Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Assistant DAI Global

Project Background:
The USAID Uganda Feed the Future Water and Food Systems for Resilient Communities Activity (FTF WFSRCA) is a five year activity (2023-2028) that aims to inclusively and equitably improve food and water security in the Kyoga Basin in northeastern Uganda, specifically three watersheds – Lokok, Awoja, and Lokere, by empowering individuals and communities to mitigate and adapt to shocks and stressors in order to improve livelihoods, maintain nutrition and health wellbeing, address drivers of conflict, and reduce reliance on humanitarian assistance. This area is home to nomadic pastoralists whose livelihoods are at risk due to violent cattle raiding and the effects of climate change (drought and flooding). This part of Uganda also suffers from fragmented markets, chronic underinvestment in public services, and a lack of private sector investment. This Activity is aligned with the Water and Development II (WADI II) scope to access critical technical services in support of the U.S. Government’s Global Water Strategy, Global Food Security and Strategy Refresh, Agency Climate Strategy, and the President’s Emergency Plan for Adaptation and Resilience; and is a cornerstone of the USAID Uganda (2022) Country Development Cooperation Strategy Development Objective (DO) 2, Resilient Growth Enhanced. The activity aims therefore aims to achieve results under the following development objectives:
1. Improve water supply and integrated water resource management.
2. Increase equitable access to sanitation and hygiene services for households and schools.
3. Improved agriculture-based livelihoods.
4. Increased consumption of nutritious foods among women and children.
5. Expanded access to financial resources for women, men, youth, indigenous people, and marginalized groups.
6. Improve local capacity to manage shocks and stressors.

FtF WFSRCA will enhance market systems, strengthen relevant institutions, expand access to climate-resilient services, and—in two of the most vulnerable of the 20 districts covered by the activity—employ “graduation” approaches to assist the ultra-poor. These initiatives will incorporate conflict sensitivity, local leadership, climate change adaptation, and approaches inclusive of women, youth, the elderly, persons with disabilities, and indigenous groups.

Role’s Purpose:
The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Assistant will be responsible for assisting the MEL Manager in development and implementation of MEL activities.

Key Duties and Responsibilities:
• Support the design of data collection systems to measure project performance and impact, including undertaking field visits to activity sites
• Support the implementing the AMELP, developing data collection methodology and tools, and leading complex statistical analyses and M&E reporting
• Support the implementation of baseline surveys, program indicators and targets, and gather qualitative and quantitative data related to those indicators and targets.
• Provide performance monitoring and evaluation to include developing appropriate indicators, implementing systems to safeguard the collection and management of program data, and recommending changes to performance monitoring and work plans
• Support in the timely preparation of M&E related progress reports on a weekly, monthly and quarterly basis
• Provide data analysis in support with periodic reporting, success stories and lessons learned.
• Conduct internal and grantee data quality assessments to test the validity and reliability of data used to measure program impact
• Perform other duties as assigned by the MEL Manager

Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree plus 2 years of relevant experience in economics, statistics or other relevant fields
• Prior experience in USAID project Monitoring and Evaluation processes is a plus.
• Professional proficiency in English is required, and proficiency in local languages is preferred.
• Knowledge of research methods

Skills
• Highly organized.
• Strong problem-solving skills as well as exceptional data analysis skills.
• Excellent communication written and oral communication skills.
• Computer literacy and competency in use of Microsoft Office software such as Outlook, Word, Excel, as well as Internet-based applications such as SharePoint.
• Good time management and willingness to travel to the various areas in the Kyoga Basin region such as Karamoja as required by the project.
• Strong interpersonal skills, self-motivated and results-driven, with ability to become a good team player and communicate with project staff and participants as needed.

Reporting
The MEL Assistant will report to the MEL Manager.