Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager

Scope of Work

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager (MEL Manager) will support MEL activities for the UK Government-funded Research and Innovation Systems in Africa (RISA) Programme. The RISA MEL Manager will report to the Team Leader and will support in designing, implementing, and overseeing monitoring and evaluation of the multi-country programme and its activities. This position will be based in Nairobi, Kenya and will cover all RISA programme countries outlined below.
The FCDO/Research and Information Systems in Africa (RISA) Fund programme is a multi-country project focusing on strengthening research and innovation systems in target.
countries, combining the fund manager requirements of two current funds under the RISA umbrella: Strengthening Research Institutions in Africa (SRIA) and African Technology
and Innovation Partnerships (ATIP). RISA seeks to strengthen research and innovation systems by developing a portfolio of well-designed, evidence-based grants in Kenya, Nigeria,
Ghana, South Africa, Rwanda, and Ethiopia.

The RISA programme has three objectives:

1. Research institution and system strengthening (SRIA). To support research organisations to have the capabilities necessary to produce relevant, high-quality research and to create an enabling environment for researchers and research organisations.
2. Innovation system strengthening (ATIP). To strengthen the enablers for the scaling of new and emerging technologies with the high potential for poverty reduction and inclusive growth.
3. Strengthening synergies between research and innovation systems (SRIA and ATIP). To identify and support linkages between research and innovation systems that will improve their integration and coordination.

RISA focuses on identifying Research and/or Innovation system strengthening priorities in each of the focus African countries; procuring appropriate suppliers to deliver Research and Innovation system strengthening projects; and managing the overall Research and Innovation systems strengthening fund portfolio. The project is a funds management programme, to issue grants and funding awards to local institutions and partners in Africa.
The MEL Manager will provide MEL services designed to monitor and evaluate the project objectives, as well as to support learning from success and failure to support scale-up of successful innovations.

Principal duties and responsibilities

• Implement the programmatic MEL Framework
• Oversee the implementation of the MEL approach and plans, including data collection, storage, analysis, validation, and use.
• Develop tools and guidance necessary to implement the monitoring and evaluation plan.
• Liaise with partners and grantees to ensure effective implementation of their monitoring and evaluation plans and coordination of key activities, providing direct capacity building support to grantees where needed.
• Create and deliver a plan to train staff and grantees on MEL system operations, collection methods, and tools to ensure a high level of data quality.
• Collect and disseminate lessons learned on ‘what works’ during project implementation.
• • Perform data analyses, generate reports of findings, and create visuals using the Aktek iO IMS platform to contribute to reporting requirements and project communications products.
• • Plan for and supervise intermittent light-touch evaluations to identify stories of change, collect and disseminate lessons learned, and share successes during project implementation.
• • Support the development and use of theories of change and theories of action for the RISA programme and for grantees.
• Carry out periodic review and revision of the MEL framework and associated MEL plans, theories of change, and capacity building plan for the programme and grantees as appropriate.
• Develop stories of change capturing grantee successes (in-line with LogFrame) drawing on monitoring, evaluation and research data as needed.
• Work closely with the Team Leader and Chemonics UK’s MEL team assigned to RISA to ensure a consistent approach across all activities.
• Design and deliver workshops covering: Useful Theories of Change, LogFrame reviews, Sense-making, as well as broader reflection, learning, and ‘what works’ discussion.
• Liaise with clients and stakeholders to explain MEL system, engage them in workshops, and share results and learning
• Oversee the RISA portal on the Aktek iO platform in collaboration with the MEL Associate working with the platform.
• Supervise MEL consultants’ engagement as needed.

Qualifications:

• An advanced degree in social sciences or a related field, or comparable experience
• Significant experience in designing MEL programmes, with a substantial background in adaptive and qualitative MEL methods.
• Experience and comfort with developing and drafting case studies and/or stories of change
• Experience and comfort with theory of change design and use
• Experience and comfort with drafting MEL analysis and reporting in client-facing documents.
• Demonstrated experience facilitating pause-and-reflects and supporting learning identification and use.
• Experience in building MEL capacity of staff and/or partner organisations.
• Confidence in engaging with key programme stakeholders.
• Familiarity with FCDO and/or UK government reporting and data quality requirements preferred.
• Fluency in English (speaking, writing, and reading)
• Experience working in a number of the RISA countries identified.
• Necessary computer, database, statistical software, and analytical skills, particularly in issues related to monitoring and evaluation.
• Direct experience in a multi-country regional programme platform including compiling research and indicator data from multiple sources preferred.
• Right to work in Kenya, with ability to travel to other RISA countries