MEL Manager (BRLDSC project) at TechnoServe

Job Summary:

• Under the overall guidance of the Senior Program Manager, the MEL Manager will lead the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning strategy of the project in TechnoServe Nigeria, including planning and implementing efficient systems and procedures that generate timely, high-quality data and analysis that enable decision-making and adaptive management within TechnoServe’s programs across the country. He/she will perform the technical activities related to monitoring & evaluation and serve as the primary point of contact for data collection and aggregation that supports reporting and will provide inputs to inform corporate decision-making.
• The Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager will also remain responsible for delivering the Program’s M&E activities and reporting. S/he will define the MEL calendar of activities, lead the program team in delivery, and ensure that clear learning objectives are defined. The MEL Manager will be responsible for quarterly and annual data collection, storage and analysis, baselining, and quarterly and annual reporting on the program indicators

Program Overview:

• TechnoServe’s Building a Resilient Local Dairy Supply Chain in Nigeria aims to build a precision, sustainable, and productive local dairy value chain in Nigeria within 4 years in a way that increases the incomes, resilience, and carbon footprint of dairy farmers in Nigeria.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

Program Monitoring and Evaluation

• Establish systems for gathering and analyzing performance data, and reporting in compliance with donor and TechnoServe guidelines and best practices.
• Monitor progress against targets and contribute to quality reports; such as annual work plans and performance monitoring reports.
• Create a learning agenda and implement a system designed to capture learnings, best practices, and case studies.
• Document best practices and lessons learned and use data and regular learning sessions to drive program design, adaptation, and decision-making, working closely with the project leadership team.
• Undertake regular visits to the field to support the implementation of MEL activities.
• Work with the HQ Impact Team to identify and integrate corporate impact indicators into Global MEL systems.

Data Management and Analysis

• Oversee and manage a program tracking database, regularly review data collection processes and conduct routine data quality assurance checks.
• Implement systems to safeguard the collection, management, and quality control of program data.
• Run ad-hoc analyses and produce graphics and reports.
• Support technical team in making timely adaptations
• Maintain high levels of confidentiality in relation to sensitive and confidential program implementation data and information.

Capacity Building

• Provide orientation to project staff on the Activity’s MEL Plan.
• Build capacity of project staff and partners on data collection and data use for learning.

Overseeing the implementation of MEL systems:

• Develop and execute work plans for data capture and reporting against project performance indicators and emergent project information needs.
• Identify and implement the appropriate information-gathering approach to inform emergent knowledge gaps that are relevant for project decision-making such as processor market share data, stakeholder engagement mapping, and tracking of project objectives.
• Develop and manage regular data quality assessments, data cleaning and data analysis to produce data visualization sets for reporting and presentations.
• Provide technical assistance and training to responsible staff on their role in performing data collection.
• Build and maintain a dynamic project level dashboard that demonstrates progress on all KPIs and responds to project management’s needs.

Contribute to the Adaptive Management Approach:

• Support relevant program team members to ensure comprehensive understanding of the role of MEL in adaptive management.
• In collaboration with the Senior Program Manager, regularly support review and revise the projects’ logical framework, ensuring it is updated in accordance with knowledge gained during implementation.
• Ensure information flows across the project teams through the sharing and analysis of new information.
• Lead knowledge management initiatives to systematically capture, share, and apply learning across the project, fostering a culture of evidence-based decision-making.

Required skill and experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree + 7 years relevant experience OR Master’s Degree + 5 years relevant experience
• Experience managing MEL systems in the Dairy value chain.
• Knowledge of international development donor reporting requirements.
• 5 years of experience with MEL methods and approaches in an international development context, including designing, planning, and implementing MEL systems, analyzing, and reporting using a logical framework, and other strategic planning approaches.
• Experience utilizing M&E methods and methodologies (including qualitative, quantitative, and participatory methods as well as the use of causal logic in designing, planning, implementing, and evaluating projects).

Preferred Qualifications:

• B.Sc. in Mathematics, statistics, Computer Science or a relevant field with 7 years of experience or Msc with 5 years experience.
• Extensive M&E experience with agricultural projects, particularly in dairy/livestock.
• Private sector, consulting or INGO experience.