International Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist (WASH) 235 views0 applications

Position overview

Based in the coastal town of Fort Dauphin in the southeast of Madagascar, this post will involve managing endline data collection and conducting an end-of-project outcome evaluation for a two-and-a-half year rainwater harvesting project. The successful candidate will work within a combined Malagasy and international team to oversee key MEL activities in the closing stage of the project. Predominantly office-based in Fort Dauphin, the MEL Specialist will have limited travel to target communities in the southeast of the country. This exciting post would suit an early-career MEL specialist or researcher seeking in-country and leadership experience in managing MEL systems with the opportunity to publish.

Title: Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Specialist
Time frame: until August 2019 (extension is funding dependant)
Probationary period: 3 months
Contract: Full-time; 1,000,000 Malagasy Ariary per month (increases to 1,200,000 Ar after probation)
Reporting to: Tatirano Project Manager

Project background

Tatirano in the Malagasy language translates as “collecting water”, perfectly summarising the project’s aim: improving access to clean drinking water by demonstrating the simple, affordable and effective technique of RWH. Despite the region receiving high volumes of rainfall and a general lack of clean drinking water, RWH is not commonly practiced for drinking water provision. Phase II has focused on water collection practices at the household level, including creating demand for clean water and piloting a business model for RWH in the remote Mahatalaky Rural Commune. With sign-up for household systems ending in November 2018, the project will be seeking to comprehensively review results across fields, including willingness to pay for RWH systems, management and maintenance of systems, and beneficiary understanding the broader health and social value of clean water.

Primary responsibilities

Managing endline data collection and overseeing an end-of-project outcome evaluation of Project Tatirano. This will include conducting quantitative statistical analysis of a complex dataset in order to generate findings that are relevant to project stakeholders and align with international development indicators. Further to this the development of a research paper and corresponding route to publication will be a priority.

Duties and responsibilities

1. Develop a comprehensive strategy for endline data collection, including refining survey instruments, scheduling data-collection timetables and ensuring quality of data collected
2. Build capacity of local and international staff, writing and conducting relevant trainings modules on data-collection methodology and other MEL related topics
3. Develop and implement a strategy for the analysis of endline quantitative and qualitative data in order to facilitate accurate reporting on project outputs and outcomes
4. Contribute to the development of future WASH projects through translating Tatirano analyses into recommendations for future actions
5. Oversee the implementation of the MEL frameworks across the project
6. Work with the Project Manager to manage the Community Loan and Marketing Officer (CLMO) in collecting household data and managing all databases of project findings
7. Support the Project Manager to refine project resources in light of MEL
8. Contribute to project dissemination through networks, knowledge hubs, peer-reviewed journals, and community initatives – taking a lead on identifying and establishing routes to international publishing
9. Identify technical needs and resources required for successful MEL and make appropriate recommendations given locational and budgetary limitations
10. Monitor quality of data collection and provide technical guidance for the successful implementation of an MEL plan through training staff and providing on-site support
11. Monitor planned and actual outputs in accordance to project targets
12. Contribute project learning to ensure SEED is positively represented in external meetings and affairs, including with Government Ministries at Regional and National levels, to maintain strong working partnerships and ensure support for the project and resources based on their alignment to best practice
13. Work closely with the staff in other Community Health projects to exchange information and provide mutual support
14. Support the Project Manager in writing and editing progress reports to the donor
15. Support project development for the wider Community Health department as that the Head of Project Development deems appropriate
16. Any other tasks that the Project Manager, Head of Community Health or Head of Project Development deems appropriate and necessary within the broad outline of the role

Person specification

· Master’s degree in Public Health, Global Health, Research Methods or related field

· High level of proficiency in Stata, SPSS, R or related statistical analysis software

· Experience in conducting statistical analysis of quantitative data sets

· Experience in applied qualitative research methods and analysis tools

· Experience of working internationally in a research or MEL capacity; RWH capacity desirable

· Experience in the design and development of MEL frameworks for international development and/or community health sectors, including for quantitative and qualitative data

· Experience in implementation of MEL systems

· Clear demonstrable understanding of research ethics

· Ability to work with staff and partners to implement MEL systems, and to build capacity across cultures

· Demonstrable experience of information analysis and report writing, and ability to align these to KPIs

· Have the ability and desire to work with teams from different economic and cultural backgrounds and across multiple language barriers

· Experience of working with translators

· Have passion and motivation for the work and to enthuse staff and volunteers

· Demonstrate an understanding of and commitment to SEED’s ethos and approach and be a good ambassador for SEED at all times

· Demonstrate proven ability to recognise and appropriately deal with challenging situations

· Demonstrate an awareness of and comfort with increased social and professional responsibility, working at all times with cultural sensitivity and respect

· Be able to work to and advocate for all of SEEDs policies and procedures, safeguarding those that SEED works with and reporting any concerns appropriately

· Be punctual and be able to work to tight deadlines in an organised manner and to a high standard

· Have a flexible and patient attitude

· Have excellent problem-solving skills

· Knowledge of or willingness to learn French and/or Malagasy is essential

· License for motorbike desirable

Allowance and practicalities

The post attracts contributions to the living expenses of the post holder. This consists of:

· MGA1,000,000/month for the cost of living with an increase to MGA1,200,000/month after completing the probation period

· International and national travel allowance

· Visa extensions covered by the project

· The successful candidate will need to bring their own laptop computer (non-tablet)