Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Officer

KEY INFORMATION 
Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer 
Sector: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, Arts & History, Cultural Innovation & Preservation 
Position Type: Full-Time 
Duration/Level of Effort: Long-Term (12 months with possibility of extension)  
Position Location: Kyiv, Ukraine 
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT 
The Support to Ukraine’s National Museum of the Holodomor-Genocide is a CAD 10 million project funded by Global Affairs Canada through its Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOPs). The project aims to promote increased resilience and safeguarding of Ukrainian cultural heritage and identity in conflict recovery and prevention, while aligning with Canadian and Ukrainian diplomatic and public diplomacy efforts to counter Russian influence through education and information. The project has four major areas i) enhancing the capacity of the Museum to generate and utilize high-quality research on the Holodomor, ii) increasing the management capacity of the Museum including in alignment with principles of gender equality, inclusion and diversity, iii) strengthening the operational continuity and sustainability of the Museum; and iv) increasing understanding and awareness, particularly among the international community of the Holodomor genocide, including its gendered impacts.  
SUMMARY OF THE POSITION 
The MEL Officer will be responsible for the overall Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning (MEL) Management system of the project, ensuring project performance meets GAC/PSOPs, Cowater and project quality standards. The MEL Officer will develop the MEL Framework including strong performance management indicators. They will ensure baseline data collection is conducted at the start of the project and that data is collected regularly against the project’s logical framework indicators. He/she will be responsible for creating a monitoring and communications plan in collaboration with the other project team members which ensures that lessons learned are incorporated into activities to achieve greater impact. The MEL Officer will be required to produce regular monitoring and evaluation reports, evidence-based case studies and success stories for dissemination per the project’s communication plan.
Additionally, they will lead and provide technical guidance to the team and partners to ensure application of monitoring of performance and evaluating the success in all planning, budgeting, implementation, reporting and knowledge management activities of the Project. 
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES  
Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning System  

• Lead the development of a detailed and robust MEL system in collaboration with Cowater HQ assigned experts, including defining performance measurement indicators and operationalizing the logic model and developing supporting tools which meet GAC’s standards and are fit for the purpose this project.  
• Lead the successful implementation of the MEL plan according to the set Monitoring Framework project’s standards are fully met.
• Promote an evaluation culture, focused on standards, quality assurance/control and capacity development on the project team.
• Act as a focal point and a source of expertise for monitoring, evaluation and learning across the project team. 

 Data Collection, Analysis, and Management  

• Monitor the implementation of the monitoring and evaluation component of all activities on an on-going basis through site visits, reviewing reports from implementing partners and obtaining feedback from the recipients of assistance
• Collate and analyse monitoring and evaluation data from partners and other sources and provide reporting on the project outcomes.
• Undertake occasional field visits to project stakeholders to confirm and validate reported findings.
• Oversee follow-up interviews after key outputs and record results in project monitoring and evaluation database.
• Oversee all data collection activities to support project learning and evaluation, including case studies, market and community assessments.
• Develop and implement methodologies and standards for monitoring and evaluating project activities and improving data quality. In addition, s/he will also develop presentations and written reports based on findings;and 
• Analyze larger trends by linking and analyzing data from a variety of sources, including activities and outputs from related initiatives in the region.

 Project Reporting and Evaluation   

• Support the finalize of all inception phase deliverables, specifically the validation of the logic model, performance measurement framework and risk register.
• Support the monitoring and evaluation reporting for the overall project.
• Prepare external project-specific briefings for team members and project stakeholders on project reporting from a results perspective. 
• Provide data as required for independent project evaluations and ensure findings from the evaluations are incorporated into project activities and policies as appropriate; and 
• Identify any risks to the project’s ability to report on the achievements of the project.

 Knowledge Sharing and Capacity Building  

• Ensure that the information needs of other Project areas are supported with specific research studies or through other MEL methods. 
• Assist sub-contractors in using monitoring information and applying monitoring techniques by providing technical support where required. 
• Organize workshops, participatory analyses, reflection meetings, and other learning events to develop internal and external M&E capacity and ensuring policy and procedure awareness and compliance; and 
• Work with the Communications personnel to package quality and accurate project reports, output results, stories of change, and other Communications and Learning pieces, for wider dissemination. 

 
JOB REQUIREMENTS 
Education  

• Minimum bachelor’s degree in any social or natural science discipline and/or relevant experience in establishing monitoring and evaluation systems

 Minimum Experience 

• Minimum 7 years’ experience in monitoring and evaluation with at least 3 years within an international organization.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluating donor funded projects (EU, EBRD, GAC, FCDO, GIZ etc.);
• Experience with field data collection.
• Experience in report writing, specifically on synthesizing monitoring and evaluation results.
• Strong experience and skills in research, data collection, analysis, and management.
• Strong monitoring and reporting skills with excellent knowledge and experience in project management; and
• Experience in organizing and facilitating training and learning sessions.

 Essential Skills 

• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation systems as well as knowledge management practices.
• Experience facilitating participation of various stakeholders (i.e. women, youth and marginalized groups) and strengthening their voice and input into project activities and results.
• Strong communication and diplomacy skills.
• Ability to deal with complex and sometimes stressful situations, while maintaining a professional and solution-oriented attitude.
• Practical experience working in a similar capacity in GAC-funded projects and knowledge of the RBM tools.
• Ability to use Microsoft Office and evaluation software.

 Language Proficiency 

• Professional abilities in English and Ukrainian essential

Employment Conditions 

• The position will be full-time and based in Kyiv. Only candidates with the existing ability to work in Ukraine will be considered.

 
APPLICATION PROCESS
Candidates are encouraged to apply as soon as possible. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.
For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.
Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.
We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.
ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.
We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.