CARE Ethiopia Program

 CARE started working in Ethiopia in 1984 in response to severe drought and famine that devastated the population and claimed the lives of nearly one million people. Since then, the organization’s activities have expanded to address the root causes of poverty and vulnerability.

In 2008, CARE Ethiopia’s office moved from a project-based approach to a more focused and strategic program-based approach. Over the eight years since that transition, CARE Ethiopia has implemented a series of programs with successful outcomes, while simultaneously impacting the policies and practices of government, serving as a thought leader amongst NGOs, and bringing transformative change to rural communities. These broader and deeper impacts go beyond the direct impacts of its programs and are a result of CARE Ethiopia’s overall country strategy, which enables CARE to design for scale.

CARE Ethiopia works in various sectors but has particularly targeted the following: Food Security and Resilience; WASH+; Nutrition; Dignified Work; Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights and Humanitarian Response as cross-cutting (focusing on the above sectors).

II.       RESPONSIBILITIES AND TASKS 

Job Responsibility #1:  Planning/ Design, Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (30% of time):

§  Designs and develops M&E tools and systems for RiPA projects in the CLA unit.

§  Designs and develops impact measurement tools and systems at a project level basis.

§  Ensures that detailed implementation, M&E plans are prepared on timely basis.

§  Supports external and internal evaluations and project reviews.

§  Ensures preparation of quarterly (periodic) reports to be submitted to the donor and the Government at a national level.

§  Work on project baseline studies, annual reviews, midterm assessments and final evaluations and impact assessments.

§  Participates in diagnostic studies for project design.

§  Reviews project evaluation reports, compiles and shares lessons for future project and program design.

§  Reviews and validates final evaluation results conducted by external evaluators.

§  Develops and supports systems and works with PQL, Program Design Teams, and PCs to ensure the incorporation of learning into new project designs.

§  Participates in project design workshops and develops log frames and M&E plans. 

Job Responsibility #2:  Information Management (20% of time):

§  Develops and maintains M&E information management system for the Projects/unit.

§  Ensures the timely collection, analysis and utilization of project related information, including emergency data like early warning information.

§  Leads and guides the streamlining of paper based reporting system including formats and systematize information flows.

§  Oversees the regular maintenance of project MEL information using appropriate database management system and makes accessible to staff and other stakeholders at CO level.

§  Works with M&E Advisors and specialist to promote learning within the portfolio of projects of one particular sector, across sectors and within programs.

§  Ensures timely data provision of data related to Global Program Indicators for PIIRS, liaising directly with Impact Measurement Advisor in CARE PQL.

§  Proactively supports establishment and maintenance of learning and knowledge management systems and sharing of lessons within and across the RiPA program and with strategic partners.

§  Works as a team with PQL  and other LDM staff in the CO in developing and periodically reviewing LDM guidelines and ensures their applications in measuring program/project performances 

Job Responsibility #3: Program and Data Quality assurance (5 % of time):

§  Capacitate staff on the fundamental concepts of data quality management

§  Develop  strategies to improve RiPA project data quality

§  Ensure implementation of strategies to improve the data quality

§  Build staff capacity on  program quality, program support and program impact elements  

§  Ensure RiPA project implementation in line with program and MC/CARE principles , protocols  and standards

§  Set mechanisms to track RiPA project impact and align with chronically food insecure impact group program   

Job Responsibility #4:  Learning, sharing/networking (20% of time):

§  Supports and develops reflective practice forums for the portfolio of projects and across programs.

§  Keeps up to date with developments in the sector, including best practice examples within the country and internationally, and ensures ongoing personal development and learning.

§  Ensures the communication of M&E concepts and procedures within the organization, with partners and other stakeholders.

§  Initiates researches/studies, particularly in relation to the project/program learning agendas and shares results for wider audiences in and outside MC/CARE to enhance program quality.

§  Links the country office with partners on issues related to M&E and GIS.

§  Networks with others to gain experiences and share with what CARE has. 

Job Responsibility #5: GIS (20% of time):

§  Supports development and/or adaptation of systems for natural resource management and monitoring, including for the purposes of tracking early warning information.

§  Works closely with and manages the support of RiPA’s remote sensing and mapping initiatives, supporting data management, data analysis, and dissemination of information using ARC GiS software, GPS and other identified and recommended relevant technologies.

§  Facilitates GIS mapping, layering, and geo-referencing relevant project information and indicators related to all components and RiPA early warning triggers.   This may include development of natural resource maps, socio-economic mapping and identifying locations and areas of crisis trigger points.

§  Leads and supports all ground-truthing and geo-referencing initiatives relevant to the RiPA program.

§  Develops, organizes and supports GIS/remote sensing technical support team, consisting of sponsored students from universities, government experts, and field office representatives in GIS /remote sensing tracking of RiPA natural resource management, climate change and early warning system initiatives. 

§  Support government partners to use GIS mapping and technology to map, track and monitor various natural resource management and land use planning initiatives.

§  Support improved data management systems among government partner offices, providing systematic technical support to regional and local government offices; ensures systems are in line with both community-identified and government priorities, and are coordinated and integrated with other existing systems and projects

§  Works closely with all partners to help them understand data management and information dissemination systems, verifying that both information and information dissemination mechanisms are relevant for consumption and decision-making.

§  Design and deliver formal trainings, learning workshops, consultative meetings and provide on-site assistance in this regard as requested to meet capacity-building objectives

§  Identify and recommend areas for specific training and capacity-building both for staff, government, community and implementing partner institutions. 

Job Responsibility #6:  Perform other duties as assigned (5% of time) 

III.      PROBLEM SOLVING (Thinking Environment) 

All the three levels of problem solving apply to this position. But category numbers two and three are most applicable to this position because the MEL-GIS Advisor must use interpolative skills to pick and choose the right strategy to address a given problem and also has to deal with variable situations, which need analysis, problem definition and development of alternative solutions.   

I. QUALIFICATIONS (KNOW HOW) 

A. EDUCATION

Required:

§  B.A. Degree in Social Sciences, Management Information Systems, GIS, M&E, Statistics or equivalent combination of education and work experience 

Desired:

§   M.A. Degree in Social Sciences, Management Information Systems, GIS, M&E, Development Studies, or related. 

B. EXPERIENCE:

Required:

§  8 years of work experience in M&E, GIS, MIS, needs assessment, baseline surveys, regular progress monitoring, project evaluation. 

Desired:

·         NGO experience

·         Working in lowland pastoralist regions 

C. TECHNICAL SKILLS

Required:

§  Computer skills (GIS, Word processing, database management); data analysis

§  Excellent written and verbal communication in English Language;

§  Firm belief in teamwork, gender equality, sensitivity to HIV/AIDS, participatory approach and sustainable development. 

Desired:

§  Knowledge of statistical software like SPSS and experiences in database development applying common software like MS Access. 

D. COMPETENCIES

Respect, accountability, courage, excellence, building partnership, building commitment, contributing to team success, innovation, pro-active problem solving, analytical ability. 

II. CONTACTS/KEY RELATIONSHIPS 

The MEL-GIS Advisor is expected to establish and maintain good relations with partners, counterpart GOs and NGOs.  S/he will also closely work with the RiPA Program CoP, CLA team leader and component team leaders, as well as other CARE LDM staff, Project Managers, Program and Operation Mangers and other related staff. 

III. WORKING CONDITIONS AND LEVEL OF TRAVEL REQUIRED

This position for a definite period and is located in Addis Ababa and requires 40% of travel to field offices.