MERL Coordinator

The Organisation

Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls.

We believe in the power and potential of every child. But this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it’s girls who are most affected.

Working together with children, young people, our supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges facing girls and all vulnerable children.

We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood. And we enable children to prepare for – and respond to – crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.

We have been building powerful partnerships for children for over 85 years, and are now active in more than 80 countries.

ROLE PROFILE
Title    MERL Coordinator
Functional Area    Programs
Reports to    PIIAM
Location    Bertoua    Travel required    Frequent
Effective Date    FY24    Grade    C2

ROLE PURPOSE
Plan International is an independent child rights and humanitarian organisation committed to children living a life free of poverty, violence and injustice.
Since 1996, Plan International has worked with over 1,200 communities the Centre, North-West, South West, East, Adamawa, North, Far-North and Littoral regions of Cameroon. Often in difficult circumstances, such as the current Lake Chad Crisis, Plan International Cameroon’s programmes and activities bring engaging and uplifting solutions to the issues faced by children and young people, particularly those who are most excluded. We strive for lasting and large-scale impact to ensure children, young people and their communities have access to protection, quality, inclusive education, health information and services and decent work and entrepreneurship opportunities.
We have been building powerful partnerships for children for more than 80 years, and are now active in more than 80 countries.
Value Proposition
This position is responsible for supervising all M&E processes related to the response in the East Region. S/he will work closely with the PIIAM. S/he shall be charged with ensuring the quality of internal and external reports, including defining and executing data editing and corrections, creating/accessing database, developing forms, documentation of procedures and data analysis for Bertoua PIIA. The MERL Coordinator will be based at the Plan International Cameroon PU office in Bertoua, with travels in all project locations.
DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE

1.    Leadership in Project Quality and Development
2.    Responsible for ensuring quality in project design, planning and monitoring;
3.    Accountable for corporate system monitoring and reporting;

ACCOUNTABILITIES
•    Provide technical support to the PIIAM
•    Ensure that the information/data collection is made in accordance with projects’ specifications, guidelines of donors and in accordance with strategic guidelines and Plan International Cameroon’s programmatic standards
•    Organize/supervise project specific data collection, their processing and analysis in the context of monitoring the indicators of the projects
•    Train Plan staff, and members of partner organizations on the use of data collection tools
•    Support specific project database, like the Child Protection Information Management System or the GBV Information Management System
•    Ensure quality control of data and information collected, through the development and/or review of new tools for the data collection in accordance of the logical frameworks of the projects, the quality assurance system of Plan International
•    Guarantee the quality of internal reports, including the monthly narrative reports and the workbook
•    Guarantee the quality of external reports, including those addressed to donors and clusters
•    Provide support to the analysis of key projects indicators with produce graphs, maps and infographics
•    Based on the data collected, conduct needs and gap identification for the relevant sectors
•    Proactively gather information from relevant partners and other organisations which may be of use for making strategic decisions
•    Assist in designing of quality concept notes and projects proposals and insure that it contains proper M&E frame work and logical frame work in line with organization strategy.
•    Ensure that the different technical sectors are coordinated, integrated and support each other to optimize projects
•    Conduct site visits to projects to provide training, technical support and monitoring visits.
•    Ensure that the deadlines to submit monitoring reports are respected for timely completion of activities/projects.
•    Co-ordinate and ensure that the internal studies, evaluation and research reports are timely submitted and of good quality.
•    Ensure compliance with donor implementation and reporting guidelines as well as PLAN International corporate M&E systems.
•    Ensure that best practices and lessons learnt are used and a mechanism exists to monitor their application to improve the delivery of quality project activities within the PIIA.
•    Perform any other duties as assigned by the supervisor

DEALING WITH PROBLEMS/RISKS
The post holder will demonstrate an ability to solve problems, thinking strategically while introducing innovations and creative thinking as needed. This is to meet the demands of a dynamic, challenging and sometimes unpredictable operating environment.
The post holder is expected to play a key role in optimizing Projects performance and enabling high performing teams at Program Area level.

KEY RELATIONSHIPS
Working contacts inside and outside the organization; include the purpose and level (high, medium, low) of the contact;
Internal
•    A member of the Program Team: collaborating with other functions – sponsorship, finance, HR, IT and operations to ensure that program work is delivered timely with high quality
External
•    Represents Plan in all relevant sectorial fora in Bertoua; CP, CPiE, …etc.
•    Interact with Government institutions responsible for children and girls’ issues.
•    UNHCR, WFP, UNICEF and other UN bodies
•    Donors and other Agencies
•    Local partners

TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Relevant knowledge and experience;
•    Relevant University Degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Management of Information Systems (MIS), Economics,  Statistics or related disciplines
•    A minimum of 3 years in data collection and data management, monitoring and evaluation or other relevant fields
•    Experience in database design, database distribution and map production and capacity building to give “hands-on” training on database management and reporting. Proficient in use of GIS, Advanced Excel, SPSS or STATA and other related software packages
•    Demonstrated skills and experience in data and data analysis visualization.
•    Demonstrated commitment to issues and programs in gender equality, educational access, livelihoods, civic engagement, leadership & capacity development;
•    Experience in design and implementation of baseline/endline surveys and special studies among vulnerable populations
•    Experience in proposal writing and project management
•    Knowledge and demonstrated proficiency in quantitative and qualitative methods, M&E planning, M&E system improvement; data use and data visualization.
•    Excellent writing and research management skills.
•    Strong training, coaching and facilitation skills.
•    Effective communication skills (written and oral) for proposal preparation and communication with donors.
•    Ability to meet deadlines and manage multiple tasks; and must be a team player with good interpersonal skills.
•    Demonstrated ability to independently schedule and manage work and lead M&E/knowledge management/learning platforms.
•    Ability to maintain the highest ethical standards at all times
Skills
•    Excellent written and spoken English skills
•    Communication – excellent negotiation and influencing skills in multi-cultural contexts
•    Strong networking skills required for building partnerships with government both locally and nationally.
•    Ability to build and foster collaborative working relationships with diverse stakeholders including project staff, local government representatives, local donor representatives, etc.  
•    Ability to monitoring project results and expenditures against work plans
•    Analytical, report writing and editing skills
•    Strong facilitation skills
•    Strong negotiating, facilitating and influencing skills.
•    Budgeting, financial management, and foreign exchange risk management skills.
•    Proven leadership and people management skills: develops, motivates, coaches and promotes high performance by teambuilding.
•    Solid understanding of compliance requirements of institutional and corporate donors.
•    Experience in managing large grants in a partnership setting and using a multi-stakeholder approach.
•    Ability to analyse information, evaluate options and to think and plan strategically
•    Skills in conducting RNA as well as feasibility studies or market analysis and cash-base transfer

Behaviours
The post holders is expected to work as a team member player, supportive, Versatile, Decisive, Action Oriented and co-operate closely with staff at different levels in ways that promotes learning and sharing; Able to Prioritise Work Effectively; Promotes Innovation and Learning; Results Focused; Works as part of a team; Respect, Integrity, Commitment to Excellence, Adaptability, Able to Perform Under Stress and Communicate Effectively with the field staff and partners at different levels and assist them in achieving good quality programming.
•    Behaves consistently in approach to work and decision-making
•    Strongly drives performance forward in area of the business for which they are responsible together with the team: balances future vision with practical delivery
•    Develops mutual trusting relationships with complex partnerships that have excellent business outcomes; working in a participative community approach.
•    Sets a strong learning culture in their part of the organisation
•    Remains calm and positive under pressure and in difficult situations
•    Aware of impact on others and adjusting own behaviour accordingly
•    Tolerant of difference – cultural sensitivity in relation to its impact on reaching children
•    Creative, solution-focused decision making
•    Forward thinking, creative and looking for a challenge, flexible approach to dealing with ambiguity/changes in priorities.
•    Ability to work comfortably and sensitively across cultures
•    Able to work in a complex organisation and people environment.
Performance:
o    Creates strong sense of purpose within the organization and among team and as well as with stakeholders
o    Holds self and others to account to deliver on agreed goals and standards of behaviour
Strategic thinking and delivery
o    Sees contribution of own part of the organization in wider Plan and external context
o    Balances future vision with practical delivery
Decision making
o    Sound judgment and decision-making in complex situations
Influencing
o    Can reach out and influence large groups of people
Effective team builder
o    Creates highly motivated team of unified purpose
o    Modifies own view to get best outcome for organization
Learning
o    Supports learning in diverse teams
Self-Awareness
o    Remains calm and positive under pressure and in difficult situations
o    Aware of impact on others and adjusting own behaviour accordingly
o    Promotes innovation and learning
o    Ability to act as part of multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary team.

PLAN INTERNATIONAL’S VALUES IN PRACTICE
We are open and accountable
1.    Promotes a culture of openness and transparency, including with sponsors and donors.
2.    Holds self and others accountable to achieve the highest standards of integrity.
3.    Consistent and fair in the treatment of people.
4.    Open about mistakes and keen to learn from them.
5.    Accountable for ensuring we are a safe organisation for all children, girls & young people

We strive for lasting impact
1.    Articulates a clear purpose for staff and sets high expectations.
2.    Creates a climate of continuous improvement, open to challenge and new ideas.
3.    Focuses resources to drive change and maximise long-term impact, responsive to changed priorities or crises.
4.    Evidence-based and evaluates effectiveness.

We work well together
1.    Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
2.    Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
3.    Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
4.    Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.

We are inclusive and empowering
1.    Seeks constructive outcomes, listens to others, willing to compromise when appropriate.
2.    Builds constructive relationships across Plan International to support our shared goals.
3.    Develops trusting and ‘win-win’ relationships with funders, partners and communities.
4.    Engages and works well with others outside the organization to build a better world for girls and all children.
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
This post is based in Bertoua with approximately 30% to the field and other travels when required
LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN
[Please delete as applicable]

Mid contact: Occasional interaction with child
SOUS RESERVE FINANCEMENT DU BAILLEUR
SUBJECT TO FINANCING BY LESSOR

Location: Bertoua

Closing Date: 31/07/23

Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.

We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.

Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.

We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.

Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.

A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International’s Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.

Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.