This position is open to Ghana nationals only.

An international organization is currently recruiting for the position of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist for a new project in northern Ghana. The incumbent will work out of the project’s head office in Tamale, Northern Region.

Project Overview:
The ultimate outcome of this 6-year project is to enhance food security and resilience for poor male and female smallholder farmers (35% male/65% female) and their households in the three northern regions. This ultimate outcome is to be achieved through increased, diversified and more equitable agricultural production; and increased, diversified and more equitable incomes and assets.

Position Summary:
Reporting to the Project Director (based in Tamale), the M&E Specialist is responsible for implementing the overall M&E strategy and related activities within the project and to provide timely and relevant information and support to project stakeholders. This includes close coordination with all stakeholders involved in M&E design, data collection, data analysis, and project implementation. While the M&E Specialist reports directly to the Project Director, s/he will be supported on technical matters by the organization’s Canada-based M&E Unit. The M&E specialist will work in close collaboration with other project specialists based in the project office in Tamale (including climate change adaptation/environment, crops, livestock, gender equality, and marketing and income generating activities specialists) to ensure a holistic approach is used within the project.

Essential duties and responsibilities include:

• Oversee and take responsibility for implementation of the Performance Measurement Framework (PMF);
• In collaboration with the organization’s Canada-based M&E Unit, guide the process of developing performance questions, indicators and parameters for monitoring project performance and comparing it to targets. Design the formats for performance surveys and reports in collaboration with the project team;
• Develop gender-sensitive data collection tools (quantitative and qualitative); analyze frameworks and report on same;
• Undertake and support sex-disaggregated baseline data collection for the project and regular monitoring of indicators;
• In coordination with the Gender Specialist, provide training to field staff in results-based management (RBM), participatory monitoring and evaluation techniques;
• Develop control measures and protocols to ensure quality of data;
• Communicate regularly with the organization’s Canada-based M&E Specialist and Management Information System/Geographic Information System (MIS/GIS) Specialist via skype/email/phone to ensure smooth functioning of M&E systems;
• If pertinent, support GIS set up and use;
• Participate in creation of databases (in collaboration with project staff);
• Ensure that an effective and participatory gender-sensitive M&E system is established and maintained;
• Provide advice and insight into M&E manuals, including processes and procedures for staff;
• Support the development of annual work plans and budgets, including annual milestones;
• Coordinate data gathering from the project and establish feed-back mechanisms;
• Undertake field visits and participate in project events to directly observe project progress and to interact with beneficiaries to gain a better understanding of the picture presented from monitoring data collected, noting changes not explicitly covered in the project performance monitoring plan;
• Liaise with field agents, trainers and region-based staff to collect data on project activities, outputs, outcomes and impact in accordance with project performance monitoring plan and data collection procedures;
• Recruit, guide, and supervise other organizations/consultants that are contracted to conduct surveys, baseline surveys etc. for the project;
• Review monitoring reports, identify challenges and potential bottlenecks in implementation and feed learning back to project management;
• Support development of case studies to draw out lessons learned and success stories;
• Ensure that staff are inputting accurate and timely data in the MIS and provide regular gender sensitive analysis at the output level to monitor implementation according to the work plan;
• Support staff in preparing progress reports to ensure timely, high quality reporting to the donor and other project stakeholders;
• Manage data for presentation of public relations materials including success stories, photos, graphics, etc.; and
• Promote an operating culture that supports the learning objectives of the project by constantly improving observation, communication, and team skills.

Qualification Required & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree preferred in a relevant field such as applied social science, statistics, international development, etc.
• At least 8 years of practical experience in international development, with at least 5 years specifically in designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Must have demonstrated experience in quantitative and qualitative research/survey methodology.
• Experience developing gender sensitive data collection tools.
• Experience building capacity of staff, partners and counterparts in M&E, in both formal and informal settings.

Requisite Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

• Must have working knowledge of development programming, processes, systems and principles, and the ability to provide leadership and support in M&E to staff working at various levels and in various locations.
• Strong knowledge of results-based management and international donor projects; knowledge of CIDA’s RBM tools for management and reporting highly desired.
• Must have experience in designing and implementing monitoring systems and tools for effective management of outcomes and results.
• Strong technical skills in data management, statistical analysis, GIS mapping, and/or assessment tools desirable.
• Ability to lead and actively participate as an effective member of a team.
• Must have excellent facilitation, presentation and training skills and experience, paired with good interpersonal and communication skills.
• Must have strong skills in analytical thinking and interpretation of data to deduce solutions for decision making.
• Knowledge of principles and practices of gender equality.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills in English required.
• High level proficiency in MS Office applications, particularly MS Excel and Access.
• This position may require up to 25% local travel within northern Ghana

Location: Tamale

How To Apply For The Job

Suitably qualified persons are invited to submit their cover letter detailing how their work experience and academic/professional qualifications meet the requirements described above, CV, and 3 professional references no later than February 8th, 2013 via e-mail to:

jobsapplications@yahoo.com

Closing Date: 08 February 2013

Please indicate in the subject line of the email which position is being applied for.

The principles of employment equity are adhered to. Suitably qualified female candidates are strongly encouraged to apply. While all applicants are thanked for their interest, only short-listed candidates will be contacted for interviews.