BACKGROUND:
The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is one of the world’s leading agencies working in post-conflict and development contexts, supporting communities in over 40 fragile, failed and developing states. In this capacity, we work to restore safety, dignity and hope to millions who are uprooted, struggling to endure and wishing to advance on a path of development. The IRC began working in Myanmar in May 2008 with emergency response and early recovery interventions for communities affected by Cyclone Nargis. Since then, the IRC has broadened its portfolio with health, protection, livelihoods, and social development programs aiming to employ a holistic approach to meeting the needs of crisis affected and vulnerable communities to survive, recover, and gain control of their future. In conjunction with longer-term programs working in system strengthening, participatory community-driven development, and local stakeholder capacity development, the IRC works in emergency preparedness and response, supporting its staff and its partners to be able to become more resilient and responsive to shocks and respond quickly when they occur. IRC Myanmar operates an annual portfolio of about $16 million, through the implementation of over 15 grants country-wide funded through a diverse donor base. In addition, IRC prioritizes partnership with local civil society organizations, and manages on average about 14 sub‐grantees.
SCOPE OF WORK:
The IRC is seeking a dynamic, analytical, and highly motivated individual for the position of Measurement, Accountability & Learning (MA&L) Coordinator. This position plays a critical role in improving and maintaining program quality through the development, implementation, and coordination of high-quality monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning processes. Key functions include:
•Supporting the development of properly-resourced, well-structured M&E systems that effectively collect, analyze and use data to inform project implementation.
•Developing and expanding program feedback and accountability mechanisms to ensure that the voices of clients are central to IRC’s programming.
•Identifying and supporting project and country program learning priorities through assessments, evaluations and documentation processes.
•Build the technical capacity of M&E and program staff to implement M&E activities with greater skill, ownership, and autonomy.
The MA&L Coordinator will directly manage members of a core M&E Unit, and provide close technical support to program teams and project-based M&E staff. This position reports to the Deputy Director for Programs and is based in Yangon with frequent field travel.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
Measurement/M&E and Accountability
•Coordinate with the grants and technical teams to provide input as needed on project design, including incorporation of evidence and learning from previous projects, and developing M&E budgets, logical frameworks, and theories of change.
•Coordinate program M&E planning processes, involving project managers and M&E staff and core M&E unit staff in the development of M&E workplans, indicator matrices, and role and responsibility mapping.
•Ensure that robust quantitative elements of M&E systems are balanced with qualitative components to triangulate information and analyze causal relationships.
•Lead efforts to ensure gender is sufficiently and effectively incorporated into design, planning, and implementation of program monitoring and evaluation frameworks and related M&E activities throughout the project cycle.
•Facilitate regular data review meetings with project teams to review M&E system functioning, and to ensure data is analyzed and used to inform implementation and course-correction.
•Ensure that data is accurately and safely documented and stored through regular data quality and data protection audits.
•Encourage the uptake and use of innovative approaches (e.g. mobile-based case management, participatory project monitoring) to improve M&E processes where relevant.
•Identify, and support programs to follow, processes that effectively collect, use, and respond to client feedback, taking into account the operating context, resources available, and the required capacity and capabilities.
•Ensure that program teams’ uptake and use of client feedback is addressed and assessed during project data reviews.
•Work with IRC country technical coordinators to develop a country Program Accountability Strategy.
Assessment, Learning, and Documentation
•Support IRC Myanmar technical teams on assessments and evaluations, either directly or through recruitment and oversight of consultants.
•Take the lead in the documentation (writing, editing) and dissemination of key findings stemming from monitoring, assessment, and other learning activities.
•Establish and maintain links to regional and headquarters research, evaluation and learning (REL) focal points to assist the country program in drawing on and contributing to regional/global learning.
•Ensure that project evidence and learning informs development of program, area and country strategy through contributions to IRC Myanmar’s strategic planning processes.
•Ensure that all evidence and learning from IRC Myanmar and other actors is catalogued and stored for easy access by the country team.
•Manage and update basic information on IRC program sites, populations and beneficiary counts.
Capacity Building
•Assess capacity gaps within program and M&E teams; facilitate capacity building (including both training and peer-to-peer sharing) on relevant technical skills and knowledge, including related IRC global initiatives.
•Conduct visits to field sites to provide training, technical assistance, and support; ensure that accountability and learning tools and strategies are understood and being implemented.
•Act as the focal point for country-level dissemination and training on key IRC global initiatives, including Measurement, the Outcomes and Evidence Framework, and Client Voice and Choice.
Special Tasks and Liaison
•Represent the IRC Myanmar Country Program when requested/applicable in forums related to program monitoring, evaluation and learning, within IRC and/or with donors and partners.
•When appropriate/applicable, facilitate and participate in information sharing opportunities among IRC partners/donors.
•Ensure the country program’s M&E strategy is reviewed and updated on an annual basis to reflect measurement, accountability and learning priorities.
•At the request of the DDP/Senior Management, take responsibility for miscellaneous projects not falling under responsibilities underlined in this job description.
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS:
Internal: Deputy Director for Programs and Country Director; Grants Unit staff; Sector Leads; Field Coordinators; Regional Measurement Action Coordinator; other key staff in IRC regional/HQ REL, Outcomes and Evidence, and Measurement teams.
External: Partners as required.
Requirements:
•Master’s degree in social sciences, systems science, and/or other relevant fields with at least three years of relevant professional work experience; or bachelor’s degree with more than six years of relevant experience.
•Minimum of three years’ experience in an international NGO in similar role/with similar responsibilities, with at least one year’s experience in humanitarian contexts.
•Professional fluency in spoken and written English and able to communicate concisely and with impact; high level English writing skills are mandatory.
•Familiarity with major donor requirements, e.g. US Government, DFID, UN, EU.
•Demonstrated experience developing tools and systems for, and building capacity of others in skills related to, program tracking and documentation.
•Excellent computer skills with high proficiency in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel; practical experience using, or at least a familiarity with, information management systems and analysis software is an advantage.
•Experience developing and implementing mobile data collection systems is an advantage.
•Proven experience coordinating with diverse teams.
•Effective, high-quality communication, writing, and interpersonal skills are essential.
•Previous experience working in Myanmar is a plus.
PERSONAL SPECIFICATIONS:
•Flexible and adaptable to a dynamic and fast paced work environment
•Ability to independently organize work and prioritize tasks.
•Self-motivated, honest, highly responsible, and punctual.
•Ability to both lead a team and work effectively as part of a team
