Job Position of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Manager At Plan International Rwanda (Deadline: 22nd August 2021)

Career Opportunities: MERL Manager (41112)

Requisition ID 41112 – Posted 09/08/2021 – Country (1) – Monitoring and Evaluation

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

ROLE PROFILE

Role PURPOSE

Plan International is a rights-based development and humanitarian organisation working for better lives for all children. We are independent of government and have no political or religious affiliation. Our purpose is to strive for a just world that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries

Our lobal strategy has a specific focus on girls, as they are often the most marginalised and most often left behind. We have committed ourselves to the ambitious target of reaching 100 million girls over 5 years, to ensure they can learn, lead, decide and thrive. This is our contribution to reaching the sustainable development goals, and in particular the goals on gender equality.

The position contributes to this goal by leading Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) initiatives for Plan International Rwanda’s programmes and manages the MERL team in the country office and in the field. The position has an overall accountability for planning and implementation of all MERL activities, including development of systems, processes and an organisational culture that delivers evidence-based programmes.

Dimensions of the Role

The MERL Manager provides strategic guidance, vision and management for the successful implementation of MERL in Plan International Rwanda in close collaboration and direction from the Head of Programs. S/he also supervises MERL staff and ensures the strategic and functional integration of all MERL activities as well as active collaboration with partners, NOs, Regional MERL Network and various Global Technical Networks as required. The MERL Manager oversees all MERL activities, provides technical direction and support, and ensures the accurate reporting of results for program activities in line with the Plan International MERL Policy, Standards and Processes.

Responsible for leading key aspects of the Programme and Influence Quality Policy (PIQP) and the Programme and Influence Approach (PIA).

Accountabilities

Planning, Strategy and Policy

• Supports shaping national and sub-regional plans, strategies and policies with the generation, collection and analysis of evidence through various MERL initiatives.
• Drive the ambition of the CO to acquire thought leadership and evidence-based influencing at national level in program thematic areas through the development of robust MERL data, information and reports.

MERL Team Management

• The MERL Team always meets performance against MERL Standards and other guidelines.
• Develop and manage a high performing team that delivers excellent technical work, using child-centred, participatory and gender-sensitive approaches in line with the Global and Country Strategies.
• Manage individuals across the team to ensure full development of potential through induction, mentoring/ coaching, and performance management, ensuring compliance in all core policy and business areas, including Gender and Child Safeguarding.
• Ensure staff numbers and structures will be designed and kept at a level that is efficient and cost effective, in line with the available program unit budget.
• Generate solutions for identifying and supporting high performing staff to deliver plans and objectives.

Programme and Project Design and Influencing

• Applies evidence-based, participatory development and influencing methods to support design of sponsorship and grants funded programmes and projects aligned with strategic goals, balancing global and local priorities in the interests of our impact group and critical stakeholders, namely in supporting the development and review of:
  • intervention logics, logical frameworks and/or theories of change
  • M&E frameworks
• Support adoption of the Global Ares of Global Distinctiveness (AOGD) Frameworks from projects, to programmes to strategies across programme and influencing.
• Work with Programs and Communications to support the development of key influencing and advocacy strategies targeting Government and community leaders to increase their knowledge, funding capacity in best practices and gender related issues.
• Support the facilitation of project, programme and strategy baseline studies, (semi-), reviews and evaluations in line with the PQIP procedure cycles and donor requirements.

Resource Mobilisation

• Work in close coordination with the Business Development Unit to develop MERL components of fundraising processes and support technical review of all submissions.
• Generate required statistics, results, studies, observations etc. to support fundraising submissions,
• Carry out research and analysis of the fundraising landscape and identify shifts in MERL focus, priorities, targeting and MERL methodologies by donors (governments, global partners, bi-laterals, multi-laterals, foundations as well as individuals and corporates) and apply this knowledge to ongoing fundraising initiatives.

Networking, Partnerships and Coordination

• Responsible for managing MERL related relationships and partnerships with other agencies and government institutions e.g. National Institute of Statistics Rwanda (NISR), NINGO, JADF, academia, local and international CSOs, networks & alliances and CBOs.
• Act as the CO representative and play active part in the regional and global MERL networks.
• Represent Plan International Rwanda at various technical meetings with other cooperating agencies and participate in various working groups as required, including making technical presentations on key activities and achievements.
• Provide technical inputs for the development of networks and clusters (internally and externally) to promote effective program design and quality implementation.

Quality Improvement and Standards

• Accountable for the effective rollout and implementation of Plan International’s global approach to MERL, acting as the CO lead for:
  • MERL Policy
  • MERL Standards
  • MERL Process
  • MERL Supporting Guidelines
  • Framework for Ethical MERL
  • MERL Networks
• Ensures adherence to agreed policies and standards in relation to MERL, ensuring alignment with broader organisational policies and procedures – namely the Programme and Influence Quality Policy (PIQP), Programme and Influence Approach (PIA) and Programme and Influence Quality Policy (PIQP) Procedures.

Capability Building

• Ensure all staff in Plan International Rwanda and partner organisations have the relevant competences in MERL to effectively execute their duties through the design of ongoing capacity enhancement plans.
• Manage technical capacity-building support of local implementing CSO partners with specific focus on strengthening institutional & individual capacity and enhancement of MERL systems.
• Ensure all staff in Plan International Rwanda have a solid understanding of MERL issues and the work that the organisation is doing.

Data Management, Dissemination and Reporting

• Ensure the effective utilisation and management of PMERL and other systems and other relevant tools thereby ensuring timely, accurate and consistent availability of MERL data, information and reports.
• Ensure the PMERL system captures relevant and timely data and information from all implementation activities and in turn use this information in the development of quarterly, annual and grant-specific reports, case stories and articles.
• Support the Program Leadership Team as an effective learning and reflection platform through the provision of timely, appropriate and useful management reports.
• Contribute to the adequate documentation and dissemination of program results and lessons learnt, including the development and submission of project’s mandatory reports, technical documents and reports; and abstracts and articles for scientific journals and conferences.

Project, Programme and Strategy Oversight

• Work closely with the Head of Programs, Plan International Rwanda Program Leadership Team and relevant departments to review and monitor implementation plans and budgets and ensure alignment to MERL policies and standards.
• Ensure all project activities in the organisation utilise the correct and relevant MERL tools and templates.
• Report regularly to the Head of Programs and PLT on progress/results achieved in MERL and barriers encountered, and resolve any challenges faced and provide input into quarterly, annual and grants reporting.

Key relationships

Internal:

• Country Leadership Team
• Program Leadership Team
• HoP-Line Manager
• Program Units
• Work closely with the HoP and other Technical Advisors (in-country, region and NOs) and PU Managers for programming and coordination of interventions.
• Project Managers
• Work with Programs/Project’s hired consultants
• Work with the resource mobilization staff in mobilizing diverse resources. -project scale up strategies
• Support technical capacity building of project partners and frontline staff.

External:

• Government Ministries
• Partners, civil society members and alliances.
• Other INGO technical staff and networks.
• Technical leads at in-country donor offices.

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Qualifications/ experience essential:

• Education at degree level or equivalent vocational study in fields such as Development Studies, Social Sciences, Statistics, Research Methods or its equivalent.
• Significant professional training in MERL technical areas and standards.
• Significant practical experience of project leadership and/or policy development in the sector (or closely related sectors) in Rwanda related to monitoring, evaluation, research and learning.
• Proven experience of exercising leadership functions with increasing responsibility in an international environment related to MERL.

Qualifications/ experience desirable:

• Master’s Degree in Monitoring & Evaluation or development related field.
• Has developed professional networks in the sector and in country government
• Experience and/or strong professional links with work in this field in other countries

Languages required

• Excellent English and Kinyarwanda written and verbal communication skills.

Technical Competencies

• Understands fundamental issues and root causes: Understands the development and needs of our Primary Impact Groups from birth to adulthood, the root causes of the issues affecting them, and the key actors most relevant to their interests and therefore to our work.
• Understanding Issues: Global measurement processes for sustainable development (such as SDGs) and the humanitarian sector including associated standards; national and international data collection processes, their strengths, weaknesses and opportunities in regard to monitoring progress for our impact group at national, programme and project level. Reliability of data sources and standards for research and measurement.
• Understands key programme and influence principles:  Understands the rationale for and practical implications of being rights-based, gender transformative, participatory, working in partnership; evidence-based and working to strengthen civil society.
• Understands key programme and influencing approaches and strategies:
  • Understands approaches to programme/project logic, trends in own and related fields of work and a range of effective strategies, approaches and practices.
  • Understands strategies for:
    • planning, collecting and using evidence, in all its forms, to inform programme and/or influence decisions and drive accountability;
    • Research methods and approaches within a particular discipline, namely development, humanitarian, gender and/or human rights;
    • Ethics principles and requirements, including local and international ethics approvals and review processes.
• Analyses issues and evidence in context: Builds the evidence base by analysing issues in their context, using appropriate methods and relevant data sources
• Shapes strategy, policy, standards and plans with respect to MERL: clearly aligned with relevant priorities and stakeholder interests and based on rigorous internal and external evidence
• Designs effective programmes and projects with clear and measurable objectives contributing to overall outcomes, appropriately resourced, mainstreaming gender and inclusion and participatory approaches, and engaging with and influencing relevant actors and stakeholders. Designs appropriate indicators and sets of measures of sustainability and success to generate reliable evidence on the results and lasting impact of our work.
• Supports partnering and resource mobilisation by developing mutually beneficial partnership relationships and making a significant contribution to writing proposals relevant to MERL
• Assesses effectiveness to improve evidence and quality by designing appropriate measures and assessment methods, using on-going monitoring and assessment to improve project design and implementation, initiating research and conducting evaluation, assessing the results and sharing learning.
• Supports understanding of effectiveness and results at organisational level by managing digital database and documentation to support learning.

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

• Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
• Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
• Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
• Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
• Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact

• Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
• Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
• Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
• Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together

• Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
• Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
• Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
• Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering

• We empower our staff to give their best and develop their potential
• We respect all people, appreciate differences and challenge equality in our programs and our workplace
• We support children, girls and young people to increase their confidence and to change their own lives.

Physical Environment

Typical Office Environment

Level of contact with children

Mid contact: Occasional interaction with children

Location: Kigali

Reports to: Head of Program

Grade: E

Closing Date: 22nd August 2021

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.