SENIOR MANAGER, MONITORING, EVALUATION, AND LEARNING (MEL) MALAWI

CARE seeks a Senior Manager Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) for the anticipated USDA-funded five-year, $28 million McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition (McGovern-Dole) project in Malawi. The principal objectives of the McGovern-Dole Program are to carry out: 1) preschool and school food for education programs to improve food security, reduce the incidence of hunger, and improve literacy and primary education, particularly with respect to girls; and 2) maternal, infant, and child nutrition programs for pregnant women, nursing mothers, infants, and children who are five years of age or younger.

By providing school meals, teacher training, government capacity-building, and related education and nutrition support, McGovern-Dole helps boost school enrollment, increase attendance, and improve reading outcomes and literacy results. McGovern-Dole also provides support to Maternal and Child Nutrition (MCN). To improve health, nutrition, and dietary practices, McGovern-Dole encourages the inclusion of health- and nutrition-sensitive activities such as the use of micronutrient-fortified products; take-home rations; treatments for deworming and diarrhea; water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH); school gardens; and curriculum-based nutrition education.

The Senior Manager MEL will be responsible for establishing and managing the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning system for CARE’s program, ensuring that it aligns with both the organization’s global standards and the specific requirements of the donor. Working collaboratively with program teams to develop and implement a robust MEL framework that captures accurate and relevant data, promotes learning, and ensures accountability to both beneficiaries and donors.

This is a Key Personnel position, subject to USDA approval. It is also subject to project award and funding. National candidates are encouraged to apply. This position will be based in Lilongwe.

Application Deadline: Wednesday, March 24, 2024.

Responsibilities:

• Develop the overall framework for project MEL systems, including requirements, reporting, baseline, and evaluation surveys. Develop and monitor the project Performance Management Plan (PMP) to systematically document outcomes for project technical leads and leadership team.
• Collaboratively work with program teams to develop and implement a robust MEL framework that captures accurate and relevant data, promotes learning, and ensures accountability to both beneficiaries and donors.
• Ensure alignment of MEL activities with program goals and contribute to the development of annual work plans to identify project targets and ensure inclusion of M&E and Learning activities.
• Monitor project activities and track these activities against the results framework.
• Conduct field visits for data collection, and validation, and to monitor data quality. Ensure timely compilation and reporting of data. Capture and document lessons learned, and champion scaling up of best practices.
• Craft and execute annual program plans, setting performance benchmarks, and overseeing the project’s monitoring mechanisms.
• Offer overarching guidance and supervision for the MEL function, ensuring it aids the project in achieving its goals.
• Guarantee that MEL activities have sufficient budgetary allocation and oversee the prudent and timely use of the MEL budget.
• Lead the MEL team by providing regular coaching, supervision, performance assessments, and capacity building to enhance their skills and professional development.
• Oversee the deployment and enactment of the project’s MEL strategies, protocols, and in-country activities, including organizing training sessions for both MEL and relevant project staff.
• Provide technical leadership, capacity building, and support to project and partner staff in planning and implementing MEL systems and activities, data-based program decision-making, and results reporting.
• Support the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) to coordinate mid-term and final project evaluations.
• Ensure utilization of global best practices of USDA guidelines regarding Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA).

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in statistics, data management, public health, international development, economic development, or other relevant is required.
• 5+ years of relevant senior experience in international development as MEL Manager on large humanitarian or development projects.
• Proven experience in quantitative and qualitative research methods, survey design and implementation, and statistical data analysis.
• Demonstrated MEL experience in USG commodity-focused programming preferably with Food for Education or Maternal and Child Nutrition (MCN).
• Strong experience and knowledge of USDA M&E guidelines, systems, and reporting requirements including Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) principles, approaches, and their application to project learning and adaptation.
• Strong data visualization and report writing skills, and ability to translate technical information for non-technical audiences.
• Experience working in Malawi preferred.
• Experience recruiting, developing, and managing staff and teams.
• Demonstrated skills in building and maintaining relationships with project stakeholders, local partners, and local organizations.
• Fluency in English required (spoken and written).
• Strong oral and written communication skills; excellent demonstrated inter-cultural, interpersonal, and negotiation skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to PSHEA (Prevention of Sexual Exploitation, Harassment, and Abuse).
• Demonstrated commitment to principles of Diversity, Equity, Belonging, and Inclusion (DEBI).
• Ability to travel within Malawi as required and as security conditions allow.