standardized monitoring tools and methodologies as required by SNV and Donor
• Ensure functional accountability mechanisms are in place
• Ensure that regular monitoring reports are received and communicated effectively to relevant bodies
• Ensure periodic plans and reports are as per the  standard  quality,  template,  time  frame  and communicated accordingly
• Work closely with the project team to ensure that MEAL becomes an integral element of project implementation leading to enhanced quality, accountability management and impact
• Establish and follow the digital data management system (with partner)              – Understand the digital data management system of donor and partner and perform accordingly                                                                                        – Lead the implementation of the digital data management system                  – Train and coach, the project team on the digital data management system                                                                                                                    – Lead the timely data collection of the project as per the approved plan          – Ensure the quality of the data entered the system is in line with the project and donor requirements                                                                             –  Ensure that all project progress reports, and other information are documented and accessible to all team members                                                – Protect the database against threats or unauthorized access                         –  Suggesting changes and improvements for database maintenance or protection                                                                                                               – Facilitate the maintenance and handling of the data management materials/equipment
• Programme design, research, evaluations, assessments, and other studies

– Participate in programme designing process and ensure MEAL components are appropriately planned for and adequately budgeted in the programme design.                              – Ensure the project has SMART objectives & indicators, MEAL plan and are in consistency to each other                                                                                                                  – Ensure evaluations are undertaken as per the organization threshold and maintain up-to-date evaluation trackers to monitor delivery and action planning                                           – Lead/participate in the project baseline, evaluations, research and assessment activities

Learning and Knowledge Management (LKM)

• Develop and lead the implementation of LKM framework in the project and ensure functional LKM system and capacity
• Support the project in the identification of learning objectives and evidence gaps. Implement a learning agenda across all the technical components of MINE.
• In close collaboration with project team facilitate in generating, storing and sharing knowledge (most significant change story, meta-analysis, research/evaluation summary reports, etc).
• Ensure utilization of learning and knowledge generated  in  decision  making  and  project improvement (maintain up to date action tracker and monitor the utilization and application)

Support to business development

• Assists in the development of new proposals. Guides and oversees the qualification process for grants.

Perform other tasks as assigned and contribute to the organization-level MEAL activity

• A Master’s degree in an area of statistics, economics, computer science, social science, M&E or equivalent.
• At least 8 years of relevant progressive experience, five years NGO experience in a MEAL role in development contexts.
• Direct experience in rolling out and managing M&E systems across project cycle management.
• Proven expertise in quantitative and qualitative methodologies, operations research, reporting, establishment and management of digital data management and data quality assessments
• Possess strong technical skills, including the ability to process and analyze data using one or more statistical software packages.
• Require expertise in research to practice—identifying and adapting best practices to specific project contexts
• Excellent skills in facilitation, team building, and coordination
• Ability to communicate effectively in oral and in writing, work independently and as part of a team, and work effectively with co-workers, partner agencies, and the private sector
• Willingness to travel to all project locations – coach, mentor, and develop the technical capacity of regional teams
• Strong networking, partnership, and interpersonal skills
• Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and cultures
• Strong results orientation with the ability to challenge existing mindsets
• Fluency in English, and knowledge of other local languages are preferable
• Familiarity with private sector intervention, enterprise development. Understanding and experience on children and lactating women nutrition and Social behavioral change campaign (SBCC) preferable.
• Good knowledge and experience regarding gender
• Ability to work under time pressure and meet deadlines.
• Computer proficiency is required.

Contract Type: National

Expected start date: As soon as possible

Duty Station:  Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Contract Duration: one year with the possibility of extension based on performance and budget availability.

Working at SNV 

SNV offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package; for internationals, we offer an international benefits package and to Ethiopian nationals, we offer a competitive national package. We also offer a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from, and contribute to, an internal global network of experts.

How to Apply

Please apply by clicking on the I’m Interested button and complete your application in our in-house recruitment system before or on 03 July 2022.

All information will be in the strictest confidence and in accordance with GDPR.  Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

We will require that you provide us with the full details of three people who are willing to act as a referee.  We will not contact these referees without your explicit permission.

Women candidates are encouraged to apply.