Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager

The Nordic International Support Foundation (NIS) is a Norwegian-registered non-profit organization engaged in stabilization and reconciliation initiatives in conflict and post-conflict areas. Our primary areas of intervention are institutional development, public service delivery, and conflict resolution. Headquartered in Oslo, Norway, NIS recently finalized a project in Sri Lanka and currently implements projects in Somalia, Myanmar, and the Sahel.

Post Title: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager

Reports to: Programme & Technical Director (PTD)

Duty station: NIS Somalia Country Office in Mogadishu with extensive travels to across all Federal Member States and regions

Works directly with: Programme Managers and teams, Technical Advisors HQ, MEL team CO

Job Summary:

The primary focus of this position is on Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Reporting. The incumbent shall support the work of the NIS country programme and strengthen the overall MEL efforts and planning by providing and facilitating relevant and timely information from and to field teams and work closely with colleagues in-country and abroad to contribute to the quality of reporting.

Main Duties:

Leading the Country Office (CO) MEL team in close collaboration with the HQ MEL Manager:

• Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive CO MEL framework to assess the effectiveness and impact of the NIS programmes and projects in Somalia.
• Act as a focal point for developing and standardizing data collection tools and overall, MEL practices across all programmes in the CO.
• Conduct data analysis while also leading the MEL staff in such task, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the data through regular quality assurance checks.
• Lead the process of documenting all necessary programme-based data and CO office level data.
• Share Lessons learned of the various programmes with the Global MEL manager at HQ and frequently report on the status of MEL activities.
• Lead and manage the CO MEL team, including, but not limited to:
  • Quality assurance of data collection and analysis
  • Closely following security updates, ensuring the safety of MEL field staff
  • Ensuring that data and all relevant information (incl. intervention logic/ results frameworks, indicator values, etc.) is fully registered in IMS/ ONA and updated regularly and timely.
• Capacity building (see below)
• Lead the learning process at the programme level and at the CO office level. The manager is responsible for designing a learning plan for each of the programmes that follows what is stipulated in the MEL guidelines to promote a culture of continuous improvement.
• Assist in the facilitation and management of field visits by donors and partners.
• Train and guide project teams to integrate MEL into their activities.

Guiding and assisting the programme teams:

• Provide guidance to programme managers in developing systematic and realistic monitoring plans for each of the programmes that capture quantitative and qualitative progress indicators for the preparation of project proposals, reports and any other information products.
• Lead the development of theories of change with the programme team, the setting of objectives and the development and revision of logical frameworks.
• Review project/programme proposals to ensure consistency between the MEL section and the rest of the text.
• Determine the best methodology for data collection and analysis depending on the specific needs by project.
• Lead the implementation of baseline, endline and monitoring assessments, distributing tasks and labour amongst the MEL team and other programme staff in an adequate and timely manner, to monitor the project performance and identify trends.
• Lead the dissemination of relevant findings that may affect programme implementation or lead to reflections related to overall operations to programme teams and other relevant colleagues in a comprehensive and timely manner, e.g. for evidence-based decision-making/ programmatic adjustments, reporting etc.
• Develop programme and operational reporting templates that facilitate the acquisition and aggregation of information in programmes; as well as maintaining all that information adequately documented.

Ensuring close collaboration with and assistance to other NIS departments and partners:

• Monitor MEL expenditure in consultation with the finance department.
• Lead the contact with external consultants for MEL related tasks and maintain an amicable relationship with them.

Capacity building:

• Ensure that the MEL staff receives the appropriate training as needs are identified or as new ones emerge.

Other duties:

• Any other duties assigned by the Program and Technical Director/OIC or Technical Advisors HQ
• Actively participate in management meetings and country-wide strategy sessions.

Functional and Personal Competencies:

1. Academic degree in M&E, social sciences, statistics, or other related field.
2. At least seven (7) years’ experience with theoretical and practical background in research or MEL with strong knowledge of qualitative and quantitative methodologies and techniques.
3. Experience with the adoption of mobile data collections tools like Open Data Kit and ONA, including XLS form authoring, and GIS systems.
4. Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English required; fluency in Somali language is an advantage.
5. A minimum of five years in working with stabilization/ community recovery programmes.
6. Knowledge of major aspects of programme development, implementation and documentation.
7. Knowledge and experience in working with various stakeholders such as donors, authorities (local, state and national levels), communities/leaders, INGOs, LNGO, and UN agencies.
8. Experience in capacity building and facilitating training.
9. Experience in team management – proven ability to identify and delegate tasks appropriately.
10. Excellent report writing skills.
11. Extensive knowledge and good understanding of the Somalia context/conflict and the operating environment.
12. Willing to be based in Mogadishu and frequently travel to project sites/ community engagement/ meeting across Somalia.

Achievement Indicators:

• NIS Somalia MEL is developed and functional in accordance with NIS standards and country specific needs.
• NIS Somalia reports and written products show enhanced quality and are made available on time.