Job Opportunity, Cameroon: Plan International needs the services of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Coordinator in Garoua 

Position:  Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Coordinator     Grade
Department & Location    Programme
Garoua PU Office     Date    May 2021
Reports to:    Matrix reporting to the PIIAM and Country MERL Specialist

Purpose:  How does this post support Plan’s strategy and mission?    Working in 50 developing countries across Africa, Asia and the Americas, Plan aims to reach as many children as possible, particularly those who are excluded or marginalized with high quality programs that deliver long lasting benefits by increasing its income, working in partnership with others and operating effectively.
The purpose of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (MER) Unit is, on the one hand, to  improve program quality and accountability through supporting and implementing high quality MERL in programs and projects and, on the other hand, to provide evidence for programme design, planning and effectiveness.
The Monitoring. Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Coordinator of the Plan for Girls (P4G) Project is in charge of supporting the project to implement specific aspects of the country MERL roadmap.  S/he is part of a Country MERL unit contributing to and disseminating good MERL practices for high program quality in Plan International Cameroon.

Dimensions of Role
•    Responsible for effective implementation of the global MERL policy through its guidelines and tools for the P4G project
•    Lead support to the P4G project in implementing Cameroon’s Country Strategy for MERL in the project cycle
•    Member of the Country MERL team
•    Provide support to Garoua Program Influencing and Implementation Area on MERL activities
•    Lines manages MERL Officers and P4G field staff at the level of the Garoua PIIA
Typical Responsibilities – Key End Results of Position
1.    Quality monitoring and evaluation is effective within the P4G Project and at Garoua Program Influencing and Implementation Area as a whole
•    Provides technical support and oversight to the P4G project to ensure quality implementation of its strategy regarding monitoring and evaluation, in particular related to gender transformative M&E practices
•    Conduct field monitoring and offers technical support to the P4G team and relevant partner in the development of M&E tools, survey design, methodology, data requirements and project indicators, data analysis, reporting, quality assurance and other services as may be required for project monitoring and evaluation
•    Supervise all project staff involved in data collection and analysis.
•    Facilitates the development and quarterly update of the P4G project’s evaluation and research plans
•    Identifies and/or contributes to innovations, scaling up and improvements to enhance effectiveness and efficiency as well as value for money
•    Supports the development and implementation of MERL tools for the P4G project
•    Monitors the effective implementation of the MERL policy in the P4G project
2.    Improved accountability, programme and reporting quality through highly efficient monitoring and feedback systems

•    Ensure that information’s are updated in regular basis in MERL Workbook and PMERL System, and provide high and consistent analysis especially on indicators, activities, budget, procurement plan to avoid underspent or overspent budget, delay in activities, …
•    Design and provide support to the implementation of participatory monitoring tools
•    Support/lead the design and set up of community based monitoring and reporting systems
•    Develop and implement a project performance database to monitor key project indicators
•    Set up child-friendly feedback and complaint mechanisms to gather data on perceptions and opinions of children, young people and community members and partners on Plan’s work
•    Compile reports for management on feedback and complaints from children, young people, communities and partners
•    Update and generate relevant project reports from Y.O.D.A for decision making
•    Supports country gender transformative research projects (including conduct of literature reviews, writing of concepts notes and ToR, guidance and supervision of consultants, report reviews) for the P4G project
•    Disseminates research results (for example, writing of abstracts and summary papers, presentations at conferences and workshops, designing of dissemination material)
•    Documents and disseminates internally good practices and lessons learnt on MERL from the P4G project

3.    Evidence for success or failure and knowledge on what works and what doesn’t in programmes through the planning and implementation of high quality ER&L
    Facilitate the development of the annual evaluation and research plan of the P4G project in a participatory manner
    Develop ToR for E&R activities;
    Support the recruitment of consultants for E&R initiatives;
    Design E&R data collection tools as well as quantitative and qualitative data analysis for the P4G project;
    Review baseline, evaluation and research reports and give recommendations regarding approval to programme management;
    Lead post intervention monitoring and studies;
    Support the P4G project in organising and gathering quarterly and annually feedback on progress, and compile reports from these gatherings;
    Produce and disseminate cases studies and reports of the P4G project to the program specialists;

Dealing with Problems:
Complexity of problems handled & the degree of investigation, analysis, & creative thinking required to solve them
Monitoring, Evaluation Research and Learning (MERL) are crucial components for ensuring high quality outcomes and impact in rights-based programming. Likewise, meeting high standards of MERL is a crucial requirement for learning and continuous improvement.
Communications and Working Relationships:
High level contact:
Internal:
•    The Garoua Program Influencing and Implementation Team;
•    Country MERL network (country level MER teams);
External
•    Partners at Garoua PU level

Qualification, Knowledge, Skills, and Behaviours Required to Achieve Role’s Objectives:
Qualification
•    A university degree in Social science or equivalent (demography, measurement, planning, monitoring & evaluation, development studies, project management)
•    At least 05 years of experience in monitoring, evaluation research and learning functions including knowledge management

Knowledge
•    Understanding of integrated development issues and critical analysis of child poverty
•    Knowledge of theories of rights-based programming and child protection (programmatic and safe-guarding)
•    Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges and opportunities and implications to community development
•    Demonstrated experience as a development professional in planning, implementing, monitoring, evaluating and learning programs
•    Knowledgeable on participatory MERL tools and systems
•    Knowledgeable on tool design for qualitative and quantitative research
•    Knowledge of strategic planning processes
•    Knowledge of the context in the northern regions of Cameroon is an advantage
Skills
•    Strong planning and organizational skills
•    Skills in managing qualitative and quantitative data collections
•    Working experience in community participation in development/programming
•    Skills for data base management (design, entry, analysis)
•    Strong analytical skills
•    Extensive working experience of SAP and SAP BI Online
•    Ability to deliver to tight deadlines
•    Demonstrated facilitation and active listening skills
•    Good presentation skills
•    Solid writing skills (report writing, concept paper writing, ToR, etc.)
•    Fluency in French and English
•    Skills in using Microsoft Office and other software applications relevant to MERL (e.g. SPSS, epi-info, CSPro, KOBO Collect, etc)
Behaviours
•    Coaches and builds capacity of project staff on MERL in the GPIIA
•    Promotes innovation and learning
•    Communicates clearly and effectively
•    Strong team building and motivational skills
•    Demonstrates clear respect to all and especially children and women without discrimination
•    Involves others in setting and achieving goals
•    Demonstrates honesty and transparency in holding self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and Plan’s standards of behavior
•    Sees contribution of own part of the organization in wider Plan and external context
•    Balances future vision with practical delivery
•    Cross culturally adept
•    Acts as a team player, willing to get the best outcome overall, adjusting own priorities if necessary
•    Promotes a strong learning culture in the organization
•    Remains calm and positive under pressure and in difficult situations
•    Committed to promoting children and young people safeguarding, gender equality at the workplace and beyond
Office: Plan International Cameroon
Location: Garoua PIIA, Cameroon
Employment status: Full time
Contract status: Local
Deadline for submission:

Female applications are highly encouraged
Location: Garoua

Type of Role: MERL Coordinator

Reports to: PIIAM/ MERL Specialist

Grade: D1

Closing Date:23/05/2021

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

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