Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Officer (4 Job Positions)
Location: Jinja and Lira, Uganda
Reports to: MERL Coordinator
About Project:
GOAL and its consortium partner, Wageningen Environmental Research (WENR) will be commencing on an anticipated 5 years resilient and inclusive economic development programme funded by the Embassy of the Kingdom of Netherlands in Kampala.
The objective of the programme is to build climate resilient and more productive farming systems and livelihoods, with environmentally sustainable and commercially viable practices, as such sustainably increasing productivity and income of 200,000 smallholder farming households (SHF) in Busoga and Lango regions. The project is built around four pathways and outcomes: Pathway and Outcome 1: focuses on enhanced social resilience and agency in SHF households and communities; Pathway and Outcome 2: focuses on ensuring SHF farming systems are more sustainable, productive and resilient to shocks.; Pathway and Outcome 3: focuses on SHF actively participating and benefiting in inclusive markets ; and Pathway and Outcome 4: ensures SHF have enhanced voice and influence to address market system issues.
Job Summary: The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Officer will support the implementation of the INSPIRE Project’s MERL activities. The role involves data collection, analysis, reporting, and capacity building to ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of the project’s impact. The MERL Officer will work closely with the project team to ensure accurate and timely data collection and reporting, contributing to the overall success of the INSPIRE Project.
Key Duties and Responsibilities:
Data Collection and Management:
- Assist in designing and implementing data collection tools and methodologies for the INSPIRE Project.
- Conduct field visits to monitor the progress of implementation of project activities, collect primary data and feedback from the participants.
- Ensure accurate and timely data entry into the programme’s database.
- Maintain organized and secure data storage systems.
Data Analysis and Reporting:
- Analyse quantitative and qualitative data to assess project performance and impact for quarterly and annual reporting.
- Generate regular reports and dashboards to provide insights into project progress.
- Prepare data summaries, infographics, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders’ engagements.
- Ensure data quality and integrity through regular data quality assessments.
Monitoring and Evaluation:
- Monitor project activities to ensure they are on track and aligned with project goals.
- Support the development and tracking of performance indicators and targets.
- Carry out routine field data validation and quality checks.
- Support barrier analyses, baseline-, midline-, and end-line surveys.
- Provide feedback to project teams based on monitoring and evaluation findings.
Capacity Building:
- Train project staff and partners on data collection, management, and analysis techniques.
- Train and support selected youth, in particular young women, refugees and persons with disabilities to be involved in all steps of MERL.
- Develop training materials and manuals to support capacity building efforts.
- Conduct workshops and training sessions to enhance the MERL skills of project staff.
Learning and Adaptation:
- Facilitate learning sessions and workshops to share findings and best practices.
- Take responsibility to write stories from the field, and support the documentation and dissemination of success stories, case studies, and lessons learned.
- Promote adaptive management by integrating MERL findings into project planning and decision-making.
Collaboration and Communication:
- Work closely with the MERL Coordinator to ensure alignment of MERL activities with project objectives.
- Collaborate with project teams to ensure data needs are met and support programmatic decision-making.
- Participate in regular team meetings and provide updates on MERL activities and findings.
Qualifications, Skills and Experience:
- Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences, Development Studies or any related field.
- Minimum of 3 years of experience in monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning in the development sector.
- Proficiency in data analysis software (e.g., Excel, SPSS, STATA) and data visualization tools.
- Strong understanding of M&E methodologies and tools.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Strong organizational and multitasking abilities.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills.
- Ability to conduct training and capacity-building sessions.
Desired Skills:
- Experience working in the development sector, either in agriculture/farming systems or market development approach (M4P / MSD).
- Knowledge of qualitative and participatory data collection methods.
- Experience in story writing.
- Proficiency in using online data collection platforms (e.g., CommCare, ODK, KoBoToolbox).
- Experience in producing high-quality reports and presentations.
GOAL
Established in 1977, GOAL is an international humanitarian agency, with a global team of 2,400 personnel, dedicated to alleviating the needs of the most vulnerable communities. Currently operating in 13 of the world’s most vulnerable countries, GOAL delivers a wide range of humanitarian and development Programmes, ranging from humanitarian relief in disaster situations, to focusing on nutrition, food security, and building greater resilience and sustainable livelihoods.
General description of the country programme:
First operational in Uganda in 1979, the current GOAL Uganda country programme focuses on Health (including WASH, Health Accountability and Nutrition programing); and a market-based systems approach to improving agricultural livelihoods and WASH. GOAL Uganda mainstreams gender, child protection, social behaviour change and resilience strategies across all programming. GOAL works on a district focused approach and uses a mixture of direct implementation and partnerships with national and international civil society organizations, local government, the private sector and communities to give effect to our mission.
GOAL Uganda has a skilled team of approximately 100 personnel and manages an annual operating budget of approximately €8.7 million (2018). GOAL is currently operational in the North, South, East and West of Uganda with six established offices in Kampala, Lira, Bugiri, Abim, Kaabong and Agago Districts. GOAL Uganda country programme is funded by a number of donors who include Mastercard, charity: water, Irish Aid and some small foundations.
Details of remuneration package and benefits
Our package includes a competitive salary, health insurance cover for up to 3 dependents, comprehensive 24-hour personal accident cover, terminal benefits equivalent to one month for each completed year of service and our working hours provide for a half day on Fridays. GOAL promotes a learning and development environment with training & study opportunities aligned to our staff development policy.
This Job Description only serves as a guide for the position available. GOAL reserves the right to change this document, it is not viewed as an inflexible specification as it may be varied from time to time in the light of strategic developments and following discussion with the post holder.
Safeguarding
Children and vulnerable adults who come into contact with GOAL as a result of our activities must be safeguarded to the maximum possible extent from deliberate or inadvertent actions and failings that place them at risk of abuse, sexual exploitation, injury and any other harm. One of the ways that GOAL shows this on-going commitment to safeguarding is to include rigorous background and reference checks in the selection process for all candidates.
Accountability within GOAL
- Alongside our safeguarding policy, GOAL is an equal opportunities employer and has a set of integrity policies. Any candidate offered a job with GOAL will be expected to adhere to the following key areas of accountability:
- Comply with GOAL’s policies and procedures with respect to safeguarding, code of conduct, health and safety, confidentiality, do no harm principles and unacceptable behaviour protocols.
- Report any concerns about the welfare of a child or vulnerable adult or any wrongdoings within our programming area.
- Report any concerns about inappropriate behaviour of a GOAL staff or partner.
How to Apply:
All candidates should apply online at the link below.
Deadline: 9th August 2024
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