MERL Officer Full-Time

The Plan International is hiring a 3 MERL Officer.

The Organization

Plan International is a rights-based development and humanitarian organization 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 global strategy has a specific focus on girls, as they are often the most marginalized 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. Our organization is transforming itself to meet this enormous challenge everywhere we work. In Mozambique we are working to eradicate early marriage and early pregnancy through projects that focus on adolescent girls in Inhambane, Zambezia, Nampula and Cabo Delgado. These projects are programmed along four strategic pillars: Girl Education, SRHR, YEE and Protection. Our work is gender transformative and includes influencing work at national and sub-regional level.

Dimensions of the role

• Reports to the Country Monitoring Evaluation Research and Learning (MERL) Specialist with a direct working relationship with the Project Managers and Program Area Manager;
• Provides specialist guidance and support on all initiatives on the PIMz Strategic Pillars in line with MERL policy and standards;
• Lead the development and implementation of Projects M&E frameworks and tools including ensuring regular updates;
• Lead the process of setting up projects into PMERL which include the training of Program Area staff, completion PMERL off-line template for new projects, review and monitor targets and indicators’ results and production of reports;
• Support the alignment of projects M&E frameworks with the CS M&E Framework;
• Supports reporting processes at the PA level, in particular quarterly and annual reports, including the consolidation of the required information to CO/Department of Programs, Strategy and Implementation) in timely manner;
• Develop systematic approach for tracking projects progress and their contribution to the country strategy;
• Review and consolidate 5Ws for the thematic areas (Education, Protection, WASH);
• Support the planning, design and coordination projects baseline, mid-term evaluations, end of term evaluations and research initiatives;
• Provide technical oversight and support the M&E and Project Managers, conduct trainings and capacity building activities on MERL;
• Support MERL initiatives for all projects including data analysis and reporting to the Program Area;
• Represents Plan at various forums/networks, consultative sessions, or conferences on MERL initiatives.

Management scope, reporting lines, key relationships

Direct reports:N/A

Reports to: The incumbent will report to MERLS Specialist

Key relationships

Internal

• MERL Specialist: work together to mainstream Project M&E activities into Country Strategic Plan Results Framework, PMERL and Y.O.D.A;
• PA Senior Accountant: work together through regular project budget monitoring to ensure project budgetary objectives and key performance indicators are timely met;
• Procurement and Logistics Assistant: work together to ensure the successful completion of Project acquisitions in line with Plan International’s procedures and.

External

• Local Government: work closely with local government institutions to ensure sustainability of Project interventions;
• Children and youth: involve children and youth in project implementation, monitoring and reporting, ensuring their views and opinions are integrated in the project implementation methodologies and approaches;
• NOs: ensure NOs are constantly updated on Project Progress, through submission of biweekly flash reports, sharing project implementation challenges and seek support from different Technical Advisers;
• Other organizations, civil societies and networks;
• Donors;
• Implementation partners.

Level of contact with children

• Low contact: Occasional interaction with children.

Physical environment

• Typical Office environment with 50% travel to project implementation sites.

Accountabilities and main work activities

Monitoring

• Ensure that the projects’ M&E frameworks and tools are properly used by the teams;
• Ensure development and implementation of M&E activity plans;
• Ensure that all the projects’ data are tracked timely and with quality, contributing for the country strategy programs;
• Ensure effective utilisation of PMERL for data collection, storage, analysis, reporting, data aggregation at different levels in each project;
• Coordinate data quality assurance, including frequent survey auditing and data spot check for all projects;
• Lead analysis and interpretation of all projects through monitoring data and preparation of key performance dashboards for decision-making;
• Support on-going monitoring data collection of all the PA projects’ activities through regular visits, meetings with community, beneficiaries and other stakeholders to support project management to make informed decisions on the course the implementation.

Evaluation and Research

• Support the planning, design and coordination of all projects’ baseline, mid-term evaluations, end lines and research initiatives including reviewing Terms of Reference, supporting quality implementation of the sampling methodology and reviewing reports;
• Ensure data quality control for all projects evaluation and research initiatives;
• Ensure development and dissemination of evaluation findings to communities, donors, and key stakeholders in appropriate format;
• Lead analysis and interpretation of projects evaluation and research findings for program improvement and decision-making;
• Ensure that management response and action plans are implemented and followed up for all concluded evaluations and researches;
• Ensure that Ethics and Safeguarding in MER principles are adopted and implemented in all studies and researches.

Knowledge Management and Learning

• Support knowledge management and learning initiatives for all thematic projects to ensure that staff and other stakeholders have easy access to quality and reliable information;
• Support learning and reflection initiatives for all projects and ensure that knowledge and lessons are incorporated into projects;
• Support development and utilisation of feedback and accountability mechanisms in all projects;
• Facilitate generation, storage and utilization of all program information at PA level, including documentation of case studies and best practices;
• Build the capacity of MERL and non-MERL staff on high quality MERL practices;
• Support design of high-quality for all projects to achieve the objectives set out in their Country Strategy;
• In coordination with the Program Area Manager, organize quarterly and annual reflection meetings with the PA projects’ staff – for the annual reflection meeting, include government and other relevant stakeholders.

Safeguarding Children and Young People (Safeguarding) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI)

• Understands and puts into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and GEI policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), ensuring that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures;
• Embed Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion in day-to-day work;
• Contribute to Plan International’s global efforts in safeguarding and GEI, including making sure that relevant reporting and data are submitted.

 Leadership competencies

• Setting and communicating ambitious but realistic work goals and priorities, explaining how these contribute to Plan International’s purpose;
• Setting high standards for self and others’ behaviour, inside and outside work. Championing our values and commitment to rights, gender equality and safeguarding. Supporting the health, well-being and both physical and psychological safety of our staff, including their safety to speak out;
• Creating a positive team spirit, helping people work well together, to reflect and continuously improve the efficiency and quality of what we do;
• Collaborating with team members, colleagues and partners in finding creative solutions to problems by sharing information, experience and ideas and actively seeking their input;
• Motivating and developing others by taking an interest, giving constructive feedback and praise, ensuring they are properly trained and helping them develop their potential;
• Positive about change and supporting others in adjusting to it, helping them understand.

Business competencies

• Are aware of the values and the global strategy and understands why Plan International’s purpose is so important in advancing children’s rights and equality for girls globally.  Understands and applies the principles of workplace safeguarding;
• Understands the planning procedures relevant to their role and contributes to annual planning where possible;
• Managing people and information including skills in assessment and coaching, evidence-based management and digital working, including personal digital skills.

Technical Expertise, Skills and Knowledge

Qualifications/ experience essential

• Degree in Social Sciences or Statistics, or other related disciplines;
• A post graduate degree in research and or monitoring and evaluation will be an added advantage;
• At least 5 years of experience in M&E working in NGOs and other related organizations;
• Knowledge of strategic planning processes and theories of child-rights programming;
• Participatory, gender-sensitive and inclusive MERL approaches and methodologies with adults and children;
• Strong technical expertise in monitoring and evaluation, research and documentation of projects;
• Data management, quality control and validation processes and requirements;
• Theory of Change approach and implications for MERL;
• Programmatic results frameworks and the distinctions between results at different levels (impact, outcome, output) and different dimensions of change in development and humanitarian settings;
• M&E trends and successful practices in all the CS Program pillars;
• Feedback and complaint mechanisms and methodologies;
• Appropriate statistical analysis methodologies and systems.

Skills

• Strong strategic thinking, analytical and problem-solving skills;
• Ability to work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment;
• Strong team-building, motivational, negotiating, facilitating and influencing skills;
• Proficient in computer skills and use of research applications, like SPSS;
• Manage quantitative and qualitative data collection, using Survey CTO, ODK, Kobo Collect, etc;
• Adapt MERL approaches and methodologies to local context;
• Use relevant digital data collection tools;
• Work with/manage MERL consultants and data collectors;
• Apply recognized standards of data quality assurance;
• Analyse, synthesize and draw out conclusions and learning from M&E data and processes;
• Support, coach and train staff for improved MERL and respond to MERL queries;
• Support country and programme strategy development (from situation analysis to design and planning);
• Develop and implement M&E frameworks at strategic (country strategy) and operational (projects) levels;
• Adapt and tailor M&E methodologies, processes and tools to different target groups and contexts.

Behaviours

• Promote and support alignment between projects, country and global M&E results frameworks;
• Build and maintain partnerships among in-country, regional and international colleagues to support the operation of the M&E system;
• Promote and ensure adherence to ethical and child protection requirements;
• Support network of M&E staff to jointly learn from, develop and innovate research practice and methodologies;
• Understand and consistently apply ethical MERL practices;
• Engage and influence staff and management to implement strong MERL practices;
• Promote and encourage discussion and learning on gender and inclusion in M&E;
• Assertiveness and shows cultural sensitiveness;
• Develops, motivates and coaches Project’s M&E Officers and other frontline staff in the PA.

Plan International’s Values in Pratice

We are open and accountable

We create a climate of trust inside and outside the organization by being open, honest and transparent. We hold ourselves and others to account for the decisions we make and for our impact on others, while doing what we say we will do.

We strive for lasting impact

We strive to achieve significant and lasting impact on the lives of children and young people, and to secure equality for girls. We challenge ourselves to be bold, courageous, responsive, focused and innovative.

We work well together

We succeed by working effectively with others, inside and outside the organization, including our sponsors and donors. We actively support our colleagues, helping them to achieve their goals. We come together to create and implement solutions in our teams, across Plan International, with children, girls, young people, communities and our partners.

We are inclusive and empowering

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

Women Highly Encouraged to Apply

Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early. A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Child Protection Policy.

As an international child-centered community development organisation, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realisation of children’s rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with.

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. We must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk. Plan International operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all areas of the international community

Disclaimer

Plan International doesn’t charge any monies to applicants for employment opportunities. Some individuals are contacting people offering false employment opportunities. We take such a matter extremely seriously, and by making you aware of this, we hope to avoid and ultimately stop victims falling for this scam.