MEL Specialist - Plan International

The MEL Specialist will be responsible and accountable for developing and implementing the project’s MEL system, provide capacity development in M&E to local partner organizations, and develop and implement the project’s knowledge management system to improve project effectiveness.

The MEL Specialist will be responsible for coordinating M&E activities of three (3) local Non-governmental Organization in 3 regional capitals of Ghana (Accra, Kumasi and Tamale). The post-holder will be based in Koforidua but travel to the project locations across the country approximately 50% of his/her time.

Typical Responsibilities - Key End Results of Position:

“What” is done and “why”, but not “how”; include indicators for success

MEL System: Lead and coordinate the participatory development and implementation of the project’s MEL system. A strong understanding of results-based management and technical proficiency in mixed methods, data collection, analysis and presentation is essential.

Expected Outcomes:

• Performance measurement frameworks and plans are finalized and validated with relevant stakeholders, and are inclusive of youth formal empowerment domains and indicators
• Ability to integrate indices designed as composite measurements that aggregate, rank and summarize multiple indicators and data points.
• Creativity in developing qualitative and quantitative monitoring tools suited to the needs and capacities of local partners operating at different levels.
• Routine project monitoring is undertaken inclusive of tool design and development; data collection, cleaning and compilation; analysis, validation and sharing with relevant stakeholders.
• Management Information System is established and maintained to systematically collect, store and analyze output and activity information.
• Technical oversight and direction for baseline and endline studies inclusive of developing Terms of Reference and ensuring consultants deliver high quality reports (support in verifying the methodology, the relevance of the tools, and the quality of the report submitted) and value for money.
• Ensures M&E strategies in formal youth empowerment are responsive to the context, implemented consistently across all project activities (start-up to close-out), and adhere to best practices in the sector. 
• Responsible for ensuring all monitoring and evaluation activities are conducted in line with Plan International’s child protection/safeguarding and ethical principles and promote accountability to beneficiaries
• Performs any other duties to be assigned to support the achievement of organizational goals
   

Capacity Development & Relationships: Through participatory approaches, the MEL Specialist will provide capacity development and ongoing coaching to local partner organizations. Cultivating strong and respectful relationships with partner organizations will be an essential component of this accountability.

• Contribute to the design, coordination and oversight of the organizational self-assessments and capacity building strategies for partner organizations operating at different levels and in diverse socio-cultural contexts.
• Provide inputs and support in developing tools, guidelines and capacity building modules and reviewing all the material developed through the project and share its cutting-edge competencies in formal youth employment and evidence based programming with partner organizations
• Provide capacity development and ongoing coaching directly to partner organizations, specifically in strengthening their MEL systems
• Facilitate and guide the project team and partner organizations in determining data sourcing, collection and reporting protocols, procedures and mechanisms
• Provide technical support and guidance to partner organizations to fulfil grant monitoring and reporting requirements 
• Foster strong coordination and collaboration with partner organizations through open and transparent communication, participation and joint decision-making, and respect for their agency and technical expertise.

Knowledge Management & Reporting: Best practices and lessons learned are documented, shared, and integrated into programming.

Expected Outcomes:

• In collaboration with the project team, stakeholders and consultants (when relevant), compile raw data, choose data representations, and document lessons learned and best practices 
• Design and implement dissemination plans to share knowledge and findings with relevant stakeholders, including partner organizations, government, donor agency, etc.
• As an integral member of the project team, ensure high quality data and learnings are available to inform planning, implementation and decisions
• Contribute to regular project narrative reports, ensuring high quality data and learnings are available to complete reports on time
• Identify and develop / improve opportunities for continuous improvement of systems, processes and overall learning and development with Plan International Ghana.
   

Communications and Working Relationships:
 
Working contacts inside and outside the organization; include the purpose and level (high, medium, low) of the contact
 
High level contact: Internal: the Project level program team, partner organizations and Plan International Germany.
Medium level contact: the Project operations team, the CO based technical advisors; contact with Plan International partner organizations to ensure compliance;

Low level contact:  Maintains low contact with other staff from the Program Unit and country offices to offer support for understanding and implementation of the PASEWAY related activities.
 
Knowledge, Skills, Behaviours, and Experience Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:
Gained through education, training, & experience
 
Qualification and Experience

• Advanced degree in statistics, measurement, planning, monitoring & evaluation, development research, or other relevant fields.
• Strong understanding of results-based management tools and approaches
• Demonstratable expertise in developing and implementing M&E systems
• In-depth knowledge of the processes, procedures and systems in project planning, management, monitoring and evaluation.
• A minimum of 6 years experience in project planning, monitoring, evaluation and research of complex development projects
• Knowledge of statistical analysis, quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques
• Coaching and mentoring skills for building the capacity of partner organizations in M&E and learning
• Proven experience in facilitating and delivering various trainings using participatory approaches.  
• Knowledge in Youth Economic programming and working with partners is an advantage.
• Familiarity with current trends in formal youth livelihoods development and environmental sustainability
• Capacity building experience in project design, implementation, reporting, and evaluation.
   

Demonstrated behaviours needed by the postholder to successfully perform the role:

• Passion for Youth Economic programming, mission driven work and personal values aligned with Plan International.
• Commitment to working transparently and with integrity.
• Inclusive and empowering approach to leadership and project management.
• Demonstrated creativity and willingness to innovate.
• Flexible and adaptable work style to respond to an evolving context.
• Ability to work under pressure, prioritize and meet deadlines.

• Communicates clearly and effectively
• Committed to respecting  deadlines

 
Skills Specific to the post needed to put knowledge into practice.

• Demonstrable experience in implementing M&E framework in multimillion-dollar institutional grants through donors such as BMZ, USAID, DFID and European Union. 
• Strong understanding of Youth Economic programming and gender equality.
• Strong understanding of Youth Economic monitoring and evaluation, and results-based management tools and approaches.
• Strong understanding and proven application of project cycle management.
• Skills in the design, entry, analysis of data in Microsoft Excel  and Access as well as for Microsoft word and PowerPoint; knowledge of statistical software (e.g. SPSS) preferred
• Experience in SAP is an advantage
• Solid writing skills (report writing etc.)
• Self-starter takes initiative and works with minimal direct supervision.
• Strong inter-personal and cross-cultural skills.
• Flexible, able to shift directions quickly and occasionally work long hours to meet tight reporting deadlines.