Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager

Background

Norwegian People’s Aid (NPA) is a humanitarian organization rooted in the Norwegian Labor Movement. We work with International Development Partnerships, Humanitarian Disarmament, Rescue Service and First Aid, and Asylum and Integration. Norwegian People’s Aid has more than 12000 members in Norway and 2400 staff worldwide. We work in 39 countries around the world, and in 2015 we will have an expected turnover of 920 MNOK. NPA Lebanon was established in 1982.

NPA in Beirut covers Lebanon and Regional MENA Programs. NPA Lebanon is currently implementing Development, Humanitarian Assistance, and Humanitarian Disarmament Projects throughout Lebanon, including in the Palestinian camps and gatherings. NPA’s development program centers on partnerships with local actors, including capacity building and organizational development, especially in human rights, youth, and vocational training and health. NPA’s humanitarian program centers on partnerships with local actors in food security, livelihoods, and protection sectors.  

All NPA staff are expected to work in accordance with the organization’s policies and ethical guidelines that shall guide our actions and relationships.

FUNCTION PREREQUISITE

Experience and knowledge

• Advanced university degree (Master’s degree or equivalent) in law, international relations, social sciences, research, and communications or in a related area. Additional years of qualifying experience may compensate for a master’s degree
• A minimum of 4 years progressively responsible experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning
• Theoretical and practical background in M&E and skilled in qualitative and quantitative M&E methodologies and techniques.
• Ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel both in a technical advisory and training capacity and will also have an ability to support programmatic objectives with timely and meaningful information.
• Expert data handling skills (classification, categorizing, tabulation, etc.) and demonstrates diligence in data management
• Excellent computer skills, including experience with Excel, PowerPoint, Publisher, SPSS, Access, SQL, and any other statistical packages.
• Commitment to local staff and partner capacity development and the ability to engage local stakeholders in the project design and implementation.
• Experience and knowledge of the humanitarian and development context and situation in Lebanon
• Experience and enthusiasm for working within the partnership model, organizational development of partners, and capacity building of local actors (NGOs, CBOs, movements).
• Extensive knowledge of the political situation as well as the regional and cultural differences in Lebanon and the region.
• Experience working in a multi-cultural and/or international work environment.

Skills and special aptitudes

• Fluency in oral and written English and Arabic is required.
• Excellent written and verbal communications skills
• Excellent analytical reporting skills
• Excellent interpersonal, cooperation, and networking skills
• Excellent people and team management skills
• Ability to work independently and take initiative
• Multicultural understanding
• Great analytical skills
• Strong ICT skill

RESPONSIBILITIES

General Description

Reporting to the Country Programme Manager, the MEL Manager will be responsible for cross-cutting programmatic information management, monitoring, and evaluation, ensuring that information collected is used to improve ongoing programs and is incorporated into consistently high-quality reports and proposal development. In coordination with Project Managers and Programme Team members, s/he will be responsible for developing, coordinating, maintaining, and constantly improving the program-wide MEL system, as well as training of NPA and partner MEL staff.

Essential Responsibilities and Duties

• Provide guidance, recommendations, supervision, and leadership to ensure that the MEL systems meet the needs of all NPA programs in-country
• Address shortfalls in monitoring, evaluation, learning, and information management that affect program implementation
• Ensure programs use the necessary MEL systems and tools, to inform and improve each individual program, as well as feed into the broader county-wide M&E system, organizational-wide mission, and country strategy
• Provide leadership and training in the development of NPA and supporting partners’ MEL systems, plans, tools, survey design, methodology, data analysis as may be required for program monitoring and evaluation
• Develop the capacity of all relevant team members to develop and maintain an excellent and efficient MEL system, including the periodic reflection and analysis of program monitoring data
• Contribute to program design including the use of standardized indicators and documentation methodologies
• Assist in the processing, analysis, and reporting of program data where needed
• Develop program and operational reporting templates that facilitate the acquisition, aggregation, and flow of information in programs
• Develop a country-level MEL database for capturing program-level data which is aligned with the country strategic plan
• Other duties as assigned by the Country Programme Manager

Monitoring and Evaluation

• Create framework and procedures for the monitoring and evaluation of project activities and results with support from the supervisor, in line with Log Frames and objectives as defined by the Programme Manager
• Work closely with the Programme Manager in designing and developing logical frameworks and output, outcome, and a results-based monitoring system
• Contribute to reporting and quality assure all reporting on outputs and results, including implementing monitoring systems in complex situations
• Support and facilitate conduction of any external evaluation missions and monitor the follow up of evaluation recommendations
• Lead on the development of needs assessments, baselines, and final evaluations under the direction of the Programme Manager

Learning

• Conduct regular reviews, learning events, and surveys
• Facilitate information sharing and learning between NPA and relevant stakeholders including members, donors, and relevant government institutions as required
• Ensure proper documentation of NPA experiences and lessons learned 
• Support the development of a proper and effective data management system
• Provide information and inputs to be used for NPA communication and reporting materials
• Support Programme Manager on research, baselines, data collection tools and analyze log frames to ensure high impacting data is collected

Capacity Development

• Develop relevant training modules and train staff on M&E and in project-specific tools and systems to track and document progress against outputs, outcomes, and results
• Work closely with partner MEL staff or focal points and provide support as appropriate
• Provide training to partners on accountability and support them in setting up their own mechanisms
• Contribute to the organizational development of local partners, including supporting the Programme Manager in developing systems to track progress on capacity building and organizational development of partners