Summary
Date Posted: Wednesday, November 01 2023, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Key Responsibilities
Job Purpose: To manage and quality assure monitoring, evaluation and learning objectives, both within PEAS network schools and with partner schools.
The Role: This is a key technical leadership and delivery role with a broad scope. Across the responsibilities below, the MEL Specialist will sometimes deliver directly themselves, and at other times will oversee delivery through team members. The exact nature of the balance between direct delivery and oversight will change to meet the needs of the team as it grows and evolves over time.

Development of MEL framework, workplans, and tools
• In consultation with country-level and global colleagues, and in line with the 2022-2026 strategy, develop the annual PEAS Zambia MEL plan and budget, and track progress against the plan throughout the year.
• Work with team members to refine/ develop and pilot MEL tools to ensure necessary data is being collected.
• Facilitate training of central office staff, and school staff, in MEL objectives, processes, and use of MEL tools
• Review PEAS strategic goals, and donor MEL requirements and ensure that plans are in place for the necessary data to be collected. Adapt plans when required.
Leading data collection systems and processes
• Oversee collection of data in PEAS schools and partner schools through a supportive approach, follow-up on any data gaps
• Participate in data collection exercises including through onsite visits when needed.
• Ensure all staff and partners are aware of responsibilities in terms of collecting and retaining Means of Verification for MEL reporting processes.
Use of Technology to support MEL systems.
• Support schools, including through conducting training, to effectively use School Tool+ (PEAS’ School Information Management System), including entering data and generating reports.
• Coordinate the use of technology in data collection, for example through handheld devices.
• Entering of reporting data into USAID online Monitoring Information System
Supporting use of data and results to aid learning and decision making.
• Support SSOs, SO, SIC, SILs and School Leaders in understanding how to use data to make decisions about their schools and how to best support students, including vulnerable girls.
• Train School Support Officers to also support School Leaders in the above.
Providing data and analysis in relation to PEAS strategy, to aid leadership team in country level and global level decision making.
• With a global team, and also independently, conduct data analysis and identify key findings to share with colleagues and external stakeholders.
Contributing to the fulfilment of PEAS’ evaluation and research priorities
• Lead and/or support the implementation of research and evaluations through input into a design; provision of internal data; participating in the procurement process of external agencies; reviewing research and evaluation reports.
Quality Assurance to ensure validity, reliability, and integrity of data gathered.
• Conduct onsite spot checks as quality assurance of data being reported by schools
• Conduct data cleaning and check data for consistency and accuracy using tools such as Excel and Kobo Toolkit
• Provide constructive feedback to staff and schools to ensure continuous learning and improvement.

Who we are looking for.
The candidate
Has:
• Minimum of a degree from a recognised university
• Experience working for/with international NGOs.
• 5+ years of demonstrated experience in working in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning roles.
• Experience working with a range of stakeholders in rural low-income settings.
• Proven track record of improving MEL systems in low-resource settings.
• Proven track record of supporting the use of data and insights to make programme-related strategic decisions.
• High-level analytical skills including analysis of both quantitative and qualitative data and problem skills solving.
• Experience in managing a team.
• Excellent skills in MS Excel
• Strong data analysis skills
• Experience in developing approaches to monitoring the impact on marginalised groups, such as vulnerable girls, children with Special Educational Needs, and those living below the poverty line.

Can:
• Design and lead professional development activities (e.g. training sessions, mentorship and coaching) for staff engaged in MEL activities.
• Engage with, interpret and understand school/education performance data.
• Confidently communicate clearly and concisely verbally and in written form in both English and Bemba, drawing out and communicating salient points
• Successfully influence, motivate and get the best out of people both within and outside of line management relationships.
• Spend up to 30% of their time in the field.

Should be:
• Passionate about improving the life chances of all children through educational opportunities.
• Ego-less, prepared to be a ‘great leader’ and a ‘great doer.’
• A team member who will contribute to the organisation as well as their area of focus.
• Credible champion of PEAS’ values
• Entrepreneurial, challenging the status quo of ‘this is how things are done’ and being open to trying new ideas to deliver impact.
• Adaptable, approaching uncertainty with positivity and resilience.
• Collaborative not competitive, working with peers in different teams across the organisation and externally to achieve shared objectives.
• Data-driven; passionate about the need to use data to inform decisions.
• Embrace constant improvement, taking ownership for your own development and empowering others to do the same.
• Desirable criteria
• Degree in Statistics or other relevant subject area
• Experience overseeing the development and implantation of MEL funded by institutional or bi-lateral donors (ideally FCDO, USAID.)
• Experience in working in MEL in relation to education in Zambia.
• In-depth knowledge of rural context in Zambia and community dynamics

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: 60

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Job application procedure
• To apply for the MEL Specialist position, please follow the link.

All Jobs

QUICK ALERT SUBSCRIPTION