Senior Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Officer at The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES)

The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) supports citizens’ rights to participate in free and fair elections. Our independent expertise strengthens electoral systems and builds local capacity to deliver sustainable solutions. Since 1987, IFES has worked in over 145 countries – from developing democracies, to mature democracies.

We are recruiting to fill the position of:

Job Title: Senior Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Officer

Position Number: 21:140
Location: Abuja
Division: Program Management
Status: Local National Employee

Description

• The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) is currently recruiting a Senior Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer (Sr. MEL Officer) for its work in Nigeria, under a USAID-funded program in Nigeria, entitled Supporting Electoral Accountability & Transparency (SEAT).
• The SEAT program is designed to build the capacity of the Nigerian election administration at the national and state levels to better inform, engage Nigerian citizens on electoral and political processes, and engage in international observation to promote the transparency of Nigerian elections.

Primary Function / Purpose

• The Sr. MEL Officer provides strategic guidance, vision and management for successful monitoring and evaluation of the activity.
• This individual will ensure the strategic and functional integration of all MEL activities as well as active collaboration with sub-awardees and USAID. The Sr. MEL Officer oversees all MEL activities, provides technical direction and support, and ensures the accurate reporting of program activities and results to IFES HQ and the donor.

Job Responsibilities

• Lead and coordinate the collection of performance data throughout the life of the project.  
• Maintain a database of performance indicators and ensure that the database is up to date in terms of baseline, targets, and actuals in line with the project’s logic framework and/or Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP).
• Liaise regularly with the program implementing team and maintain a calendar of events to anticipate and plan for any monitoring and evaluation (M&E) data collection needs.
• Liaise regularly with the IFES M&E team in HQ to ensure data collection tools are appropriate and meet requirements for specific data collection efforts.
• Maintain and safeguard the electronic and hard copies of files to serve as backup related to the logic framework/PMP.
• Develop and maintain a database of minutes of meetings, photos, and various reports produced by different staff in the office.
• Participate in meetings, training events and capacity building activities to collect data in relation to reporting and M&E.
• Monitor the media and other sources of information to collect information for reporting and provide evidence to support the verification of the PMP indicators.
• Plan and help with the implementation of data collection efforts such as pre- and post-training surveys, special population surveys, and other data collection efforts that feed into periodic evaluations of different components of the program as well as the program’s risk mitigation efforts.
• Write periodic reports for the IFES Nigeria office to document M&E data findings and report the progress of the project in relation to the logic framework/PMP to IFES HQ and USAID. Assess logic framework/PMP indicators annually or more often, if necessary, to ensure relevance to planned results; suggest revisions or additions to PMP indicators if needed.
• Conduct other activities as may be requested by the Country Director or designee.

Education and Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Social Science, Research Methodology, International Development, Evaluation Research, Statistics or Economics. Master’s degree preferred, but not required.
• Minimum of 6 years of experience working with international NGOs on monitoring and evaluation of international technical assistance programs.
• Experience working on donor-funded programs, such those under USAID, DFID or GiZ, preferred.
• Experience working on democracy and governance programs, especially in electoral assistance projects, preferred.
• Extensive knowledge of reporting procedures, best practices, guidelines, and tools for monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Outlook and Excel.
• Demonstrated relevant technical skills in analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, with excellent organizational as well as English oral and written communication skills. Demonstrated experience with data visualization a plus.

Skills and Specifications:

• Experience in the drafting of performance monitoring plans (PMPs); Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plans (AMELPs);     and Performance Indicator Reference Sheets (PIRS).
• Experience with Data Quality Assessments (DQAs) on U.S. Government-funded awards is strongly preferred.
• Experience with data collection, data analysis, and effective data presentation techniques.
• Excellent reporting and document handling skills.
• Excellent communication skills in order to be able to work with IFES program and administrative staff to identify and resolve     issues.
• Willingness to adhere to all principles of confidentiality.
• Must value operating in a collaborative and cooperative environment.
• Ability to show initiative, good judgment, and resourcefulness.
• Ability to handle sensitive issues and address inclusion matters with integrity.
• Demonstrated ability to produce substantive and clear reporting documents.
• Demonstrated capacity to work with senior program staff to assess and report on program performance.
• Knowledge and experience with USAID monitoring, evaluation and reporting standards.
• Experience with coordinating surveys and focus groups is strongly preferred.
• Ability to remain highly organized while handling multiple tasks under tight deadlines.
• Ability to complete tasks with limited supervision.

Language Skills:

• Fluency in written and spoken English required.  Proficiency in at least one other language in use within assigned project location is strongly preferred.  

Travel:

• Travel may be required.

Physical Requirements / Work Environment:

• Standard office work environment. 
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job. 

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply

Note

• IFES is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer.
• All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment/promotions and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.
• IFES takes affirmative action with respect to the employment and promotion of women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and covered veterans. IFES will also take affirmative action on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity