Summary
Date Posted: Friday, March 15 2024, Base Salary: Not Disclosed

JOB DETAILS:
Job Purpose
FZS is seeking a rigorous, dynamic Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning Senior Advisor (MERL SA) for the North Luangwa Conservation Program (NLCP) and for the USAID-funded Hearth Program: Luangwa Landscape Conservation Activity (LLCA). S/he will work across the different operational teams and program partners to assist with baseline surveys, provide training, carry out data collection, collate all relevant data, photographs, videos, and stories from the NLCP teams, and ensure that the program’s database is up to date, and, in collaboration with the team members, carry out analyses on the data, provide feedback for adaptation of programs in response to, and guide the learning that results from the program data and analyses. The MERL SA will lead the dissemination of information to wider audiences. This is a fixed-term position for 2 years, renewable up to January 2027 pending performance and funding availability.

1. Reporting
The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning Senior Advisor reports to the Chief of Party, North Luangwa Conservation Program Landscape Integration Unit.

2. Key responsibilities
These will include:
• Analysing and communicating activity performance;
• Leading quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reporting among partners and supporting the synthesis, analysis, and presentation of monitoring data
• Coordinate quarterly implementing partner meetings and semi-annual and annual portfolio reviews
• Lead the development and implementation of the evaluation plan and learning agenda for the LLCA
• Lead the management of evaluations, research, and special studies
• Support partners with the planning, designing, and implementing of monitoring and evaluation plans.

3. Key tasks and outputs
• Develop a dynamic MERL framework that is integrative with other donor programs and associated indicators.
• Design and oversee the research, monitoring, evaluation, reflection, and learning activities of the NLCP, with a key focus on the overall USAID HEARTH LLCA.
• Review, adjust, and establish KPIs and MERL program for the North Luangwa Conservation Program, primarily focusing on activities and associated impacts under the USAID HEARTH LLCA.
• Establish, review, adjust, and maintain data collection (using and adapting appropriate monitoring and evaluation tools—baseline surveys, KAP surveys, Management Effectiveness Tools, Capacity Scorecards, etc.), collation, management, and reporting systems, and ensure that disaggregated data are collected as appropriate and necessary.
• Drive the use and review of data for reflection, learning, and adaptive management and to inform management decision-making; promote theory-of-change, design thinking, and/or results-based management among all staff of the NLCP.
• Build the capacity of all FZS staff and NLCP partners in MERL, and supervise and mentor specific monitoring and evaluation staff, as well as interact with other staff with data collection responsibilities to ensure the quality of data collection and reporting against the MERL program.
• Design and implement baseline, ongoing, and follow-up surveys, using electronic data collection/entry interfaces and cloud-based storage systems, e.g. ODK, SMART, etc.
• Assist with the management of external and internal evaluations of project programs
• Oversee the publication and dissemination of information on successful and innovative approaches, lessons learned, and other program results to partners, donors, and other key stakeholders
• Draft reports, and success stories and lead knowledge management.
• Liaise with communications staff for dissemination of learning and results
• Develop and lead the implementation of a robust learning framework and agenda for continuous learning, collaboration, and adaptation
• Contribute to the process of grant writing and proposal preparation, including ensuring that the M&E frameworks that are written into grant applications and proposals fully align with the NLCP’s results framework
• Working with other members of the FZS NLCP team to ensure that data required for donor reporting (including donor-specific results frameworks) are collected, collated, analysed, and prepared for reports in a timely fashion.
• Assisting with the process of writing reports and preparing notes and outputs for different audiences.

This job posting summarises the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. Management reserves the right to review and revise the TOR at any time.
4. Required Qualifications and Experience
Candidates will need to demonstrate clearly that they have the necessary experience and skills to i) work with other team members and partner organisations to collect and collate data, ii) carry out qualitative and quantitative data collection and analyses, iv) build and maintain databases, v) contribute to the process of writing reports, vi) provide rigorous analysis to feed into strategic decision-making processes; and vii) promote learning from the monitoring and evaluation processes. This requires:
• An analytical mind that grasps complex issues facing the diversity of people living within and surrounding the program area
• An intellectual interest in the development–environment nexus in Sub-Saharan Africa
• Master’s degree in a relevant field and/or 7 years of demonstrated professional experience carrying out similar work
• At least 5 years of previous experience related to monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning with non-profit organization(s) and on large-scale donor-funded project(s)
• Strong qualitative and quantitative research, data collection, analytical and management skills, and proven IT skills, including database managemen
• Knowledge of statistical software (e.g., R or Stata), and use of data collection tools such as SMART Mobile (or equivalent)
• Knowledge of GIS is an added advantage
• Ability to work with a diverse, interdisciplinary team of people
• Demonstrated openness and sensitivity to the socio-cultural environment of North Luangwa
• Excellent written and spoken English, including report writing, communicating project results and learning, and making presentations
• Dynamic, energetic, creative and ambitious
5. Behavioural Competencies
• Teamwork: Cooperate, support, and work well with others to achieve project goals. Share information, and contribute effectively to FZS` objectives and solving problems
• Planning and organising: Plan and organise complex activities and work on multiple tasks. Determine actions, time frames, and required resources for projects and monitor progress. Set goals and budget estimates effectively, and manage time effectively.
• Management control: Establish and implement procedures to regulate own task activities, and responsibilities.
• Holistic interpretation: Ability to understand the NLCP vision and interpret MERL at all levels in terms of scale, importance, implementability, and its consequential impact
• Problem analysis: Pointing out problems, recognising important information, and establishing connections between various data. Tracing potential causes for problems.

We Offer:
• Engaging and meaningful work with room for your ideas
• Opportunity to contribute towards the protection of impressive landscapes in Zambi
• Form part of a dynamic and motivated team, as well as the larger FZS team working to secure outstanding wild places across the globe
• Flat hierarchy, opportunities for further training
The position will be based in Lusaka, Zambia.

Education Requirement: No Requirements

Job Experience: No Requirements

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months:

Level of Education:

Job application procedure
• Interested candidates are invited to submit their applications to jobs.zambia@fzs.org . Please include the following documents (single document) in your application:
• A cover letter explaining why you should be considered for this position.
• A comprehensive CV highlighting your relevant experience and achievements.
• Contact details for two referees (who will not be contacted without your permission).
Please mark your application ‘Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning, Senior Advisor -FZS Zambia’.
• Application Deadline: Monday, 29th March 2024
• Interviews: Candidates selected for an interview will be contacted by email or telephone – please specify your preferred method of contact in your cover letter.
• Note: Due to limited resources and a high volume of applications, we will only contact short-listed candidates. If you do not hear from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that you have not been successful on this occasion.
• FZS values diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity.

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