Job Description

Description

Heifer International is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.

Heifer International is a global nonprofit organization, established in 1944, with a mission to \xe2\x80\x9cEnd Hunger and Poverty While Caring for the Earth\xe2\x80\x9d. Our work is aligned with ten Sustainable Development Goals. Based in Little Rock, Arkansas, Heifer International has helped more than 15.5 million families (79 million people) in more than 125 countries across the globe.

About Us:

FUNCTION

This position will manage the development and implementation of the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning System (MELS) for the country program of India and projects within the country program. A strong emphasis is on facilitating all planning, monitoring, and evaluation aspects of Heifer India following the Heifer Project International objectives, policies, and procedures to maintain accountability at the Heifer India country office and its implementing partners.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS:

The ideal candidate is detailed oriented, collaborative, pragmatic, inspirational, enthusiastic, self-driven, and has strong leadership skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES

DELIVERABLES

A. Contribute to program effectiveness: design monitoring, evaluation, and learning system for country-specific projects. (20%)

a) Lead the development of the project log frame, MELS budget, and staffing plan for each funded project in the design phase and support the development of project proposals, drafting theory of change and strategic framework.

b) Design the Monitoring and Evaluation system in line with the Heifer\'s standards.

c) Develop a Performance Monitoring Plan at the project level and regularly identify planning and M&E Information requirements for the project.

d) Coordinate to prepare Standard Operating Procedures and guidelines being followed during implementation Planning, Implementation, and monitoring of all program/project levels.

e) Lead the development of the project MEL Plan package for all the projects in the country.

f) Design data collection tools, plans, and processes for all required information, ensuring high quality and integrity of data.

g) Review and adjust M&E plans and targets, tools, and processes periodically as needed.

h) Ensure alignment of the country\'s/projects\' M&E plans and procedures with the organization\'s standards and requirements.

B. Implement monitoring, evaluation, learning, and systems for country-specific projects. (30%)

a) Implement the Monitoring and Evaluation system in line with Heifer\'s standards.

b) Collect/manage data to support needs assessment, project design, project logical framework design and target setting, and progress management.

c) Conduct/manage project evaluations within the timeline, regular monitoring to track project progresses, and other surveys/ outcome and output monitoring as per the MEL plan.

d) Ensure the effective implementation of MELS policies, procedures, and guidelines for country-specific projects.

e) Ensure proper use of available digital tools and technology for effectively managing MELS activities.

f) Ensure/provide proper support to implementing partners in preparing their MELS plans, and in using digital tools for data collection and management.

g) Support Heifer-wide research for learning when needed.

h) Elevate any MELS related challenges to Country Director for coordination with HQ-based staff (Desk Officer and MELS Staff) to find timely solutions.

i) Ensure data quality and conduct DQA/Data Audits.

C. Promote evidence-based decision-making (20%)

j) Manage all data properly, present in clean form, and analyze to use for project management, learning, and promote data-based decisions.

k) Conduct monthly project performance reviews with project staff and other stakeholders and monitor the implementation of actions on the MELS aspect.

l) Ensure timely data availability and reporting to stakeholders.

m) Analyze changes and patterns in KPI indicators and performance reports to make recommendations to Project staff.

n) Respond to periodic donor and headquarters requests for additional information on project activities and results along with ensuring timely quarterly, semi-annual and annual report requirements.

o) CP level learning to action agenda developed, monitored, refined, and addressed.

p) Document lessons learned, successes, failures, and best practices via case studies.

D. Capacity Development: equip MELS staff and implementing partner staff with skills to deliver MELS activities efficiently (10%)

q) Supervise and manage to support MELS staff for efficient work and maintaining compliance.

r) Provide proper coaching/training to equip MELS staff to deliver the assigned responsibilities efficiently.

s) Contribute to the recruitment, training, and supervision of external parties that are contracted to implement special surveys and studies required for evaluating project effects and impacts.

t) Orient and build implementing partners\' capacity in MELS activities including proper record-keeping and data management.

u) Help partner staff to keep consistency in their numerical reporting.

E. System Development (10%)

a) Manage and ensure the smooth running of customized country PME database management software (PME System) and Global IMPS.

b) Enhance the staff\'s capacity to use/handle the software and application.

c) Design and develop project-specific and country program dashboards on the PME system in consultation with the PME software client.

d) Design data/information collection templates formats in consultation with program teams and ensure proper utilization.

e) Review the performance of existing project management information systems to help identify potential modifications or resources.

f) Work with data platforms, and databases and select appropriate technologies to capture and organize data/information.

F. Knowledge Management (5%)

g) Contribute to the institutional learning process.

h) Tracking best practices in monitoring and evaluation.

i) Assist to prepare technical papers and action research papers.

j) Assist to prepare knowledge management materials.

G. May Perform other job-related duties as assigned (5%)

k) Assist in networking with other development organizations, governments, and other line agencies in promoting Heifer\'s development model/initiatives, and potential collaborations.

l) Perform other job-related duties as requested.

Qualification:

Minimum Master\'s degree in Statistics, Social Science, Economics, Population Studies, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Development Studies. Candidates having Ph.D. will be preferred.

Experience:

Atleast 5 years of experience in Monitoring Evaluation and Learning and out of which a minimum of three (3) years of managerial experience in MELS.

Preferred Requirements: * Demonstrated experience in coordinating and working with international donors and grantees on Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (PME)/Monitoring, Learning, and Evaluation (MLE) systems.

• Experience in supporting and monitoring field-based programs in the country.
• Experience in managing databases and coordinating evaluations, surveys, and outcome/output monitoring.
• Knowledge and experience in setting up project MEL System.
• Understanding of the current M&E trends and especially M&E systems in development organizations.

Most Critical Proficiencies: * Good analytical skills and ability to analyze data/information, documentation, and reporting

• Innovative, and solutions oriented.
• A good understanding of and sensitivity to issues associated with poverty, hunger, agriculture, and the environment, and knowledge of the context in which non-profit organizations operate.
• Knowledge of market systems interventions and linkages to poverty alleviation.
• Excellent organizational skills, including strong attention to detail.
• Proven experience in building the capacity of partner institutions to document and disseminate industry information, manage knowledge, measure progress and plan and advocate within the industry.
• Proficient knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, presentation tools, electronic mail (Microsoft Office preferred), and the Internet.
• Strong knowledge and skills in data management and analysis using statistical software (eg. STATA, SPSS, R, etc.) and Power BI/Tableau.
• Demonstrated proficiency in English, both oral and written.
• Experience with information and communications technologies (ICT)
• Ability to work in a team.

Essential Job Functions and Physical Demands: * Ability to understand, appreciate and implement Heifer\'s Values-Based Holistic Community Development model.

• Demonstrated creativity, ability to think systematically, willingness, and ability to incorporate innovative solutions.
• Quantitative and qualitative approaches to evaluation and the ability to communicate MEL concepts clearly with leadership, partners, and staff at all levels.
• Willingness and ability to assign and review the work of direct reports and to use participatory management skills with junior and senior staff.
• Proven team leadership and supervisory skills with the ability to train and work cooperatively with diverse staff, including field staff in various locations.
• Constant face-to-face, telephone, and electronic communication with colleagues, and stakeholders both within and outside the country.
• Working with sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality.
• Ability to manage and execute multiple tasks with little supervision while meeting sometimes inflexible deadlines.
• May require constant sitting and moving and working at a computer for extended periods.
• Willingness and ability to travel both locally within the country and internationally.

Sensitive in working with multiple cultures and beliefs, and to gender equity

Heifer International