Program/MEL Assistant -Dessie

Background:

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions, and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

Program Description:

The USAID-funded Ethiopia Civic Engagement Activity is a four-year activity with the overall goal to strengthen Ethiopia’s civic fabric in support of more inclusive, peaceful, and responsive governance. The project aims to strengthen civic and community-based actors’ ability to engage in policy analysis, advocacy, dialogue, and collective action for peaceful, democratic change; and foster multi-stakeholder civic partnerships in support of inclusive dialogue, respect for human rights, and advancing more effective, citizen-responsive, and accountable governance.

Position Summary:

The Program/MEL Assistant will be responsible for supporting the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the project in the regional hub. The Project Officer works closely with the Program and M&E team, and partners to ensure that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to a high standard. The program/MEL assistant is responsible for supporting the development of relevant documents and reports; identifying problems and issues to be addressed and reported; liaise with relevant parties; identifies and tracks follow-up actions. The program/MEL assistant will be based in Dire Dawa and Dessie and will work closely with all ECE staff, with the responsibility to support in the implementation of activities in their respective locations.

Reporting: This position reports to the Regional Hub Manager

Primary Responsibilities

Program support:

• Coordinate different activities being implemented by the program team, therefore assisting the activity implementation;
• Provide general assistance to the Program in everyday implementation of program objectives;
• Understand of project management principles and methodologies and being able to apply them to the work. This includes being able to develop and manage project plans, monitor progress, identify risk/issues and adopt a changing circumstance as needed;
• Develop draft invitation letters for inviting participants for review, sending invitation letters and making sure invitation letters are received by way of follow up confirmation;
• Ensure all paper works and resource materials (e.g agenda, presentations and any documents to be given to participants) for the event are prepared and ready for the participants;
• Take notes/minutes from meetings;
• Maintain close collaboration with local program partners and facilitate good relations with them;
• Organize meetings with partners and stakeholders and make appointments with partners and stakeholders;
• Support the Regional hub Manager and all program staff as needed for program-related activities.

MEL support

• Submit relevant M&E requirements and data collected immediately after an event;
• Work with M&E team in everyday implementation of program objectives;
• Ensure accurate and timely data collection for monitoring and evaluation purposes, in close collaboration with the M&E staff;
• In consultation with M&E Manager and M&E Officer prepare and develop appropriate templates for collecting relevant M&E data from program events and activities;
• Participate in the development of Annual Work Plan(s), prepare and annual updating of the MEL Plan in alignment with project’s expected deliverables and results;
• Ensure quality and streamlined data entry in Creative corporate web-based MEL platform MEDAL (Monitoring and Evaluation Database for Adaptive Learning);
• Conduct project site visits to collect and validate quantitative and qualitative data; including site visits for secondary verification of data results;
• Support and advise field office colleagues on activity-level monitoring and evaluation efforts;
• Maintain an up-to-date catalog of all project MEL tools and forms in electronic and hard copy data files;

Communication support

• Support and coordinate the outreach and engagement activities of ECE Regional Hub
• In partnership with communication /outreach team, support the organizing of events, inaugurations, and webinars based on the needs of the project in collaboration with project staff, USAID, local governments, and other stakeholders.
• In collaboration with communication /outreach team, coordinate communications aspects of in-person events and webinars, including promotion, program content for programs, registration materials, and related items within the project.
• Attend external meetings and events, as assigned, and providing related reports to Regional Hub Manager.

Perform any other duty as may be assigned.

• Bachelor’s degree in management, business administration, law, statistics, political science, governance and development or other social science fields, preferred.
• Minimum of 3 years of professional experience on a donor-funded project or organization, with at least 1-year experience related to Monitoring & Evaluation.
• Strong communication, problem-solving, and time-management skill
• Experience working with civil society organizations and/or diverse communities.
• Experience with USAID or donor-funded projects desired.
• Knowledge of Microsoft Office Word and PowerPoint. Working knowledge of other Microsoft suite applications a plus.
• Exhibits ability to multitask on a regular basis.
• Pays close attention to detail.
• Proficiency in written and spoken Amharic & working knowledge of English is required. Proficiency in other local languages is preferred.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Communicates clearly, politely, and effectively.