Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager

We support peace and prosperity by building connections, understanding and trust between people in the UK and countries worldwide.

We work directly with individuals to help them gain the skills, confidence and connections to transform their lives and shape a better world in partnership with the UK. We support them to build networks and explore creative ideas, to learn English, to get a high-quality education and to gain internationally recognised qualifications.

Working with people in over 200 countries and territories, we are on the ground in more than 100 countries. In 2021–22 we reached 650 million people.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager (part-time) Zantchito- TA project

Role Purpose

To lead on setting up and roll out of the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) and Knowledge Management system and activities of the Zantchito-Project-Technical Assistance (TA) project implemented by the British Council in Malawi

The purpose requires a dynamic, competent individual with experience of providing robust advisory as well as rigorous hand-on implementation MEL expertise for successful delivery of a GBP multimillion, multi-year donor-funded project.

Main accountabilities but not limited to the following :

Support project planning and execution of project plans, especially through the use of monitoring data to make continuous improvements.

Ensure specified MEL activities are accurately planned and costed (in terms of money, human effort and equipment) and that budgets are managed effectively

Establish baseline status of all logframe indicators (Inception)

Lead on systematic data collection and analysis activities for monthly, quarterly and annual client reporting cycles and in the production of progress reports for dissemination of results and impact to stakeholders (Implementation)

Lead on the conduct of mid-term external reviews and evaluations to identify lessons taken away and successes to be disseminated (Implementation)

Lead on the management of external or independent monitoring and evaluation exercises and annual performance reviews (Implementation)

Lead on the conduct of mid-term review, the final evaluation and production of a report to be disseminated at project review and closing events and shared with key stakeholders (Closure)

Robust implementation of the MEL Framework for the programme to ensure a strong evidence base that meets client, corporate and programmatic standards

Revision / update of the theory of change (Inception)

formulation / development of the results framework (LogFrame) (Inception)

Development of the appropriate mixed methods approach and tools for data collection (Inception)

Complete internal British Council corporate monitoring and evaluation tools (i.e. the Results and Evidence Framework [REF] and other evaluation methods) and help the implementation team plan, monitor and present results on performance using the REF and in this way help embed a culture of effective operational performance measurement and evaluation across.

Support the Team Lead to commission and manage external evaluations and assessments and disseminate the findings to key stakeholders and audience groups.

High quality and delivery of the MEL activity across the project providing technical guidance, tools and capacity support, along with relevant training for staff and partners

Development of roles and responsibilities for all MEL functions in the project team (Inception)

Identification of capacity-building needs of the project team in the use of data collection tools (Inception)

Provide leadership for the development and delivery of MEL and Knowledge Management (KM) capacity building initiatitives for staff and partners so that KM and dissemination processes and products including lessons learned from results and challenges are understood and used effectively.

Embed formal and informal process of learning and reflection

As needed, ensure M&E specification within grant contracts to ensure synergies between project and partner results reporting

As needed, provision of timely and effective MEL support to grant application development and grant selection panels

All duties and responsibilities will be in line with our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion policy, corporate policies.

Role specific knowledge and experience :

Essential requirements :

A first degree or equivalent professional experience in the sciences, social sciences or MEL is required.

At least five years’ experience as a MEL specialist working in an NGO or donor funded context

Experience of designing and delivering a MEL system for the entire duration of a project lifecycle

Desirable :

Professional qualifications in MEL, membership in an Evaluation Society or VOPE is desirable

A postgraduate degree in the sciences or social sciences is desirable

Prior experience delivering MEL support on a TVET, skills, Technical Assistance or training project in Malawi or similar context.

Role-specific skills

A thorough understanding of monitoring and evaluation priorities for the EU and other bilateral or multilateral donors, including the design and use of results frameworks, and experience of MEL reporting

A thorough understanding of research methodologies

Skill in monitoring the implementation of projects using data collection and collationtools

Excellent data management skills with capacity to set up and maintain data management systems

Strong expertise in analysing quantitative data and excellent knowledge of data analysis software e.g. SPSS, NVIVO – capacity to review data and identify cause and effect

Strong report writing and presentation skills including preparing sound academic reports, the use of multi-media and other presentation tools as well as direct experience of preparing and presenting a range of concise and timely programme highlight reports for mixed audience groups including clients, partners, senior managers and corporate stakeholders

Demonstrable ability to build MEL capacity within the civil society / NGO sector

Project and Contract Management

Financial Planning and Management

At least five years’ experience in similar roles