Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator At International Rescue Committee

COUNTRY BACKGROUND:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is an international non-governmental, non-religious, relief and development organization that works with people and communities affected by conflict around the world. It is present in 42 countries. Founded in 1933, IRC’s mission is to provide emergency relief, post-conflict development and resettlement services, work for the protection of human rights, and advocate for those uprooted or affected by violent conflict and oppression. We strive to restore protection, dignity and hope for millions of uprooted people who struggle to survive.

IRC opened its office in Burundi in 1996, responding to the urgent needs of internally displaced people, focusing on water sanitation, environmental health programs and child protection. With the end of the Burundian civil war in 2006 and the subsequent return of Burundian refugees, the IRC took a first step towards post-conflict reconstruction programs. IRC Burundi is part of the Great Lakes region, made up of Burundi, CAR, DRC and Tanzania.

To date, IRC Burundi has put in place a dynamic post-conflict program encompassing prevention and response to child protection violations, gender-based violence, economic recovery and development (ERD) as well as environmental health. Currently, there is a dynamic child protection program which consists of strengthening deinstitutionalization systems, preventing the separation of children from caregivers, strengthening community child protection mechanisms, working directly with children and with parents / caregivers to improve the protective environment for children. IRC works closely with relevant government ministries as well as other humanitarian actors. IRC has its main office in Bujumbura, which serves not only as the headquarters but also as the base for programs in Bujumbura Rural and Bujumbura Mairie. Field offices are located in Gitega, Muyinga and Ruyigi.

Job overview:

Reporting to the Deputy Director of Programs and technically supported by the Regional Measurement Action Coordinator, the Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) or M&E Coordinator works in close collaboration with program, grants and support teams to optimize monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning capacities and opportunities of the IRC mission in Burundi to ensure high-quality programming for the clients we serve and support the global ambitions of IRC Strategy 100, especially the Data Ambition, and the Country Strategic Action Plan.

To this end, the M&E/MEAL Coordinator is responsible to ensure that a monitoring, evaluation and accountability and data management system is in place, sufficiently resourced and successfully implemented from collection to visualization. And that MEAL data is contributing to improved learning and program quality. The M&E/MEAL Coordinator is responsible for ensuring that MEAL principles are integrated in every step of the project cycle, as per IRC’s corporate guidelines and contributes to the implementation of the Country Strategic Action Plan and Strategy 100.

In support of these goals, the coordinator provides vital technical assistance, capacity sharing, individual mentoring, supervision and training to M&E/MEAL staff at IRC and partners.

Responsibilities:

Strategic Leadership and Partnership

• Establish and drive common strategies and approaches to the country’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Accountability processes that reflect and contextualize Strategy 100 and the Country Strategic Action Plan and ensure that the MEAL structure is fit for this purpose;
• Lead all aspects of MEAL (including client feedback mechanisms) functions across multiple sectors and multiple geographical areas/ large portfolio and or complex environment;
• Develop, coordinate and strengthen capacity sharing partnerships with MEAL counterparts of partner agencies, local organizations and government;
• Represent the IRC on MEAL at internal and external meetings, forums, and other events;
• Champion design, access and use of data by leaders and partners for shared learning and evidence-based decision-making;
• Shape and implement MEAL systems and approaches that meet IRC standards and practices, that meet project and program needs, enable accountability to clients, partners, and donors, and foster program learning;
• Reinforce integration of cross-sectoral priorities in MEAL, including gender, protection, safeguarding, disaster risk reduction, Diversity-Equality-Inclusion and Do No Harm.

Technical Oversight

• Provide technical leadership for a strong monitoring system and processes throughout the project cycle from the design, implementation to close-out and learning including:
• Using learning and evidence from internal and external sources including previous projects to inform proposal design and Theory of Change;
• Developing and operationalizing, logical frameworks, M&E/MEAL plans, data collection tools, processes for data management, clients feedback approaches, quality checks and audits, and data visualization;
• Developing and advocating for adequate M&E/MEAL budget and staffing structure for all projects;
• Producing high-quality data, analysis, reports, presentations, and dashboard of key findings that foster learning and decision-making and share in key meetings such as project cycle meetings and strategic senior management team meetings.
• Provide technical leadership for the design, method, and conduct of surveys such as baseline and endline, and the commission of evaluations and surveys as required in coordination with program coordinators, technical advisors, and external partners where vital;
• Lead and advocate for the expansion of standard mobile data technology and online dashboard to enhance timeliness and quality of data collection, analysis and visualization;
• Provide technical leadership to IRC’s effort in meeting its internal and external accountability commitments through the implementation of sound accountability, client feedback, and response mechanisms.

Human Resources

• Promote the growth and development of others in IRC teams and partners: Assess proficiencies; develop and lead targeted learning and training strategy. In particular, coach, mentor and support M&E/MEAL staff, provide vital tools and resources, as well as on the job training;
• Supervise medium to large sized MEAL team across multiple sectors and geographical areas: Set clear performance objectives; manage staff work plans; establish regular performance reviews; champion a positive working environment for professional development; foster an inclusive and respectful team climate, where all staff are valued and respected and can contribute to their maximum potential;
• Lead the recruitment of country MEAL staff, TTA’s, consultants and, support their onboarding.

Key working relationships:

Position Reports to Deputy Director of Programs (this is the recommendation from CRRD but may be adjusted based on Country needs).

Position directly supervises: M&E//MEAL Manager(s) and Officers

Other Internal and/or external contacts:

Internal: Program Coordinators and Managers throughout the country program, Regional Measurement Action Coordinator, Client Responsiveness & Accountability (CRA) Technical Advisor, Grants Coordinator and Managers, Finance Coordinator, relevant Regional/HQ-based colleagues.

External: Partners, Governments, Clients.

Requirements:

• A University degree in a relevant subject area (statistics, monitoring & data management, social science, public health, economic development, or a related field) – a technical degree together with additional relevant work experience may substitute for education;
• A minimum 5 years of working experience within Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and learning-related functions;
• Leadership experience and proven technical skills in setting up quality M&E/MEAL system that leads to evidence-based decision-making for multi-sectorial and multi-donor funded programs;
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge to diverse audiences through training, mentoring, and other formal and non-formal methods together with strong presentation and reporting skills;
• Strong management and social skills and proven track record to work with diverse groups of people in a multicultural environment;
• Self-motivated with excellent organization, planning, and analytical skills – able to work without close supervision, including prioritizing work and multi-tasking;
• Proficiency and experience with mobile data collection such as Kobo, CommCare, ODK Collect are crucial as well as proficiency with Microsoft Excel; SPSS, SATA or other similar software;
• Knowledge of Tableau, PowerBi or GIS software are additional assets;
• Must be based in the field (Muyinga) with requirement to work on other sites (Gitega Ruyigi, Bujumbura) very frequently;
• • The candidate must be perfectly able to express himself or herself in French. Fluency in English is also preferred.

At IRC – we are committed to creating a diverse, inclusive, respectful and safe work environment where all persons are treated fairly, with dignity and respect. In keeping with our core values of Integrity, Service, Accountability and Equality, IRC strives to maintain a work environment built on mutual respect in which all individuals treat each other professionally, and free of bias, prejudice, and harassment.

Diversity, Inclusion and Gender Equality

IRC acknowledges and honors the fundamental value and dignity of all individuals. We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all applicants on the basis of merit without regard to race, sex, color, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, marital status, veteran status or disability. IRC is also committed to narrowing the gender gap in leadership positions. We offer benefits that provide an enabling environment for women to participate in our workforce including parental leave, gender-sensitive security protocols and other supportive benefits.

National applications as well as female applications are strongly encouraged.