Plan International seeks to recuit a M&E research manager
The Organisation :
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.
We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.
Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.
We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.
We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 80 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.
Role profile :
| Functional Area | MER | ||
| Reports to | Head of Programmes | ||
| Location | Country Office | Travel required | |
| Effective Date | May 2019 | Grade | D2 |
Role purpose :
Plan International is an independent child rights and humanitarian organisation committed to children living a life free of poverty, violence and injustice.
We actively unite children, communities and other people who share our mission to make positive lasting changes in children’s and young people’s lives. We support children to gain the skills, knowledge and confidence they need to claim their rights to a fulfilling life, today and in the future. We place a specific focus on girls and women, who are most often left behind.
We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 75 years, and are now active in more than 70 countries.
The position contributes to this goal by leading Monitoring, Evaluation & Research (MER) initiatives for Plan Uganda’s programmes and manage the MER team in the country office and in the field. The position has an overall responsibility for planning and implementation of all MER activities, including development of systems, processes and an organisational culture that delivers evidence-based programmes.
Dimensions of the Role :
Supervises Programme/ Project Monitoring & Documentation Coordinators and the Research & Evaluation Coordinator. The position is required to produce reports that feed into the Country Quarterly report that is submitted to the region.
Accountabilities :
- Establish and continuously improve systems and processes that ensure quality documentation, monitoring and evaluation of programme effectiveness to inform evidence-based programming and organisational learning ;
- Lead the planning, budgeting and implementation of all Monitoring, Evaluation & Research initiatives that are evidently based on monitoring and evaluation outcomes and aligned to the MER Framework in the Country Strategic Plan ;
- Lead, supervise and manage the performance of the Monitoring, Evaluation & Research Team based in the country office and in the field to ensure delivery on target ;
- Maintain Plan Corporate Project Planning System, ensure the system is effectively used as per Plan’s policies and liaises with the region and IH on system maintenance and development
- Provide technical assistance to programme specialists in programme and project design in relation to M&E, including, objective and indicator development, monitoring systems and evaluation design
- Design and conduct research initiatives to inform programmes and advocacy for children’s rights working closely with Programme Specialists and partners including developing a research agenda ;
- Facilitate Training and Development activities, on Monitoring, Evaluation & Research for programme staff and partners and develop a culture of actively engaging in organisational learning, documentation and programme reflection ;
- Facilitate internal and external learning and increased accountability by establishing effective working relationships with development partners and government agencies on aid effectiveness issues ;
- Liaise with other offices in Plan – National Organisations, International Headquarter and other countries on Monitoring, Evaluation & Research and represent Plan at national level on matters relating to Monitoring, Evaluation & Research and aid effectiveness.
Key relationships :
- Programme Support Team ;
- Project Coordinators ;
- Head of Programmes ;
- Programme Area Managers ;
- PR & Communications Manager: External communication of learnings ;
- National external partners: Share lessons learnt from quality initiatives.
Technical expertise, skills and knowledge :
Education, Knowledge and Experience :
- Bachelor’s Degree in a development related field ;
- Master’s degree (preferred) in Development Studies, Social Sciences or its equivalent ;
- Significant training /background and professional training on programming and/or related field.
Skills :
- At least 8 years managerial and/or advisory experience in Monitoring, Evaluation & Research in the development sector;
- Demonstrated experience and expertise in MER tools, systems, and processes ;
- Demonstrated experience in designing and conducting research initiatives, case studies and professional documentation ;
- Promotes high performance among programme staff and provides vision and direction ;
- Open to feedback and willing to try new approaches in Monitoring, Evaluation & Research ;
- Coaches programme staff and leads others ;
- Communicates effectively orally and in writing ;
- Design of Monitoring, Evaluation systems and processes for rights-based programmes ;
- Design and implementation of research projects ;
- Documentation and organisational learning ;
- Statistics and database management ;
- Project management and supervision ;
- Demonstrable abilities in planning, budgeting and management We are open and accountable ;
- Plan International’s Values in Practice ;
- Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors ;
- Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity ;
- Consistent and fair in the treatment of people ;
- Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them ;
- Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people.
We strive for lasting impact :
- Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations ;
- Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas ;
- Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises ;
- Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.
We work well together :
- Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate ;
- Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals ;
- Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities ;
- Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.
We are inclusive and empowering :
- Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate ;
- Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals ;
- Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities ;
- Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.
Physical Environment :
- Office environment with 30% of the time travelling throughout Uganda and internationally ;
- Regular field work in rural areas in Uganda ;
Level of contact with children
Occasional interaction with children especially when in the field
Additional Responsibilities :
Child Protection Policy Responsibilities (mandatory for all staff) :
- Adhere to the Child Protection Policy, Code of Conduct and reporting any CPP issues ;
- Responsible for the implementation of the CPP standards as they apply to area of responsibility plus the development of actions to address identified gaps and monitoring their effectiveness ;
- Ensure that all Plan International partners, visitors and associates in his/her area of responsibility are provided with, are made aware off and have signed and returned a copy of the child protection policy. Inform the partners, visitors and associates that they must comply with the policy in all contacts and communications with children during their visit.
Location: Country Office
Type of Role: Open Contract
Reports to: Head of Programmes
Grade: D2
Early application is encouraged as we will review applications throughout the advertising period and reserve the right to close the advert early.
A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy.
As an international child centred community development organisation, Plan International is fully committed to promoting the realisation of children’s rights including their right to protection from violence and abuse. That means we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with.
Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. We must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.
Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for. Our organisation is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.
We will provide equality of opportunity and will not tolerate discrimination on any grounds. We foster an organisational culture that embraces and exemplifies our commitment to gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion while supporting staff to adopt good practice, positive attitudes and principles of gender equality and inclusion.