The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.

BACKGROUND

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. Plan has over 80 years’ experience and works in more than 75 countries across the world. We strive for a just world, working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners.

Plan International has been working in Tanzania since 1991. Our work supports marginalised children and youth, especially adolescent girls, to grow up physically and mentally healthy and ready to shape their future. We create an enabling environment and empower girls to be active drivers of change in realising their rights. We prioritise working with partners, and ensuring all of our work is evidence based

The Keeping Adolescent Girls in School (KAGIS) project is a 5 year Global Affairs Canada’s (GAC’s) funded project, aiming at addressing key barriers inhibiting adolescent girls from realizing their right to safe, quality and gender-responsive education, with a particular focus on their unique needs and barriers associated with participation in primary and lower-secondary school. The project’s Ultimate Outcome, ‘Adolescent girls realize their rights to safe, quality, gender-responsive education’, will be achieved by employing a three-pronged, rights-based, gender-transformative approach to tackle demand- and supply-side barriers, while strengthening local level governance and building improved linkages between education, health and child protection systems

ROLE PURPOSE

The MERL advisor will lead the MERL initiatives of KAGIS project,  ensures quality design of baseline and endline evaluation (including data collection tools; methodology and reports), ensures quality of the data collected and analysed are used to improve ongoing project implementation. She/he will support project director in data synthesis and consistently produces high quality reports that informs KAGIS performance indicators.  The advisor is responsible to make sure the project teams integrate MERL planning across the program life cycle. She/he will drive the qualitative and quantitative routine and periodic data collections, and developing successful mechanisms for the project learning. In coordination with Project Director and MERL team members, she/he will make sure project teams applies the appropriate frameworks, tools and knowledge sharing to improve implementation and contribute to project goal of equipping adolescent girls to stay in school. She/he will be responsible for design, coordination, and constantly improving the KAGIS project M&E system and opportunities for research. He/she will work with other MERL team to build MERL capacity of the project team (both Plan and partners) that trains and mentors M&E staff and promotes a culture of learning

Dimensions of the Role

Work closely with Technical Leads to support the design, management and implementation of KAGIS MERL systems, and key components of the gender transformative M&E system, and the use of gender data to contribute to annual work planning and budgeting processes;
Develop and ensure application of effective data collection, tracking, and reporting to monitor project results,  outputs, outcomes, training pre-post test results, knowledge acquisition, change of behaviours.
Lead the baseline and end-line evaluation that can include primary and secondary data collection, household survey, KII and FGDs, Facility Assessment, Gender Assessment based on the project needs.
Ensure the integrity and relevance of data collected from KAGIS project are reliable to support project achievements, and suggest timely adjustments to better serve project objectives and priorities
Contribute to KAGIS narrative reporting and donor compliance requirements, including reviewing data in Performance Measurement Frameworks, and work plans and ensuring KAGIS reports and work plans are results-focused
ACCOUNTABILITIES

Project Monitoring and Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation

Liaise with country office teams to develop, implement, and revise monitoring and evaluation plans, including key indicators to be reported to the donor and PLAN GLOBAL MERL systems (YODA and Beneficiaries Counting)
Create and adapt high-quality data collection tools including monitoring tools and databases, facility assessment and supervision tools, and training materials.
Develop methods, tools, and processes to capture ongoing implementation learning, including how the project’s strategies are being implemented and adapted.
Support the project team to apply results-based monitoring and lessons learned to refine activities and implementation.

Research and Evaluation

Lead the project’s aspects of a qualitative and quantitative evaluation,
Lead  development of research protocols, data collection instruments, study operation procedures, analytic plans, training materials and request for permit submissions.
Contribute to the project evaluation and formative research studies, including contributing to the development of tools and protocols and/or managing external consultants/partners.
Provide support to quantitative research and evaluation studies led by external partners.
Provide leadership on interpreting and synthesizing quantitative and qualitative evaluation findings in order to form a cohesive and coherent understanding of the project’s progress, learning, and impact.
Cultivate relationships with internal and external stakeholders to partner with in designing high-quality research for the KAGIS project.
Information Management

Lead and collaborate with project staff to translate project learning and results into accessible technical products for global and country stakeholders.
Lead project’s data visualization efforts.
Lead or contribute to regular project’s donor reporting, including preparing presentations or other deliverables to Country office, Plan Management, the National office, and donor.
Conceptualize, convene, and present in technical consultations, webinars, and other engagements internally and externally.
Design standardized templates and tools that ensure quality and facilitate the acquisition, aggregation and flow of information in programs.

Technical Leadership
Provide leadership, training and mentoring in the areas of MERL learning agendas, and other skills required for assessing the impact of programs.
Lead a project team in planning for large-scale assessments and/or broad surveys (e.g. baselines, end-lines).
Coordinate with project leadership and senior management to encourage a culture of learning within project staff.
Lead a project team in planning for and oversight of external evaluations in partnership with program leadership.
Ensure project use appropriate M&E systems and tools, to inform and improve each individual program, as well as feed into the broader country-level M&E system and country strategy.
Support project and other teams in collecting sex and age disaggregated data and using gender sensitive data- collection methods in order to understand and respond to program results with diverse participants.
Participate in the facilitation of project planning sessions, assisting team leaders in the development of their annual plans.
Capacity Building and Mentoring
Collaborate with HR on recruitment and on-boarding of new MERL team members.
Develop and oversee implementation of a capacity building strategy for team members and partners.
Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
Internal and External Coordination
Active contributor and collaborator with Country Office counterparts to promote the use of MERL best practices.
Strengthen linkages with other internal resources to enhance organizational learning where relevant to MERL.
Maintain close working relationships with MERL counterparts in the country by attending MERL reflection meetings, and other relevant international NGOs, and local NGOs and associations in the project areas.
Security
Ensure compliance with security procedures and policies as determined by country leadership.
Proactively ensure that team members operate in a secure environment and are aware of Safeguarding policies.
Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
Ensure compliance to COVID-19 and other outbreaks safety measures

Compliance to Global Polices

Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Child Protection (CPP) and Gender Equality and Inclusion (GEIP) are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring Plan and Partner’s staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures
Communications and Working Relationships:

Internal:

This position works closely with Programme Unit Manager (high)
This position works closely with the project M&E staff within the project, program Directors (high)
This position work closely with other Head of MERL and other M&E staff across Plan (Medium)
This position works closely with Thematic heads (medium)
External:

This position works closely with MERL staff of implementing partner organizations (medium)

Key relationships

Plan International Canada
Programme Unit & Country Office
Head of MERL
Head of Youth Economic Empowerment, Child Protection, and Education
Functional networks within Plan

Technical expertise, skills and knowledge

Required experience and Qualifications

Master’s Degree or its international equivalent degree in development studies, social sciences, M&E, Demography, gender studies, or statistics, ideally with a focus on M&E;
A minimum of five years of relevant practical experience in designing, implementing, and managing gender transformative M&E systems for donor-funded development projects, with specific experience in education, ASRH, gender equality and child protection projects;
Experience managing real-time end-to-end data management systems and solutions, including ICT, enabling data collection, analysis, and rapid feedback loops;
Experience with the development and overseeing the implementation of data collection tools and systems for the entry, analysis, and storage of data;
Minimum of 5 years of providing training, and in a supervisory and/or management role, in monitoring and evaluation to all levels of stakeholders;
Experience with adaptive management, iterative M&E, and effective feedback loops to ensure the use of data in strategic and programmatic decision-making;
Advanced experience and skills in using quantitative and qualitative data analysis tools (statistical package) (e.g., SPSS, STATA, NVIVO, etc.) is an asset;
Experience in designing and implementing digital data collection tools for monitoring purposes as well as periodic data collection
Experience in providing remote support or willingness to learn effective remote facilitation and support skills;
Experience in Managing MERL initiatives for  MEGA Education donor funded project  (eg EQUIP-T, Tusome Pamoja in Tanzania)
Excellent report writing, analytical, and communication skills, including oral presentation skills;
Essential

Knowledge

In-depth knowledge of the M&E and preferably minimum 2 years of experience in Non-profit making organisation
Knowledge of gender analysis and assessments, including approaches, methods, and frameworks;
Demonstrated knowledge in developing and leading gender-transformative MERL strategy to guide large program delivery
Knowledge in leading a diverse team and in context of multiple stakeholders with complex relationships
Skills

Analytical and problem-solving skills
Proficient computer skills and use of relevant accounting packages
Ability to work under multidisciplinary and multicultural environment
Excellent communication skills, with demonstrated ability to write technical reports
Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity
Fluent spoken and written English and Kiswahili

Behaviours

Hardworking with capacity to work independently with minimum supervision
Honest, integrity, open and transparent personality.
Working towards achieving a team goal
Be able to Respect all groups of people in the community and culturally sensitive
Persuasive and able to work with different cultural settings
Motivated, energetic and strives to develop and support others
Result oriented and a team player
Working for the best interest of the organisation and children
Appreciate of child rights and gender equality

Desirable

Knowledge and experience with Global Affairs Canada’s (GAC’s) results-based management tools, donor requirements, and reporting processes, including M&E gender equality results is an added advantage.
Experience managing rigorous M&E and knowledge of programs that support girls’ education.
Data-driven, detail-oriented, self-starter with excellent analytic skills
Demonstrated experience in data management and analysis.
Demonstrated experience with data quality assessments and audits.
Strong program management, presentation, team-building and interpersonal skills
Advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
Commitment to girls’ development and a values-driven work environment.
Operate in a high-pressure deadline-driven environment with professionalism
Managing project with strict reporting deadlines
Plan International’s Values in Practice

We are open and accountable

Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people
We strive for lasting impact

Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.
We work well together

Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.
We are inclusive and empowering

Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

Physical Environment

Working environment will include both typical office environment and field environment
The position requires regular field travels, at least 40% of the work time

Level of contact with children

Mid contact: Occasional interaction with children during reflection meetings, evaluations, and research

Location: Geita

Reports to: Program Director 

Grade: D2

Closing Date: 3rd June 2021

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.