Regional M&E Coordinator

Country: Kenya & Somalia
Base location: Nairobi
Duration: 1 year
Start Date: 15/03/2013

Position Objective
The Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator is responsible for the development of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) strategy  and capacity for the SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL Kenya/Somalia program. The M&E Coordinator will also assist in the development of the remote management model for Somalia programs.

He/she contributes to SI’s quality oriented approach including specific mainstreaming of issues such as “do no harm”, gender, accountability and community participation.

He/she contributes to the Institutional Knowledge Building (IKB) process and the improvement of SOLIDARITÉS INTERNATIONAL methods and techniques.

Note: The Responsibility for Monitoring and Evaluation of program activities remains the primary responsibility of all the persons directly involved in the implementation of the activities; i.e. Program Managers, Field Coordinators, DCD Kenya and DCD Somalia; whereas the M&E Coordinator will ensure these tools are developed and available to the field teams.

ORG CHART POSITION (reporting and functional relationships)
Line manager: Head of Mission for Kenya/Somalia
Line Managers to: M&E assistant
Functional technical support to : Program managers and Field Coordinators in Kenya and Somalia

List of main tasks:
Strategic orientation
 Be the driving force for improving the M&E component of the mission
 Participate actively in the annual country strategy planning/review process
 Participate actively in the annual “technical coordinators week”

Relevance and quality of projects
 Approve the M&E approaches/methodologies/tools of individual projects.
 Ensure that M&E addresses the relevance and consistency and impact of all programmes vis-à-vis the needs of the populations
 Contribute to the integration of SI mainstreaming priorities in the project cycle, in line with SI policy papers.
 Develop SI team capacities on M&E techniques and methodologies
 Review and develop additional M&E tools and processes where needed and to revise existing tools where appropriate (this will include recommendations for changes to admin or logistics tools/processes where appropriate).
 To develop a simple activity mapping methodology for use by field teams, including the capture and presentation of basic information on activities (including location project name, Donor, photographic evidence, implementation dates etc.)
Coordination, technical support and operational monitoring
 Develop strong and positive functional relationships with all relevant interlocutors in the SI team, including but not limited to: Field Coordinators; PM’s; Log/Admin managers; WASH and FS/L Coordinators; Log and Admin Coordinators, DCD’s and CD.
 Ensure the Kenya/Somalia program adheres to established M&E frameworks. This will encompass monitoring of internal processes, project indicators and risk factors.
 Assist the PM’s, Field Coordinators and Technical Coordinators to develop relevant project indicators
 Lead the development of specific M&E workplan for each project, with technical inputs by the other Technical coordinators.
 Conduct regular monitoring of the M&E workplan for each project and alert the Coordination team to any shortcomings or concerns via a monthly M&E report.
 With the coordination team, take part in a monthly review of Project Implemention Plans (equivalent to APU-IC)
 Provide M&E technical and methodological support to programme managers for project planning and implementation.
 Anticipate difficulties relating to how his/her tasks are carried out and facilitate the resolution of problems
 Propose reorientation of activities and indicators according to changing contexts
 To assist in outsourcing of technical support where relevant.
 Support the development of ToR for external project evaluations, and follow up on evaluation findings and recommendations.
 To coordinate SI’s M&E approaches with other actors, harmonising and/or combining SI’s M&E efforts with other actors when relevant.

Institutional Knowledge Building (IKB)
 To use SI’s IKB tools to document M&E tools and methodologies/approaches; sharing with relevant HQ departments (Technical and Programme Quality Department and desk).
 Participate in the centralization and dissemination of M&E procedures, guides and tools linked to activities to the SI team
 Propose improvements on existing tools
 Develop a network of M&E experts at national level; develop technical partnerships with others actors in the intervention zone; and keep the coordination team regularly informed of such.
 In coordination with the Technical and Programme Quality Department, capitalize on the intervention methods and techniques, and on the experiences acquired by SI and others actors in the field.
 Ensure recommendations and lessons learned from external evaluation are shared with the teams
 To assist the HoM in developing and documenting SI’s reduced access management approach (equivalent to remote management approach)
 To produce a detailed handover report in the approved SI format the end of the employment contract, validated by the HoM and Desk Program Manager.

HR management/Capacity Development
 Identify M&E training requirements within program teams and assess locally available training resources
 Implement M&E technical training in line with operational needs and the training requirements identified
 Brief new local and expatriate staff on M&E aspect of existing programs
 Lead workshops, coordination meetings and/or technical exchange programmes as required
 Evaluate and assess the performance of collaborators under his/her direct supervision
 Supervise adherence to security regulations by personnel under his/her supervision
 Actively participate in the organization of regional technical weeks and compiling reports on these work sessions

Reporting / communication / representation
 Support the HoM in fundraising and the negotiation and examination of project proposals
 Convey information to the relevant authorities on security matters or any event having a possible consequence on SI activities and the security of the teams.
 Validate M&E reports from field teams and M&E aspects of proposals/reports
 To assist the HoM in establishing and maintaining a communication network and good relations with local/government authorities, donors’ representatives, cluster partners, UN agencies and other international/national agencies.
 Ensure that SI is represented at all relevant meetings or forums concerning M&E in relation to SI  programmes
 Represent SI when asked and/or delegated to do so by the HoM
 Reply to HQ requests regarding specific programme needs

Qualifications and experience requested:
Education:
 Relevant university degree, preferably in social sciences, international relations and/or development or other relevant discipline (Master’s Degree level is desirable)
Experience:
 Working experience in 2 or more international contexts would be a distinct advantage
 Working knowledge of UN partners and institutional donors
 At least 2 years of field experience with INGOs in a senior role with similar responsibilities
 Proven experience in project cycle management
 At least 1 year experience of voucher programming would be a distinct advantage
 Experience of semi-arid and pastoralists context would be a distinct advantage
 Good knowledge of gender and do not harm approach would be a distinct advantage

Other skills and competences:
 Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills
 Strong analytical skills (qualitative and quantitative)
 Good understanding of various donor and UN agencies funding priorities and requirements
 Political and cultural awareness of the Somalia context
 Excellent communication and training skills
 Calm and diplomatic.
 Ability to motivate others to adopt new ideas and bring about change
 Natural ability to connect with other stakeholders and team members
 Strong capacity to work with initiative and without close supervision
 Good multi-tasking skills
 Ability to work effectively in a multicultural team
 Ability to meet strict deadlines
 Very comfortable with standard office software and internet research.

Languages:
 English: Fluent with excellent writing capacities
 Working knowledge of Somali would provide a significantly advantageous
 Working knowledge of French would be advantageous

How to apply:
Send a cover letter and CV to the following email address: jobapplication@solidarites-kenya-som.org. Please indicate the job title in the email subject line.
Deadline for applications: 12th February 2013. Please note that only shortlisted applicant will be contacted for interview.

SOLIDARITES INTERNATIONAL is an equal opportunities employer