Role overview:
CFYE requires in-country Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Advisors in Kenya to work with Implementing Partners (IPs) during their Inception Phase to support them in developing and refining their project MEL Frameworks, identify potential data quality risks and develop mitigation plans, and assist in conducting baseline research into jobs and employers. There is potential to extend the role into the Project Implementation phase, supporting IPs on a more long-term basis to improve the MEL systems, processes, and tools.
Objectives and Activities:
The in-country MEL Advisor is responsible for supporting the day-to-day MEL-related activities during IPs’ inception period, and thereafter to support with IPs’ data collection and reporting. The role requires a candidate with substantial experience providing hands-on, in-depth support and coaching to partners, building their capacity to create and maintain a high-quality project MEL Framework and appropriate data collection processes and tools.
Specific Activities:
- Support CFYE MEL team in the planning and running of the MEL Kick-Off Workshop for all Implementing Partners in Kenya, introducing partners to Fund-level Results Framework, project reporting requirements, and MEL-related inception activities.
- Conduct 1:1 MEL strategy workshops with all IPs, co-defining the logical causal pathways to the job outcomes, based on a thorough understanding of the project delivery approach.
- Provide on-demand follow-up support to IPs as necessary, continuing to refine the MEL Framework, interrogate the underlying assumptions, define/develop data collection approaches, and respond to IP MEL-related issues as needed.
- Review CFYE’s baseline collection tools, and adapt to create bespoke, IP-specific versions to accommodate the project context of each IP. Conduct jobs/employer baseline survey with each IP using the tailored tools.
- Work with the IPs to establish project-specific decent work parameters for the jobs to be counted (e.g., minimum income thresholds), including developing research questions and methods if needed. Work with the CFYE Decent Work team to triangulate findings and ensure alignment with the final IP MEL frameworks (e.g., defining minimum income threshold in the results framework, refining indicators based on the research findings, etc.).
- Work with the central Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) and Youth Engagement, Empowerment, and Resilience (YEER) teams to ensure these aspects are covered in the IP MEL Frameworks.
- Attend Data Quality Assessment (DQA) methodology training, run by the CFYE MEL team. Work with the CFYE MEL team to refine CFYE’s methodology for Data Quality Assessment (as needed) to make it fit-for-purpose with the IPs in the country portfolio.
- Conduct Data Quality Assessment (DQA) with each IP in the country portfolio, based on existing understanding of the project data quality risks (gleaned through consistent coaching and strategizing with IPs throughout inception), and supplemented by an additional site visit as required.
- Complete full analysis and write-up of data quality risks identified over the inception period and through the DQA site visit, and propose appropriate mitigation strategies. Present the findings back to the CFYE MEL team and to each IP, and contribute to the IPs’ TA Plans with prioritized MEL support needs.
- Liaise with the CFYE MEL team on shaping and developing the IPs’ Knowledge Agendas, drawing out relevant, high-quality learning from the country portfolio.
Deliverables:
1) Completed Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Templates for each Implementing Partner (IP). This deliverable will be developed jointly with the Implementing Partners and includes:
- Results Chain (Theory of Change).
- Results Measurement Frameworks including Indicators and Definitions.
- Targets against KPIs.
- Completed available baseline data.
2) Completed Data Quality Assessment (DQA) for each IP, including:
- Completed DQA: Description of data quality risks for the data reported into project KPIs,
- Recommendations to IPs delivered via Feedback Session: for effective mitigation strategies (e.g., through more long-term MEL TA support during project implementation) for any flagged risks.
Level of effort:
Between 14 – 18 days per month from 15 October 2021 – 15 February 2022.
Reporting:
The MEL Advisor will report directly to the Country Relationship Manager with technical oversight from the MEL central team.
Required Qualifications:
- Based in Kenya and has the right to work in Kenya.
- Expertise in MEL, including experience developing and refining Results Chains/Theories of Change and Results Frameworks, indicator selection, baseline assessments, and setting targets.
- Demonstrable experience supporting programme partners to develop and apply suitable MEL processes and tools, including creating an overall MEL strategy and plan to operationalize it.
- Experience working on job creation programmes and knowledge of the key data quality risks in job creation programmes are preferable.
- Working knowledge of key issues and opportunities related to decent work in Kenya and how these should be captured and applied in results measurement plans (e.g., establishing and measuring decent income) is preferable.
- Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships across teams and organizations.
- Excellent attention to detail and ability to effectively and efficiently perform multiple tasks and balance competing priorities often within a required timeframe.
- Experience using both qualitative and quantitative data collection/research techniques, and advising programme partners on the use of appropriate research techniques.
- Familiarity with the DCED Standard of Results Measurement preferable.
- Previous experience advising or working with the private sector is preferable.
- Fluency in written and spoken English is compulsory.
Closing Date: August 31st 2021
To apply kindly visit https://www.thepalladiumgroup.com/careers.