Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Assistant

Overall purpose

Responsible to provide support to Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) unit in development and optimization of MEAL Strategy that measures program-wide performance and achievements towards outcomes (using the Outcomes & Impact Framework core indicators and other methods as appropriate) including roll-out of MEAL related initiatives. He/She will support work to ensure that proper monitoring and evaluation is carried out at the outcome level and for ensuring that projects at AATF maintain their strategic vision and that all activities result in the achievement of intended outputs in a cost effective and timely manner. In addition, the M&EL support staff will be responsible in implementing data collection plans, evaluation plans and producing various MEAL reports to guide decision making and continuous improvement. He/she will assist Project Managers in preparing quarterly/annual reports on project progress.

Duties & responsibilities

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

• Support in operationalisation of MEAL framework designed for the project, including but not limited to designing program M&E tools for data collection, verification, management, and reporting, as well as conducting data audits;
• Provide technical assistance and quality assurance to Program/Project Managers and officers.
• Support in the implementation of robust, context-appropriate systems for data collection, quality assurance, analysis, and reporting on activity outputs/outcomes
• Support in tracking and assessing the achievement of Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) with the MEAL Officer and Project team and design effective Quality Improvement (QI) strategies;
• Contribute to outcome- and evidence-based data reporting to aid in strategic decision-making at AATF and promote a culture of evidence-based learning and adaptation;
• Support the development of tools for monitoring and reporting the adoption of agricultural technologies/biotechnologies in Africa, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa;
• Support in producing compelling MEAL reports, including various study reports as planned by the MEAL unit and Projects;
• Support the documentation of learning as outline in MEAL strategy for enhanced decision-making processes and continuous improvement;
• Provide staff support in strengthening technical capacity on MEAL priorities and quality standards.

Data Management

• Design various data collection tools using digital platforms like ODK, KoboCollect etc
• Conduct routine field data collection, verification, and management and reporting as well as data audits for AATF projects;
• Conduct analysis for both quantitative and qualitative data and producing reports with visualisation;
• Gather, summarize and disseminate relevant technical updates on program planning monitoring, evaluation and operations research within the project;
• Support project teams in preparing and managing internal assessments, external evaluations, impact studies and case studies;
• Maintain and archive M&E guidelines, tools, data files, analysis files, reports and presentations for major activity undertaken;
• Support project implementing partners and staff on data management, data analysis and results‐oriented programming, monitoring and evaluation methods and principles and report writing techniques and requirements to ensure compliance

Administrative

• Support in organizing and coordinating lessons learned workshops and reviews of project work plans and reports;
• Participate in annual project reviews and planning workshops and assist project managers in preparing relevant reports.

Minimum Qualifications & Experience

1. Master’s Degree in Agricultural Economics, Economics, Agribusiness management, Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation ,Social Science or any other related field.
2. Three (3) years relevant experience in monitoring and evaluation in agricultural projects.
3. Proficiency in the use of computer applications including statistical software’s like STATA, SPSS, and others.
4. Strong competency in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, data quality assurance, database management, data visualization and reporting.
5. Proven experience in conducting studies.
6. Strong conceptual knowledge about theories of change, logic model, M&E systems design, performance measurement, as well as integration of gender into MEAL.