Plan International New Vacancies 2020

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

Job Description

Position: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist Grade D1

Department & Location Programmes (Tamale) Date March, 2020
Reports to (position):

Directly Supervises: Project Lead

MEL Coordinator based in Sunyani.
Purpose:  How does this post support Plan International’s strategy and mission? Plan International is an independent non-profit organization that advances children’s well-being and equality for girls. Working in building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years and present in 70 countries, Plan International strives for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children while working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners.

Plan International Ghana is looking for a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist to effectively lead the monitoring, evaluation and learning activities for a project titled “Women’s Innovation for Sustainable Enterprises (WISE)”. The WISE Project seeks to leverage the enormous potential and agency of Ghanaian women entrepreneurs aged 19 to 55 years in rural and peri-urban areas by employing both demand- and supply-side interventions to contribute to increased realization of rights to economic empowerment, well-being and inclusive economic growth in 3 districts in Bono and Ahafo regions (Sunyani Municipal, Tano North and Techiman Municipal) and 2 districts in Northern region (Kumbungu and Tolon). The project will start in February 2020, has a duration of 4 years, and a budget of over 5.5 million EUR.

Dimensions of Role:
The MEL Specialist will be responsible and ultimately accountable for developing and implementing the project’s MEL system, including the management of the project MIS, in close collaboration with Plan International Canada counterparts, providing capacity development in MEL to partner organisations, and implementing the project’s knowledge management system with the objective of improving program effectiveness.

The MEL Specialist will work closely with community organisations, NGOs, the Private Sector including Association of Ghana Industries, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, other decentralized agencies of the Government, private stakeholders, and Plan programme staff to implement appropriate tools and data collection techniques to systematically measure project progress and ensure continuous learning.
The incumbent should possess a passion for working for women’ rights and/or improving their socio-economic standing.
The post-holder will be based in Tamale but travel to project districts where the WISE project operates for approximately 50% of her/his time.

Typical Responsibilities – Key End Results of Position:

Management of MEL System: Lead the participatory development and implementation of the project’s MEL system. A strong understanding of results-based management, gender transformative programming and measurement, and technical proficiency in mixed methods, data collection, analysis and presentation is essential.

Expected Outcomes:
Monitoring and evaluation system, tools and processes are developed in a participatory manner with implementing organizations and structured for measuring the results of the project.
The project’s Performance measurement framework and detailed M&E plan are finalized and validated with relevant stakeholders; and are inclusive of women’s socio-economic empowerment domains and indicators.
Routine project monitoring of project processes, beneficiaries, outputs and outcomes is undertaken. This includes qualitative and quantitative tool design and development; data collection, cleaning and compilation; analysis, validation and sharing with relevant stakeholders.
Ability to integrate indices designed as composite measurements that aggregate, rank and summarize multiple indicators and data points related to women’s empowerment, agency and decision-making.
Oversight of the Management Information System for the project provided, including hiring and management of the database development consultant, and overall management of the established cloud-based MIS, ensuring completeness and accuracy of the data collected and stored.
Technical oversight and direction for baseline, midline and endline studies is provided, inclusive of developing Terms of Reference and ensuring consultants deliver high quality reports (support in verifying the methodology, the relevance of the tools, and the quality of the report submitted) and value for money.
Ensures MEL strategies in gender equality and women’s economic empowerment are responsive to the context, implemented consistently across all project activities (start-up to close-out), and adhere to best practices in the sector.
Responsible for ensuring all monitoring and evaluation activities are conducted in line with Plan International’s child protection/safeguarding and ethical principles and promote accountability to beneficiaries.

Capacity Development & Relationships: Through participatory approaches, the MEL Specialist will provide capacity development and ongoing coaching to project staff and implementing partners. Cultivating strong and respectful relationships with partners, women’s groups, and entrepreneurs will be an essential component of this accountability.

Expected Outcomes:

Provide capacity development and ongoing coaching directly to implementing organizations, specifically in using the project’s MEL system and / or strengthening their MEL systems to monitor activities, outputs and beneficiaries.
Facilitate and guide the project team and implementing organizations in determining data sourcing, collection and reporting protocols, procedures and mechanisms.
Provide inputs and support in developing tools, guidelines and capacity building modules and reviewing all the material developed through the project and share its cutting-edge competencies in gender equality and evidence based economic empowerment programming with implementing organizations.
Foster strong coordination and collaboration with implementing organizations through open and transparent communication, participation and joint decision-making, and respect for their agency and technical expertise.

Knowledge Management & Reporting: Best practices and lessons learned are documented, shared, and integrated into programming.

Expected Outcomes:
As an integral member of the project team, ensure high quality data and learnings are available to inform project planning, implementation and decisions; as well as organizational learning.
In collaboration with the project team, stakeholders and consultants (when relevant), compile raw data, produce data representations, lead validation processes (such as annual data analysis workshops), and document lessons learned and best practices.
Design and implement dissemination plans to share knowledge and findings with relevant stakeholders, including entrepreneurs and VSLAs, implementing organizations, government, donor agency, etc.
Contribute to regular project narrative reports, ensuring high quality and accurate data and learnings are available to complete reports on time.
Identify and develop / improve opportunities for continuous improvement of systems, processes and overall learning and development with Plan International Ghana.
Ensure that Plan International’s global policies for Child and Youth Safeguarding, Child Protection, and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant implementation standards and guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct, their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.
Perform any other tasks required to effectively implement the M&E requirements of the project

Team Leadership: Lead and manage a MEL Coordinator, ensuring high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity and teamwork.

Expected Outcomes:
Roles, responsibilities and expectations are clearly communicated and understood by the MEL Coordinator team and tasks are appropriately delegated.
Internal planning meetings are organized regularly to provide direction and guidance.
MEL Coordinator receives mentorship and coaching to achieve their full potential and results of the project.
Staff performance reviews are conducted in line with Plan International Ghana’s performance management system.

Communications and Working Relationships:

Working contacts inside and outside the organization; include the purpose and level (high, medium, low) of the contact

High level contact: Internal: the Project level program team, implementing partner organizations, entrepreneurs and VSLAs, and Plan International Canada
Medium level contact: the Project operations team, the CO based technical advisors
Low level contact:  Maintains low contact with other staff from the Program Unit and country offices to offer support for understanding and implementation of the WISE related activities

Knowledge, Skills, Behaviours, and Experience Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:

Qualification and Experience
Advanced degree in statistics, measurement, planning, monitoring & evaluation, development research, or other relevant fields.
A minimum of 7 years’ experience in program planning, monitoring, evaluation, learning and research of complex development projects.
Strong understanding of results-based management tools and approaches
Demonstrable expertise and experience in developing and implementing MEL systems, inclusive of Management Information Systems
In-depth knowledge of the processes, procedures and systems in project planning, management, monitoring and evaluation.
Proven experience in leading quantitative and qualitative tool design and data collection techniques, statistical analysis, and data presentation and validation of results.
Coaching and mentoring skills for building the capacity of partner organizations in MEL inclusive of design, implementation and reporting.
Proven experience in developing, facilitating and delivering various trainings using participatory approaches.
Experience in in directly managing staff ensuring high levels of motivation, commitment, capacity and teamwork.
Knowledge in women’s economic empowerment programming and working with different stakeholders (the private sector, government and non-profit organisations) is an advantage.

Demonstrated behaviours needed by the postholder to successfully perform the role:
Passion for gender transformative programming and women’s economic empowerment, mission driven work and personal values aligned with Plan International.
Commitment to working transparently and with integrity.
Inclusive and empowering approach to leadership and MEL.
Demonstrated creativity and willingness to innovate.
Flexible and adaptable work style to respond to an evolving context.
Ability to work under pressure, prioritize and meet deadlines.
Communicates clearly and effectively

Skills Specific to the post needed to put knowledge into practice.
Demonstrable experience in implementing MEL frameworks in multimillion-dollar institutional grants through donors such as Global Affairs Canada, USAID, DFID and European Union.
Strong understanding of feminist principles, gender equality, and women’s economic empowerment.
Strong understanding of monitoring and evaluation, and results-based management tools and approaches.
Strong understanding and proven application of project cycle management.
Skills in the design, entry, analysis of data in Microsoft Excel and Access as well as for Microsoft word and PowerPoint; knowledge of statistical software (e.g. SPSS) preferred
Experience in SAP is an advantage
Solid writing skills (report writing etc.)
Self-starter takes initiative and works with minimal direct supervision.
Strong inter-personal and cross-cultural skills.
Flexible, able to shift directions quickly and occasionally work long hours to meet tight reporting deadlines.

Physical Environment and Demands:
Typical office environment

Travel requirements
This post holder will be stationed in Tamale in the Northern Region with regular travel (approximately 50% of time) to project locations where women’s rights organizations operate.

Level of Contact with Children:
Responsibilities of this job require a low level of contact with children. Plan International’s global policy on safeguarding children and young people will be adhered to at all times.

Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable
Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact
Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together
Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering
Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

Location:Tamale

Type of Role: Monitoring and Evaluation

Reports to: Project Manager

Grade: D1

Closing Date: 28th February 2020