MEL Specialist (Building Sustainable Livelihoods Project) at Nuru Nigeria

Nuru Nigeria is a local NGO with affiliates in the US, Kenya and Ethiopia, and is starting up operations in Nigeria. The mission is to end extreme poverty in remote rural communities. Nuru’s first involvement in Nigeria was established in 2017 and began work in 2018 in Adamawa State, Nigeria with the creation of Nuru Nigeria. The long-term goal of Nuru Nigeria is the establishment of a locally led, self-sustainable, Nigerian NGO which will continue to work with local rural communities indefinitely.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist for the Building Sustainable Livelihoods Project

Location: Yola, Adamawa
Employment Type: Full Time
Career Level: Managerial Level
Start Date: As soon as possible

Position Description

• The MEL Specialist will provide leadership in ensuring high quality monitoring and evaluation of the BSL activity while liaising with the technical programming staff of the project.
• The MEL Specialist will report to the Chief of Party and will be accountable for all the monitoring and evaluation, accountability, learning and documentation of technical project related activities, results and program quality.
• The MEL Specialist will provide specific monitoring and evaluation leadership to the project to ensure that the program is able to document progress, achieve its stated objectives and report to the donor and relevant entities of the Government of Nigeria (GON) in an accurate and timely manner.

About The Building Sustainable Livelihoods Activity
The BSL Activity is a two years USAID-funded project through an obligated Two Million Dollar ($2,000,000) cooperative agreement to be implemented by Nuru Nigeria from 9 April 2021 to 8 April 2023. The activity is focused on nutrition-sensitive agribusiness development through the formation of farmers' cooperatives (group-based intervention) targeting 13,000 individuals across Hong, Gombi and Michika LGAs.

Key Responsibilities

• The MEL Specialist takes the lead on project internal evaluation processes such as annual surveys and final evaluations.
• She/he leads in developing and managing an effective monitoring system with training, mentoring and on-the-job support to project M&E staff.
• The MEL Specialist liaises with donor-funded M&E service providers in managing quality input into donor information systems and ensuring data quality.
• Leads in routine data analysis and liaises with technical program staff to identify and address issues in a timely manner.
• Works closely with the technical program staff in knowledge management by documenting processes, successes and lessons learned throughout project implementation.
•  He will be responsible for all monitoring, evaluation, and reporting activities under the award. He develops and manages the activity’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Plan, as well as develops and maintains systems to collect and analyze information on inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impact of the program.
• Other duties as assigned on an ad hoc basis by the COP.

Job Requirements

• Specific technical competencies on design and implementation of monitoring, evaluation, and research that yields credible quantitative and qualitative data that support data-driven decision-making and ensures that the results of M&E are integrated into programs as appropriate.
• University Degree in Statistics, Social Science, Public Health, Development Economics, or a related discipline. Master’s Degree will be an added advantage.
•  Minimum of seven years of experience within the development / humanitarian sector or in the private sector - preferably in Northeast Nigeria.
• Proven technical skills in monitoring and evaluation, including experience with multi-sectoral and multi-donor funded programs and experience with qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis.
• Proven abilities in developing monitoring plans, data collection, information management, use of databases, and analysis and performance monitoring.
• Demonstrated ability to train and build capacity of others;
• Comprehensive knowledge of humanitarian accountability principles and their translation into practice;
• Strong planning, organizational and interpersonal skills;
• Excellent analytical, presentation, and reporting skills;
• Excellent data management and data analysis skills, with solid skills in Microsoft Office packages;
• Experience using at least one software application amongst Tableau, SPSS, STATA, Kobo ToolBox
• Strong commitment to NN’s mission, purpose and values.

Terms and Conditions

• The appointment will be for a 4 months period, renewable based on funding and performance.

Nuru Nigeria Offers

• Salary is competitive depending on qualifications, skills and experience.
• Positive atmosphere of dynamism and motivated team setting.
• Atmosphere of a forefront professional and flexible NGO with a unique new development approach.
• Annual, Maternity and Paternity leave benefits.
• Transport costs and communication allowance.
• 13th Month Salary.
• Training and capacity building program and intensive mentorship by expat team.
• Life Insurance covering accident, disability and related benefits.
• Health Insurance covering employees and family.
• Pension benefits.
• Atmosphere of diversity committed to providing equal employment opportunity, forbidding discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, national or ethnic origin, age and differently able, with respect to policies and visions.
• Other Labor best practices apply.

Application Closing Date
6th January, 2023.