Monitoring and Evaluation Expert at Green Habitat Initiative (GHI)

Background

• Green Habitat Initiative is planning to pilot a small-scale solar-powered hydroponics system as a strategic solution to address the convergence of issues stemming from climate change, insecurity, and food security in Kaduna State, Northwest Nigeria.
• Hydroponics is expected to reduce reliance on unpredictable weather patterns, especially erratic rainfall due to climate change, and can be operated within controlled environments, shielding farmers from the vagaries of violent conflicts and insecurity that have disrupted traditional farming practices.
• The aim of this project is to enhance sustainable agriculture and community resilience by introducing functional hydroponics systems, providing secured livelihoods, imparting agricultural and technical expertise, offering localised adaptation solutions, and fostering climate-resilient practices, ultimately contributing to improved food security and reduced conflict risks in the target community.
• 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 solar-powered hydroponics system project.

Role Summary

• Under the overall supervision 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 for the project.
• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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, Engineering,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).
• Preferably 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.

Minimum Requirements:

• You must have a master’s degree or its equivalent to qualify for this.
• You must have the above basic IT skills (Proficient Use of Microsoft Office packages (Excel, PowerPoint, Word, etc.)

Benefits

• Competitive salaries.
• Hybrid working options (4 days in the office, 1 day at home, or a similar arrangement).
• Health insurance.
• Flat organisational structure. Everyone has ideas.
• Autonomous working culture (no micromanagement, dynamic culture, etc.)
• Amazing young team to work with.