Job Description
Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager, USAID Okard
May 2023
Background
World Education, Inc. (WEI) has been operational in the Lao PDR since 1992. WEI has worked in a number of sectors (agriculture, education, health, microfinance, and repatriation) over the past 25 years. Projects are currently focused on: Disability Inclusion, Explosive Ordnance Risk Education, Capacity Building, and Economic Development. Current projects include:
1. USAID Okard: Promotes the independence and functional ability of persons with disabilities through equal access to health and social services, partnering with the public and private sectors to support persons with disabilities in the areas of health, economic empowerment and stakeholder engagement.
2. Lawang: Explosive Ordnance Risk Education (EORE): Keeps children safe from unexploded ordnance (UXO) by integrating EORE lessons into the national primary and secondary school curriculum, and creating EORE messages and platforms for non-formal education and community engagement.
3. War Victims Medical Fund: Provides critical financial support to survivors of UXO accidents including immediate and ongoing medical care, as well as funeral costs in case of death.
In implementing these activities, World Education works in partnership with relevant Government of Lao PDR agencies including the Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education and Sports, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, Ministry of Industry and Commerce, National Regulatory Authority and Ministry of Foreign Affairs. To learn more visit us at www.worlded.org or www.laos.worlded.org
The USAID Okard (ໂອກາດ) Activity is managed and implemented by World Education (October 2017 – September 2027*) together with several sub-recipients from government and civil society organizations. The project intends to improve and sustain the independent living and functional ability of persons with disabilities, regardless of factors such as age, sex, gender expression, ethnic origin, or indigenous status, and their households in Lao PDR. It is implemented in four target provinces – Vientiane Capital, Xieng Khouang, Savannakhet, and Sekong.* (Note: Phase 2 includes 2023 – 2027 with the addition of Sekong province).
Job Description:
USAID Okard Activity results are measured, and evaluated across four main components – Health, Economic Empowerment, Stakeholder Engagement and Community-Based Inclusive Development (CBID). Each component is further broken down to key interventions that interconnect and mutually reinforce components and activities proposed in order to achieve the intended results. World Education has an Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (AMEL) Plan with sixteen indicators consistent with USAID Regulations and that is capable of tracking and documenting progress against program objectives and results. The AMEL Plan reflects the progress of the project and is a critical tool for planning, managing, documenting, and evaluating performance.
The selected Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager will be primarily responsible for overseeing the implementation of the AMEL plan for the overall Okard Activity, including measurement of both outputs and outcomes, overseeing internal and external evaluations, and the appropriate use of generated data and results into learning.
The MEL Manager will be in charge of / accountable for:
- Managing the implementation of the Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning plan (AMEL plan), ensuring the plan itself and all related attachments are up to date (updated annually at a minimum), and ensuring indicators, evaluation methodology, data collection systems and targets are appropriate and practical.
- Liaising with the MEL POC of USAID regarding the implementation of the AMEL plan, DQA and all related reporting
- Supervising the MEL team, ensuring all members of the team are aware of their responsibilities and performing optimally, and providing coaching and professional guidance as and when needed
- Managing and maintaining the existing CBID database, ensuring access and appropriate utilization by program staff as needed.
- Adapting and digitizing (using Kobo Toolbox) the existing Needs Assessment tool (Modular Tool) for CBID case management
- Ensuring that any partners (sub-recipients and/or service contractors) who work with World Education are in line with the MEL framework/ plan, including ensuring partners’ data quality.
- Training project partners in principles of monitoring and evaluation and specifics of the MEL framework, indicator and tools as required.
- Manage the development, procurement and implementation process of internal and external evaluations of the project.
- Supporting all project and partner staff in developing, training, and applying new and proven approaches to monitoring, learning, and quality assurance and continuous quality improvement.
- Ensuring all individual level data collected either through quarterly/annual reports, surveys, baseline/endline, evaluations or assessments is disaggregated as required by USAID.
- Managing required reporting for the project, ensuring that all inputs are strategic, consistent and coordinated, and that quality reports are delivered as per the indicated schedule.
- Managing the Data Quality Assessment (DQA) plan and procedures to determine the validity, reliability, and integrity of performance data gathered.
- Collating and analyzing project data, and managing the dissemination/sharing and use of MEL data as appropriate.
- Managing data entry, storage and security Providing quarterly M&E reports and briefing the project Technical Committee to discuss and flag MEL related issues.
- Providing support to the program team and sub-recipients related to specific data collection activities as required (such as District Health Information System-2/ FRAME, Disability Management Information System (DMIS))
The MEL Manager will supervise the work of an MEL Officer and the Data Entry Assistant* and will work under the supervision of the Chief of Party (CoP), with the support of MEL Consultants and Database Consultant as required, and will contribute to the work of the Technical Committee.
*Note: Starting in Phase 2
Minimum Qualifications:
- An advanced degree in public health, social sciences, development, or a related field preferred;
- 7-10 years of professional experience in designing and managing M&E frameworks, including management experience overseeing a team to conduct monitoring, evaluation and lessons learned activities;
- Knowledge of and experience using and developing digital data collection tools on platforms such as: ODK or Kobo Toolbox
- Knowledge of and experience using qualitative and quantitative research skills, and a clear understanding of difference between output and outcome measurement;
- Excellent oral and written communication skills in both English and Lao;
- Excellent critical thinking and analytical skills;
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills required to train or coach staff and give occasional presentations; and
- Well organized, confident and self-directed with strong technical skills and analytical abilities
- Team player who takes initiative, is a problem-solver and able to multi-task;
- Strong attention to detail and ability to meet tight deadlines;
Preferred Qualifications:
- Knowledge of and/or experience with USAID results frameworks, M&E plans, and program evaluation including collaboration and learning
- Statistical analysis experience
- Training, facilitating and building partner capacity skills;
- Experience working on other disability and inclusion focused projects; and
- Ability to travel occasionally for monitoring and/or training visits.
Reports to: Chief of Party
Location: Laos Vientiane capital with travel to Xieng Khouang, Savannakhet, and Sekong* Provinces.
Application Details:
World Education offers a competitive salary and benefit package including employee and family health insurance, end of year bonus, severance benefits and career development opportunities.
World Education is an equal opportunity employer and encourages the applications of women, ethnic minorities and people with disabilities.
Applicants should submit a current CV and letter of interest detailing their relevant experience to:
World Education, Ban Phiawat, Sisattanak District, Vientiane Capital (PO Box 6782)
Tel: 214 524, 222 439; Fax: 217553; E-mail: bounxeuy_chanthathong@la.worlded.org
Application deadline is Friday, 19 May 2023.
Start date: June 2023