The Organisation
Plan International is an independent development and humanitarian organisation that advances children’s rights and equality for girls. We believe in the power and potential of every child but know this is often suppressed by poverty, violence, exclusion and discrimination. And it is girls who are most affected.
Working together with children, young people, supporters and partners, we strive for a just world, tackling the root causes of the challenges girls and vulnerable children face. We support children’s rights from birth until they reach adulthood and we enable children to prepare for and respond to crises and adversity. We drive changes in practice and policy at local, national and global levels using our reach, experience and knowledge.
For over 85 years, we have rallied other determined optimists to transform the lives of all children in more than 80 countries.
We won’t stop until we are all equal.
SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
The MERL Officer will lead the research, monitoring, evaluation, documentation and learning components of the Education Outcome Funds (EOF) Project. He/she will build the capacity of project staff in M&E skills and lead learning-based documentation of program progress. She/he will lead the development of the EOF Project M&E tools and checklists including supporting the Project Manager and MERL Manager to produce quality project reports both for Donor and country program reporting obligations.
S/he will ensure effective tracking and measurement of outcome indicators for the overall project and leading learning and reflection initiatives and S/he will take the lead in documenting change realized through routine monitoring, collection of most significant change stories on project implementation following established guidelines, as well as ensuring quality assurance and technical oversight of the EOF project management scope, reporting line
Accountabilities
Typical Responsibilities - Key End Results Of Position
M&E Design And Business Development: 20%
Support project design and work closely with the Project Manager and MERL Manager to ensure clarity of results and priorities, in alignment with programmatic objectives and indicators. Support the development of M&E plans and budgets for projects and ensure comprehensive and detailed M&E budgeting. With support from the MERL team, design and implement the project monitoring tools as per program quality standards and key performance indicators, and ensure the use of appropriate tools in the collection, compilation, analysis and utilization of findings. Ensure Plan International Sierra Leone and donor standards such as safeguarding children and young peoples’ policy, research protocols, knowledge management and MERL standards and Guidelines are adhered to. Monitoring of system reporting on M&E including SAP and PMERL systems and progress reports, milestones and support the process of entering the project into PMERL. Review project entered in SAP/PMERL and other cooperate systems for quality compliance Monitor project outputs via SAP/PMERL and other cooperate systems and prepare reports about projects at risk Support the implementation of accountability and feedback mechanisms of Plan International
Research And Evaluative Studies: 20%
In collaboration with the Evaluation and Research Coordinator for Plan, provide technical support in developing design/methodology of studies, quality assurance of consultant reports during evaluations and studies in line with Plan International guidelines. Oversee and quality assure consultants’ work in coordination with field-based staff. With your Supervisor, coordinate ethics approval for studies, manage enumerator training and identify, mitigate/manage risks related to studies and evaluations Ensure the development of management responses and action plans. Support the maintenance of a programme-level tracker on lessons and implementation of key action plans.
Capacity Building And Quality Assurance: 20%
Support other project team members and Project Officers in their thematic area in implementing M&E standards Support the capacity building of project staff, including training project teams on results, indicators and tools for the project Conduct routine monitoring field visits to project operational districts and communities and document key improvement actions based on the findings Data quality (completeness, comprehensiveness and correctness) Quality of monitoring and evaluation of the project to inform the design Take the lead in project data audits and verification Ensure the field teams are compliant with data needs Timely submission and sharing of project data and updating of the database
Report, Documentation And Dissemination Of Lessons Learned And Good Practices: (20%)
Implement routine data collection system and support the implementation of database for the EOF project Carryout data analysis and coordinate the dissemination of project evaluation findings, including maintaining a database of evaluation findings and responses. Closely follow the implementation of the Knowledge Management strategy in the project Document lessons learned and good practices, lessons, success Facilitate regular project implementation and performance review sessions and learning events. Maintain and update the Project M&E database to ensure timely and quality data for evidence-based reporting, decision making and learning Provide information or data input for quarterly and annual reports
Representation, Partnership, Advocacy And Coordination: (10%)
As required, represent MERL and program quality-related networks, platforms and workshops related to the EOF Project Represent Plan International Sierra Leone in the Consortium working group Establish smooth relationships with partners and government stakeholders. Communicate effectively with Plan International staff, NOs and relevant government bodies
Children And Young People (Safeguarding, PSHEA And Gender Equality And Inclusion (Gei)
Understand and put into practice the responsibilities under Safeguarding and PSHEA, GEI policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), ensuring that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures. Ensure that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Young People and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in day-to-day work. Ensures that Plan Sierra Leone contributes to Plan International’s global efforts to ensure safeguarding, PSHEA and GEI, including making sure that relevant reporting and data are submitted.
Communications and Working Relationships
High-level contact: Internal: The EOF Project team, Education Program Manager, M&E Coordinator, Evaluation and Research Coordinator, Country Office (CO) and Program Unit level (PU) program team and in MERL team in general unit, Head of Programme Implementation, Head of Programme, Development and quality, External: Partners and consortium members, MBSSE, Teaching Service Commission
Location: Applicant will based in one of these locations (Falaba, Tonkolili, Kono, Kailahun Districts)
Type of Role: Monitoring Evaluation Research and Learning Officer
Reports to: MERL Coordinator and dotted report to the Project manager
Grade: Level 12
Closing Date: 27th February, 2025
Equality, diversity and inclusion is at the very heart of everything that Plan International stands for.
We want Plan International to reflect the diversity of the communities we work with, offering equal opportunities to everyone regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation.
Plan International is based on a culture of inclusivity and we strive to create a workplace environment that ensures every team, in every office, in every country, is rich in diverse people, thoughts, and ideas.
We foster an organisational culture that embraces our commitment to racial justice, gender equality, girls’ rights and inclusion.
Plan International believes that in a world where children face so many threats of harm, it is our duty to ensure that we, as an organisation, do everything we can to keep children safe. This means that we have particular responsibilities to children that we come into contact with and we must not contribute in any way to harming or placing children at risk.
A range of pre-employment checks will be undertaken in conformity with Plan International's Safeguarding Children and Young People policy. Plan International also participates in the Inter Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. In line with this scheme we will request information from applicants previous employers about any findings of sexual exploitation, sexual abuse and/or sexual harassment during employment, or incidents under investigation when the applicant left employment. By submitting an application, the job applicant confirms their understanding of these recruitment procedures.
Please note that Plan International will never send unsolicited emails requesting payment from candidates.