Monitoring & Administration Assistant at African Wildlife Foundation 788 views0 applications

African Wildlife Foundation (AWF) supports the conservation and sustainable management of priority biodiversity landscapes through the support of protected area authorities and local communities. AWF is implementing a three-year project titled “Partnership for improved anti-poaching and compatible land use in communal lands of the Lower Zambezi-Mana Pools Transboundary Conservation Area” and is seeking a high-performing and results-oriented Monitoring & Administration Assistant who will be responsible for the overall monitoring and evaluation of the program.

The objective of the project is to reduce illegal wildlife trade and habitat conversion in the landscape by establishing models for strengthened community engagement in sustainable natural resources management, anti-poaching efforts and integrated land use that ensures conservation and compatible land uses. The Monitoring & Administration Assistant will be responsible for managing data collection, analyzing, and reporting on key outputs, outcomes and impact indicators. Additionally, s/he will ensure compatibility and coordination with the existing AWF Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

• Develop the Performance Management Plan (PMP) in the Mana Pools–Lower Zambezi transboundary landscape, monitoring project activities according to the logical framework matrix in the project document, and ensuring that key datasets and information needed to monitor the project are compiled including but not limited to the following:
  • Fishing institutions and governance structures in place
  • Cross-border collaboration on anti-poaching activities between Zimbabwe and Zambia
  • Establishment of a community wildlife conservancy in Mbire RDC
  • Anti-poaching measures
  • Resources and capacity to manage human-wildlife conflict
  • Strategies to combat illegal wildlife trade
  • Nature and scope of wildlife crime in the fishing communities
  • Gaps in legislation
• Work with the supervisor HQ M&E to develop, manage, and implement the project’s M&E systems including relevant performance indicators, baseline data, annual targets and ensure compliance with AWF annual work plan requirements and as outlined on the logical framework matrix.
• Provide M&E technical support to the project team including tool design, preparation of statistical tables, data entry, and analysis using statistical packages.
• In collaboration with relevant staff, establish an effective knowledge management mechanism including documentation of baselines, impacts, collating and synthesizing information, updating the monitoring matrix and other monitoring tools in place.
• Collaborate with the AWF Senior M&E staff and CBNRM Officers to ensure standard use of AWF’s tools and processes, ensuring data collected from the field is properly recorded in AWF’s systems.
• Under the supervision of the Program Manager and in liaison with other key staff in the landscape, assist in the preparation, updating, and monitoring of project work plans and reports.
• Update the results framework on a quarterly basis as needed, and prepare decisions for revisions by the project leadership based on prevailing conditions.
• Incorporate gender-disaggregated data into the results framework as needed, and maintain and update the results framework in the Gender Action Plan.
• Closely monitor the project in a routine manner that provides relevant data and information for quarterly and semi-annual reporting to ensure the successful application of Results Based Management (RBM) in these documents.
• Establish an Evaluation Plan that ensures that the project staff uses the PMP, and that participating partner organizations undertake annual reviews and evaluations as prescribed in the project document.
• Provide quality assurance and consolidate monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports as per donor requirements.
• Coordinate and support regular program monitoring visits to project sites in Mbire and Hurungwe Rural District Councils in Zimbabwe and Lower Zambezi in Zambia.
• Synthesize, check, analyze, and report all data related to M&E activities in line with project regulations on reports and established AWF M&E guidelines.
• Liaise with implementing partners and Project Staff of different project components to jointly carry out required M&E activities.
• Coordinate with other project staff to monitor and evaluate activities in accordance with the approved plan to ensure the proper and timely implementation.
• Participate in and support project implementation teams to document and disseminate lessons learned and best practices.
• Facilitate continuous collaborative learning and adapting capacity within AWF on key data from the performance management system.
• Liaise with AWF communication team to identify media opportunities and, in close liaison with partners, plan and implement media events, press releases, and press surrounding report launches.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in monitoring and evaluation, statistics, social sciences or a natural resource management (NRM) or any related course.
• At least 3+ years working experience in monitoring and evaluation.
• Professional training in monitoring and evaluation methodologies and best practices is an advantage.
• Working knowledge of financial management especially of projects.
• Considerable experience consistent with outlined responsibilities.
• Experience working with nonprofit organizations and donor projects is advantageous.
• Proven computer proficiency, particularly in database, spreadsheet, and word processing.
• Competent in using statistical packages, especially SPSS, Epi Info or Advanced Excel is a MUST.
• Willingness to conduct surveys in remote areas of the Zambezi Valley.
• Good contextual knowledge of local community, social realities, and organizational relationships.
• Written and oral fluency in English is required.
• Excellent report writing and analytical communication including oral presentation skills.
• Skills in program monitoring, especially monitoring conservation/ community-based projects.
• Team player with sound analytical skills.
• Ability to communicate clearly and effectively in writing and verbally.
• Interpersonal skills and the ability to interact with a wide variety of individuals.
• Willingness to work long hours when required, occasionally on weekends.
• Frequent field trips away from the station.
• Demonstrable commitment to AWF’s mission and understanding of issues faced by AWF in delivering its mission.

Closing date: March 16, 2018