Job Description

Title: Senior MEL Specialist - USAID's Youth Entrepreneurship and Empowerment Support (YES) Activity Pro

Company Name: Relief International

Vacancy: Not specific

Job Location: Cox's Bazar

Employment Status: Contractual

Educational Requirements:
∎ Master's degree in Social Science/ Statistics; academic or equivalent work experience in Statistics, Social Development or equivalent

Experience Requirements:
∎ At least 7 year(s)

Job Context:
∎ Report to: Program Manager - USAID`s YES Activity program
∎ Expected Start Date: ASAP
∎ Contract length: Up to 31st December, 2022 (With possibility of Extension subject to funding, program needs and performance of incumbent)
∎ Relief International combines humanitarian and development approaches to provide immediate services while laying the groundwork for long-term impact. Our signature approach which we call the RI Way emphasizes local participation, an integration of services, strategic partnerships, and a focus on civic skills. In this way, we empower communities to find, design and implement the solutions that work best for them.
∎
∎ About YES Activity Program: The objective of the program is to reduce the risk of conflict in Cox`s Bazar by creating sustainable, market oriented resilient livelihood opportunities for HCs and promoting social cohesion. All interventions under the program`s 03 outcomes will aim to contribute to a supportive environment for women and girls, while directly addressing barriers and challenging negative gender norms and perceptions with innovative approaches.
∎ The project seeks to achieve three key outcomes:
∎ Outcome 1 seeks to increase market-oriented vocational skills for youth within a conflict sensitive, peace-building and gender sensitive framework in an enabling environment
∎ Outcome 2 will enhance the organizational and technical capacity of local actors (CSOs, local government, private sector) to augment social and economic resilience in HCs and mitigate conflict in the long term.
∎ Outcome 3 will deliver enhanced, applicable research on contextually appropriate approaches. With a specific investment to be made in action research that is context relevant and directly applicable to the work of implementers, donors and other partners working in Cox`s Bazar.
∎ Position Summary: The YES Senior MEL Specialist will bring significant experience and fresh ideas to lead on MEL system implementation to oversee program activities, MEL budgeting, recruitment, as well as support to awards management staff on standard donor reporting and compliance to donor requirements for data. The post holder will ensure that all Relief International and Partner projects are supported to ensure quality, effectiveness and appropriateness of the YES. This will include mentorship of the YES consortium partners. It will be important for the post holder to capture lessons learned and communicate this information in various capacities to improve ongoing and future programming. S/he will work with Relief International global MEL staff and Partner teams to maintain an effective monitoring system across all sectors, including the use of beneficiary feedback data, to assure the quality of interventions. The role demands frequent travels to monitor field activities in the respective program areas. The Senior MEL Specialist will lead on building capacity of staff and partners on MEL but particularly on accountability and participation, with a specific focus on youth.
∎ Ultimately, s/he will ensure that the program has evidence-based knowledge to inform the direction of the program from assessments and regular program monitoring documents. Special attention should be paid to the positive and negative impact that interventions have in communities, marginalized and disabled persons. This analysis will need to be made available to all Relief International staff and external stakeholders where appropriate.

Job Responsibilities:
∎ MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES:
∎ The Senior MEL Specialist's specific responsibilities are as follows:
∎ MEL System Design and Support:
∎ Lead on the development and maintenance of the YES MEL system, ensuring accountability to donors and beneficiaries;
∎ Promote all aspects of MEL to support the creation of an organizational culture which prioritizes quality programming;
∎ Build strong relationships with colleagues and provide support as required to ensure MEL systems are understood and supported at field and capital office level
∎ Work closely with the program teams to ensure that MEL becomes an integral element of project implementation leading to enhanced quality, accountability and impact;
∎ Contribute in developing digital MEL platform; show competency and effective execution of digital MEL platform amongst the consortium partners
∎ Ensure in providing all monitoring and evaluation data to respective Supervisor & wherever applicable
∎ Internal Reporting:
∎ Responsible to ensure that the organization delivers on all internal MEL requirements in a timely manner and with high quality information to support program reporting as per donor contractual requirements.
∎ Work with global MEL staff to provide all relevant YES indicators that feed into RI's global MEL database;
∎ Identify and introduce new elements (systems, tools & guidelines, processes) required under the YES project;
∎ Receive regular field monitoring and accountability reports from MEL staff and partner MEL staff and circulate to the country office teams, ensuring that action plans are included and followed up and that SMT reviews reports regularly;
∎ Staff Management and Capacity Development:
∎ Lead on hiring, onboarding, and supervision of YES MEL staff;
∎ Manage the MEL team to ensure that the MEL system operates effectively with the support and resources required and that there are clear links and reporting lines between field and global office level and between MEL and other program departments;
∎ Define expectations, provide leadership and technical support as needed so that MEL staff are able to perform their roles as required;
∎ Manage the performance of direct reports in the MEL unit through performance management, coaching, mentoring, training and development;
∎ Promote Learning for Strategic Development and Decision Making:
∎ Ensure that data brought together and findings from across thematic and operational regions form a coherent basis for analysis of impact which promotes learning and strategy development for the whole organization;
∎ Lead on monitoring and improving the synergy and integration of thematic programs to enhance delivery of outstanding results for targeted communities;
∎ Communicate top level learning/analysis reports and monitoring data to ensure that management is able to make informed decisions on a timely basis to scale up and face operational challenges.
∎ External Reporting and Representation:
∎ Ensure external accountability to USAID through the implementation of timely and quality MEL activities leading to timely and accurate reporting;
∎ Work with global MEL staff to ensure that high quality analysis reports to illustrate Relief International's impact and assessment findings are produced, including evidence of good practice and replicable programs, and that they are communicated at appropriate events.

Additional Requirements:
∎ This position demands a dynamic individual with a demonstrated ability to achieve results in a demanding and fast paced environment.
∎ Work Experience: Minimum of 7 years working experience as MEL Lead in Youth Skills Development programs, complex humanitarian settings, with knowledge of integrated Health, WASH Nutrition, FSL and Protection programming
∎ Demonstrated Skills and Competencies:
∎ In-depth knowledge on Theory of Change (ToC) and Indicator Tracking Table/ PIRS
∎ Wide experience in effective strategic level communication and coordination with national partners, central and local authorities, NGO partners, USAID or UN agencies and other relevant stakeholders
∎ In-depth knowledge of international development programming
∎ Excellent writing and research skills and computer literacy, including previous donor report writing experience
∎ Demonstrated ability to coordinate complex activities, meet deadlines, and exercise sound judgment
∎ Demonstrated ability to work effectively as part of a team or independently
∎ Fluency in English and strong English writing skills are required
∎ Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, stressful environment. Must be flexible, willing to perform other duties and work irregular hours
∎ Excellent time management skills and resourcefulness with strong attention to detail
∎ Excellent interpersonal, communication, public speaking, and strategic planning skill
∎ Demonstrable experience in capacity development
∎ Strong people management skills.
∎ Safeguarding and Gender Sensitiveness:
∎ Be part of embedding an organizational culture that is committed to protecting clients from harm.
∎ Ensure that the team understands and abide by the organization culture of safeguarding.

Job Source: Bdjobs.com Online Job Posting.

Application Deadline: 5 Dec 2021

Company Information:
∎ 17 Nov 2021
∎ Relief International

Category: NGO/Development

: