The livestock trade represents a huge potential in the Malian economy. In 2012, the livestock exports alone were estimated at 114 Million USD. In addition, this sub-sector provides employment to at least 8.2 Million Malians in rural area. It is the third major source of the state revenues after cotton and gold. Yet the sub-sector is performing poorly, due to the very little support it gets either from the government or development partners. Thus, USAID decided in 2014 to give this sub-sector a boost by promoting the “Livestock for Growth” or L4G project.
Specifically, is a five year project funded by USAID as part of the US Government’s Feed the Future initiative in Mali. L4G started in October 2014 and will end in September 2019. The main purpose of this program is to promote a sustainable livestock economic growth in Mali, through enhanced capacity building of the livestock sub-sector value chain actors, and through appropriate linkages to necessary service providers, such as livestock input suppliers and financial services. Another important characteristic of L4G is its inclusive approach that aims to integrate all actors of the value chain including, women and youth groups
Technically, the project is underpinned by four major pillars or strategic objectives as follows: 1) Increased livestock production (IR1); 2) Increased domestic and export trade of livestock (IR2); 3) Improved capacity building of the value chain actors (IR4); and 4) Creation of an enabling environment (IR5). Thus, to ensure a good management, accounting, and informed decision making in the project, a comprehensive, practical Monitoring and Evaluation tracking system needs to be in place.
It is against this backdrop that L4G is seeking to recruit a competent M&E Specialist that can help monitor progress in the project, capture important changes that are occurring through a regular monitoring of the key performance indicators (KPI), and at the same assist in providing the donor with a complete, fair, and objective accounting for the various interventions being undertaken throughout the life of the project.
Responsibilities for the M&E Specialist
The M&E Specialist will be responsible for leading all the M&E activities for the L4G project. He/she will work closely with the Chief of Party (COP), the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) and other implementing partners (IP) to conduct trainings, produce project documents, and report to USAID. The M&E Specialist directly reports to the COP.
Primary responsibilities:
- Manages L4G M&E system;
- Trains staff and partners on data collection methodologies, including mobile data collection;
- Support project/program staff on ways to properly document, organize and capture program progress;
- Finalizes and submits monthly, quarterly and annual reports;
- Manages communications/reporting and M&E staff to produce timely weekly, monthly and quarterly reporting and monthly M&E deliverables;
- Plays a key role in identifying and coordinating site visits and provides feedback on reports;
- Tracks program progress toward project indicators commonly referred to as PIRS (Performance Indicator Reference Sheet) and works with the client to modify indicators as necessary;
- Writes ad-hoc reports as requested by the client, COP, or DCOP on issues ranging from the program’s M&E process to reports on specific activities;
- Works directly with program partners to develop targeted surveys to capture baseline data of participant knowledge of and/or skills in the workshop curriculum;
- Develops M&E plans for discrete activities and identifies indicators to which the activity contributes;
- Analyzes M&E information for both programs to provide recommendations for program optimization based on end user feedback;
- Identify strengths and weaknesses in existing data collection and management systems and propose solutions;
- Closely works with the AECOM Environmental Specialist to ensure the project is in compliance with the USAID 22 CFR Reg.216 requirements
- Compiles information/data and submits a consolidated report reflecting the status of progress achieved to date each month, quarterly, and annually for review by the COP and the PMU at the Head Office
- Perform other administrative and programmatic tasks at the request of the COP or the DCOP.
Required skills and qualifications
- Minimum of 5 years of experience participating and leading M&E activities for USAID projects
- Bachelor’s degree in agronomy, agro-economy, statistics, geography or in an area relevant to this position;
- Demonstrated ability to perform trainings, data collection, data cleaning and data analysis
- Excellent communication and analytical skills;
- Good knowledge of GIS and statistical analysis;
- Solid organizational and administrative skills;
- Ability to work well in a team environment and to multi-task under tight deadlines;
- Ability to work independently;
- Ability to use Microsoft Office;
- Fluency in French;
- Strong English speaking and writing skills would be a major asset.
Desired skills and qualifications
- Experience with mobile data collection preferred;
- Management experience;
- Qualitative and quantitative data analysis experience using relevant analytical tools;
- Prior experience with AKVO would also constitute an important asset for consideration;
- Master’s degree in an area relevant to this position.
Location
The incumbent will be based in Sevare, which is the main field office of the project. Sevare is located near Mopti, approximately 600 KM Northeast of Bamako.
More Information
- Job City Sevare