Since 1963 and in 148 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that delivers technical and management assistance in agribusiness, financial services, enterprise development, community development, and food security to promote broad-based economic growth and vibrant civil societies. ACDI/VOCA has approximately 34 projects in 19 countries and total revenues of approximately $128 million.
Overview:
ACDI/VOCA is currently implementing a five-year program entitled “Enterprise Development and Growth Enhanced (EDGE) Activity” in Zambia funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The aim of the Zambia EDGE Activity is to increase the profitability for agricultural small and medium enterprises (SMEs) by addressing their key investment constraints on access to finance, limited business management skills and technology, and access to markets, thereby increasing SMEs’ productivity and ability to create new jobs in Zambia. The EDGE Activity conducts multiple activities via implementing partners and local experts, which are monitored, tracked, analyzed reported by a small Monitoring and Evaluation & Collaboration, Learning and Adaptation team, and supported, via data collection, by multiple resources within the project. The EDGE Activity is subject to a third party evaluation process at the mid and end term of the project.
Pursuant to its mission, ACDI/VOCA is seeking experienced and talented professionals for a Director M&E & CLA position.
The position is based in Lusaka, Zambia. The Director M&E/CLA will be primarily responsible for leading EDGE’s monitoring, evaluation and learning efforts. S/he will provide project leadership as the centralized point for analysis, strategic planning, and support to improve technical implementation, effective use of resources, and sustainability. The Director M&E/CLA will also be responsible for overseeing the development and implementation of beneficiary tracking, database management, and capturing lessons learned to inform the EDGE’s technical approach. The Director M&E/CLA will champion learning as a critical function of MEL unit through various avenues such organizing review and reflection feedback sessions with all project stakeholders.
The role will co-design, develop, and institutionalize monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems and approaches that provide useful data for reporting, communications, and organizational learning. The Director, M&E & CLA will continue to maintain and adapt the M&E & CLA Plan throughout the life of the project. The M&E and CLA plan must set forth EDGE’s specific performance goals and establish a dynamic monitoring and reporting system. The Director will also support the Chief of Party in establishing a culture of collaborating, learning, and adapting on a continuous basis—fostering learning, innovation, and performance information feedback loops. He/she will work closely with the Gender and Youth Director on gender disaggregation and other gender specific data as part of the M&E process. The Director will prepare for and participate in Data Quality Assessments (DQAs) carried out by USAID and ensure that EDGE’s monitoring and evaluation systems meet all requirements. He/she will lead collaboration with USAID-assigned external evaluators and provide documentation/verification of data as requested.
In addition, the Director M&E & CLA will create and maintain Performance Indicator Reference Sheets and a Performance Indicator Tracking Table based on the mandatory standard USAID indicators required to be reported on for the EDGE project. Work closely with EDGE technical staff to track data, analyze results, and share lessons learned to inform project management and increase effectiveness of project activities. Institute regular use of performance monitoring data among objective leads and technical staff. Organize and provide additional MEL & CLA training to staff as necessary. Use data to systematically and consistently document achievements, success stories, and best practices while coordinating and collaborating with the EDGE Communications team. Provide training and capacity building on CLA and adaptive management methods and tools and best practices to EDGE staff and other stakeholders. Support them to integrate and institutionalize CLA best practices as requested. Participate in regular senior management planning meetings and provide analytical feedback and support to inform technical decisions by senior management and the technical component leads. Coordinate regularly with ACDI/VOCA’s headquarters office in Washington, DC, especially the program management M&E teams. Field travel to 3 target provinces will be required. The Director M&E & CLA will also perform other tasks as needed.
Minimum Qualifications:
- A Master’s degree in economics, project management, development studies, social science, or related field; additional MEL specialized training or certification is preferred.
- A minimum of 5 years of demonstrated expertise in MEL activities implemented by USAID or other donors, with a preferred focus on private sector engagement, value chain and agribusiness development, capacity building, access to finance and/or Small-medium Enterprises (SMEs) and entrepreneurship strengthening.
- Familiarity and experience with the concept of adaptive management/collaboration, learning and adaptation (CLA).
- Demonstrated experience using a mix of informational sources, ICT platforms, software, tools and research methods to analyze project progress, communicate findings to a range of external and internal stakeholders, and apply learning to work planning.
- Experience with USAID programs and knowledge of USAID rules and regulations desired, particularly as pertains to M&E compliance.
- Demonstrated knowledge and familiarity with gender, youth and social inclusion, as well as inclusive programming and M&E activity design.
- A demonstrated ability to apply analytical methods practically in the complex setting in which Zambian SMEs operate is highly preferred.
- Superior and demonstrated writing, reporting, and oral presentation skills (ability to provide an original writing sample required).
- Familiarity with Geographic Information Systems (GIS) is preferred
- Fluent spoken, written, and reading abilities in English is required.
Please submit a resume to ZambiaRecruitment@acdivoca.org no later than October 20, 2022. Please include the position title in the subject line. The resume and related application documents shall be provided as a single attachment and list long-term employment history and any relevant short-term consulting work. Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone or email. Only shortlisted candidates considered for an interview will be contacted. ACDI/VOCA is an equal opportunity employer. Women, minorities and people from diverse groups are encouraged to apply.
