Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Advisor (National Professional Volunteer) at VSO

Type of Role: Community and social work
Start Date: 1st September 2021.
Mode of Delivery: Working from home and at project location
Responsible to: Practice Manager - Livelihoods

Role Overview

• Working from home and at project location - In this role, you will spend some time providing part-time remote support (e.g. from your home) to VSO projects or partners, and also a set period working full-time in the project location and/or VSO office.
• Provide additional local support to Implementing Partners in Nigeria as required. Implement a system for ongoing data collection, storage, analysis and reporting – including but not limited to tool creation, survey designs, etc.

More specifically, the Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) advisor will work closely together with each of the Challenge Fund implementing partners and the CFYE team to:

• Act as in-country MEL Advisor, consultants in MEL and wider MEL team, and liaising closely with the Local Coordinator and Portfolio Manager
• Provide technical support to the implementing partners on implementing MEL guidelines and strategies according to agreed Technical Assistance plan (to be developed from MEL baseline research and TA diagnostics, carried out during the inception phase.
• Provide technical support in the design and carrying out of MEL tools and analysis, drafting recommendations, interventions and action plans – as needed
• Provide technical support in the design and carry-out of MEL training and capacity building at the organizational level, as needed

Job Purpose

• Provide additional local support to Implementing Partners in Nigeria as required. Implement a system for ongoing data collection, storage, analysis and reporting including but not limited to tool creation, survey designs, etc.

More specifically, the Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) advisor will work closely together with each of the Challenge Fund implementing partners and the CFYE team to:

• Act as in-country MEL Advisor, consultants in MEL and wider MEL team, and liaising closely with the Local Coordinator and Portfolio Manager
• Provide technical support to the implementing partners on implementing MEL guidelines and strategies according to agreed Technical Assistance plan (to be developed from MEL baseline research and TA diagnostics, carried out during the inception phase.
• Provide technical support in the design and carrying out of MEL tools and analysis, drafting recommendations, interventions and action plans – as needed
• Provide technical support in the design and carry-out of MEL training and capacity building at the organizational level, as needed

Responsibilities

• Working with all or a selection of Implementing partners (IPs), alongside other International and National volunteers, the Consultant, CFYE Portfolio Manager, CFYE MEL team and the VSO Local Project Coordinator;
• Act as MEL advisor for IPs, the wider CFYE team, other VSO volunteers and stakeholders
• Advise 1-7 IPs on effective implementation of their MEL frameworks and strategies, enabling them to effectively demonstrate results, impact and learnings.
• Support IPs to report on activities and progress, identify additional TA needs, challenges & solutions
• Support IPs with MEL tool creation (e.g., survey design), refinement and data analysis
• Monitor the use and results of framework implementation, with contextually appropriate indicators and measurement tools. If necessary, provide further support and guidance on the use of the framework to support the development of robust evidence of youth economic empowerment, gender & social inclusion and decent work.
• Ensure the quality of research and assessments including pre-project assessments, baselines (if still relevant), mid and end evaluations; design of log frames, results frameworks.
• Ensure that MEL strategy and interventions are closely aligned to other the matic areas (Decent Work/Job quality, Youth Engagement, Empowerment &  Resilience (YEER) and Gender Economic empowerment and Social inclusion (GESI).
• Ensure that VSO Nigeria’s experience in MEL is embedded in CFYE MEL approaches

Essential Selection Criteria

• An advanced understanding of research, monitoring and evaluation approaches and methodologies
• Experience of working in livelihood programmes, particularly with enterprise development and entrepreneurship projects and must be conversant with resilient livelihood approaches.
• Experience with working in the private sector.
• Skilled in the use and management of qualitative and quantitative data collection, participatory methodologies analysis and reporting.
• Skilled in designing and managing data gathering exercises effectively.
• Considerable experience in developing and implementing MEL systems.
• Sound experience in advising, coaching others, training  
• Strong experience working in multi stakeholder partnerships, developing and expanding partnerships, effective relationship management
• Experience providing training and first-hand support around MEL

Knowledge / Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science/Development Studies/ Business Administration/in any related field.  
• A Post graduate qualification in Monitoring and Evaluation/Project planning and Management / Development studies.

Experience:  

• Extensive (3+ years) experience with research, monitoring & evaluation approaches and methodologies.  
• Demonstrated experience in the development, support and implementation of monitoring and reporting processes and systems
• Excellent report writing and presentation skills.
• Extensive experience in monitoring, evaluation and research using both quantitative and qualitative methodologies.

Skills / Abilities:

• Working together - successfully works with culturally diverse teams and develops others’ team-working skills.  
• Communication & influencing – inspires others by: advocating plans and ideas within and outside VSO; maintaining a wide, influential network; coaching.
• Striving for excellence - leads initiatives to improve MEL approaches and practices; is a role model for continuous learning and improvement in MER.
• Managing Resources - Organizes own work to meet objectives; clarifies accountability or roles; seeks ways to generate and save money through cost-effective implementation of activities.  
• Developing People - is a role model for coaching, mentoring and developing others.
• Delivering Results - effectively working with others including VSO partners to ensure timely, high quality results.

Desired Selection Criteria:

• Experience with business development, entrepreneurship and incubator programmes
• Understanding of the some of the key challenges around Youth Engagement, Empowerment and Resilience (YEER), Gender, Equality& Social Inclusion (GESI), and Decent work
• Attention to detail and ability to effectively and efficiently perform multiple tasks and balance competing priorities.  
• Experience and awareness of commitment to gender equality in research, monitoring and evaluation processes.  
• Experience in monitoring, evaluation and assessment of youth engagement programme

Competencies and Behavior:
At VSO we believe progress is only possible by working together. Whether you want to join us as an employee, or as a volunteer working in your own country, overseas or online, our selection process includes an assessment based on these core competencies:

• Ability to be open minded and respectful
• Ability to be resilient and adaptive to new situations
• Ability to seek and share knowledge

Allowance

• As a VSO volunteer you will work on an ad hoc basis, performing activities for VSO / your community during your free time. Expenses you incur while volunteering for VSO are reimbursed (be more specific if applicable).

Accommodation

• If you are not able to work from your own home, VSO will provide basic accommodation (including utilities).