Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist – Philippines At Center for Victims of Torture

Job Summary:

The Center for Victims of Torture (CVT) seeks a Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning (MEL) Specialist to provide technical support to strengthen MEL system which Balay intends to achieve, as well as MEL related to Mental Health & Psychosocial Support (MHPSS) programming provided by Balay Rehabilitation Center (Balay)—a locally-run organization headquartered in Manila, Philippines.

The primary function of this position will be to strengthen the capacityof Balay’s MEL systems and staff to meet organizational needs. Activities include assessment, development and implementation of training, mentoring, and advising; document review and feedbacking; document drafting; reporting; and internal collaboration with multiple departments.

The position will be based in the Philippines at Balay’s Manila office, with possible travels in Mindanao either once or twice over the contract duration. Please note that there is some flexibility regarding the number of hours per week (30-40 hrs/wk) and contract term (4-6 months) depending on the availability and rate of the consultant. However, the schedule of deliverables and work plan timing to be agreed upon will determine the time commitment needed.

Note: Candidates must be nationals of the Philippines or have valid work authorization in the Philippines to apply for this position. CVT is unable to secure a visa or work permit on behalf of the consultant.

Job Responsibilities:

Strategic MEL Systems Development: Collaboratively support Balay staff to develop MEL systems and their associated components, including a unified MEL framework to document and guide effective MEL policies, mechanisms, guidelines, practices and tools. Support implementation of Balay’s Institutional Strengthening Plan (ISP) and its annual work plan, especially on MEL-related items, in collaboration with its staff team.

Training & Advising: Design and deliver capacity development support for Balay staff identified and agreed upon from the unified MEL framework, for those who have core functions/roles in MEL as well as other functions who perform MEL-related tasks as part of their work (e.g., case managers who collect data from clients, community organizers, etc.). Support may take the form of formal training sessions, as well as ongoing advising, coaching, and mentoring in the implementation of the unified MEL system.

Assessment: In collaboration with CVT and Balay teams, develop appropriate assessment tools and strategies to support the internal monitoring and evaluation of CVT’s capacity development efforts with Balay. Support data collection and assessment of MEL systems and practices.

Team Communication & Collaboration: Participate in Balay and/or CVT team meetings, activities, and trainings as needed. Communicate with CVT technical advisors and partner teams as needed. Write and submit regular reports regarding capacity development activities.

Other Duties: Complete administrative responsibilities. Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

Required education, experience, certificates, licenses or registrations

College degree in social science, evaluation, or relevant area with a strong emphasis on evaluation and/or research methods.
8-10 years of experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning in an organizational setting, including MEL systems development.
8-10 years of experience providing training and/or advising on MEL topics for participants with different professional backgrounds and knowledge.
Experience working with locally-run human rights and/or psychosocial NGOs and negotiating multiple relationships within and between organizations.

Preferred education, experience, certificates, licenses or registrations

Experience working with organizations that serve people affected by organized violence, humanitarian crisis, or displacement.
Experience with monitoring and evaluation for mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS) services.
Experience with monitoring and evaluation for organizational capacity development programming, as well as learning and knowledge management
Experience with monitoring and evaluation to strengthen human rights programming and approaches

Competencies (knowledge, skills and abilities)

Fluency in English is required (oral and writing).
Fluency in Tagalog is an advantage.
High level of competency in evaluation methods, including quantitative and qualitative designs, data collection, and analysis is required. Experience with participatory evaluation methods is prioritized.
Demonstrated ability to write MEL documents (such as policies, standard operating procedures, guidelines, data protocols, reports, frameworks, etc.).
Demonstrated ability to facilitate group processes related to MEL (such as theory of change discussions, needs assessment sessions, stakeholder consultations, learning sessions, etc.).
Ability to develop and deliver MEL technical materials used in training, advising, and input sessions related to specific MEL topics (such as data management, data analysis, etc.).
Experience designing and using databases (at a minimum, high level of competency in Excel).
Understanding of basic data protection mechanisms and ethical evaluation practice.
Ability to develop data collection tools and processes.
Understanding of organizational dynamics that bear on MEL systems.
Knowledge of how to address social inclusion (including gender, women, physical disabilities, national minorities and other vulnerabilities) in MEL systems is preferred.
Sufficient understanding of human rights and mental health to work with practitioners in the development of population- and context-sensitive methods and tools is preferred.
Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills.
Excellent skills in organization, attention to detail and time management (including the ability to meet deadlines).
Ability to coach and mentor MEL technical staff and contribute to organizational development of a local NGO specifically related to MEL

Supervisory Responsibilities: None

The consultant is expected to provide their own equipment (e.g. laptop, software, other necessary technology).

Physical Demands: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk and hear. The employee frequently is required to sit; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms. This position requires the ability to occasionally lift office products and supplies, of up to 10 pounds.

Travel: Ability to travel to a variety of locations within large city, rural and metro areas, surrounding communities, etc.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and physical demands.

Responsibilities described above are not a comprehensive list and additional tasks may be assigned to the consultant from time to time as necessitated by organization needs.

Deliverable

Timeframe

Develop inception report and workplan for the assignment, in collaboration with Balay and CVT

Two weeks after starting the assignment.

Contribute technical expertise and viewpoint, and collaborate with Balay LME team and CVT MELA Advisor on the final stages of the MEL Framework draft (expected to be done by October 2024)

8 weeks after starting the assignment.

Coordinate with Balay MEL Focal and CVT MELA Advisor to develop and produce training agenda for the MEL framework

10 weeks after starting the assignment.

Train staff in MEL framework

8 weeks- 12 weeks after starting the assignment.

Coordinate and collaborate with Balay LME team on evaluating the capacity development of staff

8 weeks- 12 weeks after starting the assignment.

Pilot and produce learning report on MEL framework along with the MHPSS framework, and do evaluation/review, and produce final framework, in collaboration with MEL and MHPSS teams

8 weeks-8 months after starting the assignment

Develop appropriate assessment tools and strategies to support the internal monitoring and evaluation of CVT’s capacity development efforts with Balay.

8 weeks-8 months after starting the assignment