Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officers x2 Integrated Seed Sector Development

Integrated Seed and Sector Development Uganda (ISSD Uganda) is an independent local NGO in Uganda, which aims to be a leading agricultural development organization in fostering resilient seed and food systems for sustainable agricultural production. ISSD Uganda builds on the impactful outcomes and experiences of the successfully implemented seed projects that focused on; seed sector transformation; capacity building and knowledge transfer; partnerships and sector coordination, as well as supporting fragile communities including refugees.

Project overview
Restoring Resilience of highland farmer communities and watersheds in Uganda is a 4-year project funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Kampala. The project is a land restoration and farming systems project in the Western and South Western Highlands of Uganda, implemented in a collaborative partnership between Wageningen Environmental Research (WENR) as lead partner, and ISSD Uganda, as the local implementing partner. The project works through three pathways to achieve its goal to build resilient farmer communities and watersheds in the highlands of Uganda. In Pathway 1 “resilient farming systems” the project focuses on empowerment and motivation of farmer households to work towards establishing resilient farming systems through the PIP approach; Pathway 2 “watershed restoration” focusses on restoring natural resources and ecosystem functioning to enable restored watershed resilience; and Pathway 3 “improved marketing” focusses on improved marketing opportunities for all farmers directly engaged in the project, and the wider community. The project headquarters will be in Fort portal.

Position overview
The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer has responsibility for all matters regarding design, planning, coordination and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation, research, and learning framework of the project. The position also supports capacity building, technical representation and networking at different levels.

Main Duties and Responsibilities
The M&E officer has the following specific tasks and responsibilities;
• Work with the ISSD M&E Manager and WENR M&E Expert to prepare a detailed work plan for the development and implementation of an M&E system for the project; and develop indicators, data collection monitoring forms and reporting mechanisms
• Organize capacity assessments, project data collection activities, analysis, and present programme information to evaluate performance and inform decision-making.
• Guarantee validity of project data and lead on modalities on the M&E data base. Establish program database system, Management Information Systems (MIS) and ensure its accessibility to all program implementers and partners at all levels
• Contribute to the design of and conducting surveys and special studies across the zones to assess programme interventions and/or supervise field data collection.
• Contribute to design and implementation of data collection tools to be used for routine monitoring
• Collaborate with Regional Coordinators and Thematic Experts in conducting spot checks and routine monitoring of field activities and during ongoing surveys.
• Facilitate collection of quality data from the project locations and enter these in a central data base.
• Contribute to quarterly and annual programme reviews including review of the M&E Plan
• Periodically update and maintain the database and manage data in order that it is accessible to staff.
• Support the communication officer to document best practices and lessons learned by providing key documentation from any case studies undertaken during project implementation.
• Organize and facilitate M&E training workshops for staff and partners to demystify M&E concepts
• Provide M&E information to management and teams for decision making, management and improving programme strategy/interventions.
• Analyze data based on regular monitoring for both learning and reporting purposes as well as providing evidence-based feedback to staff and a wider team.
• Assist in preparation of quarterly and annual reports reflecting project performance and impact result indicators
• Assist the M&E Manager to interpret and disseminate M&E findings vis-à-vis program goals, objectives and activities to different audiences
• Participate in district wide networks focused on coordination, trends in movements of communities, and sector assessments as needed

Qualifications, Experience, and Skills
• Bachelor’s degree in any of the following disciplines: Statistics, Social Sciences, Monitoring and Evaluation, or related disciplines
• Post Graduate Diploma/certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation will be an added advantage
• At least 5 years’ work experience in Monitoring and Evaluation of rural development programs
• Experience in managing quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis, soliciting information from individuals of varying socio-economic, ethnic, and linguistic backgrounds;
• Experience in database management, with strong analytical skills and data reporting capacity
• Strong computer skills with proficiency in Microsoft office packages (Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint), internet use, and knowledge in website content management systems and data management software like statistical packages (SPSS, STATA, Nvivo, etc.)
• Ability to work well in a multi-disciplinary team, excellent interpersonal skills, and willingness to travel extensively in Uganda
• Previous experience in the agriculture or environmental sector with excellent conceptual and analytical skills directly related to work in the sector
• Proficiency in English language with excellent writing skills and able to produce high quality reports
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision
• Willingness to travel extensively in highland areas of Uganda