Job Opportunity at International Executive Service Corps-IESC Tanzania - Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist January 2018

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist at International Executive Service Corps-IESC Tanzania January 2018

NAFASI ZA KAZI / AJIRA IESC TANZANIA
Background
IESC - the International Executive Service Corps - is a US based not-for-profit with a focus on supporting private enterprise in developing countries. We have worked in partnership with local people in 130 countries - mainly with the generous support of USAID - designing, implementing, managing and evaluating a wide range of market driven solutions along the entire value chain of a company or industry.

The Feed the Future Tanzania Enabling Growth Through Investment and Enterprise Program (ENGINE) is a USAID-funded initiative that aims to increase private sector investment in the southern agricultural regions of Mbeya, Morogoro, and Iringa, and in Zanzibar. Utilizing a diverse database of highly-skilled volunteer experts, the program will promote changes in policy that create a more inclusive business environment with the Government of Tanzania, facilitate an open and competitive grants process to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), and increase the capacity of microfinance institutions to reach greater numbers of customers and loan money more effectively through mobile applications. Through these initiatives, ENGINE will ensure that resources and investment opportunities are available to our local partners (governments, business development services) to create a shared commitment to successful outcomes and sustainable solutions.

Position: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist (MEL)
Reporting to: Chief of Party (CoP)
Location: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania with about 40% travel time to the Regions

Position Summary
Under the supervision of the Chief of Party, the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist ensures that ENGINE has a sound monitoring and evaluation system that is synchronized with IESC's MEL systems and global indicators, as well as those required by USAID. The MEL Specialist ensures that there is a reliable, up-to-date repository of information of all program work and is responsible for the timely and accurate production of MEL-related content in program reports.

Duties and Responsibilities:
Overall
• Guide and finalize program's technical deliverables related to monitoring, evaluation and learning, including written input to all relevant program reports such as Quarterly and Final Reports, the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan, and its revisions.
• Ensure program monitoring and evaluation adheres to policies and practices in accordance with IESC program manual and practices;
• Takes the lead in responding to all USAID Data Quality Assessments and other external reviews and verifications of program MEL activities;
• Regularly report to the CoP and the IESC MEL Director;

Monitoring
• Coordinate ongoing ENGINE data collection and data management process, including ensuring that all data collection forms and tools remain effective and the program database is always updated and accurate;
• Train program staff and partners on roles, responsibilities, and timing of M&E operations;
• Manage an effective data verification and follow up process. Ensure data quality and integrity by periodically conducting spot checks and/or phone calls and/or field visits to verify data and/or investigate any data anomalies;
• Organize and facilitate focus groups as needed for data validation or qualitative analysis;
• Provide support to the Program team to improve partner reporting procedures;
• Provide technical training and mentoring of Field Monitors tasked with monitoring activities in the field.
• Support program teams to ensure indicators are linked to appropriate evidence/backup within the database;

Evaluations
• Lead coordination with evaluation or assessment team commissioned by the Mission for performance evaluations and/or data quality assessments (DQAs)

Learning
• Work closely with the Communications and Outreach Specialist to communicate and promote project results to IESC staff, donors, partners, and other stakeholders;
• Supporf the IESC HO MEL Director by ensuring that Chief of Party and project staff understand their roles and responsibilities in using data to make decisions or course corrections;
• Support the Chief of Party in facilitating internal reflection meetings amongst program staff to review progress against targets and discuss likely reasons why (or why not) things are progressing;
• Facilitate learning of partner organizations regarding M&E through supporting mechanism such coaching, peer to peer guidance and reflection; and
• Complete other tasks as assigned by the CoP.  

Qualifications:
• Bachelor's degree in M&E, international development, or other relevant field required;
• Minimum 8+ years of experience in international development, preferably in monitoring and evaluating;
• USAID donor experience preferred;
• Previous experience in M&E work and supporting COP with M&E issues and projects;
• Experience managing M&E work performed by intra-agency teams;
• Good inter-personal and communication skills;
• Experience working in Africa required and experience in Tanzania preferred;
• English required. Proficiency in Swahili preferred.

Application Procedures:
To apply please send your CV ONLY and cover letter with the subject heading "MEL Specialist" to enginerecruitment@iesc.org Only short-listed applicants will be contacted. IESC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. People with disabilities and women are highly encouraged to apply. 
Deadline: January 14th, 2018.
Source: Daily News January 08, 2018