Job Details

The role 
We are currently looking for Monitoring Evaluation Research and Learning Adviser – Green Climate Fund (GCF) based in Vientiane Capital 
Role Purpose                 
ROLE PURPOSE: 
Save the Children (SC) is seeking a MERL Adviser for the recently approved Green Climate Fund’s (GCF) USD $28.2m Strengthening Climate Resilience of the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (PDR) Health System Project, which will support the Government of Lao PDR over five years to advance progress on its national climate change and health priorities and commitments by increasing the climate resilience of the health system and strengthening community capacity to manage the current and anticipated health impacts of climate change. The project will strengthen leadership and governance within the health system, so it is climate resilient and strengthen health system capacity in 25 climate-vulnerable rural districts to better manage climate-related disease burdens, including by engaging 100 health facilities in those districts to better prepare for the health impacts of climate change. Through risk communication and community engagement approaches, the project will enable 250 communities to better respond to early warnings, manage and mitigate climate-related risks to health, and seek care appropriately.
As a core member of the Strengthening Climate Resilience of the Lao PDR Health System project team, the MERL Adviser will be responsible for the provision of monitoring, evaluation, research, accountability and learning support to the project team across the field offices, focusing on Save the Children’s full spectrum mandate of development programming and GCF compliances in achieving quality standards.  The incumbent will be the most experienced MERL professional in the country office requiring high level technical and emotional competency. You will specifically provide support through: 
•               Coordinating and/or supporting the development and roll out of SCI research, monitoring and evaluation, accountability and learning (REALM) system and mechanisms for the project. 
•               Ensuring the elements of quality programmes, as defined by the full spectrum Quality Framework (evidence based, learning agenda, thematic excellence, M&E, accountability), are integrated into the overall monitoring, evaluation and management of overall project implementation. 
•               Assisting project team to monitor and evaluate operational quality, using the Quality Framework essential standards, procedures, GCF guidelines and tools. 
•               Building capacity of field team in M&E, accountability and learning within the project area, and to ensure the quality and sustainability of the systems put in place. 
•               Adapting REALM relationships and support tasks to address the needs of a wide range of stakeholders in country contexts including project MEAL staff, field office programme managers, and Thematic Experts.
•               Lead the baseline, midline and endline surveys starting from preparing Terms of Reference (TOR) until the final report with external consultants and ensure quality. Organize dissemination workshop on the survey findings and present in wider forum including external stakeholders.
•           Ensure accountability mechanism is in place for GCF project and follow-up with the findings and plan for action. 
•          Perform other MERL related tasks assigned by the CoP and project leadership team. 
 
KEY AREA OF ACCOUNTABILITY
MERL SYSTEM DEVELOPMENT AND MANAGEMENT 
 

• Ensure that the proposed interventions have clear strategy and plans for process documentation, monitoring, evaluation, accountability, research, learning and impact evaluation - meeting SCI/GCF guidelines.
• Lead the development of Action plan, Log-frame revision (if needed), develop narrative MERL section for the project. 
• Lead to develop project MEAL/MERL plan after consultation with project and CO team and ensure the project is implementing the MEAL/MERL plan
• Lead to develop system/dashboard to track output and outcome, activity level progress at CO and field level and regularly share with CoP and SPQI Director.   
• Develop monitoring, evaluation, accountability, learning and impact assessment system for the projects in coordination with CO, SCUS and field team.
• Lead the process of developing appropriate tools/methodology to monitor, measure and evaluate the effectiveness and impact of the project activities. 
• Works with the project and country PQEI team (especially the MIS team & Partners staffs in project where available) to develop and update MIS, PRIME and IPTT (Indicator Progress Tracking Table) for all projects in the sector and develop related tools for activities, outputs and outcomes as per the logical framework. 
• Oversee the design and implementation of a project baseline assessment, midline evaluation and endline evaluation in accordance with donor requirements and project logframe
• Ensure continuity of MERL and documentation systems across project, supporting partners’ M&E/MEAL staff in rolling out MERL components as necessary. 
• Ensure that projects best practices and learning are documented which to be used in the new proposal design. 
• Ensure that projects best practices and learning are documented which to be used in the new proposal design. 
• Together with internal and external (and partners) program specialists, strengthen program and partners staff capacity to identify and measure key monitoring indicators and quality benchmarks.
• Undertake intensive field visits to monitor progress using Post Activity Effectiveness Monitoring and other MERL initiatives and report back to project team.   
• Identify and develop MERL findings sharing mechanism at the field level project management regularly.
• Participate in project kick off workshop and provide MERL related support as necessary.

 
QUALITY ASSURANCE 

• Coordinate the development of Results Framework for the project in alignment with proposal, CSP as well as regular updating of the RF.
• Ensuring the elements of quality programmes, as defined by the full spectrum Quality Framework (evidence based, learning agenda, thematic excellence, M&E, accountability), are integrated into the overall monitoring, evaluation and management of overall project implementation. 
• Assisting project team to monitor and evaluate operational quality, using the Quality Framework essential standards, procedures, GCF guidelines and tools. 
• Support project team in developing and/ or updating quality benchmark (QB) checklists and prepare a quarterly, semi-annual and annual monitoring plan and ensure project is implementing these QB monitoring. Update quality benchmark database regularly and share & follow-up of the findings & actions with all the project/program in the sector for further improvement of the program 
• Prepare a quarterly/semi-annual/annual monitoring plan for project to conduct data quality assessment (DQA) of project based on the project proposal and prepare an action plan and provide support to the team to improve data management system. 
• Leads the design and implementation of monitoring tools and processes (Focus Group Discussions, exit interviews and other quantitative and qualitative tools) including data processing, analysis and reporting. 
• Lead the report preparation of the project with updated and verified data and support the CoP in delivering quality output. 

 
ACCOUNTABILITY

• Ensure that the project have strong accountability system which includes all three components of information sharing, participation, and complaints and feedback for all communities and children. 
• Works with the country Accountability team and project team to support the design and implementation of effective Complaints Feedback and Response Mechanisms (CFRMs) for programming under the assigned sector. 
• Provide regular support to project team in the areas of accountability, e.g. information sharing and feedback/ complaint mechanism
• Maintain Accountability Action Plan Tracker and coordinate with project team in timely responses of the feedback/complaint
• Maintain a central database of the received feedback/complaint come through various methods, such as box, toll free mobile and desk
• Prepare monthly feedback/complaint status report for the sector and share with programme management 

 
RESEARCH, EVALUATION AND LEARNING 

• Plan and conduct strategic operations/implementation research initiatives in coordination with Chief of Party and Director SPQI. 
• Identifies opportunities for research on project interventions that will lead to improved implementation and future expansion of programming. 
• Coordinate to assess quality the evaluation report using the Evaluation Report Quality Scoring tool.
• Engage and lead design processes for baselines, midterms and end line evaluations for the project, either directly or in support of external consultants as needed. 
• Provides technical inputs (e.g. review the ToR, proposals, methodology, data collection tools, draft report etc.) to the project team to conduct baseline, evaluation and research study etc.
• Prepares summary of each study report, completes the SCI evaluation repository in online portal and uploads the final report in the online portal. 
• Assists in the dissemination of project progress and evaluation study reports to appropriate audiences. 

 
LEARNING & KNOWLEDGE MANAGEMENT

• Work with Head of REALM and regional knowledge management team to support the project to include learning agenda and questions and outlines learning activities to fill knowledge gaps. 
• Leads and/ or coordinates any learning exercise/ event and shares the learning/ knowledge widely. 
• Coordinates different learning initiatives and dissemination sessions to share the study findings. 
• Facilitates the process of ensuring proper documentation, dissemination and application of learning in the project cycle management.
• Identifies and develops a mechanism to share MERL findings from the field level to project management regularly. 
• Ensure that project have implemented learning system 

 
INFORMATION MANAGEMENT AND REPORTING:

• Lead and coordinate the reporting system mechanism to ensure project staffs are regularly updating and using the portal for reporting outcomes. 
• Develop and maintain project database on beneficiary coverage (total reach) and share with team on a regular basis (e.g. quarterly, annually). 
• Support the country annual reporting (CAR) process and quarterly KPI process and highlight the contribution of GCF project. 
• Coordinates the process of preparing Quarterly reports for project and share them with project senior management team for decision making.
• Supports programme for donor reporting by providing the IPTT/MIS update and narrative for the MEAL section of awards/donor report.
• Engage with project staff to collect and collate quantitative information/finalize case studies/success stories for SC/Donor/member country reporting.

 
CAPACITY BUILDING & COORDINATION:

• Coordinates and communicates with Filed office Leads of the project, country specific leadership and SPQI department. 
• Co-ordinates and manages MERL-related issues between SC and partners and ensures that the MERL system has been effectively followed. 
• Implement MERL capacity building activities (including training, on the job coaching and other appropriate methods) for SCI staff and volunteers and partner staff under the project especially on Quality Benchmark, Accountability, MEAL implementation, etc.

 
GENERAL:

• Ensures consortium/project steering committee contributions to the MEAL work-plan are up to date and works with CoP and DCoP to ensure effective management of MEAL budget for assigned tasks.
• Any other reasonable duty as may be assigned that is consistent with the nature of the job and level of responsibility and the post holder’s professional development aspirations.
• Ready to work in any natural disaster or emergency situation anywhere in Laos.

 
QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE:
Academic Qualifications:

• Post Graduate Degree in a relevant field (social sciences, statistics, data management) with proven research-based implementation. 

 
ESSENTIAL
Working experience:

• At least 7years’ experience in monitoring & evaluation, proven track record [4 years] of developing, implementing and reviewing MERL systems/strategies at sector level.
• Technical expertise and experience in two or more thematic areas where Save the Children works (Health, Nutrition, Child Protection, Child Rights Governance, Education, Child Poverty, Climate Change/DRR)
• Previous experience of successfully implementing Outcome Level Monitoring at Country/Sector Level.
• Solid understanding of quantitative and qualitative monitoring and evaluation methodologies, including skills in analysis, documentation and presentation of complex data/information. 
• Should be proficient in computer operation, particularly, in R/SPSS, MS-Excel, and MS-PowerPoint 
• Experience in designing and implementing Technology based MEAL system/processes.
• Experience of conducting and/or commissioning evaluations. 

 
DESIRABLE

• Experience working in South-East Asia and development context is desirable 
• Experience of working with INGOs
• Experience of working in Accountability

 
Skills:

• Good analytical skills, effective negotiator, with the ability to proactively influence sectoral and departmental buy-in.
• Strong report writing, communication and leadership skills. 
• Good organisational skills, the ability to pay close attention to detail and capable of reporting in a timely manner.
• Proficient in computer operation, particularly, in SPSS, MS-Excel, MS-Access, and MS-PowerPoint 
• Ability to analyse information, evaluate options and to present complex information in a succinct and compelling manner.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken)
• Politically and culturally sensitive and willingness to be flexible and accommodating in difficult working circumstances.
• Commitment to and understanding of Save the Children's aims, values and principles, including rights based approaches
  • Leading and inspiring others
  • Delivering results
  • Developing self and others
  • Problem solving and decision making
  • Innovating and adapting

 
 
Contract length: Fixed term
 
The Organisation
 
We employ approximately 25,000 people across the globe and work on the ground in over 100 countries to help children affected by crises, or those that need better healthcare, education and child protection. We also campaign and advocate at the highest levels to realise the right of children and to ensure their voices are heard. 
 
We are working towards three breakthroughs in how the world treats children by 2030:

• No child dies from preventable causes before their 5th birthday 
• All children learn from a quality basic education and that,
• Violence against children is no longer tolerated 

 
We know that great people make a great organization, and that our employees play a crucial role in helping us achieve our ambitions for children.  We value our people and offer a meaningful and rewarding career, along with a collaborative and inclusive workplace where ambition, creativity, and integrity are highly valued. 
Application Information:
 
Interested candidates please submit a full application using a cover letter and up-to-date CV as a single document including contact details of three professional referees (current and last line managers and HR department). Please also include details of your salary expectations and a copy of your ID card. Please note that we will require a copy of your Criminal Records (ໃບແຈ້ງໂທດ) later. 
 
Save the Children International is a child-rights based organization. Safe recruitment is central to the safeguarding of children and young people that we come into contact with, and support through our programmes.
We need to keep children safe so our selection process, which includes rigorous background checks, reflects our commitment to the protection of children from abuse.
Save the children is an equal opportunities employer, qualified females, persons with disability and candidates from diverse cultural backgrounds are encouraged to apply.
All employees are expected to carry out their duties in accordance with our global anti-harassment policy.