Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Officer at Center for Civilians in Conflict’s Mission

Location: Maiduguri, Borno with frequent travels to Abuja and field locations
Job type: Full time
Contract Term: Full time
Job Field: NGO/Non-Profit
Duration: 2 years, renewable

Program Summary

• We are looking for a full time Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Officer to support in developing, implementing, and maintaining effective and appropriate Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning systems for our programs which range from Training of community self-protection committees across LGAs, training on the protection of civilians in conflict for relevant security forces, members of community vigilante, civilian joint task force and hunter groups, institutional training programs, Research and Advocacy.
• The purpose of this role is to ensure the systems once in place are in line with donor requirements and with CIVIC’s guidelines and best practices.

Reporting & Supervision:

• The MEL Officer have matrix reporting lines to the Country Director and the NE Team Lead.

Deliverables

• Based on the project proposal, implementation plan, and donor reporting requirements, support the development of a system for capturing and documenting data and relevant information on project activities, beneficiaries, outputs, outcomes, and impacts, which is feasible, practical, and “user friendly”, and will obtain valid and reliable information.
• Ensure that systems developed capture both quantitative and qualitative information.
• Ensure an effective roll-out of MEL collection and reporting systems to all staff and partners through training, site visits, manuals, and other technical support as needed. Ensure systems are well understood and properly implemented by staff and partners.
• Ensure that all tools are practical to use and accommodate different levels of expertise and computer literacy, from community groups, to partners, to project staff.
• Work with field teams to establish reporting processes to ensure that all information and data is collected, documented, and collated in an accurate and timely manner.
• Create a system for ensuring that information obtained is also shared with relevant stakeholders through a regular feedback mechanism.
• Provide ongoing support to field teams, partners, and communities to maintain ME&L systems; identify skill gaps that can be addressed in subsequent refresher trainings.
• Help coordinate overall project review and evaluation activities as required. This includes coordinating mid-term and final evaluations, and supporting donor and external reviews as required.
• Ensure regular reviews of the ME&L system itself, making improvements as needed and recommended, in consultation with managers, staff, and partners.
• Work with the other team members and Field Leadership Team to ensure that the donor ME&L system is well linked and/or integrated with overall ME&L systems for CIVIC.
• Help provide training to partners to develop basic ME&L systems and tools they can use for other related projects, if they are successful in obtaining external funding
• Analyze information about the program and make recommendations for improvement.
• Lead in the preparation of monthly and quarterly reports for CIVIC Nigeria and others involved in the project (including the donor) ensuring utmost quality.
• Periodically share results with teams and CIVIC internal reporting platforms.
• Identify the need for additional technical support to ensure effective program delivery and coordinate the allocation of that support.
• Work closely with Senior Advisor, MEL at HQ to provide relevant strategic MEL support to country program.

Required Skills & Qualifications
Essential:

• Minimum B.Sc or HND 
• Experience 3 - 7 years
• Advanced training in quantitative methodologies, including database management.
• 5 years of direct experience of monitoring and evaluation in one or more of these sectors: I/NGO, Development, and Humanitarian/Emergency.
• Strong analytic skills, and an understanding of a range of methods for monitoring, evaluation and assessment to promote evidence-based learning. Demonstrated ability to design, commission, and manage assessment methodologies and evaluation.
• Good understanding of media and communication.
• Computer literate.
• Ability to build support from staff across teams and to build the capacity of others.
• Proven ability to coordinate effective resource allocation to ensure quality programmes.
• Sound strategic thinking and planning skills, including ability to think creatively and innovate and to set priorities, manageable workplans and evaluate progress.
• Strong communications skills (both written and verbal). The ability to analyse complex data and summarise it for a range of different audiences.
• Experience of working within budget constraints.
• Commitment to CIVIC’s mission, values and approach
• Commitment to support cross organisational initiatives.
• Commitment to team working and understanding of how to contribute.
• Ability to operate within a predominantly administratively self-servicing environment.
• Fluency in oral and written English is required. Fluency in Hausa, Kanuri and/or Shuwa-Arabic is an advantage.
• Ability to reside/travel frequently within the activity locations

Desirable:

• Professional qualification at postgraduate level or equivalent in relevant fields
• Experience of qualitative research techniques
• Experience in international development.

Activity locations:

• Nationally and LGAs within Borno State