Plan International is an independent non-profit organization that advances children’s well-being and equality for girls. Working in building powerful partnerships for children for over 75 years and present in 70 countries, Plan International strives for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children while working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners. Plan International Ethiopia is looking for Consortium MEAL Manager for Country Office who will be reporting to the Consortium Team Leader (with dotted line reporting to National Office Program Team).

Dimensions of the Role

The role will involve:

• Providing support to the monitoring and evaluation processes for the BRiCE project in Gambella, Ethiopia and Puntland, Somalia and measuring results on time and to the required standard. 
• Developing and implementing data collection techniques and tools, including working with external service providers to develop other relevant management information systems.
• Facilitating the revision of high-quality BRiCE minimum monitoring, evaluation and verification standards including utilizing learnings and recommendations from other Plan ETH projects
• Supporting the team in ensuring that MEAL colleagues, are able to effectively deliver on and report against these standards; 
• Supporting BRiCE partners to identify and document relevant learning with an aim to continually improve BRiCE project processes.

Accountabilities

Overall responsibilities:

• As part of the consortium management team, ensure support to the overall consortium management and coordination, in particular in relation with the necessary communications with partners and their technical support, and communications with donors.
• Deputize the Consortium Team Leader (CTL) whenever needed and officially delegated. 

The role will ensure:

Project Design and Implementation

• Support project designing, overseeing qualities of implementation processes, monitor, evaluate and sharing of leanings by using PALS standards in general and UKNO’s M&E requirements in particular.
• Ensure PALS standards and areas of enquires are mainstreamed in PCM processes. 
• Ensure there are learning and reflection platforms on PALS as it is a core Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting (MER). 
• Facilitate implementation of research activities conducted by consultants or by internal capacities within standard qualities. 
•  Produce the BRiCE project performance reports timely and with standard qualities and communicate to the CTL.
• Lead BRiCE project’s mid-term and end evaluation and provide timely feedbacks to the CTL
• Facilitate and carry out baseline study, semi/annual reviews, and evaluations during the lifespan of the recovery plan/project.
• Manage and oversee the development, implementation, monitoring and tracking of work plans and budgets.
• Support knowledge management and learning efforts by producing periodic project monitoring reports, case stories and articles.
• Collaborate with the CTL and CFM to ensure that PALS standards and processes are integrated across functions.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

• Ensure donors’ programmatic compliances issues on Monitoring and Evaluations are adequately met.
• Support with the review of analyzed data against agreed targets and log-frames, and capture learning. 
• Prepare quality and timely preparation of annual progress reports including case studies and lessons learnt and preparation and documentation of quality case study on best practice.
• Develop and implement data collection techniques and tools, including working with external service providers to develop other relevant management information systems. 
• Lead review of existing data collection procedures and tools to improve functionality, applicability and accuracy 
• Support in country M&E team in developing the M&E System towards effective & efficient performance management as well as sustainable impact evaluation 
•  Lead on finding innovative technological systems and processes for individual tracking and monitoring of beneficiaries 
• Conduct training and individual capacity building on M&E aspects for in country and especially for the BRiCE project staff 
• Plan and coordinate data quality assurance, including frequent survey auditing and data consistency checks. 
• Ensure relevant data protection protocols are adhered to through reviewing capacity development training plans and manuals. 
•  Assist the development of monitoring and evaluation system in line with principles and values. 
• Advise and provide guidance to in country M&E team on the data information database when required
• Communicate learning for internal and external facing audiences including UKNO and EC on data from monitoring and evaluation processes. 
• Discuss emerging issues from project progress and evaluation reports, and coordinate the development and follow up of action plans for recommendations. 
• Responsible for tracking best practices in monitoring and evaluation of the BRiCE project. 
• Ensure project learning and achievements are documented and disseminated widely.
• Identify, document and disseminate best practices from within and outside Plan to staff and other development partners.
• Participate and contribute to communities of practice and other organizational learning practices. 
•  Support critical thinking and learning processes such as reflection and review processes, ToC development and clarification, use of BRiCE project planning questions. 
•  Responsible for keeping up to date expertise and knowledge in BRiCE project Monitoring, Evaluation and learning systems, processes and information. 
• Complete quality program outcomes which surely benefit the indicated beneficiaries of the Girl Power program. 

Program integration and mainstreaming

• Mainstream child centered community development approach in the project cycle to achieve appropriate participation of stakeholders and help them play a leading role;
• Mainstream child protection in the project and be vigilant to report all child protection concerns
• Foster collaboration and support at program level to develop plans for integrating programs with other thematic areas

Networking and representation

• Provide technical inputs for the development of networks and clusters to promote effective program designing and quality implementation.
• Participate and contribute for collaborative and positive partnerships and alliances, and to influence policy that maximizes the impact of the Country program in general and BRiCE project in particular.
• Support the efforts to establish linkage and good relationships with relevant government authorities, NGOs, academic and research institutions and the media to draw information and knowledge for program quality and effectiveness. 
• Follow up and makes proper documentation of regional government policies, strategies and plans with respect to the BRiCE project. 

Staff Management and Development

• Supervise and coordinate the work of the M&E consultant(s) on the Midline evaluation, and other M&E activities where consultants are required under the BRiCE project 
• Build the technical capacity of the BRiCE project and other staff and also ensure optimum community involvement in the conceptualization, development, management, monitoring and evaluation of the inclusion interventions. 
•  Organize regular performance review meetings to assess progress but also to agree on and communicate any changes in strategy with the key project stakeholders

 Budget management

• Manage M&E work plans and ensures relevant log-frame milestones and annual expenditure is achieved.

 Strategic support on program

• Support the CTL and UKNO in strategic thinking, reflection and learning. 
• Ensure the values of participation, partnership, sustainability, social responsibility, cost effectiveness, transparency and accountability are reflected in your work. 
• Coordinate activities and share learning with the Evidence, Learning & Impact team in the Program Effectiveness and Compliance 
•  Consistently promote the mainstreaming of accountability good practice throughout program activities 
• Support the Country Office development and improvement of Knowledge Management systems 
• Child Protection and Gender Equality Responsibilities
• Demonstrate commitment to Plan’s child protection policy through implementing the policy in its entirety, and report any actual or potential risk situations following the reporting procedures, being aware of abuse and risks to children, being vigilant, becoming familiar with the Child Protection Policy. 
• Raise children’s rights/protection awareness and important of gender equality and respect to diversity within Plan and amongst partners and community members.
•  Child protection and gender equality policies are understood by the staff and partners.
• Ensure equal participation and benefit of boys and girls and children with disabilities in all phases of program/ project implementation.
• Ensure sufficient budget and resources are allocated for gender equality activity in their respective area annual plans and project activities.
• Support partners in understanding plans’ gender equality strategy and program criteria and capacity building activities on gender as part of the regular work at field level.
• Ensure the representation of Plan Ethiopia in their respective region from gender equality perspectives.
• Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection (CPP) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEI) are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.

Job Requirements

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Technical Expertise:

• Master’s degree in related field of study with 5+ years of work experience in an NGO setting

Relevant Experience:

• The successful candidate will have experience of:
• Establishing and implementing monitoring, evaluation, verification and learning frameworks, systems and tools within complex multi-country, multi-year development programs, preferably focused education and/or girls’ empowerment programs
• Developing and participating in monitoring processes, gained at least in part in a developing country setting
• Exceptional quantitative and qualitative data processing and analysis skills, including adapting/developing monitoring tools and surveys.
• Collating and analyzing comprehensive monitoring and evaluation data from multiple sources to prepare succinct reports and creative materials tailored for the needs of diverse audiences.
• Providing technical leadership and capacity-building support for staff with regards to monitoring, evaluation and learning processes and tools.
• Using participatory monitoring and evaluation methodologies, ideally with children and young people
• Working in a development and developing country context
• Commissioning and/ or supervising monitoring and evaluation work by others
• Documenting and effectively communicating evidence and learning to improve practice, as part of an adaptive programming approach
• Utilizing technology in innovative monitoring and evaluation methodologies

How to Apply

The closing date for the application is June 13, 2021. Qualified candidates should submit their application with the below link.

This position is only open to Ethiopian Nationals, who must be eligible to live and work in Ethiopia.

Please note that:  Applications and CVs written in English will be accepted and Please note that we are not accepting CVs that are not sent through the indicated link. Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.

Shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

More information about Plan International can be found on the website

References will be taken and background and anti-terrorism checks will be carried out in conformity with Plans Child Protection Policy. Plan operates an equal opportunities policy and actively encourages diversity, welcoming applications from all persons meeting the skills and experience required.

As an international child centered community development organization, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realization of children's rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. We must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk. Female applicants are highly encouraged to apply.