Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager

Job Posting Organization:
The Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) is an independent humanitarian organization that assists people forced to flee. Established in 1946, NRC has grown to employ around 15,000 staff members working in 40 countries. The organization is dedicated to providing vital and long-term assistance to millions of people affected by crises. NRC operates in various regions, including Central African Republic, where it has been active since 2014, focusing on areas with significant humanitarian needs due to ongoing conflict and instability. The organization emphasizes the importance of community engagement and the protection of human rights, striving to uphold the dignity of those it serves.

Job Overview:
The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager will play a crucial role in ensuring the effective implementation of the MEL strategy and standard operating procedures (SOPs) within the Central African Republic. This position involves strengthening the capacity of the team, developing necessary tools and systems for operationalizing MEL, and ensuring regular data collection and reporting. The MEL Manager will coordinate the development of MEL plans for various projects, integrating protection standards into MEL activities, and producing regular analyses of project performance. The role also includes promoting learning sessions for staff, contributing to project proposals, and ensuring accountability mechanisms are in place to gather feedback from beneficiaries. The MEL Manager will work closely with various stakeholders to analyze needs, performance, and relevance of programs, providing guidance during project cycle meetings and ensuring that lessons learned are disseminated effectively.

Duties and Responsibilities:
The MEL Manager will be responsible for the following duties:

• Oversee the implementation of the MEL strategy and SOPs in the country, ensuring capacity building and the development of necessary tools and systems.
• Conduct regular data collection and reporting according to deadlines.
• Coordinate the development of MEL plans for projects, including tools for needs assessments, baseline and end-line data collection, and post-distribution monitoring.
• Ensure the integration of NRC's Safe and Inclusive Protection standards into MEL activities and tools.
• Produce regular analyses of project performance and quality of implementation.
• Facilitate learning sessions for MEL and program staff.
• Support analysis and reflection on program needs, performance, and relevance, providing guidance during project cycle meetings.
• Contribute to project proposal writing and reporting on MEL-related aspects.
• Manage the performance and capacity building of MEL and Community Feedback Mechanism (CFM) staff. 1
• Participate in the recruitment and induction of MEL staff. 1
• Contribute to country strategy and key competency/program processes through performance analysis, surveys, and other relevant sources. 1
• Maintain and improve accountability and feedback mechanisms for beneficiaries, ensuring staff capability and system integration across intervention areas. 1
• Collect and disseminate lessons learned from global studies, evaluations, and annual learning assessments. 1
• Provide technical advice on innovation and technology for database management and MEL.

Required Qualifications:
Candidates must possess the following qualifications:

• A minimum of 3 to 5 years of proven experience in managing, designing, implementing, and supervising monitoring, evaluation, and research for large and medium-scale international projects or programs.
• A postgraduate degree in economics, research methods, social sciences, or a related discipline.
• Technical skills and prior experience in implementing various program evaluation methodologies and approaches.
• Excellent analytical, communication, interpersonal, writing, collaboration, problem-solving, planning/organization, and facilitation skills.
• Advanced experience in qualitative and quantitative data analysis tools.
• Proficiency in French is required; good communication skills in English are an asset.
• A strong understanding and commitment to humanitarian values and principles, as well as community engagement.

Educational Background:
The educational background required for this position includes a postgraduate degree in a relevant field such as economics, research methods, social sciences, or a related discipline. This educational foundation is essential for understanding complex program evaluations and developing effective monitoring and evaluation strategies.

Experience:
The position requires candidates to have a minimum of 3 to 5 years of relevant experience in managing, designing, implementing, and supervising monitoring, evaluation, and research activities for international projects or programs. This experience should demonstrate a strong understanding of MEL processes and the ability to work in challenging environments.

Languages:
Fluency in French is mandatory for this position, as it is the primary language of communication within the organization and with local stakeholders. Additionally, a good command of English is considered an asset, as it may facilitate communication with international partners and enhance the candidate's ability to engage in broader discussions within the humanitarian community.

Additional Notes:
This position is a national contract for a duration of 12 months, with the possibility of renewal. The role is based in Bangui, Central African Republic, and is open exclusively to Central African nationals. The NRC offers a supportive work culture that encourages employees to share ideas and take on responsibilities. The organization is committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion, and provides opportunities for professional growth and development. Compensation and benefits details are typically aligned with NRC's scale and policies, ensuring competitive remuneration for the role.