Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Coordinator (NOURISH Project)

SNV is a mission-driven global development partner working in more than 20 countries across Africa and Asia. Building on 60 years of experience and together with our team of over 1,600 people, we strengthen capacities and catalyze partnerships that transform the agri-food, energy, and water systems, which enable sustainable and more equitable lives for all. Grounded in the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, we work on the core themes of gender equality and social inclusion, climate adaptation and mitigation, and strong institutions and effective governance.

Background: NOURISH Tanzania

‘Empowering Smallholder Farmers for Food Security and Climate Resilience’ (NOURISH Tanzania) aims to achieve resilient food security for smallholder farmer households in key regions of Tanzania.
Tanzanian SHF households heavily dependent on agriculture face significant food insecurity and nutrition challenges. SHFs have low productivity due to poor quality seed, limited and variable rainfall, poor extension services, and limited access to markets. Lack of knowledge of nutritional requirements and how to meet them, exacerbated by gender inequalities, affects household nutrition.

• The project focuses on two geographic areas, both of which experience food insecurity and malnutrition, but which are distinctly different: the central-northern zone (Singida, Dodoma, Manyara) which suffers from acute food insecurity, and the Southern Highlands (Songwe, Rukwa) which faces chronic malnutrition. The project targets 168,000 SHFs and 100 MSMEs and farm organizations, with special emphasis on vulnerable SHFs. With a focus on four high-potential value chains (sorghum, sunflower, common bean, and vegetables), the project will tackle barriers to SHF food security through three interconnected outcome pathways:

1. Increased productivity: strengthening SHF climate-smart agricultural knowledge, skills, and access to inputs and finance.
2. Increased and diversified food supply to local markets: fostering collaborations among market actors, promoting digital solutions, and empowering SHFs and MSMEs.
3. Improved utilization of household resources to provide nutritious and diverse food: promoting nutritious diets, household food budgeting, and enabling women to have greater influence in HH decisions.

SNV is leading a consortium together with Farm Africa, and partners with five local organizations including two local CSOs. The partners have significant experience in climate-resilient agriculture, nutrition, digital technology applications, and GESI. The project’s total budget is NOK 200 million over five years and is funded by Norad.

Purpose of the role:

The NOURISH Project Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Coordinator plays a key role in quality assurance and operational excellence by ensuring the project has the necessary systems and processes to enable performance and impact measurement, learning for adaptive management, and information for reporting and communication purposes. The MEL coordinator is responsible for designing and implementing the project’s MEL framework and plan, ensuring quality results measurement and availability of relevant MEL data and findings, in compliance with donor requirements and SNV’s MfR standards, and supporting learning and adaptive management. The MEL coordinator will also manage the project’s projections and aggregation of results and support the Team Leader and Deputy Team Leader in overall planning, quarterly internal reviews, annual reporting to the donor and the preparation of Technical Advisory Group meetings. The MEL Coordinator will be required to undertake extensive field work during project implementation. Internally, the MEL Coordinator will also manage all baseline, review, and evaluation processes, and provide training and advisory support to team members and partners as needed.

The successful candidate will have a track record in MEL system development and oversight, technical advisory to complex, multi-disciplinary teams, and project reporting. Also required are relevant in-depth knowledge of innovations in project MEL systems, learning for adaptive management, familiarity with issues relating to agriculture, climate, nutrition, gender, and social inclusion, and practical experience in the international development sector, whether working for a donor agency, INGO, consultancy firm, research institute and/or business.

Key Responsibilities

MEL system development and oversight:

• Facilitate the updating of the project’s Theory of Change (ToC) with the project team and key stakeholders.
• Design and develop the project MEL framework (M&E plan, data forms for SNV’s LogAlto digital data system, learning framework, knowledge development) in collaboration with the project team, including indicators, indicator reference sheet, data collection tools, and reporting frequency.
• Lead on and oversee quality assurance of data collection, validation, and analysis.
• Establish a reporting system for regular progress reporting and reflection by key stakeholders.
• Ensure that sufficient data, analysis, and learning are available to track project progress, answer project learning questions, and inform project team decision-making.
• Ensure that adaptions needed to the project strategy and processes are highlighted through promoting regular staff and stakeholder reflection, facilitating periodic reviews of the theory of change, progress reviews and stakeholder reflection workshops.
• Facilitate documentation and sharing of learning and knowledge within the team, within SNV, among key stakeholders and the donor.

Technical advice/guidance and capacity building:

• Guide MEL approaches and data collection methods to be used in results measurement.
• Lead/participate in conducting needs assessments, market scans, baseline and end line analysis, as well as additional research and studies as required, including managing the contractual partnership with the selected delivery partner for studies.
• Foster participatory planning and monitoring by involving and training primary stakeholder groups in the MEL efforts. and providing capacity building of project staff and key partner staff, including service providers.
• Ensure mid-term and final evaluations of the project are well prepared and undertaken as per the donor’s and SNV’s standards.
• Work with the project team to identify and address project evidence gaps through adaption of the MEL framework, including periodic review of the project indicators.
• Provide input to SNV’s Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation policies and ways of working, based on internal and external developments, trends and learning from the project.
• Participate in external workshops/forums/conferences to share project best practices, findings and lessons with a variety of stakeholders.

Reporting:

• Manage and oversee the project’s projections, as well as aggregation of results across all interventions and project service providers.
• Ensure periodic plans and reports are in line with the standard, quality, template, and time frame required by the donor, SNV and Technical Advisory Group.
• Support in the compilation of data for SNV’s Corporate Harmonised Indicator reporting.
• Produce reports on MEL findings and lessons learned and prepare presentations based on MEL data and analysis as required during project implementation.

• University degree in international development, economics, statistics, public policy, social sciences or related field; an advanced certificate in Monitoring and Evaluation or data analytics preferred.
• At least 7 years of experience in Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation in the international development sector, whether working for a donor agency, INGO, consultancy firm, research institute and/or business.
• At least 5 years of experience in designing, implementing, and overseeing project MEL systems; experience in larger and complex/multi-sectoral projects/programmes desired.
• Strong methodological knowledge; extensive experience in applying both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods; experience in data validation and quality-assurance.
• Experience in presenting data and findings in various formats and to a variety of audiences; experience in making use of MEL data for communication purposes.
• Experience in applying innovative data collection and analysis methods, learning for adaptive management as well as using (digital) innovations and mobile phone technology desired.
• Experience in capacity building of project and partner staff in MEL.
• Familiarity with agriculture and associated issues relating to climate, nutrition, gender, and social inclusion.
• Familiarity with the DCED Standard for Results Measurement desired.
• Experience in using LogAlto or another digital data collection platform/software desired.
• Fluency in both written and spoken English and Kiswahili.

Desired attributes:

• Strong team player with experience in Project Cycle Management.
• Self-awareness, possessing high levels of emotional intelligence and respect for staff, colleagues, and partners.
• Sets high quality standards and strives for continuous improvement and quality assurance.
• Strong facilitation, moderation, and capacity building skills.
• Ability to liaise, negotiate and build positive working relationships with implementing partners.
• Highly motivated self-starter, able to work under pressure, multi-task and meet tight deadlines.
• Excellent social and communication skills (written and oral), as well as reporting and presentation skills.
• Commitment to continuous learning and knowledge sharing.
• Strong sense of integrity and personal commitment to the goals and values of SNV and Farm Africa.
• Ability to undertake unaccompanied travel and operate in the field.

• Location: Preferably Dodoma or Sumbawanga (but will consider Dar es Salaam for exceptional candidates) with regular field travel (40-50%)
• Reports to Team Leader, NOURISH Project
• Staff reporting to post-holder: n/a
• Contract duration: 2 years, with possibility of extension

How to Apply

Submit your application on or before 5 pm EAT on Friday, 20th February 2024, if you wish to be considered for this position. All information will be dealt with in the strictest confidence.  We will revert to you as soon as feasible when we have reviewed your application, though due to the expected high number of applications only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Please submit a CV (no more than 3 pages); a motivation letter detailing your interest, suitability, current/previous & expected salary for the role (no more than 1 page); and a brief write-up (no more than 1 page) which also answers the following question: “What do you think are the top three challenges facing food security and nutrition in Tanzania?”

Please only apply when you are convinced to meet the qualifications mentioned!

Working at SNV

SNV offers a competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package. We offer a challenging work environment, opportunities to lead and innovate, and a commitment to growing your skills in a fulfilling and diverse working environment. Our staff benefit from, and contribute to, an internal global network of experts across sectors. For more information, please visit our website: www.snv.org

SNV is an equal opportunities employer and female candidates are encouraged to apply.

NB: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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