Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting & Learning Advisor at Pact South Africa

Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Last Date: August 8, 2010

Job Description

Title: Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting & Learning Advisor
Department: Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting
Supervisor: MERL Director, Pact South Africa
Location: Pretoria, South Africa
Effective Date: 1st SEPT 2010

Pact values and supports a diverse work environment.

Position Summary: The Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting & Learning Advisor (Senior MERL ADVISOR), is expected to implement monitoring, evaluation and reporting systems to ensure Pact and its implementing partners and grantees provide compatible data supportive of program and donor reporting requirements. The Senior MERL Advisor is responsible for developing and implementing methodologies and standards (in line with donor requirements) for monitoring and evaluating program activities. In addition, s/he will also develop presentations and written reports based on program results. The MERL Advisor will promote capacity strengthening in partner and grantee organizations through mentoring and training in monitoring, evaluation and reporting, and will closely monitor data quality through scheduled data quality assessments for Pact grantees. He will provide mentorship and support to Junior MERL staff and to other MERL advisors in SA and the regional program.

Core Values: (Each employee is expected to embody Pact’s core values as a representative of the institution.)

• Embrace Pact’s mission and core values, including belief that—
o all people have a right to participate in decisions affecting their lives
o gender equity is mandatory for social transformation
o resource allocation choices are transparent and guided by sensitivity to the costs of operations, and financial accountability to our clients, in recognition of Pact’s role as steward of resources intended for the poor.
• Believe diversity in background, gender and age strengthens our capacity to be wise managers of public and private funds.
• Do much of our work in teams, give anyone with a good idea the chance to run with it, and aren’t afraid of taking risks.
• Assert the primacy of gathering and sharing of information as essential roles for all employees.
• Regularly seek opportunities to market Pact’s programs, products and services and network with external organizations and individuals to build strong alliances.
• Encourage staff growth and advancement, including training and professional skills building to increase knowledge and competence and to stay abreast of new developments, especially in technology.
• Strive for a healthy balance between work and life outside of work.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:
• Implement Pacts MERL capacity building strategy for grantees including conducting MERL capacity assessments and developing MER systems strengthening plans for each grantee
• Provide input into and assure that all USG reporting requirements on program impact are met and assist implementing partners/grantees in setting up reporting and tracking systems to provide such information in an efficient and timely manner.
• Design and implement (in association with Pact Regional MERL director) knowledge management systems that allow staff to review and analyze data and information on relevant technical areas as a basis for providing up-to-date information on impact, effectiveness, outputs and inputs to programs. Collect, analyze and aggregate M&E data across the grantees
• Assist in the preparation of work plans (including those of partners and grantees) consistent with the strategic objective and results expected of the program and support monitoring of the implementation of approved work plans.
• Assist partners in developing their annual program targets and COP (USG country operational plans by partners)
• Implementation of Pacts data quality /risk management plan for the country program including data quality assessments /audits for grantees as needed
• Draft quarterly and annual progress reports and support partners and grantees in developing reporting formats and communication tools. Using MERL data draft materials for use in communications relating to sector programs, including speeches, press releases, briefing papers, etc.
• Work internally within Pact as well as with our partners and grantees to design and review evaluation instruments e.g. questionnaires, interview guides, surveys, observational checklists, etc, coordinate the collection of data, monitor data quality and analyze findings.
• Provide M&E quality assurance for Pact MERL activities and ensure adequate documentation of all processes and results of Pacts MERL program.
• Keep appraised of country wide monitoring and evaluation data relating to trends in the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the region through surveillance of other key data sources available
• Maintain close communication with Pact MERL Director and participate actively in Pact’s MERL community of practice which is a forum for learning and sharing by Pact MERL professionals Training and support supervision of junior MERL staff in the program
• Provide technical assistance to other programs supported by Pact SA including the Regional program.
• Manage the training agenda for Pact SA including supporting training efforts by Pact Lesotho and Pact Swaziland
• Technical support for partners in Data Quality Management as well as audit prep and readiness
• Design and implement knowledge management systems that allow Pact staff to review and analyze data and information on relevant technical areas as a basis for providing up-to-date information on impact, effectiveness, outputs and inputs to programs.

Qualifications:

• Ability to work independently, take initiative and manage a variety of activities concurrently.
• A strong team player with excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to work in a high profile, fast-paced environment.
• Ability to communicate technical issues effectively and persuasively.
• Fluency in English for day-to-day communications and excellent English writing and presentation skills. Knowledge of additional languages useful.
• Demonstrated ability to transfer knowledge through training and mentoring.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects effectively, think analytically and take initiative in solving problems
• Demonstrated skills in working with multinational groups and fostering collaborative relationships across multiple organizations
• Ability to work under pressure of work and yet deliver effectively

Education and Experience Requirements:

• Minimum of a Masters’ degree in social, behavioral or health sciences with practical experience in developing and implementing, monitoring and evaluation activities in the HIV/AIDS health sector.
• Minimum of 7 years of relevant professional experience: evaluation and research design, data collection and analyses, indicator construction, curriculum development and computer software, i.e. MS Word and database programs.
• Demonstrated expertise in Training and Capacity Building in MERL. Experience with evaluation and impact reporting to donors and to project managers, demonstrating both analytical rigor and practicality.

To Apply for this position, please fill out the online application

Disclaimer: This job description summarizes the responsibilities assigned to the position; however it does not contain an all-inclusive list of responsibilities. Periodically, employee(s) will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by their supervisor.

This document does not create an employment contract, implied or otherwise. Employment at Pact is a voluntary ”at will” relationship.