Planning Monitoring and Evaluation Officer

Heifer International is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) whose mission is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty while caring for the earth. We work with farmers and their communities to identify opportunities that deliver living incomes, creating solutions to local challenges that are designed to build inclusive, resilient economies. With Increased productivity of livestock and crops, farmers provide for their families and improve the health of their communities.

The Kenya Livestock Marketing and Resilience Project (KLMP) is part of the Heifer Project International Kenya (HPIK) Signature Program, Practice for Change (P4C), targeting the Kenya Livestock Sector. The overall goal of KLMP is to strengthen the production and marketing systems for improved livelihoods and resilience among 38,000 poultry and beef-producing households, moving them towards achieving a living income.

The project strengthens production and productivity, leverages digital technology, promotes blended financing, and mobilizes strategic partnerships for catalytic investments in favor of behavior and social norms change for increased resilience, income, and improved practices within the beef and poultry ecosystem. The project activities will be implemented in nine counties in Kenya, with an operational hub in Nairobi and Eldoret, and satellite offices in Kajiado and Isiolo.

FUNCTION

The Planning Monitoring and Evaluation (PME) Officer will manage the development and implementation of Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Systems for the KLMP Project. A strong emphasis for this role is on data collection, integrity, data analysis, reporting, dissemination, and learning. The PME Officer will report to the Planning Monitoring and Evaluation Manager, and work in liaison with the Project Manager.

This position is contingent upon donor approval and funding.

ESSENTIAL CHARACTER TRAITS

The ideal candidate is detailed oriented, self-driven, and has strong leadership skills.

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DELIVERABLES

A. Implement monitoring, evaluation, learning, and systems for the Project. (30%)

• Prepare and maintain MEL Plan for the project.

• Collect and manage data to support needs assessment, KLMP project logical framework design/Review and target setting, and progress management.

• Work with external evaluators to conduct the Baseline, Mid-term, and final evaluations.

• Conduct and manage the monitoring of project progress, annual surveys, living income validation, and support evaluations as per the M&E plan.

• Ensure the effective implementation of MELS policies, procedures, and guidelines for the KLMP project.

• Ensure proper use of available digital tools and technology for effectively managing MELS activities, including data collection surveys using SurveyCTO.

• Provide support to implementing partners in preparing their MELS plans, and in using digital tools for data collection and management.

• Disseminate learning findings from project monitoring, evaluation, and research.

• Lead learning events with key stakeholders within the project communities, implementation partners, and Heifer in general

• Elevate MELS related challenges to PME Manager and Project Manager for coordination with Signature Program Technical Lead and Country Director to find timely solutions. B. Data management, analysis, and utilization for learning. (25%)

• Conduct and/or quality assure all M&E data collected in the country.

• Summarize/ aggregate data at County/ Farmer Owned Agribusinesses (FOAB) level and contribute to organization-wide aggregation.

• Manage all data properly in clean form, and analyze to use for project management, learning, and meet all the reporting needs.

• Provide expertise in the design, management, and evaluation of study protocols, questionnaires, sample selection, and analysis.

• Ensure timely data availability and reporting to stakeholders as needed.

• Work with the project management to respond to periodic donor and Heifer requests for additional information on project activities and results.

• Document, store, and share lessons learned, successes, failures, and best practices via case studies.

• Collect data through Heifer’s Computer-assisted personal interviewing (CAPI) SurveyCTO system.

• Conduct internal Data Quality Assessment (DQA) using SPSS and oversee implementation of DQA recommendations.

C. Contribute to project effectiveness: design monitoring, evaluation, learning, and systems for the Project (20%)

• Design monitoring and evaluation plan incorporating core standard indicators defined by KLMP Project and set targets for indicators.
• Create an indicator reference sheet for all indicators.
• Design Monitoring and reporting tools for the projects
• Ensure adaptive learning from monitoring and evaluation findings.
• Support the Project Manager in monthly, quarterly, and annual progress reporting.
• Contribute to the design of monitoring and surveillance systems and analyses of data from them.
• Implement the project's Results Framework & logical framework for KLMP.
• Design data collection tools, plans, and processes for all required information, ensuring high quality and integrity of data.
• Review and adjust M&E plans and targets, tools, and processes periodically.
• Ensure alignment of KLPM M&E plans and procedures with donor standards and requirements.
• Support the development of a MELS budget for the KLMP project.
• Coordinate Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) efforts throughout the life of the project at regular intervals to review and encourage the use of data in decision-making.
• Track project outcomes through the annual Global Indicator Monitoring (GIM) Surveys.

D. Capacity Development (20%)

• Equip project, distributors, and FOAB staff with skills to deliver MELS activities efficiently.
• Orient and build Heifer, donor, and implementing partners' capacity in MELS activities including proper record keeping and data management.
• As needed, supervise and manage supporting staff for efficient work and to maintain project and MEL compliance.
• Provide coaching and training to equip staff to deliver the assigned responsibilities efficiently.
• Contribute to the recruitment, training, and supervision of external parties that are contracted to implement special surveys and studies required for evaluating project effects and impacts for KLMP.

E. Business Development (5%)

• Support the development of concept notes, project proposals, and submissions to potential donors.
• Support research and evaluation initiatives in specific Project Counties.
• Assist in networking with other development organizations, governments, and other line agencies in promoting Heifer’s and donor development model/initiatives, and potential collaborations.

F. Perform other job-related duties as requested.

Minimum Requirements

1. Bachelor’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Project Management, Agricultural Economics and/or Statistics, or an equivalent with an academic focus on monitoring and evaluation or another related field.
2. Demonstrated experience in coordinating and working with international donors and grantees in designing and implementing Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) systems.
3. Minimum of five (5) years of directly relevant experience in MEL.

Preferred Requirements:

1. Experience performing M&E activities and reporting.
2. Experience in designing data collection tools on SurveyCTO, ODK, Kobo, etc.
3. Experience in supporting and monitoring field-based projects in the project implementation regions will be an added advantage.
4. Experience in managing databases and coordinating evaluations, surveys, and impact monitoring.

Most Critical Proficiencies

1. Innovative, analytical, and solutions-oriented.
2. A good understanding of and sensitivity to issues associated with poverty, hunger, agriculture, and the environment, and knowledge of the context in which non-profit organizations operate.
3. Knowledge of market systems interventions and linkages to poverty alleviation.
4. Excellent organizational skills, including strong attention to detail.
5. Proven experience in building the capacity of partner institutions to document and disseminate industry information, manage knowledge, measure progress, and plan and advocate within the industry.
6. Proficient knowledge of word processing, spreadsheets, presentation tools, electronic mail (Microsoft Office preferred) and the Internet.
7. Strong knowledge and skills in data management and analysis using statistical software (e.g. STATA, SPSS, SAS, EViews, etc.).
8. Demonstrated proficiency in English, both oral and written.
9. Experience with ICT.
10. Ability to work in a team.

Essential Job Functions And Physical Demands

1. Ability to understand, appreciate, and implement Heifer’s Values-Based Holistic Community Development model.
2. Demonstrated creativity, ability to think systematically, willingness, and ability to incorporate innovative solutions.
3. Quantitative and qualitative approaches to evaluation and the ability to communicate MEL concepts clearly with leadership, partners, and staff at all levels.
4. Willingness and ability to assign and review the work of direct reports and to use participatory management skills with junior and senior staff.
5. Ability to train and work cooperatively with a diverse staff, including field staff in various locations.
6. Constant face-to-face, telephone, and electronic communication with colleagues and the public.
7. Working with sensitive information and maintaining confidentiality.
8. Ability to manage and execute multiple tasks with little supervision while meeting sometimes inflexible deadlines.
9. Willingness and ability to travel.

Heifer International is an equal-opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with a disability.

Deadline for Application: 16 August 2023