Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager

IRC Background:

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. Founded in 1933 at the request of Albert Einstein, the IRC offers lifesaving care and life-changing assistance to the displaced and refugees forced to flee from war or disaster. At work today in over 40 countries and 22 U.S. cities, we restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted and struggling to endure. The IRC leads the way from harm to home.

 IRC has been working in Pakistan for over 30 years, and manages and delivers large complex programs to meet needs in health, education, protection, environmental health and livelihoods for displaced, poor & affected communities. IRC works in partnership with local government and non-governmental organizations and currently works in the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Sindh provinces.

Job Summary:

Under the direct supervision and guidance of the Ethics, Compliance, Accountability, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Coordinator, the job holder will be responsible for overseeing the design and implementation of research, monitoring, evaluation and learning of the program in accordance, IRC policies, and international standards for programming and research. S/he will provide technical and field oversight of all M&E activities and data analysis, including launching and supervising the baseline assessment, study, evaluation and setting up an efficient monitoring system, and overseeing any action research. S/he plays critical role in strengthening the skills of IRC staff and other stakeholders to monitor program implementation as well as manage qualitative and quantitative data collection / analysis effectively.

 Responsibilities:

• Promote accountability and ensure compliance with IRCWAY policies, global Humanitarian Standards for Quality and Accountability, including the complaint and response mechanism (CRM), to ensure that affected communities and people are at the center of IRC response.
• Manage program monitoring system that ensures timely and accurate provision of outcome level qualitative information to program and organizational management by comparing performance of programs with set technical standards for thematic sectors.
• Lead the development and implementation of the M&E strategy, plans, frameworks, required tools and methodologies for the monitoring of program activities, in collaboration with the technical advisors and by ensuring IRC standard of Monitoring For Action are implemented.
• Ensure that monitoring system provides timely quantitative / qualitative analysis of PMP indicators to program / project management and share realistic recommendations for program management and improvement.
• Ensure monitoring dashboard is regularly updated, shared and used for programs management and improvement.
• Design and lead program rapid assessments, baseline, end line surveys, other assessments and disseminate the usable information with relevant management level in timely manner.
• Ensure program MEL events are properly budgeted, planned, implemented and then learnings are used in program improvement and future program design.
• Review and assess monitoring, evaluation and learning system and integrate learnings in future M&E plans.
• Ensure findings from data quality assessments are shared along with action plan for improvement of program data management systems.
• Ensure proper recordkeeping and efficient filing of all M&E records including filled data collection tools, reports, evidences of the reported progress, official correspondence etc.
• Draft period donor reports (i.e. monthly, quarterly and annually including reports on PMP indicators). 
• Work closely with ECAMEL Lead and other technical leads in country program on monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems and analyze the data it generates to inform project management, technical programming, and development of best practices and applied research.
• Conduct frequent field visits to program sites to monitor activities, engage local staff and other relevant stakeholders in participatory monitoring.
• Demonstrate strong analytical and organizational skills; and the ability to assess priorities quickly and manage a variety of activities effectively at a time while paying appropriate attention to detail.

• Demonstrate excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact professionally with subordinates, donor, project stakeholders, in-country collaborators and staff at all levels of the organization.

• Understanding of USAID, DFID, SV, ECHO, BPRM and other key donors project management and program implementation requirements.
• Ability to work independently, organize work, meet deadlines, prioritize work under pressure, coordinate multiple tasks and maintain attention to detail.
• Strong MS Office skills, including Power BI, Access, Word and Excel.

·         Any other duties as assigned by supervisor

 Position Requirements:

• Master’s degree in social sciences, international development from a recognized University;
• Minimum of 5 years programming experience in humanitarian and development context, with a specific focus on monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• Knowledge and skills in various forms of data management both quantitative and qualitative (i.e. surveys, qualitative methods, program statistics, facility surveys, community-based needs and participatory assessment, etc.)
• Highly developed analytical and communication skills, including excellent oral and written English and Urdu. Familiarity including reading and writing beneficiaries’ language will be an asset.
• Proven experience in training and capacity-building of staff, partners and other stakeholders.
• Demonstrated interpersonal skills, sound judgment, planning, team building and facilitating skills.
• Competence in using smart devices and information technology including experience with word-processing, database, analysis and dashboard software (open source);
• Interest in sharing professional skills as well as learning from others;
• Willingness and capacity to work and travel to project field offices in the Country;
• Proven track record of quality performance in highly pressured environments;
• A good sense of humor.