Monitoring & Evaluation Manager, Food for Progress Ethiopia

Job Description

Why RTI

RTI International is an independent, scientific research institute dedicated to improving the human condition. Our vision is to address the world’s most critical problems with technical and science-based solutions in pursuit of a better future. Clients rely on us to answer questions that demand an objective and multidisciplinary approach—one that integrates expertise across social, statistical, data, and laboratory sciences, engineering, and other technical disciplines to solve the world’s most challenging problems.

We believe in the promise of science and technical solutions, and we push ourselves every day to deliver on that promise for the good of people, communities, and businesses in the US and around the world. If you are looking for the opportunity to make a real difference, RTI is the place for you.

About the Hiring Group

RTI’s Center for International Development implements large-scale, multidisciplinary projects across health, energy, agriculture, water, and education by leveraging RTI’s deep cross-Institutional knowledge, proven solutions, and contextual expertise to increase global impact by improving lives, driving economic growth, and enhancing stability in fragile and developing geographies.

What You’ll Do

RTI is seeking a Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Manager candidate for a 5-year Food for Progress (FFPr) program in Ethiopia.  This Food for Progress program will use a market driven, U.S.-led value chain approach to transform Ethiopia’s sunflower sector and benefit U.S. businessesby addressing key productivity, market linkage, financing, and policy constraints identified by public and private actors. The program will focus on four broad activities that increase Ethiopian sunflower productivity, competitiveness and value addition while reducing trade barriers for U.S. agribusiness. This includes building the capacity of pluralistic extension services; financial services; market access through contract farming; and promoting improved policy and regulatory frameworks.

The Monitoring and Evaluation Manager will implement the Monitoring and Evaluation Plan, including data collection, analysis, and reporting. The M&E Manager will develop data collection tools, provide training on M&E approaches, supervise data collection and analysis, and prepare reports. The M&E Manager will lead the Evaluation Advisory Committee (EAC), supervise an externally contracted evaluation firm, and will coordinate all M&E support on the project. This position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and report to the Chief of Party. Primary responsibilities include:

• Leads implementation of the M&E plan, including any needed revisions.

• Leads the development, implementation, refinement, and harmonization of the project’s M&E system; operationalizes indicators, measures and monitors progress toward targets.

• Works with technical staff to oversee large-scale quantitative and mixed-methods survey design, sampling strategies, and tools for data collection, storage, and analysis; trains staff and partners on M&E system operations, collection methods, and tools.

• Contributes to project efforts to build the technical, systems, and operational capacities of local partner organizations and other relevant stakeholders.

• Performs data analyses, generates reports of findings, and creates graphics and other visualizations, as needed, to contribute to reporting requirements and project communications products.

• Together with the COP and project leadership, supervises the implementation of workplan activities under the contract to ensure that performance schedules are observed, and outputs are completed according to schedule.

What You’ll Need

• Bachelor’s degree and 8 years of relevant experience or master’s degree and 6 years of relevant experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.

• Minimum 5 years of experience designing and implementing M&E systems for international donor-funded projects.

• Knowledge of reporting procedures, best practices, guidelines, methods, and approaches for M&E.

• Experience with large-scale quantitative and mixed-method surveys, for baseline and annual assessments.

• Demonstrated experience with tablet/computer and/or web-based performance data collection and management systems and other technologies to improve the quality of monitoring system integrity and data collection/analysis/reporting/visualization.

• Excellent management, communication, and organizational skills (attention to detail is required); demonstrated flexibility and capacity to multi-task.

• Experience and in-depth knowledge and familiarity with USG M&E policies andreporting requirements; experience with USDA or USAID Feed the Future highly desirable; experience with programs focused on agriculture highly desirable.

• Experience providing technical assistance to local partners, organizations, and grantees.

• Strong organizational and interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team setting.

• Excellent oral and written communication skills and ability to interact with USG agencies, host country governments, private sector, NGOs, and other relevant stakeholders.

• Verbal and written fluency in English required.

• Strong computer skills: Microsoft Office Applications.

• Ability to travel and work throughout Ethiopia in difficult terrain/conditions at times.

This position is not eligible for international allowances. Ethiopian local nationals are encouraged to apply.