Monitoring and Evaluation Officer(Anticipatory Action) (SC9) at World Food Programme (WFP)

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE:

Anticipatory Action (AA) is an innovative approach aimed at better using early warning information to activate implementation of actions that reduce risk before predictable climate hazards lead to humanitarian suffering. As it is a relatively recent approach in the humanitarian sector, it is important to assess whether AA is effective, compared to conventional humanitarian response, and to learn what works, how to do it better and generate evidence needed to inform advocacy efforts. The M&E Officer has an essential role in the implementation and oversight of the Regional Bureau- Nairobi (RBN) and Country Offices’ (CO) M&E Frameworks for all COs implementing Anticipatory Action (AA) projects in the Region (Eastern Africa).

The Officer coordinates and supports the design and implementation of the CO MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning) plans including study designs for baseline and endline surveys/evaluations/assessments, as well as other data collection activities related to evidence generation for Anticipatory Actions. This includes but may not be limited to development of AA logframes, data collection (quantitative and qualitative) tools design/review, review, cleaning, synthesis, analysis, reporting and dissemination of AA evidence products, corporate reporting for AA and evaluations. The Officer is the first line of support to the COs and engages frequently with the CO M&E focal point on M&E for AA projects.

The M&E Officer will work under the guidance and supervision of the Monitoring Review and Evaluation Officer  in the Research, Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) unit and in close coordination with  the Anticipatory Actions Coordinator, the Project Coordinator for Strengthening Early Warning Systems for Anticipatory Action (SEWAA),  and the Evaluation Officer in the Evaluation Unit. With the perspective of integrated programming, as time allows the M&E Officer will also support other teams under the Climate and Resilience unit (resilience, support to smallholder farmers, climate risk insurance) with their M&E needs under the guidance of the Deputy Head of Climate and Resilience.

ACCOUNTABILITIES/RESPONSIBILITIES:

Support development and implementation of the Regional and Country Office M&E Frameworks/ Strategies/ Plans for AA interventions.

• Ensure the RBN/CO meets the minimum corporate standards in monitoring AA projects, including standard operating procedures (SOPs), the Corporate Results Framework (CRF), other corporate monitoring guidance as well as data protection and privacy policies.
• Support COs to develop MEL plans and log frames as required in the Anticipatory Action Plans (AAPs), and other projects within the food systems unit as requested.
• Provide technical guidance and support to the Machine learning project and its stakeholder regarding development of M&E plans, logical frameworks and indicators performance monitoring.
• Continuously identify AA evidence and learning needs and support in generation of this evidence in consultation with RBN, CO management and AA technical teams.
• Support evidence generation through baselines and endlines for the use of machine learning models in enhancing climate forecasting.
• Coordinate with the Evaluation Unit to identify, plan, and manage any AA-related evaluations or evaluation related products.
• Support planning and monitoring for both capacity strengthening for AA and implementation of AAs when activated, including developing M&E tools and reports.
• Contribute to development of M&E sections of AA and broadly climate proposals.
• Establish and maintain good partnerships/networks with Cooperating Partners (CPs), and Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) or Outsourced Monitoring (OM) partners, where applicable on matters AA.
• Ensure gender, Environment, conflict sensitivity, disability, protection, and other inclusion issues are mainstreamed in all M&E work at the at RBN/CO and Filed Office (FO) levels, as appropriate.

Data collection

• Prepare monthly monitoring plans, including the status update on ongoing M&E Activities at RBN and across all COs.
• Collect/Support collection of output, process and outcome monitoring data, including for evaluations, assessments, distribution monitoring, activity implementation monitoring, Post-Distribution Monitoring, surveys, and qualitative monitoring approaches (Key Informant Interviews, Focus Group Discussions, In- depth Discussion Guides).
• Support in setting up context specific monitoring approaches including Third Party and remote monitoring arrangements as relevant.
• Support the design and review of questionnaires, question guides and data analysis plans in line with RBN/CO and Field Office (FO) specific evidence needs and exercises.
• Coordinate/Support data collection exercises at the RBN, CO and FO levels in collaboration with local partners and stakeholders.
• Keep track of monitoring visits and coverage, ensuring that all activity sites are monitored at least once a year, with more frequent visits to priority sites. Report actual monitoring visits to CO on monthly basis.
• Ensure ethical guidelines are followed in all monitoring activities including data privacy.
• Assist in organizing technical support missions from the RBN, Research Assessment and Monitoring (RAM) team, evaluation teams or other missions related to MEL for AA.

Data analysis, reporting and use of evidence.

• Provide guidance and technical support for collection of both quantitative and qualitative data on AA interventions.
• Review, clean, analyse, synthesize, interpret, and visualize AA monitoring data according to evidence needs of different audiences.
• Submit back-to-office reports from Temporary duty Assignments (TDY) and other field support missions and tracking actions taken.
• Ensure the insertion of timely and quality data in the Country Office Tool for Managing Effectively (COMET), and other corporate databases managed by the RBN/CO and FO.
• Conduct programme update meetings with WFP and partner staff to review monitoring findings and agree on actions.
• Provide timely inputs to Annual Country Reports, Evaluation Reports and related products, and other reports as required.
• Support reporting and dissemination of all AA evidence products at RBN and CO levels, and ensure that relevant findings inform programmes, policy, and financing.

Management and oversight

• Support line manager/ AA technical focal point in preparing and tracking detailed budgets for AA evidence generation activities at the RBN/CO and FO levels.
• Ensure data collection by WFP staff or outsourced partners is supervised. Conduct regular data quality checks at different stages of the monitoring cycle, ensuring that monitoring data and reports are timely, complete and of high quality.
• Help build monitoring capacity of WFP Field Monitors, partners, and government actors on M&E for AA, through provision of learning and development opportunities and information sharing.
• Support the recruitment processes of M&E TPM, M&E Consultants for AA.
• Based on knowledge of the country context and community needs, suggest improvements to field monitoring processes and procedures for efficient implementation of AA.
• Any other M&E duties reasonably assigned by the line manager.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE REQUIRED:

Education:

Advanced University degree in Statistics, Monitoring and Evaluation, Development studies, Development Economics, Public Administration, Population studies, Public Policy Political Science, International Relations, International Cooperation, or other relevant fields, or First University degree with additional years of experience.

Experience:

5 years of hands-on M&E experience. Experience designing and leading M&E studies, evaluations, assessments in countries, including collecting data, using quasi-experimental approaches, conducting quantitative and qualitative analyses, and reporting findings to senior management and partners.

Knowledge & Skills:

• Knowledge of quantitative and qualitative data collection, analysis, Conducting panel studies, as well as development of data collection tools and reports.
• Proven knowledge, abilities, and skills in the area of M&E, including intermediate analytical skills and practical knowledge of how M&E data is collected, compiled, analysed and presented for management decisions, programme adjustment and donor reporting.
• Knowledge of programme design, implementation and operational challenges in disaster risk management and food and nutrition security.
• Knowledge of the Anticipatory Action approach is an added advantage.
• Ability to work in a team and maintain effective work relationships with counterparts at national, regional and headquarters level.
• Willingness to build capacity of others through formal and informal training processes, including developing relevant documentation and training materials.
• Ability to deliver results through efficient planning and organizing activities.
• Proven ability to work with relevant technology and procedures (e.g., web-based databases and other statistical data manipulation applications) to produce analysis and develop and share quality reports and visualizations.
• Good knowledge of UN system policies, rules, regulations, and procedures.

Languages:

• Fluency (level C) in English language.
• Ability to effectively communicate orally and in writing.