Sr. Manager, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL)

Global Communities

Syrian Arab Republic (Syria)

ABOUT THE CONSULTANCY

The Sr. Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager will lead the design and oversight of the GROW project’s MEL and Collaboration, Learning and Adaption (CLA) activities. Additionally, the Sr. MEL Manager will advise the Chief of Party and senior management team on real-time learning to inform an adaptive management approach for GROW. This position is essential to the success of the program, and the role emphasizes stakeholder engagement, guiding teams to identify and share lessons learned while fostering effective communication across all levels. The ideal candidate will have significant MEL and CLA experience - agricultural or private sector development - strong management skills, and the ability to build relationships with diverse partners, including government agencies and NGOs. Committed to the mission of Global Communities, the Sr. Manager will ensure robust data systems for effective program monitoring and reporting, ultimately enhancing the program's impact in Syria.

Responsibilities

SCOPE OF WORK

Review and revise the GROW Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Plan annually.
Lead the implementation of the monitoring and learning framework to ensure that all collected data is utilized efficiently and contributes to ongoing learning.
Assist the GROW program team in establishing performance indicator targets for each sub-activity (grant agreement) and intervention funded by GROW.
Ensure data collection tools fully comply with USAID standard indicator definitions and data disaggregation requirements.
Determine the sampling strategy (including stratification and oversampling) for each probabilistic research method utilized by GROW, ensuring the sample size is sufficient to minimize sampling bias.
Ensure that data validation functions are integrated into data collection tools to minimize human and transcription errors.
Establish a robust in-house data quality assurance system to ensure that data quality is monitored in real time, in accordance with Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan requirements. For instance, ad-hoc baselines studies and follow-up (monthly) data collection will be conducted at grantees’ agribusinesses. Baseline and endline surveys will also be conducted at the producer level annually. Data validation functions should be embedded in the online CommCare system to minimize errors.
Plan and supervise the implementation of rolling baseline surveys to establish benchmarks at the enterprise level. Ensure that only standardized data collection tools are used on the mobile data collection platform for consistent use across baseline and follow-up surveys, allowing for systematic reporting of performance against indicator targets.
Plan and supervise the implementation of annual baseline and endline surveys at the producer level. Analyze the collected data and compare results to document changes over time.
Plan and supervise implementation of monitoring and verification activities through application of multiple data collection tools on-site observations, to verify findings, document compliance with USAID requirements, and assess beneficiary satisfaction. Monitoring and verification will typically begin two months after the baseline survey for each activity and continue until the end of the grant agreement.
This position is also responsible for periodic monitoring of the operational context, including assessing grantee compliance with the Environmental Monitoring and Mitigation Plans (EMMPs), Pesticide Evaluation Report and Safer Use Action Plans (PERSUAPs), and Branding and marking plan.
Plan and supervise the implementation of internal data quality assessments semi-annually. Identify major data weaknesses and develop corrective measures to ensure that the data reported to USAID meets the five data quality standards.
Identify needs and provide periodic training to the MEL team to ensure ongoing capacity building and compliance with USAID MEL requirements. For instance, needs and gaps can be identified by the results of MEL staff’s written tests at time of hiring and by reviewing the completeness and accuracy of collected data throughout project implementation. GROW is the first Market Systems Development program of its kind in Northeast Syria and there will be a heavy requirement for training staff on conducting surveys and studies and collecting data.
Produce analytical reports and lessons learned based on factual findings for the GROW Senior Management Team to inform programmatic changes. This process will be completed at least twice annually in coordination with GROW’s Collaboration Learning and Adaptation (CLA) partner, during USAID required pause and reflect sessions. Lessons learned and challenges will also need to be included in quarterly and annual reports for USAID.
Contribute to GROW deliverables, including annual workplans, and quarterly and annual reporting.
Lead the regular annual review and updating of the CLA Framework and Plan for the project, in close collaboration with the COP and Technical Leads.
Facilitate collaboration with USAID third-party monitoring contractor to ensure smooth and timely information exchange through updating a stabilization tracker and sharing synthesized findings to ensure efficient use of USAID resources.
Represent Global Communities and overall program interests as necessary and appropriate.
Build and maintain strong working relations with key internal and external stakeholders, beneficiaries, prime and subcontractors, suppliers, and partners. Provide effective and timely responses to inquiries and concerns.

DELIVERABLES

The MEL Plan. Annually update the GROW Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan. Develop systems, strategies, and tools for the timely collection, management, analysis, and reporting of valid and reliable data that meet donor requirements. Ensure efficient data utilization and assist in setting targets for each sub-activity and intervention.
Project Deliverables. This includes annual workplans, quarterly and annual reports. Conduct periodic reviews of programs and/or country M&E systems. Lead design of M&E system strengthening actions and oversee the dissemination of information on approaches, lessons learned, etc. Inform programmatic changes and include findings in reports for USAID.
CLA Framework and Plan. Conduct regular reviews and update the CLA Framework and Plan for the project, in close collaboration with the COP and Technical Leads.
Lessons Learned. Guide and facilitate collaboration with/across key stakeholders to regularly identify and capture lessons learned from program activities. Facilitate the documentation and dissemination of learning through various platforms.
Reporting and Presentations. Produce effective written reports. Prepare and deliver oral presentations on the program.

Qualifications

An undergraduate degree in a related discipline and a minimum of six years of related work experience or a minimum of ten years of related work experience.
Master’s degree or higher in international development, economics, social statistics, or related discipline preferred.
Five (5) years of experience designing MEL systems and managing MEL tasks for USAID funded projects in a related field, such as agricultural development or private sector development.
Profound knowledge of probabilistic sampling techniques and managing large-scale surveys for private sector or agriculture development projects.
In-depth knowledge of market system development in stabilization contexts, data collection challenges and mitigation measures.
Demonstrated strong knowledge of USAID requirements related to data quality and data management.
Demonstrated ability to articulate technical information clearly and effectively and adjust indicator selection and targets as part of adaptive programming.
Demonstrated ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with host country government personnel, stakeholders, NGO partners, and international donor agencies. Management/supervisory experience is required.
Proven ability to communicate a common vision among diverse partners and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams is desired.
Evidence of effective communication skills, both oral and written, to fulfill the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the agreement is desired.
Languages: Full Professional Proficiency in spoken and written English.
Proven experience in a MEL leadership position in similarly sized, supported by USAID.
Knowledge/Experience with USAID contract rules and regulations strongly preferred