Women Educational Researchers of Kenya (WERK) is a not-for-profit professional membership association founded in 1994 as an ad hoc group of women researchers in education and the social sciences. WERK strives to contribute towards the entrenchment of the principles of equity, justice & peace in Kenya for the betterment of the lives of girls and women, boys and men in Kenya by linking research to advocacy and action. Our activities are two prong: through our membership, we have established a track record in conducting rigorous, large scale, innovative & cutting edge research & applying it to advocacy & policy reform; and through our Secretariat, we are engaged in the implementation of evidence-based multi-year education action research projects which address access to education, equity in education, transition and completion strategies, learning outcomes, life skills and mentorship.
We are currently seeking to engage a passionate, dynamic, and enthusiastic Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Lead. The holder of the position will report to the Executive Officer. This is a full-time position and will be based at WERK’s secretariat in Nairobi, Kenya with field travel.
Overall Responsibility:
The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Lead will be primarily responsible for daily implementation of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning activities for the organization. The activities will include designing a MERL system, conducting evaluations and rapid assessments, work planning, tracking progress of objectives, development of data collection instruments and sampling strategies, onsite research and data collection, documenting best practices, writing/reviewing required reports and liaising with stakeholders on technical matters.
Specific Responsibilities
- Design monitoring, evaluation, research and learning systems for the projects, including development of data collection and reporting tools and generation of reliable data for results based management of the projects.
- Develop data analytics and visualization tools to present data in compelling ways to implementing partners, consortium members, leadership and the donors.
- Design, implement and disseminate qualitative and quantitative research studies, including rapid assessments of progress.
- Participate in the preparation of work plans, budgets, M&E plans, performance frameworks and program performance reports.
- Provide hands-on-technical support for conducting Data Quality Assessments (DQAs), data cleaning, analysis and review of routine program data at all levels to identify improvements in performance trends along process and output indicators and link it to effective interventions.
- Provide technical support in the institutionalization of quality improvement approaches into routine project service delivery with aim of identifying processes and performance gaps, suggesting and implementing changes/interventions to address gaps and monitoring the outputs of the interventions to identify effective interventions and developing change packages that will be scaled up to all supported health facilities and communities in the program implementation area.
- Conduct outcome harvesting to identify, describe, verify and analyze outcomes at all levels through tracking milestones and evaluating the relationship between the achievements and key program outcomes.
- Support the program implementation team to engage key stakeholders in periodic program reviews to validate implementation strategies; jointly define a pathway to change; analyze performance trends along the program indicators and articulate necessary course corrections.
- Tests the assumptions underlying its theory of change and results framework to enable evidence based adaptive management
- Monitor program context to maintain an updated assessment of risks and assumptions and to support scenario planning for proactive decision-making.
- Taking lead in data capture and reporting using monitoring tools to track program indicators as per the performance framework including timely and accurate publication of program achievements.
- Provide M&E summaries to the program implementation team to facilitate documentation of best practices and dissemination of lessons learnt, to the key stakeholders and donor
- Build capacity building of program staff on Monitoring Evaluation Research and Learning
- Ensure that all MERL activities consider a gender and youth sensitive dimension
- Provide oversight and coordination of the MERL function of the organization..
- Any other duty may be assigned by the Executive Officer.
General Responsibilities
- Participate in WERK processes;
- Undertake the activities above in line with the associated budgets and with program work plans, in ways that are consistent with WERK policies;
- Prepare and submit quality and timely plans, budgets and reports;
- Keep up to date with best practice in Knowledge Management and Monitoring and Evaluation in East Africa and internationally.
- Participate in meetings and sessions as needed;
Qualifications
- A Bachelor’s Degree in Biostatistics, Monitoring and Evaluation, Population Studies, Demography, Information technology or any relevant scientific discipline from a recognized institution. A Master’s degree will be an added advantage.
- Minimum 5 years’ progressive experience in implementing monitoring Evaluation, Research and learning activities.
- Experience in implementing Refugee and Displaced Persons(RDP) and Gender Programs is a plus.
- Experience on outcome harvesting and Research methods, including Collaborative learning and Adaptation (CLA) is an added advantage.
- Experience in youth programming and reporting through IATI is an added advantage.
- Experience in using DHIS2, digital data collection applications, data management and analysis skills.
- Organized with excellent attention to detail
- Proven ability in the development and implementation of Knowledge Management and M&E systems and tools.
- Excellent administrative and management skills
- Organizing and prioritizing
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Confidentiality
- Strong communication skills
- Judgment and problem-solving
Professional skills required;
- Excellent report writing skills.
- Excellent documentation skills.
- Excellent presentation skills.
- Excellent training and training support skills.
- Proven experience in managing donor funded programs for children is a plus;
- Knowledge and experience in working in informal education provision is essential;
- Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills is a must;
- Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are a must.
Key Competencies
- Attention to detail and accuracy
- Highly organized in work
- Ability to act and operate independently with minimal supervision
- Excellent administrative and mobilization skills
- Ability to maintain confidentiality
- Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
Applications should include:
- An application letter explaining why you are a good fit for this job, what makes you a strong candidate, and why you want to work for WERK.
- A resume summarizing qualifications and experience.
- Copies of academic certificates
- 3 work referees with contact information. One referee must be the current supervisor.
- Please indicate your expected remuneration/salary in your application.
The above documents should be sent as one PDF document
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications by email to [email protected] or hand delivered to our office located on 1171 Argwings Kodhek Road, House no 4 by 27th September, 2024, Clearly indicate the position title in the subject line of your email message. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. WERK is an equal opportunity employer.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews. No phone calls please. Late applications received after the deadline will not be considered.
WERK is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization or other non-merit factors.
