Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Officer
Reports To: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager
Duty station: Water For People in Rwanda office
Supervisory Duties: N/A
About Water For People
Water For People is an international non-governmental organization (NGO) that works with people and partners to develop innovative and long-lasting solutions to the water, sanitation, and hygiene problems in developing countries. The organization strives to continually improve, experiment with promising new ideas, and leverage resources to multiply its impact. Water For People is currently operating in 9 countries including Rwanda.
Isoko y’Ubuzima is a five-year WASH project funded by the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), awarded in July of 2021. The activity is being executed by a consortium led by Water For People including IRC, CARE International, and VEI. It will take place in ten districts namely Rwamagana, Kayonza, Ngoma, Kirehe, Nyagatare, Nyanza, Ruhango, Nyamagabe, Ngororero and Nyabihu
- POSITION OBJECTIVE
The MEL Officer will support the Isoko y’Ubuzima Project in monitoring, evaluation, and learning to systematically analyze and improve outcomes at Water For People, fostering a culture of learning and data-driven decision-making to enhance program effectiveness and impact.
- JOB SUMMARY
Essential job functions & duties
Monitoring
- Collaborate on the harmonization of relevant monitoring systems including the Management Information for the Isoko y’Ubuzima project, Water For People’s organizational requirements, and donor-specific requirements.
- Collaborate on the implementation of the Marburg response plan in the Isoko y’Ubuzima Project, including mapping of Inputs – Outputs – Outcomes
- Track delivery against Isoko y’Ubuzima project goals and objectives, including establishing baselines to gauge and support the performance of the program.
- Lead the analysis of data collected under the monitoring framework for assessment of progress and areas for improvement.
- Lead systems and mechanisms for collecting data to monitor the development of defined indicators for the Marburg response plan under the Isoko y’Ubuzima comprehensive reporting framework.
- Lead the design and implementation of baseline and other surveys and gather information for reporting and periodic updates.
- Develop appropriate monitoring tools as needed, and in collaboration with the MEL Manager train the Isoko y’Ubuzima team and partners on the use of those tools.
Evaluation
- Conduct and/or supervise periodic evaluations of the program’ s strategies and their contribution to the achievement of overall results.
- Contribute to drafting ToRs and supervise contracted consultants to complete a specific piece of work in support of the Isoko y’Ubuzima Project Evaluation System and approve their final deliverables.
- Evaluate results from routine monitoring to inform government, donors and organizational planning processes
- Lead targeted efforts to evaluate the effectiveness of specific approaches and programs.
- Design and implement periodic data quality verification assessments for purposes of learning the impact of the project interventions, obtaining qualitative data, enhancing planning and implementation of program activities.
- Implement summative evaluations for specific partners and programs
- Champion adaptive management and advocate for the use of data to improve impact
Reporting
- Prepare concise progress reports to guide management decision-making.
- Provide regular (weekly, monthly, quarterly) reports on the status of implementation against the Isoko y’Ubuzima strategic goals and objectives.
- Prepare and conduct regular surveys to track the progress of achieving the Marburg response plan milestones.
Learning
- Document program activities, analyzing and jointly preparing proposals and reports on project accomplishments, challenges, and recommendations for improvements.
- Contribute to organizational learning by preparing and disseminating data, lessons learned, good practices and statistical, qualitative, and anecdotal evidence to staff and stakeholders.
- Contribute to program management through timely processing and dissemination of monitoring & evaluation findings and best practices to facilitate evidence-based planning, learning and program decision-making.
- Contribute input in support of research and grant proposals, publications, and conference presentations.
- Disseminate and promote the utilisation of key research and case studies both internally and to the external world.
Other Duties Coincidental to the Position
Duties for this position should not be considered definitive. Duties may be added, deleted or modified in consultation with the incumbent as necessary. Job descriptions and staff performances will be reviewed regularly.
Guidelines
The following written and unwritten guidelines will be applied to performing the duties of the post:
Written
- All Water For People handbooks on administration and others.
- Any established and agreed Country Program procedures.
Unwritten
- Common sense in applying proper business practice and sound purchasing principles.
- Know when to negotiate and how to achieve goals successfully.
- Maintain sound ethical principles, integrity, and transparency of due process.
- COMPETENCIES:
- Connects to the Mission – Embraces the mission of Water For People and is passionate about advancing the dynamic role it plays leading social impact in international development.
- Demonstrates Ethics and Integrity – Understands ethical behavior and business practices and ensures that own behavior is consistent with these standards and aligns with the values of the organization.
- Manages through Ambiguity – Demonstrates flexibility and adaptability in responding to change and ambiguity.
- Demonstrates Cultural Awareness – Able to engage a wide range of stakeholders from a variety of backgrounds and cultures.
- Action-oriented – Maintains an attitude of open, curious, and proactive learning, continually expanding own area of understanding and expertise.
- Connects with Others – Listens and fosters open communication through questioning, dialogue, and information sharing.
- Self-confident – Demonstrates humility, mature confidence, and courage to innovate, risk, and lead in own role.
- QUALIFICATIONS, KNOWLEDGE & SKILLS REQUIRED:
- Minimum of a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Development studies or Research studies with a development bias, Applied statistics, Development studies or Research studies with a development bias or any related field
- Previous experience and training in monitoring and evaluation
- At least 3 years of experience with different monitoring tools for survey design and data collection, management, and analysis.
- Experience and skills in training and transfer of knowledge
- Knowledge and understanding of qualitative and quantitative research/evaluation methodologies and strong analytical skills.
- Good skills in presentation, documentation, and information management.
- Critical thinker with the ability to demonstrate analytical skills
- Strong writing skills, including experience in producing proposals, reports, and other informational documents.
- Proven ability to present monitoring data and survey finding clearly
- Computer proficiency with MS Office Access, Project, PowerPoint, etc.) and expertise in Excel
- Experience with Statistical Programs (e.g., STRATA, SAS, SPSS)
- Proven knowledge of Data Management methods and applications
- An ability to write clear and concise reports, good spoken and written English.
- Proven ability to produce results within tight deadlines in a very busy environment
- Good knowledge of communication techniques and ability to develop and deliver effective presentations.
EMPLOYMENT CONDITIONS:
- Position is based at Water For People’s Rwanda office.
- Regular travel to program sites.
- Length of contract: Six months, with a possibility of extending
Note: This job description is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, or qualifications associated with the job.
5. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Water For People is committed to protecting children encountered during our work and by our employees, preventing sexual abuse and exploitation of all individuals with a particular focus on women and children and other marginalized communities in the performance of our work, preventing human trafficking in the performance of our work and in our supply chain and to having a drug-free workplace. During the recruitment processes, additional documentation will be requested to comply with our policies and in accordance with the legal requirements in your country of residency, this includes a background check. If you apply for employment, we want you to be aware of our recruitment, selection, and hiring processes including important policies regarding employee conduct.
Water For People is an equal opportunity employer who is committed to creating a culture of justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion in our workplace. Water for People strives to create and maintain a level of diversity that reflects the communities we serve. Achieving this—regardless of race, ethnicity, ancestry, tribal affiliation, age, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, veteran status, disability, socioeconomic class, educational attainment, Parental status, genetic information, political affiliation or other social identities is critical to our ability to have a world where every person has access to reliable and safe water and sanitation services.
Our commitment ensures that we:  
- Have a different array of thinking that comes from diverse backgrounds and cultures, enabling us to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges.
- Strive for a culture of inclusion and belonging by treating each other with dignity, respect, and appreciation enabling us to feel welcome, supported, and valued.  
- Effectively connect, communicate, and build long-lasting relationships with stakeholders within our diverse communities. 
- Have a diversity of thought, perspectives, backgrounds, identities, and talents that will support our mission to develop high-quality drinking water and sanitation services that are available to Everyone Forever.
- Safeguarding: Water for People is committed to safeguarding children, young people and vulnerable adults, and expects all employees, volunteers and partners to share the same commitment. We believe every employee, stakeholder and every member of the communities we work with has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect, harassment, discrimination, intimidation and exploitation – regardless of age, race, religion, and gender, status as an individual with a disability or ethnic origin. Water for People holds a zero-tolerance policy against sexual exploitation, discrimination, exploitation, abuse and harassment. Violations to stated policies will be subject to corrective action up to and including termination of contract.
