Performance Monitoring Specialist - PMS at RTI International

The PM Specialist will report directly to the MEL Advisor and shall be responsible for monitoring all state level E-WASH activities including developing monitoring/progress reports and supporting quarterly/annual reports collation (e.g. quarterly SWB and Utility progress reports), routinely upload field-based data to E-WASH Integrated Database Management System (IDMS) and provide timely Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) updates for onward reporting to USAID MEL Performance Reporting System (PRS).

PMS will support the conduct of targeted state-specific field-based studies and research assessments to inform the development of KM/ Learning products. The PMS will actively collaborate with other members of the MEL team (i.e. Senior MIS Specialist and Senior Media and Communications Specialist); designated STTA MEL Specialists and work alongside members of the E-WASH state program team.  

Location: Sokoto, Nigeria

Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in a social science or education related field. A minimum of six (6) years of experience measuring and evaluating governance- and/or WASH-related programming.

• A Master’s degree in a relevant professional field and experience working on donor funded projects especially USAID would be most beneficial.
• Familiarity with robust grants reporting protocols (for CSEF grantees) and mobile data collection apps/tools (i.e. Kobo Tool Box, Magpi, CAPI, FS Mobile) for effective performance monitoring of donor funded projects.
• Strong technical skills in data management, Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), survey and questionnaire design, household surveys and mapping, and/or conducting field-based assessment is required.
• Experience with mobile based data collection tools and grantee reporting is desirable. Skilled proficiency in Excel, Word, and other Microsoft (MS) Office software; data analysis software (such as Excel, SPSS or Stata).
• Experience in knowledge management and communications for outcome reporting including conducting research focused studies and assessments as a basis for developing learning/KM products (i.e. fact sheets, newsletters, outcome journals.
• Knowledge of USAID’s Collaboration, Learning and Adaptation (CLA) approach is beneficial;
• Fluency in English is required.

Key Responsibilities:

• Monitor and work closely with the MEL Advisor and other team members to implement the programs MEL plan and systems. Meet monthly with the State Team Leader to highlight progress against E-WASH performance indicators per program component.
• Support data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Work with utility M&E departments to review and adjust targets on a quarterly basis with the Department Managers for four quarters after the initial implementation of the Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs).
• Build capacity of program partners and transferring this responsibility gradually to the SWB and CSO M&E departments/personnel.
• Support the development of learning/KM products to highlight key research findings, implementation lessons and best practices identified during E-WASH program implementation;
• Facilitate the implementation of effective program MEL mechanisms on grants reporting, generating Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) reports for State Water Boards (SWBs) and Utilities including Civil Society Organization (CSO) monitoring to inform onward performance reporting to USAID.
• Work closely with respective E-WASH program and partner staffs to ensure timely upload of performance reporting data; robust grants monitoring and document reviews of SWB Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs) benchmarking procedures.  
• Collaborate with the Senior MIS Specialist to conduct field-based assessments and evaluations i.e. Data Quality Assessments (DQA), Collaboration Mapping, Updating Pivot Logs, Rapid Political Economy Analysis (PEA) and other rolling assessments to inform program learning and adaptive management measures.
• Ensure compliance with E-WASH Data Risk Mitigation Strategy and work alongside the MEL Advisor and designated STTA/USAID representatives to conduct data quality assessments for performance indicators.
• Conduct of routine field visits and spot checks to support surveys (Household and GIS mapping) as well as inform the development of program reports i.e. Key Performance Indicators (KPI) reports, Grants Monitoring Reports (GMRs), Activity Monitoring Reports (AMRs) etc.
• Serve as the State Learning Point of Contact (LPOC) to facilitate ongoing collaboration and adaptive management measures for strategic evidence-based decision making to improve overall program performance. This will extend to the update of pivot logs and collaboration maps including developing Political Economy Analysis (PEA) briefs and conduct of Effective Utility Management (EUM) snap surveys.
• Identify potential research areas of interests related to E-WASH program focus and work to develop evidence-based articles and publications. 
• Handle additional ad-hoc responsibilities as assigned by the MEL Advisor or required by the E-WASH program.