Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager

Job Advertisement

Position Title: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager
Location: Chisinau
Country: Moldova
Deadline Date:

Job Details

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization established to assist people who have been forced to flee their homes due to conflict and disaster. With a workforce of approximately 15,000 employees, NRC operates in 40 countries worldwide, providing essential life-saving and long-term support to millions of individuals each year. The organization is committed to upholding human dignity and ensuring that the needs of refugees and displaced persons are met through effective programs and advocacy efforts.

Job Overview:
The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager plays a critical role in leading the strategic direction and quality assurance of MEL within the NRC Moldova country office. This position involves designing and implementing a comprehensive MEL strategy, standard operating procedures (SOPs), and budget that align with NRC's minimum standards for MEL. The MEL Manager is responsible for generating evidence and insights that inform programmatic and strategic decision-making, ensuring that learning is integrated into all aspects of the organization's work. As a functional manager, the MEL Manager collaborates closely with both technical and operational management teams at the country and area office levels, while also maintaining technical accountability to the regional MEL function. Additionally, the MEL Manager oversees the Community Feedback Mechanism (CFM) to ensure that community voices are heard and integrated into design" style="border-bottom: 1px dotted #007bff !important;">program design and implementation.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The MEL Manager's duties include designing, leading, and managing monitoring and evaluation systems at both the country office and program levels. This involves ensuring that learning is integrated, accurate, and relevant, and that findings from MEL systems are institutionalized within the organization. The MEL Manager will provide technical guidance and operational oversight for NRC's Community Feedback Mechanism (CFM), including the development of SOPs and Key Performance Indicators. Participation in program design and proposal discussions is essential, including contributions to theory of change development, log frame design, and budgeting for MEL activities. The MEL Manager will support the Head of Programmes in establishing systems for tracking management responses and will lead evaluations while managing the capture and dissemination of lessons learned from various sources, including monitoring data, grants meetings, and annual learning reviews. The role also involves participating in the Country Strategy Process to prioritize MEL within the country program and representing NRC in consortia MEL technical reference groups to ensure alignment with NRC's MEL policies and procedures. The MEL Manager will draft guidelines and instructions for specific information management products and processes, oversee the development of dashboards for project and program monitoring, and contribute to strengthening collaboration with other actors through building networks and partnerships.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess at least 3 years of demonstrated management experience in the design, implementation, and oversight of monitoring, evaluation, and research for large to mid-scale international projects or programs. An advanced degree in economics, research methods, social sciences, or a related field is required. Technical competency and prior experience in implementing various program evaluation methodologies and approaches are essential. Candidates should have excellent analytic, communication, interpersonal, writing, collaboration, problem-solving, planning, organizing, and facilitation skills. Advanced experience in qualitative and quantitative data analysis and tools is necessary, along with leadership and mentoring skills, particularly in staff development and capacity building. Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes an advanced degree in a relevant field such as economics, research methods, social sciences, or a related discipline. This educational foundation is crucial for understanding the complexities of monitoring and evaluation in humanitarian contexts and for effectively leading MEL initiatives within the organization.

Experience:
The position requires a minimum of 3 years of relevant management experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning, specifically in the context of large to mid-scale international projects or programs. This experience should encompass the design, implementation, and oversight of MEL systems and methodologies, demonstrating a strong understanding of the principles and practices of effective evaluation and learning in humanitarian settings.

Languages:
Fluency in spoken and written English is mandatory for this position. While English is the primary language of communication, knowledge of additional languages may be considered an asset, particularly if they are relevant to the communities served by NRC in Moldova.

Additional Notes:
The duty station for this position is Chisinau, Republic of Moldova, with a contract duration of 12 months. The role involves approximately 30% travel for regular visits to area and field offices within the country. The salary and benefits will be determined according to NRC's grade 9 national scale for Moldova. It is important to note that NRC is unable to provide work permits or visa sponsorships for this position, and citizens of Moldova are highly encouraged to apply. Applicants must have the legal right to work in Moldova. NRC promotes a work culture that values diversity and encourages ideas from all employees, providing opportunities for individuals to take initiative and contribute to the organization's mission.