Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) & Database Specialist NGO Jobs – ACORD-U (Agency for Cooperation in Research and Development – Uganda)

Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) & Database Specialist

Organisation: ACORD-U (Agency for Cooperation in Research and Development – Uganda)

Duty Station:  Uganda

Reports to: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisor.

About US:

ACORD-U (Agency for Cooperation in Research and Development – Uganda) is an indigenous Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) working for social justice and development. ACORD has been working in Uganda since 1979 with operations in over 25 districts across Uganda. The ACORD-U works in conjunction with people who have been denied their basic rights, helping to better understand, to challenge, and to change the situation in which they find themselves.

Job Summary: The MEL and Database specialist will supervise the MEAL Officers and work closely with the DPC and other District relevant project staff.

The MEL and Database Specialist will have responsibility for monitoring and evaluation across the entire OVC-West Central Activity portfolio. This is a top level position that calls for the incumbent to manage high level MEL and Data base aspects that link to overall program results. The Specialist will assist the MEL Advisor in the provision of technical leadership and support required to plan, initiate, and coordinate complex monitoring and evaluation; applied programmatic research; results documentation and dissemination; and translation of results data into meaningful policy and program improvements.

In addition, the specialist will play a key role for OVC-WC Activity in developing and enhancing knowledge management systems, dissemination of best practices and lessons learned, and expanding OVC-WC Activity implementing team to utilize various forms of data to inform activity implementation. She/he will mentor other staff (supervisees) who are responsible for Activity tracking at field level in all aspects of MEL and Database management.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist will provide high quality technical assistance to the OVC-West Central Activity and at times ACORD-Uganda.
• The Specialist will substantially increase the quality of OVC intervention as well as transfer skills and best practices to Activity implementing team.
• She / He will Lead/Manage OVC-WC Activity Performance Management, Evaluation and Learning and is expected to manage all aspects of performance management—including monitoring, evaluation and learning for the Activity.
• Develop and oversee the implementation of the project monitoring plan (PMP).
• Lead the development of relevant M&E tools and platforms, and provide M&E specific technical training, mentoring, and coaching to staff.
• Develop strong monitoring and evaluation data collection and analysis systems to ensure that program interventions are effective.
• Strengthen availability and use of high quality data for decision making at all levels of the Activity.
• Strengthen data management and quality improvement systems, ensuring that data is audit worthy and readily available. Where problems exist, support the identification of solutions.
• Maintain a knowledge management system for the project, across all project components and partners.
• Compilation and production of program reports for submission to MEL Advisor.
• Support program staff and senior management to use data to make informed and timely decisions related to program implementation.
• In collaboration with the MEL Advisor will manage the implementation and updating/refinement of the OVC-WC Activity Performance Management Plan (PMP) and Data Quality Assessments (DQAs), as and when required to do so.
• Identify short and long term technical assistance required for successful program planning and learning, including assessments, studies, and evaluations—both performance and outcome.
• Draft and/or edit scopes of work (SOW) to obtain relevant research products and/or achieve Quality Evaluation standards, and assist in the identification, planning and procurement needed to obtain required assistance.
• Establish and lead an inter-office Program Improvement to advance cross-activity planning and learning.
• Collaborate with other Performance Management Team members in the development and implementation of learning management and dissemination systems for use by all Activity staff.
• Lead the OVC-West Central Activity Annual Performance Plan and Report (PPR) process, coordinating contributions from all technical offices, and ensuring timely and accurate submission of the report.
• On request, prepare analytical progress reports for the Senior Management and the USAID, and dialogue on the same. To discuss how findings generated from performance data could or should impact policy adjustment.
• Design and oversee strategic analyses and assessments of proposed program, changes in the development environment, as well as sector-specific, cross-sectorial, and environmental assessments.
• Undertake regular visits to the field to support implementation of M&E and to identify where adaptations might be needed.
• Ensure management of day-to-day M&E tasks are completed with appropriate resources, proper planning and to the highest standard required.
• Take overall responsibility of managing the Activity’s Data base and related data management and analysis.

Qualifications, Skills and Experience:

• The ideal applicant must hold a Masters degree in public health, demography, sociology, biostatistics, psychology, development studies, monitoring and evaluation, research methodology, or other relevant field is required. Additional qualification and experience in data base management will be an advantage.
• At least eight (8) years of experience in monitoring, evaluating and research related to public health programs, with at least 3 years of experience with USAID or PEPFAR HIV-OVC related programming.
• Demonstrated experience in OVC & HIV/AIDS program target setting and reporting.
• Excellent verbal, written, interpersonal and presentation skills.
• Demonstrated experience and familiarity with research methodologies, qualitative and quantitative research methods, data analysis, sampling techniques and establishing M&E systems in developing countries.
• Proficiency with database management software and on-line search tools required.
• Working experience in Uganda; Uganda national preferred.

How to Apply:

All qualified and interested candidates should send CV and Application Letter to hr@acorduganda.org to apply.

Deadline: 4^th November 2022 by 5:00pm