MEAL & Research Officer at The Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security: (Deadline 18 February 2024)

MEAL & Research Officer at The Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security: (Deadline 18 February 2024)

 Grant-Paid Job Description

About the Research 

The Dallaire Institute for Children, Peace and Security was established by retired Lieutenant-

General the Honorable Roméo Dallaire, former Force Commander of the United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda (UNAMIR). Our mission is to prevent the recruitment and use of children in armed violence and transform cycles of violence.

The Dallaire Institute’s African Centre of Excellence has been funded to finance projects specifically designed to strengthen national security sectors’ capacity to prevent the recruitment and use of children in armed conflicts in Africa.

Job purpose 

 The Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL) & Research Officer directly contribute to the results achieved by the Dallaire Institute across the countries of focus of the African Center of Excellence (ACoE). S/he will report to the Deputy Director of Research and MEAL. S/he will work closely with the ACoE team, and country-based teams, especially with project leads. The Officer will work under the strategic oversight of the HQ-based MEAL Manager and follow the HQ-level guidance that frames the Dallaire Institute’s approach to MEAL.

Duties and responsibilities

Monitoring 

• With support from the HQ MEAL Manager, create and maintain logical frameworks, MEAL plans and Indicator Progress Tracking Tables (IPTT) for each project in his/her portfolio.
• With support and oversight from the HQ MEAL Manager, plan and budget for MEAL activities in new project proposals.
• Collect monitoring data, enter, analyze, and report on findings to project leads.
• Review project IPTTs monthly and ensure progress, challenges and corrective actions are adequately documented by project leads to support decision-making and improved performance.
• Support project leads in preparing project inputs for the Quarterly Program Review meetings.

Evaluation 

• With support from the HQ MEAL Manager, lead baseline, midterm (as relevant) and final project evaluations, including development of ToRs, inception reports, tools, testing of tools, data collection, analysis and reporting as well as advertising and managing external consultants whenever relevant.
• Lead the development and revision of project targets based on baseline results.
• Draft baseline and evaluation reports and respond to donor inquiries as relevant.
• As relevant, lead ad hoc evaluations or studies of broader scope than project level.

Accountability 

• With project staff, develop an accountability mainstreaming framework for each project that describes the stakeholder/beneficiary engagement plan through the project life.
• In consultation with project leads and project team, create accountability tools required to capture beneficiary feedback. Such tools could include FGDs, feedback and complaints forms, etc.
• Periodically review project management response to any feedback and complaints received through accountability channels.

Learning and Knowledge Sharing

• With support from the Deputy Director in charge of MEAL and Research and HQ MEAL Manager, conduct end-of-project lessons learned events, document and share learning and recommendations for future programming.
• As relevant, lead ad hoc lessons learned activities to document the experiences of the project or wider program participants.
• Create summary reports of baseline and evaluation reports and disseminate them internally.
• Present overview of baseline and evaluation results with all staff at relevant platforms such as the All-Staff Meeting
• Work with the Communications team to create externally shareable summaries of baseline and evaluation reports.
• With guidance from the Deputy Director of Research and MEAL, support in the development and facilitation of two regional Communities of Practice.
• Assist with the planning and execution of research-related events with key academic institutions, and convening with Communities of Practice at the ACOE

Capacity Building

• Conduct training and ongoing coaching for project staff on MEAL
• As relevant, provide capacity building to project-level partners on MEAL, to ensure timely and quality data and reporting on joint project results.
• Work in close collaboration with the HQ MEAL Manager to support internal counterparts and external partners to strengthen the quality and consistency of monitoring and evaluation activities in the field.
• Always implement and apply data quality protocols in data collection and analysis.

All staff are additionally responsible to:

• Proactively participate in planning and performance processes as outlined in the Employee Handbook including annual appraisals, regular meetings, and ensuring that annual reviews are an integral component of workplans and priorities.
• Promote a safe and secure work environment in line with the organization’s core values including the Dallaire Institute Workplace Principles and foster strong communication between teams within the organization.
• Demonstrate an ongoing commitment to promoting and protecting the rights of children, and particularly the prevention of the recruitment and use of children in armed conflict. Comply with Dallaire Institute’s financial and operational requirements and uphold high standards of honesty and integrity in personal conduct.

Qualifications

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant field including Statistics, Monitoring & Evaluation, International Development, Performance Management, etc.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in the field of monitoring, evaluation, learning and research.
• Minimum 3 years participating in multi-country projects in complex environments, preferably in conflict-affected regions,
  Minimum 3 years of work experience with non-profit organizations, academic or government institutions.

 Skills

• Excellent ability to forge relationships at all levels and work across multicultural, multilingual, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Adept at handling confidential information with discretion and in accordance with Institute research and other professional standards;
• Ability to work on own initiative as well as part of a team.
• Ability to self-teach and problem-solve in difficult situations.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and meet deadlines.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English, and strong analytical skills.

Knowledge

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and familiarity with research software.
• Demonstrated experience with both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Strong knowledge of computer applications for information collection, management and dissemination.
• Experience in delivering monitoring and evaluation training in person and remotely.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts to colleagues.

Assets:

• Master’s Degree in a relevant field including Statistics, Monitoring & Evaluation, International Development, Performance Management, etc.
• 3 years of international work experience in complex environments, preferably in conflict affected regions
• Experience working in East Africa or other fragile contexts.
• Experience managing or coordinating communities of practice.

Working conditions

1. Presential role: Due to operational requirements, the successful applicant is required to work in person.

2. Hybrid role: The occupant will be eligible for hybrid work (a combination of in-person work and remote work) as agreed by all parties based on operational requirements and Institutional guidelines.

The position is based in Kigali, Rwanda, with the need for regional travel up to 50% of the time.

Supervisory/managerial

The position is an individual contributor but must be ready to lead small projects or sections of projects relevant to its function (including a temporary matrix structure of people).

To apply, please send your CV and Cover letter to:

[email protected] before 18th February 2024.

Thank you.