The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT on behalf of IITA Recruiting: Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Officer

The Organization

The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people’s lives. The Alliance solutions address the global crises of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation (https://alliancebioversityciat.org/ )

With novel partnerships, the Alliance generates evidence and mainstreams innovations to transform food systems and landscapes so that they sustain the planet, drive prosperity, and nourish people.

The Alliance a member of the CGIAR Consortium (www.cgiar.org  ) a global research partnership for a food-secure future.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA)

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is a not-for-profit institution that generates agricultural innovations to meet Africa’s most pressing challenges of hunger, malnutrition, poverty, and natural resource degradation. Working with various partners across sub-Saharan Africa, we improve livelihoods, enhance food and nutrition security, increase employment, and preserve natural resource integrity. IITA is a member of CGIAR, a global agriculture research partnership for a food secure future. Please visit http://www.iita.org/ for more information on IITA.

About the position

Under the overall supervision of the Country Representative and in collaboration with the IITA Monitoring and Evaluation Unit Head and other professionals across the organization, the MEL Officer is responsible for monitoring, evaluation, learning, and results reporting for the current projects implemented by IITA-Rwanda. The position is also responsible for guiding and supporting MEL Officers of future projects to be implemented in Rwanda. She/he will undertake the following tasks appropriately during the different phases of project implementation.

Main duties and responsibilities include:

A. Implement monitoring, evaluation, learning and results for country specific projects

·       Lead the development of ME&L plans and reporting systems as required by different projects

·       Develop digital ME&L tools as well as data collection procedures (e.g. project performance tracking and monitoring, indicators, data flow chart, etc) for specific projects

·       Ensure proper use of digital tools and technology for effectively managing MEL activities.

·       Collect/manage data to support project design, project logical framework assessments and target setting/tracking, theory of change and progress management.

·       Conduct/manage project baseline, regular monitoring to track project progress, and evaluations as per M&E plan.

·       Ensure the effective implementation of Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning policies, procedures and guidelines for projects

·       Develop a data management system for substantive reporting on the project activities, including maintaining and updating all necessary platforms to ensure that ME&L data are readily available.

·       Ensure/provide proper support (including capacity sharing activities) to staff and partners in preparing their MEL plans, and in using digital tools for data collection, management and reporting.

·       Provide guidance for future IITA-Rwanda projects in implementing ME&L activities

Performance Measurement and Impact Assessment

·       Determine information needs of the project team, partners, and donors.

·       Build consensus with the project team and stakeholders on how to record, report, and analyze progress against targets; and design formats for reporting on progress;

·       Conduct monitoring visits to project sites.

·       Coordinate projects evaluations (baseline, mid-term, end of project); and internal/external impact assessment studies as needed, including developing terms of reference for such assessments and other studies that will be conducted by projects.

·       Provide M&E advice and support project teams in using MEL data for decision-making as needed, including extracting lessons learned from monitoring, and assessments, for course correction and performance improvement.

 Knowledge Management

• Design and manage learning / critical reflection events to be held with the project teams, partners, and other stakeholders.
• Collect, compile, analyze, and consolidate progress reports for project management in accordance with approved reporting formats.
• Support the design and implementation of a system to identify, analyze, document, and disseminate lessons learned, in collaboration with Project Managers.
• In coordination with the Communications Officer, collect case studies to illustrate challenges, progress, and innovation in the projects’ work.

Requirements

Education qualifications and experience

·       Educational Qualifications

Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics, Development Economics, Statistics, or relevant discipline with a strong quantitative background and good analytical skills.

Required Skills and Experience

    A. Experience:

5 years of professional experience leading and or playing a key role in the design, development and/or implementation of monitoring, evaluation and learning plans of international development projects.

   B. Required skills

·       Specialist knowledge and 3 years experience in the area of MEL methodologies and approaches, including:

·       Quantitative, qualitative, and participatory approaches

·       Knowledge in the use of ICT tools such as ODK for developing data collection tools

·       Planning, design, and implementation of MEL systems for large-scale development projects

·       Devising and delivering training in M&E development and implementation and/or facilitating learning-oriented analysis sessions of MEL data with multiple stakeholders

·       Excellent analytical, communication, writing, and presentation skills

·       Conversant with standard office computer software and basic database software (Access, Excel, PPT etc.) suitable for MEL data management and presentation.

·       Proficiency in statistical software such as STATA and SPSS

·       Good knowledge of ICT tools for data collection, analysis, and dissemination.

·       Ability to work in a multidisciplinary team

C. Desired Additional Skills

·       Previous work experience in agricultural value chains or agribusiness development projects.

·       Experience working with the Government, development partners, donor agencies, private sector and/or its associations.

·       Conversant with Feed the Future MEL systems

·       Proficiency in data analysis tools such as R and Python

D. Required Language(s)

Excellent written and oral communication skills in English are required. Working knowledge of French is an asset.

Benefits

Terms of employment

This is a nationally recruited position based in Rwanda. The initial contract will be for up to One (1) year, subject to a probation period of three (3) months, and is renewable depending on performance and availability of resources. This position is at BG08 level, in a scale of 14 levels, with level 14 being the highest.

The Alliance Bioversity-CIAT offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits. We are an equal opportunity employer, and strive for

gender, diversity and inclusion in our staff, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic.

Applications

Applicants are invited to visit  https://www.bioversityinternational.org/jobs/ to get full details of the position and to submit their applications. Applications MUST include reference number Ref: 300028 as the position applied for. Application and CV should be saved as one document using the candidate’s last name, first name for ease of sorting.

Note: The Alliance does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). The Alliance also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

Applications closing date: 16^th December 2024

Please note that email applications will not be considered.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

We invite you to learn more about us at:

http://alliancebioversityciat.org

Level of Education: Bachelor Degree

Work Hours: 8

Experience in Months: No requirements