MEL Officer

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer (100%)

• Job location: UK, France, Italy, or Spain (remote); or Belgium (hybrid)*
• Target start date: September 2024

The International Commission of Jurists (ICJ) is a worldwide organization of judges and lawyers united in affirming international law and rule of law principles that advance human rights. Its strategic goals for 2021-2025 are: (1) to develop, defend, and strengthen international institutions, instruments, and standards on rule of law and human rights; (2) to improve domestic implementation of, and compliance with, international law and standards; (3) to bolster the effectiveness and independence of judges and lawyers; and (4) to improve access to justice for all and accountability. With its Headquarters based in Geneva, Switzerland, ICJ has a presence in Africa, Latin America, Asia & the Pacific, Europe & Central Asia, and the Middle East.

To contribute to enhancing effectiveness and efficiency across the organization by fostering a results-based approach and culture that better demonstrates the impact and relevance of ICJ work, we are seeking a full-time MEL Officer. The ideal candidate has experience working with donor rules and implementing best practice in terms of M&E and project cycle management, and is able to develop log frames across a range of issues and programme types; work with multi-disciplinary teams to track results on complex programmes and manage internal and external evaluations.

The overall objective of the post is to contribute to enhancing effectiveness and efficiency across the organization through a results-based approach and culture that best demonstrates the impact and relevance of ICJ work. Working in close coordination with the External Relations team, Programme Managers, and Legal Advisers, the MEL Officer will implement and strengthen results-based systems, practices and tools, and support the programme and legal staff with their implementation.

RESPONSIBILITIES

Reporting to the Director, External Relations and Programmes, the MEL Officer will:

Methodology

• Lead implementing the Results-Based Framework in line with the 5-year Strategic Plans.
• Manage and report on the organizational Result-Based Framework. This includes guiding and supporting the programme and legal staff in effectively using it.
• Ensure project management processes and tools are being used consistently and to the correct standard, and provide support and guidance to the programme and legal staff where needed.
• Act as the focal point at the central level for all methodology questions during programme and project implementation: inception, project reviews, evaluations, etc.
• Organise trainings on project management, knowledge sharing and other MEL related topics for staff and partners as well upon request.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

• Lead and draft the annual organizational plans and reports to core donors, with inputs from the Director of Programme Management and Donor Relations and the programme staff.
• Develop and support the implementation of project cycle management tools and policies, including project evaluations.
• Participate in quarterly programme reviews to ensure MEL work is on track.
• Conceptualise and conduct internal project evaluations with the designated legal staff (including designing the evaluation, developing and testing the data collection tools, taking part in data collection and analysis, drafting the evaluation report, etc.).
• Coordinate external evaluations with the relevant staff (ToR development, consultant recruitment, tools and report review).
• Advise on data collection tools and methodology design as well as data analysis and reporting
• Run knowledge-sharing and lessons learned sessions at least bi-annually between programmes and regions.

Fundraising: project design and donor relations

• Support the development of proposals in coordination with the Fundraising Officer and Director of ERP (developing intervention logic / results chain; log frame and M&E; project implementation structure; etc.).
• Advise and support implementation teams on the design of new projects / development of project proposals (intervention logic / results chain; log frame and M&E; project implementation structure; etc.).

Other

• Provide support to the development of 5-year strategic plans.
• Improve the presentation of ICJ project material: reports, tools, etc.
• Provide support in other relevant matters as required.

PROFILE

The successful candidate will have:

Education & Experience

• A University degree in political science, law, social sciences, development studies or a related subject.

• At least five years of work experience in the monitoring and evaluation sector, preferably within the human rights sector.

• Demonstrated understanding of the entire monitoring and evaluation process, experience in results-based management (RBM) and project management including reporting to donors and senior management.

• At least three years of experience of working on donor funded projects including experience working with donor rules and guidelines and implementing best practice in terms of M&E and project cycle management.

• At least three years of experience in contributing to funding proposal development.

• Knowledge of legal and human rights issues would be a distinct advantage.

Language skills:

• Fluent in English (written and spoken).

Essential Skills

• Demonstrated analytical ability and to translate narrative into matrix;
• Excellent communication skills;
• Interpersonal and multicultural skills and the ability to work with remote teams;
• Strong organisational, planning and time-management skills;
• Ability to take initiative;
• Ability to work under pressure and to adapt to changing priorities and needs;
• Attention to detail and accuracy;
• Commitment to human rights and the rule of law.

* Other remote locations may be considered, however Employer of Record fees (and work permit sponsorship fees, if needed) would be the responsibility of the staff member.