Project Background

The Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) is a cross-Government fund focusing on tackling national security threats to the UK, at the direction of the National Security Council. This enables the CSSF to drive and incentivise a whole of Government approach to delivery through programmes drawing together diplomatic, development and military levers. The CSSF is agile and flexible, able to support quick HMG response in times of crises. For Financial Year 21/22 it has a budget of £874m and will operate in over 70 countries.

CSSF has contracted Integrity Research and Consultancy, and our partner LTS-Niras, to deliver the Global Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (GMEL) contract. Through this contract, we aim to help the CSSF cultivate world-class monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) at the Fund level that meets the demands of programming in fragile and conflict affected contexts and generates and synthesises evidence for policy and decision making.

To achieve this ambition we:

• Support CSSF to develop and use tools and approaches that are appropriate for the complex environments in which the fund operates.
• Equip the CSSF network with the confidence and skills to make long-lasting transformational changes that allow evidence-based decision making.
• Create opportunities for CSSF stakeholders to engage and connect to enable learning and shared understanding.
• Collaborate with Senior Leadership to build confidence in the value added by good MEL practices.

We are a multidisciplinary team working collaboratively with the Joint Funds Unit (JFU) and CSSF to deliver transformational support. Our team bring together an exciting blend of MEL experts, organisational development specialists, skilled facilitators and thematic specialists. Together, we deliver technical capability, capacity in an adaptive and highly responsive way.

There are five strands that organise the GMEL portfolio: MEL Systems, Evaluation and Synthesis, CSSF Principles (focused on how the Fund works), Cross-Fund Learning and Data Analytics and Knowledge Management. Each Strand is comprised of a portfolio of interventions, ranging in purpose, scope, size and timeline.

Scope of Work

We are seeking an experienced MEL specialist, to fill the roles of Evaluation & Synthesis Strand Lead and Deputy Team Lead.  

The Strand Lead (SL) is both a technical and managerial role. As a Strand Lead, you will oversee, coordinate and integrate interventions within the strand, which includes signing off internal and Client deliverables.

You will report directly to the GMEL Team Lead (TL), and work closely with other Strand Leads to build technical coherence and connectivity across GMEL strands and interventions. You will likely be supported by a Deputy who will provide cover when you are unavailable. The number of interventions and intervention owners will fluctuate over time. It is expected you will likely have several Intervention Owners (IOs) reporting to you at any given time.   

Expected Level of Effort (LoE) is around 3 days/week.

The scope of work for the Strand Lead is outlined in the table below.

As one of two Deputy Team Leads (DTL), you will provide cover for the TL when needed (during annual leave, sick days, etc.). You will also oversee a portfolio of internal initiatives related to your designated areas of responsibility (see below).

You will be an active member of the Leadership Team (LT), attending weekly meetings. At these meetings, you will be responsible for escalating issues and recommending solutions and ways forward related to your areas of responsibility. You will also be responsible for reviewing new GMEL scopes of work (for new or amended interventions) and approving these in agreement with the other LT members.

Specific responsibilities are outlined below.

Expected LoE is 1 day/week.

Your Experience and Expertise

We are looking for an experienced MEL specialist with leadership and management experience. We are particularly interested in individuals who have experience designing and delivering innovative approaches to strengthening MEL systems, especially in dynamic and complex contexts.

Technical Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of relevant experience, including in leadership and technical roles.
• Experience in leading MEL programmes of work in complex organisations, including change management and communications.
• Experience in enabling learning and adaptation of complex MEL programmes through evidence, translating lessons into products and discussions for different stakeholders and audiences.  
• Experience working on donor government programmes in two or more of the following thematic areas: conflict prevention and peacebuilding, security sector reform, governance and public sector reform, stabilisation, migration, serious and organised crime, gender equality. 
• Experience in performing evaluations, including design and delivery, using various approaches and methods, including utilisation focus, developmental, real-time evaluation, and theory-based approaches.
• Experience in developing tailored evaluation policies and guidelines in complex organisational settings.
• Experience in leading the development and adaptation of MEL frameworks and tools for complex programmatic environments.
• Experience in designing, utilising and adapting quantitative, qualitative and/or mixed research and analysis methods.  
• Experience operating in Fragile and Conflict-Affected States and familiarity with the CSSF network is desirable. 
• Ability to adjust or change to best meet the needs of the situation or environment, engaging in continuous learning, adjusting the application of knowledge, skills and abilities while addressing new challenges.
• Ability to understand problems and discover new opportunities and solutions for problems by looking beyond current practices and using innovative thinking.

Team Management and Leadership Experience:

• Ability to plan and monitor the work of others to ensure achievement of desired results.
• Experience managing teams remotely, working collaboratively and enabling others to deliver and stay motivated.
• Experience of working in fast-paced environments with the ability to adapt to new information and constantly reprioritise own and team’s tasking.
• Experience in agile work methodologies and influencing the work of both colleagues and external stakeholders.
• Confidence to make and take responsibility for appropriate decisions in a timely manner - starting, stopping and adapting work in an evidenced based way - and taking these decisions forward with your team.

Stakeholder Engagement Experience:

• Experience of working in fast-paced environments with the ability to adapt to new information, constantly reprioritise and manage stakeholders, including senior government staff.

• Experience and confidence working closely with senior government stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to provide constructive feedback to clients successfully.
• Familiarity with the CSSF network, and confidence to engage with senior level stakeholders in UK and HMG country offices, are desirable.

Languages:

• Written and oral fluency in English, with the ability to write clear, distilled and compelling narrative.

Security Clearance:

• The candidate must be eligible for UK Government security clearance. This means being currently resident in the UK and having lived in the UK for at least two of the past five years, where one year is a period of 12 months consecutive months.

Competencies

Additional leadership and management competencies

How to Apply

If you are interested in applying for this position, please complete the application form at www.integrityglobal.com/apply and attach a CV and Cover Letter at the bottom of your application.

What to send: Tailored CV and one paragraph explaining your suitability for the role.

Deadline for applications: 22nd April 2022. We will be interviewing strong candidates as their applications are received, so please apply early. Please be advised that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.  

Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.

Integrity is an equal opportunities employer. And positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. We will respect your confidentiality and abide by UK data protection laws.