Lead M&E Expert Self Help Africa

Organisational Strategy

Self Help Africa’s Zambia programme works with local communities to help them improve their livelihoods. Our mission is to alleviate hunger, poverty, social inequality and the impact of climate change through community-led, market-based and enterprise-focused approaches.

Self Help Africa has been working in Zambia for over 35 years and has reached over 250,000 smallholder farmers. Our work has been focused on ending poverty and hunger through community-led and market-based approaches. Our experience working with rural communities and smallholder farmers during this time has honed our expertise in addressing climate change and its impact on food production and the environment.

We collaborate with companies – both large and small – seeking to create jobs, add value, and develop markets. We also seek relationships with international businesses and corporations seeking opportunities to invest, collaborate, and develop markets that contribute to economic growth in Zambia.

Job Purpose:

The Monitoring & Evaluation Lead Expert will advise the Team Leader in planning, implementation and reporting of monitoring, evaluation and learning related activities in Green Recycling Enterprises Engaging in New Technology for a Circular Economy in Zambia (GREEN Tech4CE) Implementation Team. The GREEN Tech4CE is a collaboration between Self Help Africa (SHA) and co-applicants Imani Development (International) Ltd (IDIL), Prospero Limited (Prospero) and Tandem Circular Consulting (Tandem) to promote and de-risk investment in green sustainable growth in Zambia through creating and sustaining green, circular, and digital economic opportunities for women, men, and youths.

S/He will contribute to the development of programme related M&E systems, tracking performance indicators, development of data collection tools, data collection, analysis and reporting, drafting of learning papers and thought leadership papers. Independently manages surveys through SHA specific methodologies and tools. Provides accurate analysis and presentation of information to enhance SHA’s position as a strong development partner. Provides analysis to support the Team Leader and Portfolio Manager roles. The Monitoring & Evaluation Lead Expert will manage and mentor two Junior M&E Officers.

Key Responsibilities:

Planning and implementation focusing on overall M&E framework of the programme

• Ensure effective and efficient implementation of the programme’s Monitoring and Evaluation plan including periodically reviewing the M&E plan to ensure it is fit for purpose;
• Develop measurement methods and identify data sources for project performance and impact indicators at programme as well as agri-enterprise project levels, in conjunction with the SHA M&E Advisor and programme team; This will include the set-up of data collection tools on digital devices using CommCare;
• Provide quality assurance through the development and implementation of SHA’s M&E system;
• Ensure that project data are collected and updated on a timely basis by those responsible;
• In liaison with the M&E Officers and programme team, manage the undertaking of project baseline surveys, qualitative impact assessments and progress surveys;
• In liaison with the M&E Officers, develop quarterly and annual work plans and associated budgets for M&E related activities for approval by the Team Leader;
• Development of results measurement metrics for the engaged companies-including results chains;
• Ensure the efficient utilisation of the budget allocated for the monitoring, evaluation and learning activities for the project.

Reporting of monitoring outputs, focusing on achievement of programme results

• Draft regular M&E project reports and manage the preparation of project evaluation and/or review reports;
• Participate in the drafting of quarterly, annual and other reports required by SHA and/or the donor with inputs from the programme team;
• In liaison with the Project Support Officer, ensure accurate data is utilised in press releases, media and project webpages, as needed;
• Manage the creation of human-interest stories (most significant change) through own inputs and inputs from other team members;
• In liaison with the Technical Managers and the Team Leader, ensure that lessons learned are fed back into project implementation;
• In liaison with the Technical Managers and the Team Leader, identify, assess and report on risk elements within the projects.

Knowledge building and knowledge sharing on achievements

• Facilitate capacity building of companies to collect data & contribute to development of the knowledge management system;
• Contribute to knowledge networks and communities of practice related to M&E;

Occasionally, other duties may be assigned by the line manager to ensure effective project delivery.

Knowledge and Experience:

Essential

• At least 8 years relevant working experience in Monitoring and Evaluation roles in donor funded projects with a focus on economic development;
• Demonstrated knowledge and practice in Project Cycle Management and MEAL;
• Excellent skills in result-based M&E frameworks, indicator tracking, M&E systems development, development of digital data collection tools, data analysis and report writing;
• Practical knowledge and skills of database development/management and statistical analysis;
• Practical field experience in data collection, analysis & data quality control;
• Ability to summarise and present large and complex dataset using graphical / data visualisation tools.
• Excellent knowledge of full Windows Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access) and statistical software – STATA, SPSS.

Desirable

• Experience in market systems / value chain development projects including using DCED standard;
• Familiarity and experience with EU regulations preferred;
• An understanding of the green and circular economy principles and; sustainable business practices;
• Commercial business experience from working in the private sector.

Qualifications / Other Requirements:

Essential:

• Minimum of Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science, Business Administration, Management, Finance, Economics or related field relevant to the role required;
• Strong computer skills especially with MS Word and Excel and other related packages;
• In addition, a Masters in a relevant discipline and a certificate in M&E will be an added advantage.

Role Competencies:

• Results-oriented with excellent organisational and communication skills, as well as enthusiasm and initiative;
• Proactive and motivated with a strong commitment to Self Help Africa’s vision, mission and values;
• Attention to detail and the ability to produce timely and accurate reports;
• Ability to work as part of team across different cultures;
• Ability to work under pressure and on own initiative;
• Learning and sharing knowledge and encourage the learning of others.