Kenya: USAID/Somalia Program Support Services MV&R- Senior Monitoring & Verification Manager: Nairobi

Job Title: Monitoring & Verification Manager

Task Order #: TO9 – Monitoring, Verification, and Reporting (MV&R Year 2)

Reports to: Senior Program Management Specialist (Operational issues)

Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor (Technical issues)

Role Summary:

This is a Nairobi-based, locally hired position. The MV&R Manager manages activity-level monitoring and verification of results in the field in order to ensure that all USAID implementing partners’ data are complete, accurate, and consistent with agreements and reports, and with USAID’s regulations. S/he will provide direct management and supervision to the Nairobi-based MV&R team, and oversee the support of IBTCI Field Supervisors, as well as provide contractual oversight to Third Party Monitoring firms.

Key Result Area

Main Duties/Tasks for each KRA

Technical:

Research, Planning and Monitoring & Verification Process Management

• Directly responsible for all key MV&R work processes (pre-deployment, deployment, post-deployment and reporting) are planned for and implemented against budget
• Develop appropriate MV&R policies and implementation strategy, and update periodically
• Maintain a thorough knowledge and understanding of all USAID IP’s key activities, target populations and implementation approaches
• Develop relevant M&V tools and protocols that reflect client’s needs per implementing partner and against the overall USAID activity portfolio
• Work closely with Senior M&E Technical Advisor on site selection, tool/protocol application and revision as well as M&VR policies and strategy
• Test all new tools within the mobile data collection (MDC) platform and responsible for final green-lighting of all new tools and sites prior to field work
• Conduct random back-checking of a sample of data entered onto the MDC platform and conduct random field spot-checking of a sample of verifications conducted by TPMs
• Conduct sample of verification activities in the field according to specific requirement for sensitivity, objectivity and / or diplomacy
• Sign-off all individual M&V reports presented by report writers prior to collation for submission to USAID
• Manage MV&R folders and update senior management as needed
• Approve MV&R unit weekly report to Home Office
• Approve MV&R monthly budget projections
• Troubleshoot and problem-solve challenges arising in the field with tact and diplomacy
• Develop analytic framework to identify trends, key findings, outliers and lessons learned per M&V round
• Participate in preparation/ delivery of USAID quarterly presentations

Relationship Management

• Main point of contact with USAID implementing partners to enable efficient and timely communication on all M&V related matters, including tool development, feedback on site selection list, access to IPs database / work plans on range of sub-activities to be monitored
• Overall management of all documentation related to IPs, including documents received from IPs as per verification requirement, information sheets, versions of individual M&V reports and IP feedback trail
• Support the identification and selection of additional TPMs as required against workload requirements, and against quality and cost-effectiveness criteria
• Liaise with and act as point of contact for third party monitoring firms in Somalia
• Overall management of TPM correspondence related to MV&R processes, timelines, work-plans, targets and site allocations
• Development and maintenance of tracking system for effective performance management of TPM outputs and approval of TPM deliverables
• Support M&V Officer in problem-solving and responding to issues identified in field processes
• Make timely requests of periodic additional human resources (report writers, MDC scripting etc.) against MV&R budget
• Main point of contact for ASKIA MDC platform provider, and for MDC technical assistance partner.
• Present MV&R findings to USAID and IPs per round of fieldwork

Database Management

• Supervise Database Manager and Data Administrative Assistant
• Develop quality control management policies and processes for checking all incoming and outgoing details of data in the mobile platform, and ensure all relevant personnel (SPSS and TPMs) are adhering to such
• Review all regular and periodic data quality control reports and identify areas for improvement and respond appropriately
• Coordinate queries related to database to relevant team members for prompt resolutions
• Work closely with MV&R team to verify and cross reference incoming data and completed reports as needed
• Overall responsibility for establishing data archive system

Training/Orientation

• Oversee development / updating of training materials in key aspects of monitoring and verification tools, protocols and processes
• Facilitate training to field staff and orientation of third party monitoring contracted firms, using Trainer of Trainer and adult learning methodologies

Line management

• Directly manage workload and performance of SPSS Data Manager, M&V Officer and M&V Data Administrative Assistant, using dedicated performance management tools and processes / policies
• Participate in recruitment, contracting and management of Field Supervisors and support M&V Officer in on-going line management / performance management

Financial management

• Ensure that M&V activities are within approved budget, in liaison with Finance Manager for ODC budget / burn-rate
• Approve Field Supervisor monthly invoices
• Approve TPM deliverables against approved purchase order
• Negotiate with TPMs on submitted budgets

Strategy

• Participate in SPSS management meetings reviewing how systems function and relate to other task order activity, especially evaluations
• Provide leadership for internal thinking on the effectiveness, efficiency of the MV&R system, and consideration of innovations

Key Education, Skills and Abilities:

• A graduate degree in the field of evaluation, international development or a related technical field.
• Over seven years of international experience in the management, monitoring and evaluation of development programs
• Experience in developing monitoring and verification tools, and training and managing staff in effective use of those tools.
• Knowledge of relevant USAID rules and regulations (incl. ADS 204 and ADS 320) related to monitoring and verification activities and approaches
• Experience in mobile data collection platforms and processes (preferably ASKIA but any other experience valued), including CAPI formatting and mobile scripting processes
• Ability to multi-task within tight deadlines and with strong attention to detail.
• Excellent English, oral and written, especially technical report writing
• Strong relationship management skills, including with USAID or other donor agencies
• Experience of working in Somalia or other fragile states an added advantage; ability for periodic travel to Somalia is essential for this post

To apply: send CV to lguan AT ibtci DOT com by Nov. 30th, 2015. Only short-listed candidates will be notified. No phone calls.