Humanitarian Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Manager- Employment, career opportunity in USA

Job Title:     Humanitarian Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Manager
Organization:   Oxfam America
Country:     United States of America
Deadline:    24th Sept 2013
Posted:   5th Sept 2013


PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Will oversee a small team of staff and consultants and will be fundamentally responsible for the following areas of humanitarian programming:

•Support improved program quality: Ensure the timely implementation of quality humanitarian MEL functions across all OA humanitarian projects and programs. Accurate performance information is vital in determining the quality of project implementation and assessing whether the desired outcomes of meeting basic needs and restoration of rights are being realized. The position will work to ensure that MEL systems in humanitarian programs and projects are of the quality and rigor needed for this, including proper desegregation of indicators with regard to gender and other forms of marginalization and exclusion that might be central to systemic vulnerability.
•Humanitarian Impact: Develop a system and practice of demonstrating the impact of humanitarian interventions
•Coordinate and facilitate capacity development: Adequate technical capacity is critical for ensuring high quality humanitarian response. This position will oversee and guide capacity development initiatives for staff and partners in regional offices as well as in HQ. In addition, a mechanism for measuring changes in capacity will be developed.
•Transparency and accountability: Ensure that systems, procedures, and competencies exist so that performance data is shared with stakeholders in an ethical and rights-based manner. All projects and programs must, thus, include adequate measures for program and financial accountability.
•Strategic Information management: Lead on the production of high-level syntheses of performance data in order to (a) aid decision making in the Humanitarian Response Department, (b) assist regional offices to make critical decisions, (c) inform external stakeholders – including other affiliates — of progress, challenges, and lessons, (d) monitor implementation of the humanitarian change goal.
•Assess effectiveness of Advocacy: Develop monitoring and evaluation systems for assessing the influence of Oxfam’s humanitarian advocacy efforts in regional offices.

Working with the other MEL functions, the position will be implementing and relating to program at several distinct levels:

•Support of operational MEL by implementing partners and regional offices
•Strategic MEL of OA’s global humanitarian response portfolio
•Coordination and facilitation of Oxfam’s capacity building efforts

Responsible for the following key areas of work in OA Humanitarian projects and programs

•Provide strategic guidance to regional offices and international partners on good MEL practices, including roles, responsibilities, formats, tools, processes, and policies.
•Provide feedback to regional offices on MEL reports. Offer technical backstopping via in-house expertise or through the use of specialized consulting services.
•Assess MEL capacity requirements within OA.
•Assess the humanitarian program’s technical capacity requirements.
•Coordination of capacity development plans and investments and measure changes or improvements in capacity.
•Plan and host periodic global learning events.
•Develop and manage a repository of program and project/partner evaluations, and work with LEAD to deepen systems for analyzing, prioritizing and disseminating key learning from the evaluation reports in formats appropriate to a variety of internal and external audiences.
•Develop and maintain a cadre of qualified external consultants to help with operational humanitarian MEL.
•Coordination with LEAD and Regional MEL Coordinators regarding compliance with the MEL policy, good practices, and capacity building.
•Coordination with RPD, Savings for Change and R4 (micro-insurance program) and EMN (OI Emergency Managers Network).

EXPECTATIONS FOR THE POSITION:

•The incumbent will stay abreast of professional standards, trends and issues affecting this set of responsibilities, continuously striving for enhanced quality and impact and demonstrating continuous learning.
•S/he will adopt a multi-disciplinary approach to monitoring and evaluation, using both qualitative and quantitative methodologies adapted to rights-based humanitarian programs. S/he will be creative in supporting the development of evaluation frameworks that fit OA’s unique set of programs.
•S/he will take a holistic approach to technical capacity requirements and use the findings from program MEL to inform subsequent capacity investment decisions.
•S/he will work effectively and collaboratively in support of building a team-based culture of work.
•S/he will perform all duties appropriately for a multi-cultural environment, will treat all persons with dignity and respect, will be familiar with and committed to Oxfam America mission and goals, and will be able to travel frequently and extensively both domestically and abroad.
•The incumbent will be comfortable working in a highly matrixed environment in which coordination with and learning with others – LEAD, fundraisers, field staff, partners, those affected by humanitarian disasters – is a cornerstone of success.

QUALIFICATIONS:

Required:

Education:

•Master’s degree in a relevant field to the position requirements

Experience and Core Competencies:

•Minimum 5 years experience in monitoring and evaluation, with a strong preference in humanitarian work.
•Minimum of 7 years experience working with organizations engaged in international development and social justice, preferably in a developing country and with a demonstrated progression in job responsibilities and accountability.
•Very good understanding of existing international norms, standards, guidelines, principles, and agreed good practice for humanitarian work.
•Practical experience evaluating humanitarian work

•Demonstrated ability to create effective learning loops in complex organizational context.

•Practical experience in designing and implementing capacity development programs
•Formal training and experience in both qualitative and quantitative research methods, including data data gathering and analysis processes
•Excellent planning and organizing skills
•Demonstrated ability to lead teams and work as an effective team member under others’ leadership
•Good knowledge and understanding of rights-based approaches, particularly rights-based humanitarian work
•Demonstrated ability to work interculturally
•Proficiency in basic computer skills and modern communications technologies (Microsoft Office, internet, skype, etc.)

Preferred:

•Competence in partner selection, contracting, co-learning, and capacity building
•Management of humanitarian projects/programs
•Competence in the use of statistical software
•Ability to communicate in Spanish or French
•Training/facilitation experience

How to apply:

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