ABOUT RESEARCH TRIANGLE INSTITUTE (RTI)

Research Triangle Institute (RTI) has over 30 years of experience assisting governments, communities, and the private sector. As a not-for-profit, an independent research institute based in North Carolina, USA, RTI has roughly 5,000 employees with global experience implementing international development projects. RTI's Sustainable Growth & Resilience (SG& R) technical unit within the International Development Group brings together RTI experts and capabilities across food security, agriculture, energy, environment, water, governance, and economic opportunity. SG&;R will leverage RTI's experience designing and delivering multisectoral programming and technical solutions to respond to climate change, build resilience, and promote economic growth around the world.

ABOUT SG&R’s Global Food Security and Agriculture portfolio

SG&R’s Global Food Security and Agriculture portfolio is working to strengthen agricultural markets, engage youth and women as critical leaders of the on- and off-farm workforce, and tackle the dual burden of malnutrition around the globe. RTI’s work is helping foster stronger food systems, reduce malnutrition in all its forms, build resilience and engage the next generation of food security leaders. RTI is currently partnering on nearly 30 projects in East Africa, including activities focused on private sector- driven agricultural growth in Rwanda and market systems development in Kenya.

ABOUT FIRST CONSULT

First Consult is a leading economic development consulting firm implementing projects in Ethiopia. Founded in 2006, First Consult (FC) has grown to design and implement projects across the agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors. Our multidisciplinary teams combine a capacity to execute with clarity of the local context. As a result, we have delivered at-scale real impact in terms of jobs & wealth creation, business formation & growth, and investment attraction & mobilization.

ABOUT THE PROJECT/PROGRAM

The purpose of the USAID/Ethiopia Food and Agriculture Systems Transformation (FAST) Activity is to increase access to healthy diets, particularly for women and children, by improving competitiveness, inclusiveness, and resilience of the Ethiopian food and agriculture system. FAST will also increase incomes gained from agriculture by as much as 40 percent over the next five years. To achieve its goals FAST must collaborate intensively with other USAID-funded projects working in the food and agriculture sector.

POSITION SUMMARY

The MEL/CLA Officer, based at the head office in Addis Ababa, is responsible for providing technical support on MEL activities as assigned by the MEL Manager. S/he supports the monitoring of performance indicators as outlined in the Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP) and participates in data collection, entry, validation, analysis, and dissemination of findings. The MEL/CLA also plays a critical role in coordinating M&E-related activities across the regions, working alongside the Regional MEL Officers. In addition to the specific tasks stated below, s/he is expected to contribute fully as a project team member, conducting him/herself in proper decorum at all times as a representative of the project, and is responsible for the safekeeping and care of all project assets assigned to him/her.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Supports the MEL Manager on major survey efforts, including the annual performance monitoring survey (APMS), “spot surveys,” annual regular monitoring activities to validate survey instruments, develop materials, operationalize surveys, and coordinate field activities with Regional MEL Officers and subcontractors;

• Collaborates with Regional MEL Officers and other project staff to ensure that MEL principles are integrated into relevant activities and data is collected accurately and timely for reporting;

• Supports the MEL Manager with maintenance and dissemination of tailored training materials (for instance, the Project Operations Manual) to enhance MEL staff understanding of core MEL principles;

• Assists with data entry and cleaning, ensuring all data has been accurately collected and entered into the database.

• Reviews data for completeness, uniqueness, validity, and accuracy as required

• Assists the MEL Manager in reviewing partner, subcontractor, and grantee proposals to ensure adherence to the project MEL requirements and protocols;

• Supports the MEL Manager to monitor the implementation progress of partners, subcontractors and grantees on a monthly basis, ensuring their activities follow project procedures and guidelines for reporting;

• Provides training and capacity building to project staff on MEL procedures, use of database and other tools, database management, enumeration, reporting, and timely data entry;

• Monitors achievements towards quarterly achievements and annual performance indicator targets, perform data analysis and prepares content for quarterly and annual reports for USAID and other government parties;

• Under the guidance of the MEL Manager supports with data cleaning and analysis of annual performance monitoring data;

• Supports the MEL Manager in developing data cleaning reports to identify data entry errors during performance monitoring surveys;

• Assists the MEL Manager in verifying data quality through internal and partner Data Quality Assessments (DQAs), including liaising with partners and coordinating field visits;

• Identifies and promptly communicates data collection field insights, lessons learned, success stories, and areas of improvement and risk to the MEL Manager and Project implementation team;

• Archives and maintains all “national-level” documents received or generated by the MEL department (including national events, loan data, etc.);

• Performs additional duties as assigned by MEL Manager or other

REQUIRED SKILLS, QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor (BA) Degree (MA preferred or higher) in economics, statistics, or other closely related fields from a recognized University/College

• Minimum of 3 years of experience with USAID compliance and reporting requirements;

• Strong demonstrated skills in planning, MEL and programming adaptation, inclusion, and budgeting;

• Proven expertise in quantitative and qualitative methodologies, operations research, governance management information systems, reporting, data quality assessments, data analysis and presentation, and setting up and managing MEL systems that track performance as per the objectives set forth;

• In-depth familiarity with, understanding of, and ability to successfully navigate within the Ethiopian context preferred;

• Excellent analytical and problem-solving capacities – ability to identify issues with contractual implications, ensure consistent donor reporting, and support teams in providing appropriate analyses of activities.

• Good interpersonal skills and a good team player

• Professional fluency in English (both spoken and written) and strong command of Amharic is required; additional local language is a plus;

• Excellent computer skills; Good proficiency in Microsoft Office – significant experience with Word, Excel, SPSS, STATA, PowerPoint, etc.

• This position is open to Ethiopian citizens.

REPORTING

The MEL/CLA Officer reports directly to the MEL Manager.

HOW TO APPLY

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