Summary Of The Position

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Advisor will be responsible for leading the design and implementation of the project monitoring and evaluation framework and information system to track delivery against targets, outcomes, and impacts. They will lead the analysis of data collected for assessment of progress and areas of improvement, and overall data management, including health systems audit, monitoring, and learning.

The candidate will guide reporting processes amongst Technical Staff and consolidate project reports, and promote learning and knowledge sharing of best practices and lessons learned. S/He will support all the technical staff in MEL functions and will manage any other staff working in the project. Actual hiring is contingent upon successful activity award and USAID approval.

Duties And Responsibilities

• Work with Chief of Party (COP) and the project team to ensure that MEL deliverables as per donor requirements are met
• Oversee the baseline, midline and final project evaluation
• Lead the project research and learning agenda and ensure dissemination of generated research findings
• Oversee the MEL framework (including reporting) development and implementation
• Ensure data quality assessments and audits are done
• Conduct regular visits to project sites to provide technical assistance and ensure proper monitoring of project activities
• Provide direct coaching and reinforcing capacity of all staff under MEL section including documentation
• Represent the project at national and county including technical working groups, communities of practice, conferences, workshops, and meetings.
• Ensure gender transformative approaches are incorporated in the project

Key Qualifications:

• A Master’s degree in a relevant discipline, such as mathematics, statistics, informatics, biostatistics, information systems or a related field with knowledge/skills of Geographical Information Systems and information technology
• At least ten years of experience leading monitoring and evaluating activities for complex projects in developing countries.
• Demonstrated experience in providing technical support, setting up and managing M&E systems that track performance as per the objectives of this activity (e.g., performance against each result area) and in the application of statistical methods and database management.
• Demonstrated experience developing performance indicators, assessing and tracking data quality, data management, and/or training in performance management topics.
• Demonstrated experience training/facilitating workshops with several types of stakeholders on M&E topics; proven ability to distill complex information down to useable and understandable information for stakeholders.
• Experience developing and implementing performance monitoring plans.
• Strong knowledge of USAID rules and regulations around M&E and familiarity with USAID’s approach to project management.
• Exceptional technical skills in data management, MEL, survey design, mapping and/or assessment required.
• Exceptional skills in Excel, Word, and other Microsoft Office software and data analysis software, such as SPSS or Stata.
• Effective communication and interpersonal skills and ability.
• Must be professionally proficient and fluent in written and spoken English
• Nationals of Kenya and especially women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Key Requirements

• Complete and current resume demonstrating the candidate’s qualifications and experience
• Minimum of three current references (provide name and contact information of each reference).

Key Responsibilities

BD Strategy: You will contribute to developing and implementing the Bi/Multi strategy working closely with the BD Deputy Director to advance Kenya strategic goals and grow our revenue, profile, and influence. You will also direct all fundraising efforts at country level and monitor the progress of country fundraising plans and priorities. You will help ensure donor perspectives and learnings are informing Living Goods work.

Secure new business: This position will have a significant focus on bringing in new & diverse donors to Living Goods. You will help the management to actively identify and monitor funding and partnership opportunities in a systematic manner, conduct pipeline forecasting and donor surveillance to track the release of procurements. You will lead concept notes/proposal development, help to assemble proposal development teams, provide effective coordination to ensure submission of high-quality concept notes and proposals that are aligned with the organization’s strategic priorities. You will work with top tier donors to influence and co-create opportunities to mobilize resources to support Living Goods, and Government of Kenya, to increase Community Health funding, for government-led programming.

Strategic stakeholder engagement: You are responsible for identifying and pursuing strategic opportunities to engage, coordinate and partner with key stakeholders at country level in order to facilitate technical programme exchanges, influence policy and thinking, and identify key areas of potential cooperation, including program funding. Working collaboratively within the Partnership, Advocacy and Communications team you will work closely with the Senior Manager, Partnerships and Stakeholder Engagement, to cultivate, maintain and grow existing relationships. You will help monitor and track stakeholder priorities and new trends in the field.

Raise our profile. You will raise awareness about Living Goods by cultivating relationships with Kenya based NGO’s/implementing partners and bilateral/multilateral donors. You will identify strategic speaking opportunities and represent Living Goods at donor events and global health meetings and conferences to raise LG’s brand and influence in country, amplifying our unique value proposition, in country. You will spend a lot of your time away from your desk, or virtually getting some face time with key stakeholders in our business, establishing Living Goods as a Thought Leader in Community Health.

Capacity building: Provide guidance and oversight on capacity assessments to staff and partners on how to work with donor funding in country.

Hone systems. You will document and implement business processes, procedures, and templates to improve the workflow of the business development team.

Motivate & organize people. Each proposal effort you lead is a chamber orchestra comprised of external partners and internal colleagues. You will serve as the conductor of each orchestra – leading discussions on strategy, creating buy-in around responsibilities and timelines, and guiding players every step in the proposal process. You will also get our senior management excited about being part of the fundraising process, providing them regular updates on our donor and partner priorities, and supporting them to always be eyes and ears for business development.

Your Background

International NGO experience.

• You have experience working in global health or international development organizations. You have traveled extensively or lived in a developing country.

Business development experience. 

• You have 7+ years demonstrated experience identifying and securing funding from major Bi/Multilateral donors including developing successful grant proposals.
• You know the world of USAID and donor agencies like FCDO, the Global Fund, GAVI, and large foundations.
• You are well versed in US government funding mechanisms and procedures.

Strong writing skills. 

• You have experience drafting successful proposals for funding. You can write thoroughly, yet simply, about complex topics.
• You have a sharp eye and can write about both broad themes and minute details.

Strong organizational skills: You can track potential opportunities, organize proposal calendars, develop collaborative timelines, and execute action plans. You’re able to juggle multiple tasks at once while ‘staying calm and carrying on.’ You have an attention to detail and to process and work well in a multicultural environment.

Communication and networking skills. Highly developed networking skills and ability to form productive working relationships with external donor agencies. Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills including communicating with impact, influencing, negotiation.

Collaborative spirit. We want someone who actively listens and communicates. You connect easily with her/his team and gain their trust and respect. Someone who can work well across departments -- with executive team members, country representatives, and organizational peers.

Resourcefulness. Demonstrated ability to solve complex issues through critical thinking, analysis, definition of a clear way forward and ensuring buy in. You’re able to identify and recruit partners for projects during proposal development as necessary.