Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer
Sustainable Transformation of Enterprises in the Poultry Sector (STEPS) Project
Background
Rural Self-help Development Association (RSDA) is a non-governmental organization (NGO) established in 1991. RSDA’s mission is to promote self-help and help small holder farmers to run their own affairs and improve their livelihoods. RSDA cooperates with and support farmers in the 10 Districts of Lesotho. To achieve its mission, RSDA partners with multi funding partners. To maintain trust with both farmers and funding partners, farmer participation, accountability, transparency and responsiveness are very important.
Project Description
RSDA is an implementing partner for the USDA STEPS project in Lesotho. STEPS aims to catalyse private sector-driven transformation enabling local poultry sector actors to access Lesotho’s strong end-markets and reclaim market share. STEPS will transform Lesotho’s poultry sector to enhance the profitability of value chain actors, increase meat and egg production and improve food security. Leveraging existing opportunities and tools, STEPS will address constraints which limit production, productivity, and efficiency of local poultry egg and meat markets. A segmented approach takes into consideration the unique needs of local poultry producers, including subsistence farmers, and small to large scale commercial poultry enterprises engaged in production, processing, marketing, and retailing of eggs, meat, and processed poultry products. These actors will be engaged through the indigenous and dual-purpose poultry value chains, and the commercial broiler and layer value chains respectively. STEPS will identify pathways to further integrate and grow poultry, and poultry related business opportunities for women and youth.
Position Description
The RSDA Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer will collaborate closely with the STEPS MEL Manager to lead MEL activities for the RSDA implementation of STEPS. Specifically, the MEL Officer will develop a data collection system, processes and tools for the monitoring and evaluation of key indicators, project successes and areas for project learning. The MEL Officer will train staff on data collection within the MEL system, oversee data collection efforts, ensure data quality; process and analyse data for donor reporting and project learning, lead adaptive learning activities and provide support to external evaluators.
Reporting and Supervisory responsibilities;
The MEL Officer reports to the RSDA Programmes Director and will work in close collaboration with the STEPS MEL Manager. The MEL Manager position is based in the RSDA office in Maseru with extensive field travel.
The MEL Officer will execute the following duties:
- Lead the development of a MEL system, processes and tools to monitor and evaluate RSDA’s implementation for the STEPS project.
- Train all project staff in their role in the project monitoring and evaluation.
- Manage a tablet-based data collection platform, including training staff and ensuring timely data entry and cleaning.
- Regularly review data collection process including regular visits to the fields to support implementation of MEL and identify where adaptations and improvements are needed.
- Conduct regular data quality assurance checks on all monitoring data.
- Organise regular and adaptive management events both internally and externally.
- Provide project reports on progress against key metrics to Programmes Director and STEPS MEL Manager for inclusion in donor reports, work planning and learning events.
- Demonstrate the highest degree of integrity throughout all activities and raise concerns with implementation quality immediately with Managing Director and Project Coordinator.
Required skills and Experience
- Bachelor degree in economics, statistics or related field.
- A minimum of 4 years relevant experience designing and implementing MEL systems for development projects;
- Excellent quantitative and qualitative research, analysis and evaluation skills.
- Excellent computer skills including use of Microsoft Office Software.
- Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., SPSS, Stata) and electronic databases.
- Highly developed conceptual, analytic and innovative problem-solving ability.
- Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor tasks.
- Ability to independently and proactively work as a team member with minimum day to day oversight.
- Experience in Monitoring & Evaluation for NGOs especially US funded projects is an added advantage.
- Strong interpersonal, writing and oral presentation skills in English.
Your application should include; Cover letter, CV, Certified copies of certificates and transcripts
Applications addressed to Managing Director, should only be hand delivered at RSDA Offices, situated at Rants’ala Street, Stadium Area, Opposite Coop College, Maseru
Note: No email application submissions will be accepted
Deadline for submission of applications is Friday 26th July 2024 at 12:30 pm.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted