Monitoring and Evaluation Expert at Green Habitat Initiative (GHI)

Background

• Green Habitat Initiative (GHI) is planning to pilot the application of a Radio Internet System to support climate-smart agriculture in technical assistance titled RANETA (Radio and Internet for Climate Smart Agriculture) in Kebbi State, Northwest Nigeria.
• RANETA is a unique exploitation of the Radio and Internet to afford rural communities the opportunity to leverage technology and radio, which has widespread use in rural communities to build the resilience of smallholder agricultural practitioners, promote wider use of agrometeorological services to improve data availability, climate forecasting, early warning, adaptation planning, and decision making in the agricultural sector. In the medium and long term, this project aims to reduce climate risks in agricultural production, thereby improving food supply and livelihood security.
• As such, Green Habitat Initiative (GHI) is currently seeking to engage a monitoring and evaluation expert on a contract basis to act as the MEL Expert for a climate-smart agricultural project.

Responsibilities

• Under the overall guidance of the project manager, the MEL Specialist will perform activities related to monitoring, evaluation, and learning for the project, including organising and implementing data collection and analysis.
• He/she will serve as a point of contact for data collection and aggregation that supports project reporting and will provide inputs to inform project decision-making and adaptive management.
• Provide strategic oversight of the monitoring and evaluation activities, ensuring alignment with project objectives and contributing to the project's overall success.
• Design, develop, and implement monitoring and evaluation tools.
• Organise and implement data collection activities, both qualitative and quantitative, and perform detailed data analysis to derive actionable insights.
• Serve as a point of contact for data collection and aggregation, supporting project reporting requirements with accurate and timely data.
• Provide inputs derived from monitoring and evaluation activities to inform project decision-making and adaptive management, promoting evidence-based strategies.

Qualifications and Required Experiences

• Bachelor's Degree in Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences, Administration, or similar is mandatory.
• A minimum of 3 years of directly applicable experience in providing management advisory services and hands-on experience in the design of monitoring and evaluation tools at the systemic level in development contexts is a requirement.
• Knowledge of and experience in planning is desired.
• Proven experience with statistical applications and data analysis; familiarity with both qualitative and quantitative information analysis tools is a requirement.
• Excellent interpersonal, consensus-building, and negotiating skills are essential.
• Team building and collaboration experience with colleagues from diverse backgrounds.
• Fluency in Microsoft Excel, specifically: Ability to design basic data-entry spreadsheets in “database format” with useful data validation. You will extract summary statistics using Pivot Tables and Excel Formulae and conduct analysis using statistics, logic, and validation formulae.
• Practical experience creating survey tools for field data collection and managing a field-based research team.
• Knowledge of electronic data collection platforms (e.g., ODK, SurveyCTO, CommCare).
• Preferable experience with statistical software packages such as Stata, or R.

Required personal Competencies:

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Sustainability Knowledge: Knowledge of the sustainability agenda and its relationship with business. Must possess a strong interest in driving corporate action on sustainable development. Must have an international and innovative outlook and mindset.
• Computer/Technical Skills: Advanced proficiency in MS Office Suite (Microsoft Word, Excel, and PowerPoint). Experience with the use of project management software (e.g., Clickup, Slack, etc) is desirable.
• Client Orientation: Considers all those to whom services are provided to be “clients” and seeks to see things from clients’ point of view. Establishes and maintains productive relationships with key decision makers by gaining their trust and respect; Identifies clients’ needs and matches them to appropriate solutions; responds to questions, concerns, and requests from executives; meets timeline for delivery of services to a client.
• Research and Analytical Skills: Exceptional ability to conduct research effectively and assemble this information in a timely manner. Proven critical thinker with strong analytical skills. Ability to explain complex information in a clear, concise, and practical manner. Exceptional attention to detail that demonstrates an ability to evaluate complex information or problems to find a precise and digestible solution.
• Communication and Language Skills: Advanced communication skills, including outstanding written and spoken English skills that enable him/her to communicate professionally and confidently. Ability to interact with a broad set of businesses and present over the phone, virtually, and in person. Listens to others, correctly interprets messages from others, and responds appropriately. Ability to communicate persuasively in written form to help engage at scale. Asks questions to clarify and exhibits interest in having two-way communication. Exceptional attention to detail, including tailoring language, tone, and content to match various audiences. Demonstrates openness in sharing information and keeping people informed.
• Ability to engage and manage strategic stakeholders, including government, implementing partners, academia, and the private sector.
• Attention to detail.
• Knowledge of the Hausa Language is desirable.