MEL Manager

About Zizi Afrique Foundation

Zizi Afrique Foundation (ZAF) is a not-for-profit organization committed to improving learning outcomes for children and youth furthest behind in Sub-Saharan Africa. ZAF works at the intersection between evidence, policy, and practice, and uses research as a pathway toward improving the public education system. ZAF’s core area of focus is foundational skills, which include key aspects such as Values and Life Skills, Foundational Literacy and Numeracy, Parental Empowerment and Engagement, Whole Child Development and Technical and Vocational Education. ZAF envisions a world where all children and youth learn and thrive. We contribute to the nurturing of a generation of children and youth who are well-equipped with the skills for learning, skills for living and skills for working. ZAF’s mission is to consolidate evidence, innovate solutions through collective impact with other organizations, and shape policy and practice with government institutions. Zizi Afrique’s impact work has spread to five countries in Africa – Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Cameroon and Malawi.

ZAF is looking for its first MEL Manager. This is an exciting opportunity to establish, oversee and enhance the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) functions within Zizi Afrique Foundation. Your goal will be to ensure high-quality implementation of MEL activities, support program planning and execution, and foster learning and accountability to improve program effectiveness.

• Do you have experience in developing and implementing MEL strategies and plans, ideally gained in organisations focussed on systems change?
• Do you have experience with identifying and implementing data management tools, metrics and reporting systems to capture program progress and impact?
• Are you excited by Zizi’s mission of getting millions of children to acquire foundational skills, and support improvement of education systems in Africa?
• Are you looking to work in a human-centred and intellectually-stimulating environment, with 60 other colleagues in Nairobi, and collaborating with 20 other organizations in an impact community across Africa?
• Are you analytical and data-driven, and possess excellent interpersonal and people leadership skills?

If so, then, you are the one we are looking for.

Specific roles and responsibilities (Not limited to);

Organizational MEL Framework and Support (25%)

• Lead on the development and oversee the roll-out of a robust organizational MEL framework including organizational and program monitoring and learning.
• Schedule and lead monitoring activities across the program areas
• Initiate and lead evaluations in the organization that cover programs, or elements of the theory of change
• Promote all aspects of MEL to support the creation of an organizational culture which prioritizes accountability and learning.
• Build the capacity of program staff and provide support as required and ensure that MEL becomes an integral element of project implementation leading to enhanced quality, and improved reporting and accountability.

Organization and Program Theory of Change (25%)

• Review and refine the organization’s Theory of Change (ToC), as per strategy, and metrics for capturing progress and impact.
• Review and refine ToCs of the different programs and align with that of the organization.
• Support programs develop suitable indicators as per the ToC

Data Management, Analysis, and Reporting (20%)

• Develop and manage comprehensive program performance monitoring systems and tools, including data management.
• Ensure timely collection, storage, management, and analysis of MEL data on output, outcome, and impact indicators.
• Ensure indicators are accurately captured, tracked and updated regularly.
• Develop monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and annual MEL reports at the program and organizational level.
• Utilize organizational budgets to procure and use a tech-based MEL system
• Prepare quarterly and annual Organizational Impact Reports**.**

Collaborative Learning and Adaptation (10%)

• Develop and facilitate CLA tools and activities to identify and synthesize lessons learned from program implementation. This will include facilitating periodic sense-making sessions to answer key questions (e.g. so what? What does the data mean? and how do changes in context affect implementation)
• Review of the Organizational and Program Theories of Change (at least annually) based on the learnings and test whether the assumptions still hold.
• Contribute to the formative learning agenda of Zizi Afrique and work towards institutionalizing it**.**

MEL Annual Plan Development and Implementation (10%)

• Lead in the development of an overarching MEL policy or guidelines.
• Lead the annual MEL planning process of the organization and programs among others.
• Develop and implement MEL strategies for specific programs, including indicator selection, target setting, and data collection methods. This will include integrating MEL data collection and reporting requirements.

Leadership (10%)

• Supervise MEL officers and other staff as may allocated
• Organize and coordinate training programs for program personnel to help update their skills, technical abilities and professional knowledge
• Participate in leadership personal development coaching and mentoring programs.

Perform other duties as assigned.

Skills and Qualifications

• Master’s degree in social sciences, statistics, project management, or a related field.
• Additional training in Monitoring and Evaluation is advantageous.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is preferred.
• At least five (5) years of experience in monitoring and evaluation of development programs
• Proficiency with statistical software and tools (e.g., SPSS, KOBO Toolbox, ODK).
• Demonstrable ability to develop and implement MEL plans.
• Previous experience in an NGO setting is required.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build relationships with diverse stakeholders, with good oral and written communication skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving skills, critical thinking skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making.
• Strong leadership and people management skills with a proven track record of building and leading high-performing teams.
• Excellent strategic planning and organizational skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities and projects simultaneously.
• Develops and encourages new and innovative solutions.
• Agile worker, future oriented and a strategic thinker

APPOINTMENT DETAILS

Location: Nairobi, Kenya, with a physical office and flexible work-from-home possibilities and occasional travels to the project areas**.**

Salary and Benefits: The monthly basic salary will range from KES 400,000 – 500,000 gross per month. ZAF offers a very competitive package that includes a family medical cover, pension scheme, annual leave of 25 working days, and other benefits.

Contract and Hours: Minimum of 40 hours per week. The job is often not an 8 am – 5 pm job. The job has flexibility, and is also demanding, requiring high skills of work-life balance, and a strong sense of responsibility.

Experience is needed to work in a self-driven and ambitious, fast – paced environment, carrying the heavy responsibility of delivering the mission and vision of ZAF.

Zizi welcomes applications from a diversity of backgrounds, and particularly encourages female candidates to apply, as they are underrepresented within the department.