Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Lead at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change

The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change is a non-profit organisation set up by former UK Prime Minister Tony Blair with the ambition to help make globalisation work for the many, not the few. Helping countries, their people and their governments address some of the most difficult challenges in the world today - beginning with those where we think we can break new ground, offering leaders new thinking and new approaches.

We are recruiting to fill the position below:

Job Title: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Lead

Job Reference: tbigc/TP/132/53
Location: Abuja
Contract Type: Fixed Term/Full Time
Contract Details: Ongoing
Working Hours: 35
Job Category: Advisory
Business Area / Division: Advisory - Africa
Business Unit: Nigeria

Job Introduction

• Our Governance (Africa) pillar supports the governments and leaders of developing and emerging states to enhance their effectiveness.
• We are focused on helping governments and leaders make their vision for the development of their country a reality.
• We work in the centre of government and key line ministries and our work is shaped by national priorities.

Main Responsibilities

• Following the recent Presidential election, the Federal Government of Nigeria has set agriculture transformation as a top priority. It is establishing an agriculture coordination secretariat in the Office of the Vice-President, with responsibility for the coordination of the implementation of two flagship programmes: the National Livestock Transformation Plan (NLTP) and the Green Imperative (GI) - a partnership with Brazil to improve access to mechanization and technology in Nigerian agriculture.
• The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Advisor will be assigned to work with the Office of the Vice President to develop a monitoring, evaluation and learning system for the Project for Agriculture Coordination and Execution (PACE) secretariat, the NLTP and the GI and ensure that indicators capture the desired outcomes across the three areas.
• In line with TBI’s advisory MEL practices and approaches, the Advisor is expected to monitor the overall implementation of the programme as articulated in the Partnership Agreement/final proposal.
• The role will work closely with and report to the Programme Manager and TBI’s MEL team in London. The role will also facilitate planning and follow-up of corrective measured required to achieve and will collaborate with technical advisors to analyse data, discuss findings in regular meetings and collate into reporting.
• The role will require travel across Nigeria, and potentially to a few international locations.

Responsibilities

• Develop a suitable, adaptive monitoring, evaluation and learning system for the PACE secretariat, the NLTP and the GI and ensure that indicators capture the desired outcomes across the three areas
• Develop baseline survey / incorporate existing available data to ascertain a baseline from which to measure change in indicators
• Work with the Programme Manager to ensure all internal and external reporting requirements are met with timely, relevant, triangulated and well analysed data
• Work with key implementing states to monitor their progress, evaluate their performance and learn
• Ensure that data collection methodologies used at field level are adapted for each local environment / state, enabling the site-specific data to be captured and analysed
• Ensure that verifiable, quantitative and qualitative data is routinely collected and analysed by the state teams for NLTP and the private center service operators and shared shared with relevant stakeholders
• Ensure that all assessment/evaluation reports promote the integration of recommendations and lessons learnt in project planning
• Seek opportunities for information sharing and learning exchanges with local actors/INGOs to promote coordination at local and national level
• Provide technical supervision of the field-based activities through regular contact, field visits and meetings.
• Work with key funding partners to share and manage learning experiences
• Work with TBI Advisory MEL team to manage evaluation process to ensure programmatic and strategic relevance. Flag risks, bottlenecks and issues to relevant decision makers
• On a quarterly basis review the theory of change with related results frameworks of the programme for use as a management tool

The Ideal Candidate
Experience and Qualifications:

• A relevant University Degree
• Ideally 8 years of MEL experience on a programme, complex project or institution
• Ability to develop clear MEL frameworks that result in delivery of outcomes
• Demonstrated strong monitoring and evaluation skills, including data monitoring and planning/participating in evaluations
• An understanding of the agricultural sector and market systems
• Ability to write clear and effective assessment and project reports
• Ability to work both in an advisory and a hands-on implementation capacity
• Ability to facilitate/conduct technical trainings for staff
• Experience contributing to successful funding proposals for donors would be an asset
• Politically and culturally sensitive with qualities of patience, tact and diplomacy
• Ability to manage shifting priorities with flexibility and accuracy
• Hands on approach to work, with the ability to deliver on deadlines in a fast-paced and fast-changing environment, with minimal or no supervision.

Essential Skills:

• Exceptional oral and written communication and interpersonal skills
• Effective inter-personal and leadership skills with an ability to develop and foster relationships across a wide range of diverse and senior stakeholders
• Ability to operate and succeed in a highly political environment;
• Strong analytical and management skills, including sound knowledge of strategic planning and project management tools;
• Ability to use own initiative and actively look for opportunities to have an impact rather than simply be reactive
• A decent understanding of how governments, businesses and international development organisations operate and how to succeed in them
• Good knowledge of Microsoft Office products Word, Excel and PPT and other relevant  software and tools

Personal Specifications:

• Drive, motivation and ability to consistently achieve results in a fast-paced environment.
• Experience of living and working in developing countries is desirable but not essential.

Values We Look For:

• Courage… because to tackle global challenges, we must innovate and take smart risks
• Collaboration… because when we work together and with external partners, we can overcome even the largest problems
• Compassion… because our work is ultimately about improving people’s lives.

Salary

• Competitive.

Application Closing Date
1st November, 2019.

How to Apply
Interested and qualified candidates should:
Click here to apply online

Note: We require all successful candidates to be in post by the beginning of January.