Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Specialist

Project Background Information

Since October 2019, Lebanon has dived deeper in a multi-dimensional crisis, spiraling down the Lebanese people and tremendous influx of Syrian refugees. Deteriorating economy combined with a profound financial crisis and unprecedented political upheaval pushed the governing system into another deadlock, sending tens of thousands of people home unemployed or with salaries cut in half. These factors shattered the already weakened ecosystem, raising the tension exponentially on the Syrian refugees with repetitive calls for imposed solutions.

Addressing the new challenges, YMCA is executing a project that entails three-component tackling two approaches; the first is economic, the second is social. The economic approach embarking upon skills development for youth, with special emphasis on women and people living with disabilities, through a Mobile Learning Unit (MLU) that will undertake life, vocational and employability skills training, computing and advanced skills training, supporting the entrepreneurial ecosystem and improving the ability of youth to undertake entrepreneurial ventures. The social approach will focus on building bridges between youth from Syria and Lebanon through strengthening peace and security mindset, raising the awareness about social change, creating a mixed-cultural experience between youth from Lebanon, Syria and Finland, and finally, improving the abilities of CSOs from Syria and Lebanon in responding to youth needs. Over 1500 youth will benefit from the activities.

The intervention design accompanies the crisis response plan for Lebanon on multiple fronts. It supports refugees and Lebanese youth to attain an instrumental level for income generation that will lead to improved wellbeing. The project will also contribute vividly in enhancing the entrepreneurial ecosystem through the Learn, Create, Transform -program that elevates the awareness about business-led initiatives, brings the grassroots closer to social entrepreneurs and supports the realization of social and business initiatives. The implementers are YMCA Finland and YMCA Lebanon, who have worked in partnership since 2016, have extended experience and robust networks in the field.

Scope of Work

Main objective of this position is to help YMCA for strengthening its monitoring and evaluation systems and practices and generate evidence-based feedback for program planning and policy formulation. The outcomes of the M&E consultancy will serve as a key instrument for YMCA monitoring toolkit.

Develop the project Monitoring & Evaluation Framework and Plan

• Assist to develop sector specific YMCA monitoring and evaluation framework in consultation within YMCA operations team and other stakeholders
• Based on the framework develop simple and user category wise monitoring format and its guidelines to be used in monitoring process.
• Assist YMCA operations team to implement the M&E framework, guidelines and other tools
• Prepare annual monitoring and evaluation plan in consistent with M&E Framework

Develop recording and reporting forms and formats

• Develop/modify recording and reporting templates and formats of YMCA that meet reporting requirement of the project framework to YMCA of Finland and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Finland
• Help the YMCA team for testing, modifying and finalizing the recoding and reporting forms and formats

Capacity Building of YMCA staff on the Monitoring and Evaluation forms and approaches

• Conduct M&E need identification survey among YMCA staff and identify M&E capacity gaps
• Develop appropriate training package in consultation with the operations manager and the operations team
• Organize capacity building training to YMCA staff to minimize M&E capacity gaps

Deliverables

• Monitoring & Evaluation Framework
• Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning plan
• Monitoring & Evaluation formats
• Training of YMCA staff members on M&E
• Training completion report
• End of assignment report

Competencies

• Results-driven and initiative-taking behaviour
• Ability to plan and organize work and establish priorities
• Remains calm and in control even under pressure, and consistently approaches work with energy and a positive and constructive attitude
• Informed, sound, and transparent decision-making skills
• Thoroughly and methodically collects, verifies and records data, demonstrating attention to detail and identifying and correcting errors of his/her own initiative
• Good interpersonal and networking skills
• Ability to work under minimum supervision
• Ability to conduct data analysis using various methods. Ability to apply judgment in the context of assignments given, plan own work and manage conflicting priorities.
• Shows persistence when faced with difficult problems or challenges.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social science, economics or management;
• Familiar with Lebanon's Civil Society Organization spectrum;
• Knowledge and experience in designing M&E systems and conducting evaluations;
• At least five (5) years of experience in monitoring and evaluation, results-based management;
• Excellent writing and analytical skill in drafting reports;
• Understanding and knowledge of basic computer applications such as MS Words, Excel and database management; and
• Experience working within the Development agencies.
• Proficiency in spoken and written both Arabic and English language