Africa Monitoring, Evaluation Results and Learning (MERL) Regional Advisor

Position Title	Africa Monitoring, Evaluation Results and Learning (MERL) Regional Advisor
Requisition Number	11-0164
Post Date	8/29/2011
City	Johannesburg
Description	This position does not include expatriate benefits. We will consider candidates who reside in other countries within Southern Africa. Position Summary: The MERL Regional Advisor will provide leadership within the Southern African Region to strengthen organizational and staff capacity to design and implement effective monitoring, evaluation and reporting systems. S/he will provide technical assistance to country offices, subgrantees and staff to ensure quality data is available in support of program and donor reporting and learning. In collaboration with the Director, Results and Measurement, s/he will also contribute to the development and implementation of the Pact global MERL agenda. Core Values: Pact employees embrace the following core values as representatives of the institution: • all people have a right to participate in decisions affecting their lives • gender equity is mandatory for social transformation • resources are allocated in a transparent manner, guided by accountability to our clients and Pact's role as steward of resources intended for the poor • diversity in background, gender and age strengthen our capacity to be wise managers of public and private funds • teamwork and collaboration shape our day-to-day working relationships • innovation and risk taking to achieve impact and broad scaleable results drive strategic priorities • gathering and sharing information are primary roles for all employees • staff growth and advancement are a priority, including training and professional skills building to increase knowledge and competence and to stay abreast of new developments, especially in technology • a healthy balance between work and life outside of work must be maintained for work satisfaction and fulfillment Specific Duties and Responsibilities: Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Learning Country Guidance and Support (50%) • Assist country offices to develop and implement MERL systems evaluation and monitoring systems that meet Pact standards for data quality and internal learning • Support country offices to report on Global Indicators for Pact and review the data from reports prior to submission to donors for quality and comprehensiveness. • Support each country office to develop and implement a Standard Internal Procedures for MERL to include clearly defined indicators that reflect a results framework, operational protocols for collecting data and a system for the consistent and accurate collection, collation, analysis and use of data • Facilitate internal assessments of MERL systems within Pact country programs • Assist country offices to implement MERL systems that are audit ready and are in compliance with DQA requirement. • Develop and implement methodologies and standards for MERL capacity building with grantee/partner organizations • Help support the establishment of database systems within country offices • Contribute to proposal development, in the areas of design, results frameworks, PMPs and budget components • Contribute to the development and review of terms of reference for baseline, midterm and endline (internal and external) evaluations for Pact programs. Also assist to manage evaluations as appropriate. Pact Global and Regional Leadership (30%) • Work in partnership with the Director, Results and Measurement to: o Assist in the standardization of country program evaluation and monitoring systems to meet Pact Inc. standards and practices o Contribute to the design and development of the evolving Pact Global MERL System within the Africa Region o Contribute to implementation of the Pact MERL strategy, the Community of Practice and the MERL Vision for program monitoring, evaluation and learning o Contribute to the development of cohesive annual operations plans and budgets, including strategic country, regional and global planning and budgeting in MERL. o Contribute to Pact's technical communities of practice through written contributions on the intranet and training • Collaborate in preparation of Pact research and case studies for international and national development conferences and journals • Identify needs, trends and priorities across countries in Southern Africa and help establish activities and budgets to support these priorities • Coordinate and/ or provide training for staff within the region in a broad range of program evaluation issues/ methods/ tools • • Actively participate in the organization and implementation of Program Advancement Meetings Opportunity Development (20%) • Provide support to draft M&E plans and PMPs for new proposals. • Assist with the design of programs including providing analysis and presentation of data for the proposals • Keep abreast of funding for M&E specific proposals in the region. Qualifications: • 5-7 years of M&E experience in developing country setting, with at least 2 years of experience in an African setting, 1-2 years’ experience working with multi-sectorial programs, preferably in health, governance, livelihoods • Ability to establish and sustain interpersonal and professional relationships with Pact staff, donor organizations and in peer organizations • Strong facilitation, teaching and coaching skills • Skills in all aspects of quantitative and qualitative evaluation • Knowledge of participatory evaluation methodologies • Working knowledge of software packages commonly used for data analysis • Ability to travel at short notice, with annual travel estimated at 30% • Ability to perform and prioritize multiple tasks • Proficiency in word processing, spreadsheets and database skills • Strong oral and written communication skills • Strong analytical skills • Knowledge of conceptual modeling and other key tools relevant to MERL including results frameworks, theory of change, log frames, protocols, etc. • Ability to work collaboratively and collegially in teams and independently Education and Experience Requirements: Required • Master's degree in a relevant field and five (5) years of experience Preferred: • Experience with USG and other donors • Experience with formal evaluation • Fluency in English and proficiency in at least one other language (French or Portuguese)
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