Monitoring, Evaluation Research and Learning Officer (MERL Officer)

Purpose
The Monitoring, Evaluation Research and Learning Officer is part of Palestine Country Office team. The MERL Officer coordinates monitoring and evaluation activities through implementation of Monitoring and Evaluation strategies. The position is implementing the Country Office’s Monitoring and Evaluation activities including planning for and coordination data collection and field data processing and analysis, support evaluations, compile lessons learnt, annual planning and reporting cycle in close coordination with the Program Manager.

Engagement

• Manage and provide Monitoring and Evaluation support to country staff in the implementation of all monitoring and evaluation activities, programs, and strategy. Keep open communication with Program and partnership Coordinator during program enrollment activities; conduct planning of data collection activities jointly with program team to ensure plans align with program teams.
• Maintain regular contact with MERL team at Global Program Unit staff to coordinate the implementation of Monitoring and Evaluation strategy at the country level.
• Assist SMT to promote a culture of lessons learned and best practices of monitoring and evaluation activities, ensuring that data is discussed in appropriate forums and in timely fashion for effective use in Country Office activities.
• Undertake critical stories of change; longitudinal case studies etc in order to elucidate impact and change and consolidate stories/lessons learned to share (through various channels) with various stakeholders – rights holders, donors, duty bearers.
• Ensure employing global WFWI MERL practices, policies, and standards, including but not limited to rolling out the new electronic data collection system (Resco) in Palestine to collect program results at the impact level.
• Support the CD and WFWI Palestine program team in conducting needs’ assessments and community assessments for the purpose of program design.
• Support the facilitation of program design workshop if required and requested by the CD.

Delivery

• Consistently compiles data and write findings, reports and recommendations of key monitoring and evaluation activities and/or monitoring and evaluation field visits.
• Assist with coordinating special evaluations, impact studies, and community assessments as needed.
• Fulfill data information requests from GSC Global Programs Unit and maintain accurate records of communication.
• Develop Country Office framework for results measurement and schedule of implementation for all components of the Monitoring and Evaluation system, including working in coordination with Program Managers/Coordinators to facilitate use of all Monitoring and Evaluation forms and ensure that monitoring and evaluation data is integrated into all country planning, programming and reporting.
• Supervise data collection according to requirements of program implemented (e.g., intake, baseline, endline, and graduate tracking for SWSN program; pre/post tests for Change Agents, etc.).
• Train, support and manage any Monitoring and Evaluation staff or data processing staff in data collection and reporting.
• Participate in regular program site visits and conducting assessments or outreach process to support implementation and identify areas where adjustments are needed for better monitoring and evaluation reporting.
• Coordinate M&E activities with partner organizations, serve as M&E focal point for partner organizations reporting data to WFWI, develop plans with partners for data to be collected under projects with WFWI Palestine support, maintain records of partner activity data and learnings, visit with partners and consolidate learning across them.
• Take the lead in ensuring high quality and timely annual planning and reporting processes in WFWI Palestine, in accordance with the guidance from WFW International.
• Ensure adequate preparation and a participatory process to complete the annual plans & report.
• Develop the annual plans and reports for WFWI, as well as an annual report for WFWI Palestine for external circulation to be reviewed by the SMT.
• Act as annual planning and reporting focal person together with the CD.
• Actively participate in webinars/workshop related to annual planning and reporting.
• Conduct Annual Review and Reflection Process for all program, partners and other stakeholders to generate learnings.

All our staff are required to adhere to WfWI’s Code of Conduct and Safeguarding policies and to our organizational values: Empowerment, Integrity, Respect, Resilience.

Skills and Qualifications:

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in social sciences, information technology, education, economics.
• 3-4 years of work experience in relevant fields, preferably within INGOs sector.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and demonstrated ability to interact professionally with culturally and linguistically diverse staff, program and participants.
• Ability and willingness to work with minimum supervision, and under pressure and to meet deadlines.
• Ability to have flexible work schedule which may include early mornings, evenings and weekends. May be required to occasionally work beyond normally scheduled hours.
• Excellent computer skills including working with Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Email applications. Database management /data entry and analysis experience is required. Experience using statistical software and electronic data collection is preferred.
• Ability and willingness to travel around the country as required.
• High level of fluency in English and Arabic (speaking, reading, writing).