Vacancy: Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor

 

ARCHIVED - APPLICATION IS NOW CLOSED. 

Background

The Government of Ireland has been providing assistance to Malawi since 2002.  The bi-lateral relationship intensified with the establishment of an embassy in Lilongwe in 2007.  In the period 2010-2014 the embassy delivered its first five year programme of support to the Government and people of Malawi with a total value of approx. €56 million.

A further five year, 2016-2020, programme of support is planned.  The country programme is being designed to deliver on the Government’s Foreign Policy, ‘The Global Island, Ireland’s Foreign Policy for a Changing World’, and the policy for International Development, ‘One World One Future’ and in support of the Malawian’s Government Growth and Development Strategy (MGDS2).  

The new country programme is being developed using a vulnerability analysis and framework and has a strong focus on Household Resilience, Food and Nutrition Security and Governance. In implementing the strategy, the Embassy will continue to work with several implementing partners, including government and non-governmental organisations.

Role of Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor

The Embassy wishes to contract the services of a full-time Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor. Overseen by the Head of Development, the Advisor will report to the Development Specialist and lead the development and implementation of Irish Aid's Monitoring and Evaluation plans in Malawi. The Advisor will work closely with colleagues responsible for Irish Aid's partnership programmes and the Embassy communication team to ensure effective documentation and dissemination of results and lessons learnt.

Responsibilities of the Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor

The primary responsibility of this post will be to assist Irish Aid in capturing, analysing, evaluating and communicating key information which is of significance to the effective measurement of progress against CSP outcomes on an ongoing basis.

Specifically the Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor will:

1. Lead in the development and review of the overall Monitoring and Evaluation plan for implementation of Irish Aid's Malawi CSP 2016 to 2020. Ongoing planning will require regular and close collaboration with Programme Advisors in Malawi. Liaising with the Evaluation and Audit Unit in HQ will also be required periodically, particularly on matters related to the midterm review and final evaluation of the CSP. 
2. Support the Embassy team to implement Irish Aid’s Result Based Management approach particularly in the identification and selection of robust performance indicators and the establishment of baselines and measurable targets for programmes. Ensure the programme teams have access to appropriate tools and information on emerging best practices in promoting and integrating RBM processes.
3. Work with Programme Advisors to promote a results based management approach in Irish Aid's partnerships. This will include the review and assessment of partners' monitoring systems, results frameworks, monitoring and evaluation plans. Promote planning for results and strengthening the quality of information provided by programme partners.
4. Support Programme Advisors to ensure that Irish Aid Malawi’s monitoring and evaluation activities and those of its partners, are reflecting the CSP priorities including mainstreaming issues of HIV and AIDS, Gender, Environment, Governance and Human Rights. Ensure that the Irish Aids programme is accurately reported in the Malawi Aid Management Platform (AMP).
5. Work with the Embassy communications team to promote a systematic approach to knowledge management and communication of programme results. Support the ongoing business processes for the Embassy particularly in the building of evidence to inform future policy and programming plans and management briefings.  
6. Support the Embassy in planning, commissioning and management of evaluations and reviews planned by Irish Aid. In the case of reviews which are being jointly undertaken with other development partners, represent the interests of Irish Aid in the planning/oversight of these exercises.
7. Support the Embassy team in monitoring national poverty trends, particularly in gathering and analysing national poverty data and relevant sector information. Where appropriate, represent the Embassy in meetings of the National Statistics office NSO, relevant sector working groups, Ministries and ensure the Embassy team is aware of issues of relevance to the programme. 
8. Coordinate the preparation of internal Quarterly and external half yearly and Annual Embassy reports and review the accuracy and completeness of the information and results reported across programmes.

Skills and experience

Applicants will need to demonstrate that they have strong competency and a well-established track record of good performance in the area of Monitoring and Evaluation. 

Specifically the following qualifications and competencies are required:

• Post graduate qualification (at least at Master’s level)  in international development, social sciences, statistics or other relevant discipline.

• A minimum of 5 years professional experience with at least 2 years’ experience working as an Monitoring & Evaluation specialist in an international development organisation.

• Experience and demonstrated proficiency in the analysis, management and synthesis of varied quantitative and qualitative data. 

• A comprehensive understanding and familiarity with a range of approaches and tools for the monitoring and evaluation of development programmes. Eg proficiency in working with Theories of Change, Logic Models, Log frames, Managing for Development Results and other relevant tools and approaches.

• Strong IT and Knowledge Management skills, particularly database-related.

• A capacity to design and manage monitoring systems for a range of development programmes.

• Experience in the planning and/or conducting evaluations of projects/ programmes similar to those supported by Irish Aid in Malawi.

• Familiarity with the workings of Government structures and Civil Society Organisations in Malawi.

• Excellent written and verbal skills in English.

• High degree of integrity and trust.

• Good team working, communication and other personal effectiveness skills (such as networking and negotiating)

• Good understanding of the policies and approaches of Irish Aid.

Conditions of employment

This successful applicant will be offered a 2-year contract following an initial probationary period of six months. The contract will include a requirement for regular performance assessment.

The successful candidate will be based in the Irish Embassy, Lilongwe and will report to the Deputy Head of Development. Though Lilongwe based, they will be expected to undertake in-country travel from time to time and international travel occasionally.

The salary which is non-negotiable is set according to a scale, the starting point of which is MK 1,222,818 per month.  The salary is subject to PAYE.

How to apply

To apply for this position please forward a covering letter of no more than two pages which demonstrates relevant experience.  The letter should be accompanied by your Curriculum Vitae detailing qualifications and work experience to date, together with details of three referees which should include e-mail addresses. 

Applications should be received not later than close of business Monday, 11th January, 2016.

Applications to be sent by e-mail or to be hand delivered to The Embassy of Ireland, Arwa House, City Centre, Lilongwe.  Envelopes should be clearly marked Application for the post of Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor.

Please note that only short listed applicants will be contacted.   Please note that canvassing will disqualify applicants.   The Embassy of Ireland is committed to a Policy of Equal Opportunity.

Embassy of Ireland, Lilongwe, December 2015