Monitoring and Evaluation Officer - Grants (INSPIRE)

Position: Monitoring and Evaluation Officer BACEV/INSPIRE

Report to: Project Coordinator

Location: Kampala – National Office

Purpose of the position:

The Monitoring & Evaluation Officer will support and participate in the development and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation plan and facilitate the transfer of knowledge at the project, MGLSD, MoESTS, district and school level to ensure smooth flow of information in support of implementation of the project activities. The position supports program monitoring, assessments and evaluations, and builds capacity and support for M&E activities and systems at the district level. S/he will support project staff and stakeholders to develop project briefs and case studies that detail success stories, lessons learned, and best practices across all components.

Key Outputs/Responsibilities

Capacity Building

• Develop capacity of project staff to utilize existing M&E tools for proper tracking and reporting in line with the donor and World Vision Uganda M&E Framework (LEAP), including coaching and mentoring for project staff, partners and other stakeholders on Design, monitoring, evaluation & research.
• Provide technical assistance, guidance, and direction—related to project M&E plans and systems, performance management tools and support the project in design of above named tools
• Develop a capacity building and mentorship program for the project and partner staff aimed at enhancing their capacity and skills to assume increased M&E and programming responsibilities in line with WVU M&E frame work and Donor guidelines.
• Guide staff in preparing progress reports in accordance with approved donor and LEAP reporting formats and ensure their timely submission. This includes monthly reports, quarterly progress reports, annual project reports, inception reports.

Monitoring and Reporting

• Develop and lead the implementation of the projects M&E framework including project reviews, participatory impact assessments, process monitoring, operations monitoring and lessons-learned workshops
• Prepare periodic performance reports according to the donor requirements on a monthly, quarterly, semiannual and annual basis and provide updates of progress status and keep Project Leadership informed of the same and of any need or issues arising related to M&E.
• Promote utilization of data/information at project level through reflection and learning forums such as quarterly review meetings at management meetings or conferences for project partners.
• Establishing and managing a performance monitoring framework for the project with clear goals, outcomes, outputs, inputs, processes, indicators, data needs and sources, and reporting formats and frequency, for effective monitoring, reporting and updating progress. .
• Development of data collection tools for routine data collection and evaluations

Learning and Reflection

• Promote evidence based learning through undertaking operations research and documentation of the project deliverables.
• Provide technical leadership in ensuring that monitoring and evaluation data is used for appropriate decision making for management purposes, course adjustments and future designs through reflection and learning forums organized on a regular basis.
• Conduct projects Lessons Learnt Event (LLE) with key stakeholders.

Assessments, Evaluations and Research

• Provide technical guidance in conducting assessments, baselines and Evaluations in line with established project learning agenda.
• Provide technical guidance in development of study protocols and initiate the implementation
• Design assessor training and deployment planning and oversee data collection in the field.
• Support other evaluative activities as they arise.

Quality assurance

• Assure quality of data by enforcing data quality for the projects deliverable
• Perform quarterly data quality assessments to ensure validity, integrity, precision, reliability and timeliness of all performance data; identify any deficiencies and suggest corrective actions; and assist the technical team members to maintain electronic and hard copy files.
• Plan for and implement project planning and review meetings in line with the project detailed implementation plan n
• Track timely implementation and reporting of project plans

Information Systems Management

• Provide meaningful data summaries and visualization to demonstrate result to the project management. Support application of software for results based monitoring and evaluation such as SPSS, EPIDATA, EPIINFO, STATA, GIS
• Utilize WVU database initiatives such as Horizon, GIS, Automated Database and other relevant National Databases for organizational visibility such as the OVC databases.

Qualifications: Education/Knowledge/Technical Skills and Experience

• A Bachelors degree in Statistics, Public health, Demography, Biostatistics, or a related field is required.
• Minimum of three years of work experience managing data intensive projects in designing, monitoring, and evaluation methodologies is highly desirable.
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative M&E data collection and analysis methods, including tracking outcome indicators, is desirable.
• Experience implementing a learning project
• Knowledge of designing and managing M&E systems. Experience in designing M&E methodologies and tools, and the ability to coach and train others in their use is desirable.
• Excellent command of MS Excel, and working knowledge of at least two statistical data management packages/software’s (quantitative & qualitative) e.g., SPSS, Nvivo/Nudist, EPIINFO, STATA etc
• Excellent spoken English skills are required, including the ability to communicate effectively in a multi-cultural environment and diplomatically manage collegial relationships. .Expertise in other local Ugandan languages is desired.
• Must be detail oriented and highly organized. Able to support and respond to the needs of the project teams as quickly as possible to support evidence-based decision making needs of the project
• Must exhibit a flexible work attitude: the ability to work productively in a team environment and the ability to meet unexpected demands
• Excellent cross-cultural communication and interpersonal skills demonstrated by ability to interact professionally with culturally and linguistically diverse staff, clients and consultants.
• Demonstrated ability to set priorities.
• Demonstrated experience in analyzing, interpreting, and reporting on M&E results so that lessons can be learned and incorporated into programming is desirable.
• Report writing, research, monitoring and evaluation.
• Strong report writing and communication skills