summary
Working together with key government and civil society partners, the Lead Monitoring Evaluation Learning (MEL) Consultant will lead the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning activities of a multi-country Early Childhood Development (ECD) project in four countries in Eastern Africa and Latin America. The project aims to adapt and replicate a playful parenting initiative originally implemented by ChildFund in Guatemala that used community-based radios to engage with caregivers of infants and young children during the COVID-19 pandemic. ChildFund is now seeking to build upon the Guatemalan experience, adapt content, and replicate the initiative in Brazil, Ethiopia, Honduras, and Uganda with communities still affected by COVID-19. The Lead MEL Consultant will work hand in hand with the Project Director (PD) and under the supervision of ChildFund’s International Office (IO) to develop and ensure quality implementation of the project’s MEL plan. While the Consultant will oversee and lead the global project MEL across the four countries, s/he will directly support MEL activities in Brazil and Honduras in collaboration with the in-country project staff and Country Offices’ support teams. With technical support from ChildFund regional and global technical advisors, the Consultant will also synthesize the multi-country data to be shared internally and externally through presentations, the development of blog posts and contributions to possible learning briefs and articles. The position will be home based, in the Americas Region where ChildFund has operations, with possible international travel. This is a 12-month position, with start date set for March 1^st, 2022.

DUTIES/RESPONSIBILITIES

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

• Lead the development of a multi-country MEL plan and methodologies, that includes both process and outcome evaluation; the development, selection, and use of appropriate data collection tools (i.e., adaptation and/or development of monitoring and evaluation tools); and the management and analysis of MEL data.
• Lead the implementation of the MEL plan in Brazil and Honduras and liaise with MEL Officer for Ethiopia and Uganda to capture and share learning and ensure alignment and multi-country M&E tracking.
• Contribute to the preparation of global project reports by collecting and synthesizing information from the four countries, ensuring IO review, contributions, and sign off.
• Collaborate with and provide requested information to research third party hired by donor.

Learning exchange

• Co-lead the documentation and knowledge and lessons learned exchange through ChildFund’s regional playful parenting hubs, and the Community of Practice Advisory group
• Foster and maintain learning exchange during the learning hubs’ meetings and other types of networks engaged.
• Participate in monthly multi-county check-in calls with a team from 4 countries to address challenges, share lessons learned and strategy, ensure program’s progress and documentation.
   

Communication and Donor Reporting

• In close collaboration with PD and Grants Specialist, lead the formulation of MEL related information and co-develop grant project reports.
• Author and contribute to articles, blog posts, learning briefs, reports, and other communication collateral to increase learning as well as technical visibility and awareness of the project.

• Monitor project activities for results and maintaining frequent contact with other colleagues’ part of the Country Office Support Team and at IO, informing about project progress, actual or potential challenges.
• Participate in calls with donor.
• Ensure that M&E and communication activities comply with ChildFund and donor policies and procedures and that the project is implemented according to ChildFund business principles, policies and procedures; bring any issues of risk or liability to the immediate attention of the appropriate staff.
   

QUALIFICATIONS                     

• At least 8 years of demonstrated experience and success in the design and implementation of program monitoring and evaluation plans, including experience supporting multi-country/multi-site initiatives and learning.
• Experience with both process and outcome evaluation.
• Advanced skills in quantitative and qualitative data analysis, including data management and statistical analysis using data analysis software (SPSS, Stata, SAS, R, NVIVO, etc.).
• Experience with the presentation of results through the development of high-quality dashboards and other methods/modes of data sharing.
• Demonstrated project management skills and the ability to support teams across geographies, including readiness and ability to analyze, understand and consider different cultural contexts while effectively communicate and clearly articulate expectations.
• Fluency in English and Spanish

Desired:

• Experience with the evaluation of radio-based, IT-based education/ECD/parenting/education programming.
• Experience with M&E and research plans for virtual/remote interventions.
• Experience working with parenting behavior change interventions.
• In-country professional experience in one/more of the relevant countries.
• Experience with learning exchange activities and Communities of Practice.
• Experience leading/managing short turn around (i.e., one year) evaluation projects
• Experience with CommCare.

CHILD SAFEGUARDING
Remain alert and responsive to any child safeguarding risks, acquire relevant knowledge and skills which will enable you to promote strong safeguarding practices, understand the child safeguarding policy and procedures, and conduct yourself in a manner consistent with the Child Safeguarding Policy.

ChildFund International is committed to safeguarding the interests, rights, and well-being of children with whom it is in contact and to conducting its programs and operations in a manner that is safe for children.

Disclaimer: This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position.

NOTE: All interested applicants must be authorized to work in the country where the position will be based at the time of application.