HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation Nepal
Job Description
Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) Specialist
Project:Enhanced Skills for Sustainable and Rewarding Employment (ENSSURE)- II
Location: ENSSURE Project Support Unit (PSU) in CTEVT Bhaktapur about 50% of field travel to project sites
Reporting to: Deputy Team Leader/ Planning Monitoring and Result Measurement Specialist
Job purpose: This position is responsible to:
The MEAL Specialist will support the Deputy Team Leader (DTL) in leading the monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning efforts within the project. This includes developing and implementing a robust MEAL system that aligns with project goals, ensuring continuous improvement, and conducting data collection, analysis, reporting, and evaluation to assess the project’s effectiveness. The MEAL Specialist will also collaborate with various stakeholders to ensure the project achieves its desired results.
Key Roles and Responsibilities
- Compliance with Policies, Rules, and Regulations
- Ensure adherence to relevant Government of Nepal (GoN) and Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC) policies and guidelines.
- Follow all HELVETAS Swiss Intercooperation guidelines, including personnel, financial, administrative policies, and security protocols.
- Ensure compliance with the ENSSURE-II specific policies.
2. Monitoring and Evaluation
- Develop and regularly update the project’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) plan.
- Oversee data collection, quality control, and database maintenance in coordination with data analysts.
- Ensure accurate and timely reporting of project data and results.
- Support Provincial Governments (PGs) and Local Governments (LGs) in developing monitoring strategies, tools, and M&E systems.
- Design and facilitate tracer studies and outcome monitoring to assess project performance.
- Support to conduct internal and external project evaluations, research, and assessments.
- Develop data collection tools and ensure their use in monitoring and evaluations.
- Provide technical support to government counterparts in preparing and reviewing annual and quarterly activity plans and reports.
- Facilitate participatory evaluations and document results, impacts, and significant changes.
3. Results Measurement and Data Analysis
- Analyze project data, including Outcome Monitoring Summaries (OMS), and share insights to improve performance.
- Ensure data reliability, consistency, and quality.
- Lead internal data quality assessments and explore innovative ways of data collection and reporting.
4. Learning and Reporting
- Compile bi-annual and annual progress reports for SDC and other stakeholders, ensuring adherence to reporting standards.
- Document success stories, best practices, and lessons learned for dissemination.
- Organize learning events and workshops to facilitate knowledge sharing and continuous improvement.
- Ensure feedback from project beneficiaries is incorporated into project design and implementation.
5. Accountability
- Assist in setting up and maintaining a Complaint and Response Mechanism (CRM) for feedback from beneficiaries.
- Analyze and share CRM data with relevant teams to ensure timely resolution of issues.
6. Implementation of Gender Equality and Social Inclusion (GESI) strategy
- Ensure that GESI is well captured and mainstreamed at programme and project activities level, as part of her/his risk management role.
- Work closely with the Program and operation team members to ensure the timely identification of GESI issues and the development and implementation of appropriate management plans.
- Promote work-life balance, gender equality, social inclusion, and respect for diversity.
- Demonstrate himself/herself for GESI study, Monitor, and report on GESI-related progress and outcomes.
7. Communication and Knowledge Management
- Develop and implement a comprehensive communication strategy to ensure effective dissemination of project results and lessons learned.
- Manage the documentation and sharing of key project knowledge, best practices, and lessons learned to internal and external stakeholders.
- Ensure the regular updating of project documentation, including reports, case studies, and success stories.
- Organize knowledge-sharing platforms, workshops, and seminars to promote learning and collaboration.
- Support the development and management of project communication tools (newsletters, presentations, etc.) to maintain stakeholder engagement.
8. Capacity Building and Training
- Identify capacity gaps in MEAL processes and provide necessary training and mentoring to project staff and government counterparts.
- Build the capacity of government counterparts and field staff in M&E systems, tools, and methodologies.
9. Other Responsibilities
Perform other duties as requested by the Deputy Team Leader/ Planning Monitoring and Result Measurement Specialist.
Job Requirements:
A. Minimum Education: Master’s degree in Public Administration, Sociology, Population Studies, Development Studies, Statistics, or a related field.
B. Minimum Professional Experience:
- At least 7 years of experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL), or 7 years of experience in project management with at least 3 years of experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning.
- Priority will be given to candidates who meet the above criteria and have experience in designing and conducting research, preferably in education/TVET (Technical and Vocational Education and Training).
- Prior experience in education, employment creation, private sector development projects, or Technical Education and Vocational Training (TVET) is an advantage.
C. Required Competencies:
- Strong knowledge of monitoring, evaluation, and learning approaches
- Ability to provide guidance and support to government counterparts and stakeholders on M&E systems and tools
- Proven ability to analyze complex data and generate actionable insights for program improvement
- Ability to design and conduct research studies, evaluations, and assessments ensuring quality and relevance, and to apply findings to improve project outcomes
- Deep understanding of the planning, budgeting, and reporting systems of the Government of Nepal
- Commitment towards gender equality, social inclusion, and poverty reduction
- Excellent interpersonal, and inter-cultural competencies and a team player
- Strong written and oral communication skills in both Nepali and English, including report writing.
- Ability to facilitate knowledge sharing, ensuring lessons learned are captured and disseminated across relevant stakeholders through workshops and events
- Capacity to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines
- IT: Proficiency in using office application software