MELSA Officer at Oxfam

Req ID: 6482
Internal Job Grade: (MELSA) Officer D 2
Contract type: 2 Year Fixed Term
Job Family: Program
Reporting to: PROSELL Project  Manager
Staff reporting to this post: N/A

Job Purpose

• To assume a technical role in implementing, and maintaining effective and appropriate Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning systems for all project activities in Taraba State. The post will involve coordination with CSO partners and state teams, in line with EU reporting requirements, and with Oxfam Common Approach to Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Social Accountability (CAMSA) guidelines and best practices.

Key Responsibilities
The  Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Social Accountability (MELSA) Officer will perform the following specific duties:

• Based on the project proposal, implementation plan, and donor reporting requirements, implement the 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 an effective MEAL data collection and reporting system with all partners through mentorship, on the job training, site visits and other technical support as needed.  Ensureing systems are well understood and properly implemented by all partners.
• Work with partners and state teams to maintain reporting processes to ensure that all information and data is collected, documented, and collated in an accurate and timely manner.
• Support the conduct of periodic supportive supervision and Data Quality Assessment visits to state teams, partners, and communities
• Facilitate the sharing of information obtained with communities, and other stakeholders through a regular feedback mechanism.
• Ensure project implementation is aligned to targets and indicators contained in project proposal
• Constantly update project CSO partners and State teams on activities progress
• Support the Project Manager to implement, monitor expenditure and budget appropriately, ensuring timely disbursement, activities, reporting, and documentation, monitoring variances and troubleshooting as needed
• Provide on-going support to partners, and communities to maintain MEAL systems; identify skill gaps that can be addressed in subsequent trainings.
• Analyse information about the project and make recommendations for improvement.
• Prepare and submit monthly reports in ensuring utmost quality
• Update project database routinely as at when required
• Support monthly data review meetings in States
• Work closely with the PQMEAL Manager to ensure that all project reporting and MEAL framework and systems are effectively implemented and that required information and reports are submitted accurately and on time
• Supports state teams in establishing knowledge creation and sharing and learning loops, through for instance production of case studies, presentation of key results for monitoring and evaluation activities, and facilitation of learning reviews
• Any other duties as may be assigned by the State Project Manager and/PQMEAL manager

Educational, Experience & Competence
Essential:

• First degree or equivalent in Statistics or a related course of study.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in a similar role
• Substantial training and experience in designing MEAL systems for the following:
• Grassroot community programs that support women small scale farmers and families through local groups and structures.
• Programs that address issues affecting small scale farmers and families affected by food and nutrition insecurity.
• That capture accurate and relevant information, but which are user-friendly and can be managed by “non-IT experts”.
• That captures both qualitative and quantitative information.
• That will be used and coordinated by multiple levels of staff, partners, and community groups, across multiple geographical areas of operation.
• That complies with all EU and Oxfam reporting requirements.
• Involvement in agriculture projects, and/or those involving families and women.
• Involvement in projects utilizing grass-roots approaches and addressing issues of power, diversity, exclusion, participation, and gender.
• Proven ability to prepare timely and accurate reports and well-written documents.
• Strong training and facilitation skills for various groups at multiple skill levels.
• Excellent analytical, conceptual and strategic planning skills
• Proven ability to multi-task, engages in long-term planning, meet deadlines, and handle last-minute demands.
• Language Requirements: Excellent in both Oral and Written English. Ability to speak hausa will be an added advantage.
• Level of IT Expertise: Excellent (SPSS, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

Key Attributes:

• Ability to analyse, interpret and act on complex information from varied and diverse sources.
• Delivery orientation and ability to inspire and work collaboratively and build cohesive relationships with others to achieve outcomes
• Identifying and establishing opportunities for engagement and influencing with various stakeholders with the view to being able to influence an organisation’s agenda
• Well-developed conceptual, critical, and analytical thinking with the ability to convey complex information in a straightforward way and influencing this to a wider audience
• Strong interpersonal and representation skills including good team work, and experience of working in multi-cultural and virtual teams
• Personable and professional approach when working with others internally and externally
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills (written and verbal English) and the ability to write clear, concise reports including effectiveness in representation and the ability to translate policy into clearly written material for decision-makers
• Ability to demonstrate sensitivity to cultural differences and gender issues, as well as the commitment to equal opportunities.
• Ability to demonstrate an openness and willingness to learn about the application of gender/gender mainstreaming, women’s rights, and diversity for all aspects of development work.
• Commitment to Oxfam’s safeguarding policies to ensure all people who come into contact with Oxfam are as safe as possible.

Organisational Values:

• Accountability:  Our purpose-driven, results-focused approach means we take responsibility for our actions and hold ourselves accountable. We believe that others should also be held accountable for their actions.
• Empowerment: Our approach means that everyone involved with Oxfam, from our staff and supporters to people living in poverty, should feel they can make change happen.
• Inclusiveness: We are open to everyone and embrace diversity. We believe everyone has a contribution to make, regardless of visible and invisible differences.

Key Behavioral Competencies

• Decisiveness: We are comfortable to make transparent decisions and to adapt decision making modes to the context and needs.
• Influencing: We have the ability to engage with diverse stakeholders in a way that leads to increased impact for the organization We spot opportunities to influence effectively and where there are no opportunities, we have the ability to create them in a respectful and impactful manner.
• Humility: We put ‘we’ before ‘me’ and place an emphasis on the power of the collective, nurture the team and play to the strengths of each individual. We are not concerned with hierarchical power, and we engage with, trust and value the knowledge and expertise of others across all levels of the organization.
• Relationship Building: We understand the importance of building relationship, within and outside the organization. We have the ability to engage with traditional and non-traditional stakeholders in ways that lead to increased impact for the organization.
• Listening: We are good listeners who can see where deeper levels of thoughts and tacit assumptions differ. Our messages to others are clear and consider different preferences.
• Mutual Accountability: We can explain our decisions and how we have taken them based on our organizational values.  We are ready to be held to account for what we do and how we behave, as we are also holding others to account in a consistent manner.
• Agility, Complexity, and Ambiguity:  We scan the environment, anticipate changes, are comfortable with lack of clarity and deal with a large number of elements interacting in diverse and unpredictable ways.
• Systems Thinking: We view problems as parts of an overall system and in their relation to the whole system, rather than reacting to a specific part, outcome or event in isolation. We focus on cyclical rather than linear cause and effect. By consistently practicing systems thinking we are aware of and manage well unintended consequences of organizational decisions and actions.
• Strategic Thinking and Judgment: We use judgment, weighing risk against the imperative to act. We make decisions consistent with organizational strategies and values.
• Vision Setting: We have the ability to identify and lead visionary initiatives that are beneficial for our organization and we set high-level direction through a visioning process that engages the organization and diverse external stakeholders.
• Self-Awareness: We are able to develop a high degree of self-awareness around our own strengths and weaknesses and our impact on others. Our self-awareness enables us to moderate and self-regulate our behaviors to control and channel our impulses for good purposes.
• Enabling: We all work to effectively empower and enable others to deliver the organizations goals through creating conditions of success. We passionately invest in others by developing their careers, not only their skills for the job.  We provide freedom; demonstrate belief and trust provide appropriate support.