Senior Manager Monitoring Evaluation & Learning (MEL)

CARE International is a leading development organization dedicated to save lives, fight poverty and achieve social justice with a special emphasis on women and girls. CARE International is a global force and a partner of choice within a worldwide movement dedicated to ending poverty. We are known everywhere for our unshakable commitment to the dignity of people. CARE International and partners contribute to the empowerment of the most marginalized and vulnerable rural women and girls to exercise their rights.

CARE Malawi has secured funding from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for the McGovern-Dole International Food for Education and Child Nutrition Program, locally titled ‘Tiwoloka’. The funding runs from October 1, 2024, to September 30, 2029. CARE Malawi will implement the project in partnership with the Forum for African Women Educationists in

Malawi (FAWEMA) and Water Aid.

Therefore, CARE Malawi seeks to recruit well qualified persons to fill the following vacant positions within its USDA funded McGovern dole Food for Education program i.e. Tiwoloka Project in Malawi:

SENIOR MANAGER – MONITORING, EVALUATION & LEARNING

Position Description

The Senior Manager Monitoring Evaluation & Learning (MEL) will be responsible for establishing and managing the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning system for CARE’s program, ensuring that it aligns with both the organization’s global standards and the specific requirements of the donor. Working collaboratively with program teams to develop and implement a robust MEL framework that captures accurate and relevant data, promotes learning, and ensures accountability to both beneficiaries and donors.

Specific duties and responsibilities include the following:

• Develop the overall framework for project Monitoring Evaluation Learning (MEL) systems, including requirements, reporting, baseline, and evaluation surveys. Develop and monitor the project Performance Management Plan (PMP) to systematically document outcomes for project technical leads and leadership team.
• Collaboratively work with program teams to develop and implement a robust MEL framework that captures accurate and relevant data, promotes learning, and ensures accountability to both beneficiaries and donors.
• Ensure alignment of MEL activities with program goals and contribute to the development of annual work plans to identify project targets and ensure inclusion of M&E and Learning activities.
• Conduct field visits for data collection, validation, and to monitor data quality. Ensure timely compilation and reporting of data. Capture and document lessons learned, and champion scaling up of best practices.
• Craft and execute annual program plans, set performance benchmarks, and overseeing the project’s monitoring mechanisms.
• Guarantee that MEL activities have sufficient budgetary allocation and oversee the prudent and timely use of the MEL budget.
• Lead the MEL team by providing regular coaching, supervision, performance assessments, and capacity building to enhance their skills and professional development.
• Oversee the deployment and enactment of the project’s MEL strategies, protocols, and in-country activities, including organizing training sessions for both MEL and relevant project staff.
• Provide technical leadership, capacity building and support to project and partner staff in planning and implementing MEL systems and activities, data-based program decision-making, and results reporting.
• Support the Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) to coordinate mid-term and final project evaluations.
• Ensure utilization of global best practices of USDA guidelines regarding Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA).

Required education and experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in statistics, data management, public health, international development, economic development or other relevant is required.
• 5+ years of relevant senior experience in international development as MEL Manager on large humanitarian or development projects.
• Proven experience in quantitative and qualitative research methods, survey design and implementation, and statistical data analysis.
• Demonstrated MEL experience in USG commodity focused programming preferably with Food for Education or Maternal and Child Nutrition (MCN).
• Strong experience and knowledge of USDA M&E guidelines, systems, and reporting requirements including Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) principles, approaches, and their application to project learning and adaptation.
• Strong data visualization and report writing skills, and ability to translate technical information for non-technical audiences.

How to apply

Applicants who meet the minimum qualifications and experience and possess the required competencies should send their application letters with detailed CVs through email to mwicarerecruit@care.org addressed to the attention of:

The Country Director
CARE Malawi
P/Bag A89
LILONGWE

The closing date for receipt of applications is November 15, 2024.  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

CARE has zero tolerance to sexual exploitation and abuse and has a Protection from Sexual Exploitation and Abuse (PSEA) Policy which outlines expected behaviors and responsibilities of all staff and CARE related personnel (consultants, vendors, partners, project participants, etc.). All potential candidates will be required to complete a Self-Declaration Form and those successful will be expected to sign up to the Code of Behavior contained in the PSEA Policy.