VSO is the world’s leading independent international development organisation that works through volunteers to fight poverty in developing countries. Our high-impact approach brings people together to share skills, build capabilities, promote international understanding and action to change lives and make the world a fairer place.
Following the success of our Making Markets Work for the Poor MMW4P project VSO has secured funding from a strategic donor to implement a new 5 year global project Increasing Market Access for the Poor.
Job Title: Programme Monitoring Evaluation Learning and Knowledge Management Officer - IMA4P Project
Location: Abuja
Role overview
VSO is seeking a dynamic, experienced, and competent Project M&E, Learning and Knowledge Management Officer to develop a robust and effective monitoring and evaluation system for the MMW4P project, that enables learning to drive improvements in both the project and programmes driven by it; To work collaboratively with teams across VSO to ensure that project ‘knowledge’ is shared across the project, within VSO and externally to support development and implementation of new Participatory Market Systems Development (PMSD) programmes as part of country and regional strategies; In particular to liaise with regional global M&E teams and country teams initially in Cambodia, Nigeria, Malawi and Tanzania and later up to 11 other countries in Asia and Africa to establish IMA4P project objectives and quality measures for PMSD programmes in line with VSO Theory of Change, produce annual impact reports for PMSD programmes across VSO and act as key point of contact for the external evaluator throughout the project time frame.
The post holder will report to the Project Manager and will be located preferably in Abuja, Nigeria or possibly Accra, Ghana (with international travel to project locations initially in Nigeria, Cambodia, Malawi and Tanzania); s/he will also liaise closely with other project staff based in the four project countries as well as key teams throughout VSO. This is a five year fixed term contract.
Responsibilities
Monitoring & Evaluation Framework
- Provide oversight and coordination of PMELK Framework for the VSO IMA4P project globally.
- Provide support to country offices (COs) in developing quality case studies, including use of media.
- Support Regional M&E Managers (RMEMs) and COs to effectively monitor and evaluate programme and partnership activity, including the submission of quarterly and annual reports.
- Work with IMA4P Project Manager and Value Chain Development (VCD) Advisor to compile quarterly reports to the steering committee and annual reports to Accenture.
- Contribute to VSO global monitoring system through the IMA4P results, to ensure alignment with the overall global monitoring and these results feed into it.
- Capacity building
- Provide capacity building support to RMEMs, Country Project Coordinators and Programme Managers (PMs) and partner organizations on M&E framework and tools including project planning, developing outcomes, indicators, targets and baselines.
- Work collaboratively with teams across VSO to support development and implementation of new Participatory Market Systems Development (PMSD) programmes as part of country and regional strategies.
- Promote a learning culture among regions and develop systems and processes to disseminate and embed learning from PMSD programming and promote and share best practice.
- Keeps abreast of and engages in emerging methodologies and tools for analyzing PMSD programme performance and shares these across VSO.
- Grows the evidence base
- Lead on ensuring impact, knowledge and insights emerging from PMSD programmes are communicated throughout the organization and fed into reporting, advocacy and fundraising.
- Work with Impact and Accountability Team to produce annual impact report for PMSD programmes across VSO.
- Support setting of IMA4P project objectives and quality measures for PMSD programmes in line with VSO Theory of Change.
- Act as key point of contact for the external evaluator – facilitating access to info / data, providing some logistical support during fieldwork phases etc.
Key Performance Indicators
Monitoring & Evaluation Framework
- IMA4P PMELK tools provide good quality data which supports programme learning and improvement.
- Quarterly and annual IMA4P reports completed of a good quality and submitted on time.
- IMA4P PMELK framework is aligned to global monitoring
- Capacity building
- Feedback demonstrates that high quality support has been provided to RMEMs and COs in the development of project plans and use of MELK tools leading to strong PMSD programmes.
- Growth in the skills and competencies of VSO staff and partners to integrate and use M&E data and analysis in planning and decision-making.
- The quality and relevance of IMA4P programming demonstrates that the support provided has resulted in PMSD approaches being integrated into existing country strategies and that PMs understand what impact means for VSO in the PMSD context.
- New PMSD programmes developed and piloted within regions and funding proposals supported.
- Grows the evidence base
- Strategic direction of IMA4P project reviewed, and country programmes report annually to organization on impact of PMSD programming within and beyond IMA4P.
- Programme learning and impact case studies – both evidence-based case studies (evaluative in nature) and ‘good news’ case studies (for communications purposes) - contributing to best practice in the PMSD sector.
- IMA4P learning ‘events’ routinely take place
- Ongoing External Evaluation is well supported, informed by the required information in a timely manner
Competencies (L is level)
Working together L Strength
- Successfully leads teams and develops others’ team working skills
Comms & influencing L Strength
- Inspires others by: advocating plans and ideas within and outside VSO; maintaining a wide, influential network; coaching.
Managing Knowledge L Strength
- Leads initiatives that improve knowledge management across VSO; develops others’ knowledge management skills
Striving for excellence L Strength
- Leads initiatives to improve monitoring, evaluation and learning; is a role model for continuous learning and improvement.
Managing Resources L Strength
- Leads others to pursue significant or innovative funding opportunities; finds creative ways to allocate funds and people on complex projects effectively
Managing People L Adds Value
- Builds an effective team with clear objectives; allocates work appropriately; deals with poor performance and recognizes success
Developing People L Adds Value
- Helps team members to create and implement development plans that meet their own and VSO’s needs.
Leading for the Future L Strength
- Builds confidence and excitement in VSO’s work and vision, both internally and externally; leads innovative projects.
Thinking Strategically L Strength
- Leads strategic projects, coaching others to consider global and long-term impact, and to consult within and beyond VSO.
Delivering results – Adds Value
- Analyses objectives, considers options, plans and manages appropriately; holds self and team accountable for achieving goals.
Skills Required
- Experience of direct work in PMSD programming in the South; supporting planning, implementation and M&E of programmes at all levels. Experience of working in a developing country.
- Understanding of current issues and trends in PMSD programming, M&E and Volunteering for Development, demonstrates skills and knowledge at equivalent level to a post-graduate qualification.
- Analytical thinking and ability to plan strategically from an organizational perspective.
- Able to adapt communication style to different contexts and audiences, including internal and external stakeholders, presents complex information in a user-friendly way, both verbally and in writing.
- Experience of project management including planning, review, and evaluation of community-based development work. Experience of developing log frames and/or Theories of Change for large development programmes.
- Able to handle complex workload including doing own administration.
- Commitment to VSO’s vision, purpose and values, particularly inclusion along lines of youth, gender, disability and HIV status.
- Team working skills: able to build strong working relationships across a large complex global area, and work collaboratively as a member of several teams. Able to motivate, manage and develop colleagues; self motivated.
- Willingness to work some unsocial hours, including evenings and weekends. Also to travel internationally up to 10 weeks per year.
Application Closing Date
6th July, 2014
Interview/Assessment date(s)
Week Commencing 14th July 2014
Start Date
1st August 2014
Method of Application
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online
Click here to download the job description in PDF format