Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (MER) Specialist

About the role

Plan International Ghana, a child-centred community development organisation, is strengthening its Monitoring, Evaluation and Research (MER) Unit and is looking for a MER Specialist. The specialist heads the MER unit and is accountable for all MER components of the Programme Accountability and Learning System (PALS), a role central to programme quality and effectiveness.

Key responsibilities

• Lead the development of the MER framework for the country strategic plan (CSP) and the model MER framework for the Programme Unit Long Term Plan (PULTP).
• Lead the implementation of the PULTP baseline study and the dissemination of its results at national level.
• Lead the development of the Terms of Reference for the Child Rights Situational Analysis (CRSA) and implement the CRSA, then share its results and the resulting CSP.
• Contribute to identifying the external lead evaluator, manage the CSP evaluation process and review and disseminate the evaluation report.
• Identify research opportunities and ensure all research and evaluation initiatives meet global standards.
• Build the MER capacity of programme staff and partners.
• Set clear objectives and develop a strategy and budget for the MER unit.

Required profile

• Master's degree in demography, measurement, planning, monitoring and evaluation, development studies, social sciences or another relevant field.
• At least 8 years of progressively responsible experience in design, planning, monitoring, evaluation and research in international development, preferably in education, health, child protection, household economic security, disaster risk management, gender and inclusion.

Required skills

• Knowledge of development issues, trends, challenges and opportunities and their implications for community development.
• Demonstrated experience as a development professional in planning, implementing, monitoring and evaluating programmes and projects.
• Knowledge of participatory M&E tools and systems and of tool design for qualitative and quantitative research.
• Knowledge of strategic planning processes.

Applications include a detailed CV with dates and job summaries, a cover letter, certified copies of academic certificates and national service certificate (if applicable), and the names and contact details of three work-related referees. Applications were due by 22 January 2016.