Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning and Advocacy Officer at National Union of Disability Organizations in Rwanda (NUDOR): (Deadline 14 September 2023)

I. POSITION INFORMATION

Project title:

Job Title:

Duration of Employment:

Working nature:

We Can Work

Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning and Advocacy Officer

One-year renewable

Full-time assignment

II. NUDOR’S BACKGROUND

 The National Union of the Disability Organizations of Rwanda (NUDOR) was established as a civil society organization in September 2010 by 8 National organizations of Persons with Disabilities and has currently nine (9) members. Currently, NUDOR is composed of fifteen (15) National Organizations of Persons with Disabilities.

Through its interventions, NUDOR aims at achieving its vision and mission which are respectfully “a society where People with Disabilities enjoy equal human rights, opportunities and full participation as other citizens” and “to serve as a voice for organizations of people with disabilities to share their experience and express their views and to support them in strengthening their capacities and achievements”

Our response / strategic objectives: In line to needs of persons with disabilities and their organizations, as well as the Sustainable Development Goals and the National Strategy for transformation, the following are strategic objectives that will drive our work in the years to come:

• Strategic objective 1: Promote Inclusive Education for Children with Disabilities.
• Strategic objective 2: Advocate for Accessible, Quality and Equitable Health Care Services for Persons with Disabilities.
• Strategic objective 3: Ensure appropriate social protection system to persons with disabilities and facilitate them to achieve equal opportunities for work, productive employment and decent work for achieving dignified lives and contribute economically to their families and entire community needs.
• Strategic objective 4: Ensure persons with disabilities are included in the responsive, participatory and representative in decision-making at all levels.
• Strategic objective 5: Governance and Organization Development

PROJECT BACKGROUND

In line with its economic empowerment strategy, Light for the World with funding from Mastercard Foundation will implement an 8-year project dubbed We Can Work, a regional signature disability program that uses a system and mindset change approach to impact the lives of at least 1,000,000 young women and men with disabilities and enables them to access dignified and fulfilling work. The program works Nations Union Organizations of Persons with Disabilities (NUDOR) Rwanda,Umbrella Organizations of Persons with Disabilities and Entrepreneurship Hubs in Uganda, Kenya, Ethiopia, Senegal, Ghana and Nigeria.

With our partners, we will effect change at the level of individuals (including households and communities), organizations and institutions. Young persons with disabilities will act as change agents and provide disability inclusion advisory services and confidently advocate for disability-inclusive policies and practices among key system actors.

Throughout the eight-year partnership intervention, the key ingredients of our work with young women and men with disabilities in the lead will be:

• Engaging caregivers and communities through positive and empowering messaging around disability and inclusion;
• Driving co-creation processes to inform inclusive economic development;
• Developing agency of young women and men with disabilities through the We Can Work Academy; and amplifying voices of young persons with disabilities

III. Roles

MERLA Officer in the We Can Work Program the main responsibility will be :

• T ensure effective monitoring and evaluation of We Can Work Program activities and contribute to evidence-based learning.
• Play a vital role in tracking program progress, measuring impact, and
• Providing feedback to improve program implementation and outcomes.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams, partners, and stakeholders to ensure the organization’s programs are well-documented, effectively measured, and strategically communicated.

IV.  Responsibilities:

MEL Tool Development and Data Management

• Develop and implement a robust monitoring and evaluation system that will ensure tracking of We Can Work program results at different levels (outputs, outcomes and impact).
• Develop and implement a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) framework for the program, including indicators, data collection tools, and reporting mechanisms
• Develop/ adopt an integrated database and ensure accountability through regular data updates, data integrity and working in collaboration with the field data collectors.
• Regularly collect, analyse, and manage program data to track progress towards goals and outcomes, and produce timely reports for internal and external stakeholders.
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative research to gather insights into the program’s effectiveness, challenges, and opportunities.
• Facilitate learning activities, including workshops, knowledge sharing sessions, and best practice dissemination among program staff and partners.
• Collaborate with communication teams to develop advocacy materials, case studies, and success stories to showcase the program’s impact.
• Lead the design and implementation of baseline, midline, and end-line assessments to measure the program’s impact and identify areas for improvement.
• Work with programme officers and managers to ensure the collection of relevant and appropriate data needed for an effective MEL system which will be utilized in monitoring strengths, weaknesses and gaps in programmes implementation and for reporting on donor commitments.
• Review existing data collection tools for the programmes and lead the ongoing digitalization effort for reporting and data management.
• Incorporate field and technical team feedback to ensure the continuous improvement of data management systems within Light for the World Rwanda.
• Contribute to the development of program strategies and work plans based on evidence and findings from M&E and research activities

Monitoring and Reporting

• Monitor programmes activities and progress towards achieving the programmes outputs;
• Identify strategies for improving the efficiency and effectiveness of programmes implementation by identifying bottlenecks in completing and reaching targets in programmes activities, and developing plans to minimize or eliminate such bottlenecks;
• Provide statistical input for monthly, quarterly, half-yearly and annual programmes reports;
• Carry out data quality assessments/ audits regularly for MEL data, based on agreed indicators to guide decision making.

Assessments, Surveys and Evaluation

• Liaise with other country office teams and partners to ensure that all new and ongoing programmes adhere to accountability requirements by initiating baseline surveys/barrier analysis for new programmes and conducting relevant reviews for ongoing programmes to meet Light for the World Rwanda standards.
• Timely plan and initiate all pre-and -post intervention assessments, KAP surveys and other types of assessments as needed per programme.
• Coordinate the review of all survey reports prepared to ensure quality and accurate reporting.

Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation framework, including indicators, data collection tools, and systems.
• Regularly collect, analyze, and interpret data to assess program performance, identify gaps, and measure progress towards program objectives.
• Conduct field visits to program sites to monitor the quality and effectiveness of interventions, adherence to implementation plans, and compliance with monitoring protocols.
• Ensure the timely and accurate reporting of monitoring and evaluation findings to program stakeholders, including program management, donors, and partners.

Communication and awareness raising:

• Develop communication strategies to raise awareness about disability rights and inclusion. Create informative materials, such as brochures, fact sheets, and newsletters, to educate the public and stakeholders about the importance of disability inclusion.

Learning and Knowledge Management:

• Collaborate with the learning and documentation team to facilitate the documentation of lessons learned, best practices, and success stories.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of learning initiatives, such as evaluations, studies, and assessments, to generate evidence and promote learning within the program.
• Support program staff in using monitoring and evaluation data for adaptive management, decision-making, and program improvement.
• Facilitate regular learning events and knowledge-sharing sessions to promote a culture of learning and knowledge exchange among program stakeholders.

Data Management and Analysis:

• Contribute to the design and manage a robust data management system to ensure the accurate and secure storage, retrieval, and analysis of program data.
• Conduct quantitative and qualitative data analysis to generate insights, produce reports, and visualize data in a meaningful and accessible manner.
• Contributed to the identification of data quality issues and develop strategies to address them, including data cleaning, validation, and verification processes.
• Stay up to date with monitoring and evaluation best practices, tools, and methodologies, and provide technical support to program staff on data collection and analysis techniques.

Collaboration and Coordination:

• Collaborate with program staff, the other MEL, partners, and stakeholders to ensure the integration of monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities into program planning and implementation.
• Coordinate with external consultants, evaluators, and partners involved in conducting specialized evaluations or research studies.
• Contribute to the development and review of program proposals, log-fram, and theories of change, incorporating monitoring and evaluation requirements.
• Participate in relevant meetings, workshops, and conferences to share knowledge, learn from others, and contribute to the broader disability inclusion and employment community.

     Task for MERLA to develop We Can Work

• Support to Develop Detailed Terms of Reference (ToR) for the We Can Work Programme, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of the program’s objectives, scope, and desired outcomes.
• Collaborate with program team, including We Can Work Programme manager, team members, and NUDOR Staff, to gather necessary information and input for the ToR preparation process.
• Conduct a thorough analysis of existing documentation, such as We Can Work Programme work plans, guidelines, and relevant policies, to ensure alignment with the We Can Work Programme ‘s overall goals and objectives.
• Define the specific activities, deliverables, and milestones to be accomplished within the We Can Work Programme, ensuring they are SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-bound).
• Incorporate monitoring and evaluation components into the ToR, specifying key performance indicators (KPIs), data collection methods, and reporting requirements to ensure effective tracking of program progress and impact.
• Ensure the inclusion of ethical considerations and safeguards related to data privacy, confidentiality, and informed consent in the ToR, adhering to best practices and legal requirements.
• Review and refine the ToRs based on feedback and inputs from We Can Work Programme team members, ensuring a well-structured and comprehensive document that reflects the program’s objectives and expectations.
• Support We Can Work Programme program Manager and We Can Work Programme teams in the implementation of the We Can Work Programme by providing guidance and clarification on the ToR as needed.
• Maintain accurate documentation of the ToR preparation process, including revisions, versions, and approvals, ensuring proper record-keeping and compliance with organizational procedures.

V. Profile:

Required Qualifications

• A master’s degree in a relevant field e.g., development studies, Project Management, monitoring and evaluation, etc or Bachelor’s degree in the mentioned fields with minimum of 4years experience in MEL in relevant institution especially CSOs.
• Proven experience (5+ years) in designing and implementing M&E frameworks, conducting research, and facilitating learning activities within a development context.
• Strong quantitative and qualitative data analysis skills using software such as Excel, SPSS, or other relevant tools.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to produce clear and concise reports, presentations, and advocacy materials.
• Experience in advocating for programmatic objectives and impact to diverse stakeholders.
• Ability to work effectively in a team, with strong interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity.
• Prior experience with donor funded program including indicator frameworks and development and oversight of AMELPs;
• Sound knowledge in Rwanda NGO development planning process and development plans;
• Excellent knowledge of Monitoring and Evaluation, and a good understanding of Development and Project Management;
• Profound knowledge of basic computer applications such as MS Words, Excel and Access, and statistical knowledge;
• Project management experience in disabilities movement will be beneficial;

Required Skills and Competencies

• Strong quantitative data collection, management and analysis skills;
• Ability to articulate technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences including writing technical reports;
• Excellent written and spoken English;
• Ability to work within a multi-cultural international team;
• Good presentation, communication & interpersonal skills;
• Demonstrates NUDOR’s working principles: strive for impact, listen deeply, collaborate openly and innovate fearlessly;