Results and Learning Leader at Mott MacDonald

Accountabilities and Responsibilities
The Results and Learning (R&L) Leader will have primary responsibility for all monitoring, results measurement, evaluation, research, information-gathering and dissemination within the programme.
Working together with the Team Leader, the Deputy Team Leader and other team members, the R&L Leader will:
Results Measurement
Manage the overarching strategy for MRM and evaluation throughout the programme;
Review and revise (as appropriate) the MRM system for the programme, using baseline data and quantitative and qualitative methods as appropriate;
Manage the MRM system (and allocated budget) in accordance with best practices and, as a minimum, the Results Measurement Standard of the Donor Committee for Enterprise Development (DCED);
Work closely with the Monitoring Officer and each of the four Intervention Leaders to ensure regular and effective MRM (especially monitoring) of their particular work stream (with particular reference to the programme logical framework (logframe));
Oversee the use of key surveys and other instruments to evaluate the programme’s impact and adapt such surveys/instruments as appropriate;
Liaise with DFID to measure progress and achievements against the logframe;
Coordinate the meeting and inputs of an independent research learning panel of international specialists to guide on the general research strategy;
Build a relationship and liaise regularly with the Education Data, Research and Evaluation in Nigeria (EDOREN) programme to maximise learning through DEEPEN and to ensure the integrity, credibility and reliability of all data produced;

Reporting and Reviews
Produce monthly reports on DEEPEN’s MRM and contribute to all formal and informal reporting to DFID;
Interpret the results of MRM findings, programme research, other research and wider experience and advise the Team Leader and Deputy Team Leader accordingly (for example, on which interventions show positive results and which don’t);
Participate in regular (at least quarterly) update meetings with DFID to discuss the programme’s progress;
Assist EDOREN and/or DFID (as appropriate) on programme statutory and/or annual reviews;

Knowledge Generation and Dissemination
With guidance from the independent research learning panel and support from the Research Officer, work to generate rigorous research, evidence and learning through DEEPEN on how to improve the private education markets in and beyond Lagos and disseminate such information to agencies, governments and research organisations;
Support the Communications Officer in managing the communications strategy for the programme, both to influence stakeholders (for example, policymakers) in Lagos and to advocate for or inform change outside of Lagos;
Guide and supervise external communications and the wider sharing of knowledge, including reviewing and checking external communications before issue/dissemination;
Oversee general knowledge management and activities to monitor and measure the impact of programme communications and their value for money;

Staff Management
Manage the overall R&L team, which is expected to include the line management of the Research, Monitoring and Communications Officers;
Assure the quality of all R&L activities and the deliverables produced by the Research, Monitoring and Communications Officers.

Candidate Specification

Competencies, Skills, Qualifications and Experience
Required:
Significant professional experience working on the monitoring, evaluation, results measurement and/or research of international development projects or programmes.
Up-to-date knowledge of best research/MRM practice and proven experience of using quantitative and qualitative methods (and associated software packages) in conducting research.
Education to at least Master’s level or equivalent.
Proven skills in analysing and interpreting evidence and data to guide and direct strategic programme decision-making.
Effective people, team and project management (including budgeting) skills.
Fluent in English (spoken, reading and writing) with excellent writing skills.
Good organisational and communication skills.
Experience working in international and cross-cultural contexts.
Confidence/proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel and email packages.
Attention to detail and accuracy.

Desirable:

• Experience working on education projects or programmes, specifically those concerned with private education and/or low-cost private schools.
• Experience working on an M4P project and/or with the DCED standard.
• Experience working in multi-disciplinary teams in projects or programmes with components of social development and/or poverty reduction.
• Experience working with donor agencies (specifically DFID).
• Experience conducting training and facilitating workshops in a developing and cross-cultural context.