Overview

To lead the generation, compilation, analysis, and dissemination of evidence and knowledge to increase AWARD’s visibility in the agricultural research for development space and to develop Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (ME&L) plans, shape the learning agenda, design frameworks, tools, and/or toolkits to track progress on the achievement of outcomes and impact.

Duties and responsibilities

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Lead the development, management and updating of AWARD ME&L tools, strategy/frameworks and systems;
• Coordinate the design, implementation and reporting of ME&L activities under the different AWARD initiatives and programs to achieve desired outcomes and impact;
• Provide technical backstopping for project/program’s progress tracking, advise on project/program’s overall approach and adjustments, and prepare regular and ad hoc updates;
• Lead the development of sound indicators and ensure data is regularly generated, compiled, analyzed and appropriate  recommendations are formulated;
• Support the implementation of quality assurance and control protocols and ensure internal consistency and validity of project/program’s monitoring checks to enable improved capturing and narration of programmatic results and impact.

 Reporting, stakeholder engagement and fundraising.

• Contribute to sections of internal and external – technical and donor – reporting using appropriate formats to key stakeholders (AWARD team, Senior Management/Steering Committee, beneficiaries, partners and other stakeholders);
• Contribute to proposal development and grants’ negotiations including submission of quality ME&L inputs required to ensure successful proposals;
• Contribute to the review of existing grants’ overall performance and indicators against achieved cumulative results and make recommendations for performance improvement.

Knowledge generation (and learning) and dissemination.

• Lead the updating and consolidation of knowledge on AWARD initiatives (research findings, lessons and best practices) and prepare information products (technical reports, policy briefs, manuscripts, etc.) for peer-review and publication;
• Coordinate the dissemination of findings/lessons learnt/best practices internally (strategic meetings, seminars and other sense making sessions) and externally (international conferences and other relevant forums).

Capacity development for staff and partners.

• Facilitate the interpretation and use of M&E methods, systems, guidelines, data and findings through organised workshops and periodic meetings with partners and stakeholders.

Team leadership and management.

• Supervise and coordinate unit staff members & consultants
• Contribute to solving complex problems and serve as a role model to others in the unit and overall team.

Requirements

• Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field such as Monitoring and Evaluation, Development Studies, Social Sciences, or related disciplines;
• Relevant work experience of 10 years, with not less than 5 years in a management role for ME&L;
• Broad understanding of gender considerations in agriculture, social and policy-related issues, and opportunities for Africa’s agricultural development.