Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer, Syria Projects

Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer, Syria Projects

Reports to: Design, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (DMEL) Manager

Functional Supervision: Syria Programmes Manager

Job location: Beirut – Lebanon

Grade and level: 4.2

Annual Salary: Competitive annual salary based on our salary scale for Lebanese nationals

Contract Duration :10 months/ until 31 August 2021 with possibility of extension

Employment Status: As it is unlikely that we will be able to obtain a Work Permit for this role, all job applicants must already have the right to work in Lebanon.

Job Purpose

The purpose of this job is to coordinate the monitoring and evaluation of Alert’s projects on Syria, and to ensure learning is shared internally and externally. The post holder will work closely with programme staff and provide advice and guidance on MEL tools, processes and best practice. The post holder will also oversee all administrative work related to coordination of MEL activities.  In addition, the post holder will support on advising on and developing new MEL tools and interactive methods. In addition, the post holder will work closely with the Syria Programme Manager, Senior Programme Development & Assessment Officer and DMEL Manager on MEL reporting, M&E data and learning (such as monitoring reports and evaluation findings etc.)

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Coordinate MEL processes at project level for Syria Programme:

• Support project staff in maintaining M&E frameworks for projects.
• Assist in the development of MEL plans for the Syria programme and monitor and report back on progress against this plan.
• Advise partners on MEL tools, ensuring that partner staff are implementing best practice on joint projects with Alert.
• Assist in internal learning activities and with partners on best practices for monitoring and evaluation practices
• Conduct induction meetings for partners on M&E tools
• Ensure that teams are up to date with the latest tools and approaches for peacebuilding MEL approaches at Alert.

1. Collecting data and best practices for different projects:

• Ensure a good quality of MEL implementation
• Ensure that all projects meet Alert’s minimum standards for M&E
• Ensure a high quality of data collection through conducting interviews, FGDs, reflection meetings and validation workshops.
• Support project staff in analysing the collected data and assist in reflection meetings and other learning events;
• Continuous observation of MEL activities to verify that projects are on-course and demonstrating impact, and to provide recommendations for adjustments or new project designs;
• Support DMEL manager in evaluation preparation and follow-up; including follow-up with consultants;
• Quality Assure evaluations conducted by external evaluation consultants.
• Ensure protection of data; by applying an effective recording, documentation, and filing system of the different project MEL activities.
• Write down comprehensive MEL reports in both English and Arabic
• Present findings of reports in internal and external meetings.

1. Logistical M&E Support :

• Assist in preparing regular M&E activities with support in logistics and administration required for M&E activities

Support projects staff with organizational aspects of project events (roundtables, dialogues, trainings, webinar etc.), call participant to ensuring smooth running of events. This includes booking hotels, meals, transport, and organization of cultural project accompanying project events.

1. Contribute to Alert more generally

• Support MEL activities (such as learning and reflection activities) for the Lebanon programme in coordination with the DMEL Manager.
• Contribute to team-wide communications and knowledge sharing, and participate in organisation-wide events and discussions on related topics/projects;
•  Represent Alert’s values and ideas and be a spokesperson for the organisation at relevant conferences, seminars and other meetings, including at a high level;
•  Contribute to organisation-wide learning and exchange on MEL activities, approaches and tools;
•  Any other tasks as may be reasonably required.

Travel requirements

This post is based in Beirut with some travel within Lebanon.

Talents

At Alert, we have introduced Talent Management to our business model as we believe talented people are crucial to the success of our work.  We believe all individuals are talented and success comes in matching the right talents to the right roles.  For this role, the skills, qualifications and experience listed below are important, but we believe that to be great in this job you are likely to have a talent for building and sustaining strong working relationships.  This will enable you to build friendly relationship with highly committed colleagues and manage expectations. At the same time you will need to combine being well organised in your thinking and work, with being flexible enough to meet the different kinds of demands and challenges you will face. We expect you to be enthusiastic about the organisation’s mission and work but also allied to the calm ability to juggle several balls at the same time, have an appreciation of working in a multi-cultural environment, and be equally comfortable with the big challenging tasks and the small, mundane ones.

.

These are the talents we will be looking for above all else.

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

A degree in a subject of relevance to social sciences and international peacebuilding.

At least 2 years successful experience of implementing and coordinating MEL processes at project level and collecting data.

A good theoretical knowledge and practical experience of the concepts and practices of M&E

Fluent in Arabic and English, and communicates clearly and effectively

Able to influence and motivate others by making their case

Demonstrates the ability to take the initiative

Understands, or has the ability to understand quickly, Alert’s approach to peacebuilding

Gets on well with others of diverse backgrounds and in diverse roles

Is computer literate and numerate

Solution-oriented

Very well organised

Proven knowledge and understanding of programme cycle management, information management and reporting

Strong analytical skills

A clear commitment to the mission and vision of International Alert

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

Experience of project cycle management and gender projects

Understanding of peacebuilding issues in relation to the Syria crisis.

Knowledge and experience of M&E in the peacebuilding sector

SUMMARY TERMS AND CONDITIONS

Annual Salary

Competitive annual salary based on our salary scale for Lebanese nationals

Benefits

Private Medical insurance and NSSF

Leave entitlement

25 working days per year plus Lebanon statutory holidays.

Notice period

There will be an initial three months probationary period during which notice will be 15 days on either side. On successful completion of the probationary period notice will be one month.

Working hours

Full time staff are expected to work a standard 40 hours per week,  a maximum of 48 hours per week, with some flexibility around start and finish times to be agreed with hours the line manager. All staff are required to work core hours 10am – 4pm