Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisor - The Embassy of Ireland

The Embassy of Ireland is seeking to recruit a highly motivated and experienced Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisor to join its Team to support the implementation of the mission strategy.

The strategy has as a key goal the Achievement of a more equitable and prosperous society for all through a particular focus on realising the rights of poor women and girls. The programme will have a strong focus on promoting women's decision making, securing livelihoods, and improving health and nutrition outcomes.

A commitment to high quality project cycle management, monitoring and learning underpins the Embassy's approach to programme implementation and delivery.

The successful post-holder will be responsible for the development and implementation of the Embassy's research/learning and evaluation plan. For more background information and a full job description, please visit the Embassy's website at https://www.dfa.ie/tanzania.

Interested candidates should forward (i) a cover letter for the position outlining their suitability and their interests in working for the Embassy of Ireland;(ii) a sample of written work (maximum 5 pages) and (iii) their most recent Curriculum Vitae with a list of references including current manager, to stephen.simbila[at]dfa[dot]ie by COB 28 October 2016.

Candidates may submit information electronically to the above email address, or alternatively may deliver their applications to the Embassy of Ireland by hand or by courier. Envelopes should be clearly marked "Application for the Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Advisor position" Embassy of Ireland, 353 Toure Drive, Masaki. P O Box 9612, Dar-Es-Salaam, Tanzania.

Please note any personal information submitted will only be used for its intended purposes and will be destroyed when no longer needed. Any other processing or disclosure of personal data is not allowed other than in the exceptional circumstances provided for under the Data Protection Acts.

The Irish Embassy in Tanzania is an equal opportunities employer. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Job Description

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisor

Embassy of Ireland Dar es Salaam

1. Introduction

Irish Aid is the Irish government's programme for overseas development and is an integral part of Ireland's  foreign policy. In Tanzania, the Irish Aid programme is managed by the Embassy of Ireland. The Embassy works with the Government of Tanzania, UN agencies, international research institutions, civil society organisations and other development partners to deliver on our overall goal of inclusive growth and reduced poverty and vulnerability in Tanzania.

The programme is guided by five year Country Strategy Papers. The Embassy is currently in the process of designing a new five year strategy commencing in January 2017. The new strategy has as its goal the Achievement of a more equitable and prosperous society for all though a particular focus on realising the rights of poor women and girls. This new programme will have a strong focus on promoting women's decision making, securing livelihoods, and improving health and nutrition outcomes.

A commitment to high quality project cycle management, monitoring and learning underpins Irish Aids approach to programme implementation and delivery. The new country strategy will adopt a results based management approach. A performance measurement framework will be aligned with ire;and's development policy (One World One Future) and the related Framework for Action with its suite of indicative indicators. It will also closely align with the Tanzanian Five Year Development Plan II.

2. The Position

The Embassy is now seeking to recruit a highly motivated and experienced Programme Support Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisor to join its Team. The successful candidate will report to the Head of Development or designate and work closely with the programme team. The post-holder will be responsible for supporting the team: to ensure project cycle management standards are applied; to implement an effective knowledge management system; and to ensure robust systems for monitoring and evaluation, as well as for documentation and communication of lessons learned. A priority will be to work with the programme team to identify results for the new strategy in a performance measurement framework and the alignment of partner results to the new strategy.

The primary duties and responsibilities of this post are to:

Support the programme team in the application of a Results Based Management approach to Ireland's development programme;

Support the roll out of Irish Aid's Grant Management guidelines;

Design and coordinate implementation of the Embassy monitoring, evaluation and learning plan including building evidence for learning;

Provide quality assurance to programme evaluations and reviews, back-stopping the team and thereby building the capacity of the team and of partners to plan and manage M&E work;

Provide support and coordinate the ongoing business processes with the Embassy team, including annual business planning and review processes (6 monthly and annual reports to HQ);

Contribute to the implementation of the Embassy's Communication Plan in particular through identification of case studies for website.

Key Functions

1. Support the development and application for Results Based Management approach to Ireland's Development Programme

Support the programme team to implement Irish Aid's Result Based Management (RBM) Approach to the new strategy;

Lead on and support the team in the development of the CSP Performance Measurement Framework, the selection of robust indicators and identification of baselines and targets;

Support the Programme Team to develop appropriate indicators and sources of information for on-going monitoring and management of programmes and partnerships;

Monitor relevant national data sets;

2. Support the roll out of Irish Aid's Grant Management systems

Support the Programme team in the implementation of Irish Aid's grant management guidelines;

Develop systems to ensure compliance with the new guidelines

Examine and make proposals for improved use of IT to facilitate information and knowledge management.

3. Design and coordinate implementation fo the Embassy monitoring, evaluation and learning plan including building evidence for learning

Develop, oversee and maintain a system that will assist the Embassy and its partners in the management and monitoring of results relevant to the CSP, its logic model and results frameworks on an on-going basis;

Support the programme team on a coherent approach and monitoring tool for field trips;

Promote internal systems for staff learning and debate including the production of analytical summaries for internal use and/or policy application;

Assist in the development and implementation of a learning and evaluation plan for the new CSP, liaising with HQ as required.

4. Provide quality assurance to programme evaluations, back-stopping the team in technical engagement thereby building the capacity of the team and of partners to plan and manage evaluate work

Support the Development Team to engage with programme/partner review and evaluation reports, while fostering consistency with international best practice and criteria;

Assist or advise in managing independent evaluations/research commissioned by Irish Aid, including procurement, contract management and quality assurance;

5. Provide support and coordinate the ongoing business processes with the Embassy team, including annual business planning and review processes (6 monthly and annual reports to HQ

Support the implementation fo the Embassy annual business planning cycle;

Support the organisation of quarterly, six-monthly and annual business plan reviews;

Coordinate the Embassy six-monthly and annual reports;

6. Contribute to the implementation of the Communciation plan in particular through identification of case studies for website

Write brief articles, accounts, photographs and or case studies with particular emphasis on demonstrating the evidence and impact of the Ireland's Country Strategy Programme in Tanzania.

7. Other

Assist with Embassy briefs and preparation of high level/HQ visits, including field trips as required.

Qualifications, skills and experience:

Master's qualification in a relevant discipline e.g. Development management, strategy and business planning, programme cycle management (with a qualification in the area of monitoring and evaluation highly desirable).

A minimum of six years professional experience, with at least four years' experience working in a senior position in the area programme management and monitoring, learning and evaluation

Experience with/proficiency in the analysis, management and synthesis of varied quantitative and qualitative data;

Good understanding of Tanzanian planning, statistical and poverty monitoring systems;

P[roficiency in working with Result Based Management/Managing for development results (MfDR) and other relevant tools;

Excellent communications skills including written and verbal skills in English, with Swahili an advantage;

Excellent team work skills with ability to to forge consensus and collaboration;

Strong IT and Knowledge Management skills, systems particularly database-related;

Experience in commissioning consultancies, studies or research including overseeing all stages from design, procurement and management.

Performance Management

The Embassy oF Ireland operates a Performance Management Development System (PMDS) based on that used in the Irish Civil Service. Staff members agree, with their manager, goals, key tasks and targets aligned to an annual business plan. Performance is reviewed mid-year and at year-end. The PMDS also includes agreed ongoing professional actions.

This position will be offered on a three-year renewable basis. A six month probationary period will apply.

The annual gross salary for this position will be TShs 88,303,839

In addition the Embassy offers an employee health benefit scheme

There are 24 days of annual leave.

Application

Interested candidates should forward a cover letter together with their most recent Curriculum Vitae and contact details indicating their interest to stephen.simbila[at]dfa[dot]ie by October 28th 2016. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

The Embassy is an equal opportunities employer.

Source: The Guardian 21 November, 2016