Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Lead

KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Lead (MERL)
Sector: International Trade
Duration/Level of Effort (short/long-term): Long-Term
Position Location: In-Person (to be based in Lusaka, Zambia. With travel, as required, to the DRC and Mozambique)
  
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
The “Facilitating Inclusive, Resilient and Sustainable Trade” (FIRST) project, a Global Affairs Canada (GAC) initiative, aims to improve economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa that is inclusive, environmentally sustainable, and empowers women, youth and persons with disabilities (PWD). Through a series of targeted interventions, FIRST will support the Ministries of Trade and Commerce and other relevant Ministries in DRC, Mozambique and Zambia, trade-related institutions and Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), particularly those led by women, youth, PWD and Small-Scale Cross Border Traders (SSCBTs). FIRST will work with the Ministries of Trade and Commerce and trade-related institutions to ensure a gender-responsive and inclusive approach to the design and implementation of trade policies and agreements, including the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
FIRST will also improve access to the socio-economic benefits of environmentally sustainable and inclusive trade by improving the enabling environments at border crossings and strengthening the ability of MSMEs and SSCBTs to adapt and leverage new national and regional trade opportunities. Finally, by improving the knowledge and skills of research institutions to gather, analyze and utilize gender-sensitive and environmentally sustainable trade-related data and evidence, the Project will support target countries in evidence-based policy design and implementation.
SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
The FIRST project requires the services of a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Lead based in Lusaka, Zambia to provide monitoring and evaluation and knowledge management services to the GAC FIRST program.    
KEY RESPONSIBILITIES
Working under the direction of the FIRST Team Leader and in close coordination with the Program Manager, the expected services of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Lead will include, but not limited to:   

1. Provide advice and support to the FIRST team on the implementation and support of the program wide MERL Plan and Operations to achieve the following results:
   1. Participate in the roll out of M&E systems and tools, forms and templates for capturing data, as prescribed in the MERL Implementation Plan, ensuring all M&E systems and tools are fully understood and applied consistently across the program team and partners;
   2. Assess and develop the MERL capacity of FIRST technical teams and stakeholders, as required, including providing on-going support to all FIRST program stakeholders on all technical aspects related to M&E;
   3. Work closely with the Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI) team to ensure the MERL system is GEDSI-responsive;
   4. Builds capacity of FIRST programming staff and relevant stakeholders in the use and management of FIRST’s MERL monitoring and evaluation system and the associated monitoring tools;
   5. Develop and regularly update MERL annual workplans that include all planned MERL activities; and
   6. Provide regular updates on progress and challenges to the Cowater HQ Monitoring and Evaluation Supervisor.
2. Facilitate data collection and report preparation by aiming on achieving the following results:
   1. Support FIRST team to plan and execute their monitoring and evaluation plans by developing and overseeing the implement of appropriate quantitative and qualitative data collection, analysis tools and methodologies (survey questionnaires, key informant interviews, focus groups etc.) – supervising where necessary to ensure the best data collection protocols and practices are applied;
   2. Preform regular data clearing to ensure high quality and integrity, data analysis and visual representation of M&E data from different activities and across the entirety of the program;
   3. Manage data entry into FIRST’s M&E database, ensuring all data is stored in an appropriate, traceable and user-friendly manner for utilisation in progress reports, evaluation reports etc.;
   4. Consolidate lesson learned across the program, including making recommendations for improvement based on all data gathered from FIRST activities; and
   5. Produce consolidated data in reports and presentations in easily understood manner to demonstrate progress made against agreed upon indicators and targets.
3. Support the Cowater HQ Communications Specialist and Knowledge Management team to collect material for case studies and/or success stories for program communication purposes:
4. Lead FIRST’s MERL efforts to organise and host learning sessions (internal & external) for better knowledge sharing and program implementation;
5. Ensure the learning material, evaluation and research documentation (eg. Case studies, briefing reports, success stories etc.) and other relevant data/information are properly stored and accessible for all team members;
6. Identify and report and manage risks related to the monitoring, evaluation and knowledge management of FIRST; and      
7. Any other tasks as assigned by the FIRST Program Manager and/or Cowater HQ Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist.

  
JOB REQUIREMENTS 
Education

• A Graduate Degree (master’s degree required or equivalent would be an asset) in Social Sciences, evaluation, management, public policy or other relevant disciplines (research and methodological experience encouraged).

Minimum Experience

• Minimum of 7 years of experience, as senior specialist or in a senior program management position in implementing monitoring and evaluation in Southern Africa (experience in DRC, Zambia and Mozambique would be considered an asset). Knowledge of results-based management approaches would be an asset;
• Demonstrated understanding of GEDSI-transformative MERL methods and approaches and/or MERL experience relating to GEDSI specific issues or programs; and
• Substantial experience in designing, monitoring and evaluation of donor funded projects and ensuring monitoring and evaluation approaches are consistent throughout a program.

Essential Skills

• Demonstrate ability (through previous similar assignments) to analyse, compile and synthesize information in a coherent and succinct format;
• Relevant technical skills in analysing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data and presenting the findings in an easily understood format;
• A drive for results, including proven track record of high standards/accountability for work products, meeting deadlines, an ability to prioritize tasks within his/her work program and strategies for working collectively with others on the team to deliver products of the highest calibre;
• Strong interpersonal, cross-cultural and communication skills;
• Commitment to teamwork and ability to build constructive and effective relationships;
• Client oriented; and
• Demonstrated ability to work with people from diverse backgrounds and perspectives and a professional commitment to promote a culture of gender equality and social inclusion.

Language Proficiency

• Professional fluency in English (writing, reading and speaking); fluency in French and/or Portuguese is an asset.   

APPLICATION PROCESS
Interested individual consultants must include the following documents when submitting the applications by 20 February 2025. Please note, CVs will be reviewed on an ongoing basis, so we would encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as possible.

1. CV indicating all past experience from similar projects, as well as the contact details (email and telephone number) of the Candidate and at least three (3) professional references.
2. Brief statement as to why the individual/consulting company/firm considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment.

Qualified women, people with disabilities, people from diverse backgrounds, are strongly encouraged to apply.
We thank all applicants, however, only those shortlisted will be contacted.
ABOUT US
Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company founded in 1985. Headquartered in Ottawa, Canada and with corporate hubs all over the world. Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements, and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.
We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow with Cowater International.