Purpose of function

In order to realize the objectives set out in our 5 year strategic plan 2021- 2025, The Research, Monitoring and Learning Coordinator will be responsible for strengthening the organization’s M&E capacity keeping abreast with state of the art M&E approaches to ensure the use of technically appropriate monitoring and evaluation models and information systems. She/he will be responsible for monitoring and ensuring high quality and timely inputs, and for ensuring that projects maintain our strategic vision and that all activities result in the achievement of intended outputs in a cost effective and timely manner. Specifically, she/he will also provide technical guidance to a new project that aims at improving early childhood outcomes for young children aged 0-3 years in Kakamega County. With the overall guidance of the Director and reporting to the Head of Programmes, the Coordinator will be based in Kisumu/Nairobi but with frequent trips to the project sites.

Key areas of responsibility

• Design, develop and implement a sound organizational and project monitoring, learning and evaluation framework and systems
• Oversee and execute the monitoring, learning, evaluation and research activities with particular focus on results and impacts as well as in lesson learning
• Design and lead M&E training programs, research activities and learning events
• Provide hands-on technical assistance to staff in designing, monitoring, evaluating and reporting for all projects
• In consultation with staff, develop appropriate project specific indicators, M&E plans, data collection tools and train staff on their use
• Develop organizational and specific project reporting based on agreed timelines, quality content and desirable structure
• Serve as project liaison for externally managed evaluations and research studies
• Translate information from research and M and E activities to support communication and dissemination of research findings and lessons learned
• Supports project teams to develop case studies, change/impact stories to inform projects achievements
• Improve program performance and quality and utilization of learnings for future programs and resource mobilization
• Coordinate and implement different mechanisms for community engagement and feedback in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning
• Ensure that development results are demonstrated and communicated in ways that assure that ICS SP value is recognized within the development sector and by the public.

Qualifications and skills

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences/statistics/economics with an advanced certificate in M&E, statistics, research or economics
• Minimum of 12 years of professional experience in a M&E position responsible for implementing research, monitoring and learning activities in early childhood development, child and maternal health, wellbeing and protection, adolescent programming etc
• Strong understanding of monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning principles and processes, including database management, reporting etc.
• Top tier research skills, including research design, instrument development, and data collection procedures and data analysis required
• Good understanding of qualitative and quantitative methodologies in research and evaluation and track record in research implementation and administration
• Experience with knowledge and database design and management including advanced use of Excel and data analysis and entry packages including at minimum SPSS, Stata, R, Epiinfo, Atlas-Ti, CSpro and the use of KOBO Collect platforms for data collection
• Excellent writing skills required: 1) technical writing for project reports and publications, including writing about data from large and small data sets, and writing about child development; 2) persuasive writing for proposals and grants.