POSITION DESCRIPTION FOR

AID PROJECT MANAGEMENT SPECIALIST (M&E)

BACKGROUND

USAID Ghana’s Development Objective “Strengthened Responsive Democratic Governance”supports Ghana’s Civic participation in the democratic process and works for local and national government responsiveness to the interests of its citizens. Projects in the Democracy, Rights and Governance (DRG) portfolio focus on: strengthening of Metropolitan Municipal District Assemblies’ (MMDAs) capacity for transparent and accountable governance, build the capacity of civil society organizations, support effective processes and equitable engagement of citizens in national and local elections, and advance initiatives designed to eliminate corrupt practices. In addition, the Democracy and Governance Office provides technical assistance, analysis and advice on issues such as democratic governance and human rights to the USAID Mission.

Basic Function of the Position

The Program Management Specialist will serve as the DRG team’s principal subject matter expert in Monitoring and Evaluation to help implement USAID/Ghana DRG portfolio activities, buildon previous experiences in scaling up proven interventions and approaches and work to support the usage of Ghana country systems under DRG new Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS). As DRG expert in monitoring and evaluation, the incumbent will lead the technical, implementation and management of programs and activities in the area of monitoring and evaluation.

TheM&E Specialist will be responsible for performing monitoring and evaluation functions across the DRG program portfolio and its activities, and provide expert advice to USAID/Ghana offices on monitoring and evaluation for their work in relation to DRG. Duties will include developing and updating the project/activity and annual monitoring and evaluation plans, data collection, annual and semi-annual reports; analyze monitor and evaluate progress toward planned milestones, achievements and expected results, and report regularly on such progress to diverse target audiences including USAID, United States Government and Ghana Government and non-government partners.

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES % OF TIME

The M&E Specialist will be responsible for performing monitoring and evaluation (M&E) functions across the DRG program portfolio and its activities. As part of the DRG team, s/he will plan, prepare, review and monitor field implementation of activities in support of the USAID DRG Strategy as articulated under USAID/Ghana’s Country Development Cooperation Strategy, and ensure adherence and compliance to the appropriate Agency policies, frameworks and guidance.

  1. Evaluation and Capacity Development 35%

The DRG M&E Specialist will serve as project manager for key projects and activities related to monitoring and evaluation support. S/he will be instrumental in strengthening skills of, and serve as a central resource to DRG Office team members, and other key sector actors and implementing partners in the area of monitoring and evaluation.

Specific duties will include:

  • Serve as COR/Alternate COR, AOR/Alternate AOR and/or Activity Manager for key projects and activities related to monitoring and evaluation support.
  • Provide technical input to strengthen and operationalize DRG’s monitoring and evaluation system, work and liaise with DRG team members, USAID/Ghana’s Program Office, implementing partners and other relevant actors.
  • Develop and coordinate calendars; schedule and document (e.g. terms of reference, scopes of work, Task Order Statements of Work, etc.) to procure and conduct mid-term and final performance evaluations and other relevant analytical works; provide technical guidance, expertise and input to team members and implementing partners as needed.
  • Organize and facilitate meetings with CORs, AORs, activity managers, implementing partners and other relevant stakeholders in preparation of annual USAID reporting.
  • Monitor project-level progress and assessments, studies and other analytical efforts, keeping close contact and collaboration with relevant contractors, grantees, government and other partners.
  • Provide input and coordinate performance and impact assessments; collectand disseminate lessons learned, and share successes during project implementation.
  • Conduct regular events (e.g. trainings, brown-bags) to communicate or train team members and implementing partners in key areas of monitoring and evaluation.
  • Coordinate with Program Office monitoring and evaluation personnel and relevant USAID/Washington personnel dealing with monitoring and evaluation for routine tasks and remain updated on monitoring and evaluation policies and practice, particularly USAID’s Evaluation Policy.
  • Participate in technical reviews and provide comments on draft documents to ensure that evaluations meet Mission management needs and Automated Directives System (ADS) requirements.
  • Other duties as assigned
  1. Data Coordination, Analysis and Management 35%

The DRG M&E Specialist will be responsible for managing the DRG Performance Management Plan, work with DRG Office and implementing partners (government and contractors) to ensure timely and consistent data collection, consolidation and communications. S/he will provide technical assistance in the monitoring of USAID/Ghana DRG programs to ensure compliance with US Government regulations and document program impact, performance and achievement of results under the CDCS currently in force.

Specific duties will include:

  • Periodically review, (at least every six months), the USAID/Ghana DRG Office Performance Management Plan, assess the extent to which performance indicators remain relevant and useful, and suggest the necessary adjustments over time.
  • Provide quality control for all aspects of M&E included in the Operational Plan and Performance Report; update and provide input to the Mission’s Operational Plan progress indicators.
  • Coordinate and consolidate input from implementing partners for the preparation, analysis and timely submission of Annual and Semi-Annual Program Reports and ensure follow-up to track, oversee and verify large volumes of data collected from implementing partners prior to consolidation into USG reports.
  • Collaborate with the team to prepare accurate pipeline levels and future resource requests as well as procurement plans for semi-annual portfolio reviews.
  • Develop clear ways to represent, summarize and communicate the analysis verbally and in writing (e.g., graphics) to inform reporting requirements, project communications for internal mission and external use.
  • Analyze quantitative and qualitative data and presents reports on findings to the DRG team.
  • Develop databases, spreadsheets or other tools to ensure that data is compiled and readily available.
  • Develop M&E perspective narratives on the annual program performance results jointly with program areas’ technical advisors and managers.
  • Assist the team to maintain electronic and hard copy files to meet the Automated Directives System requirements.
  • Other duties as assigned.
  1. Program Performance Monitoring 30%

The DRG M&E Specialist will provide technical assistance to the DRG team in monitoring the performance of the portfolio’s programs. Specific duties will include:

  • Track, report on and facilitate implementing partner compliance with monitoring and evaluation policies and procedures, including ensuring that Performance Management Plans (PMPs) are regularly updated and data quality assessments conducted on all performance indicators.
  • Develop results vs. targets tracking system by program area on a quarterly, semi-annual and annual basis for monitoring partner performance.
  • Conducts periodic site visits to assess partner data collection methods, and provide technical assistance to implementing partners.
  • Develop and maintain a project monitoring plan for the DRG portfolio.
  • Provide feedback to partners and CORs/AORs/Activity Managers during partner’s quarterly program review meetings.
  • Participate in interagency monitoring and reporting as necessary
  • Provide written and oral reports to the team on progress, impact, problems, constraints and opportunities, identifying strengths, deficiencies and suggesting corrective actions, where necessary.
  • Collect and disseminate lessons learned, and share successes during project implementation.
  • Prepare oral and written briefings for other USAID/Ghana staff, and as needed, respond to task teams from USAID/Washington.
  • Field and respond to task teams related to portfolio monitoring and evaluation aspects of the DRG Office portfolio, including serving as lead for the weekly DRG updates.
  • Other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS/SELECTION CRITERA
  1. Education: Undergraduate degree in political science, international development, social sciences, statistics or related fields is required.
  1. Prior Work Experience: A minimum of 3 years progressively responsible, professional-level experience in monitoring and evaluation or related sector program management in a fast paced, multi-cultural environment, applying strong inter-personal, organizational, and technical (monitoring and evaluation) skills is required. Experience in strategic planning, design and application of methods and strategies to produce, analyze and use data, and share/communicate information with a variety of actors in different environments; build or develop capacity related to monitoring and evaluation and/or M&E systems development is required.
  1. Language Proficiency: Level IV English (proficiency) fluency (strong oral and written)is required. Applicants are requested to submit a 3 page writing sample that demonstrates ability to analyze and draw logical conclusions based on analytical findings in a development context. Writing, analytical and presentation ability will be tested if selected for an interview.
  1. Job Knowledge: The incumbent must have knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methods and understanding of policies, priorities, strategic directions relevant to the Government of Ghana and USAID DRG program in Ghana; Familiarity with the mandate, structure and functions of the Ghana Ministry of Local Government and Rural Development and the Local Government Service and government entities involved in democracy, human rights and governance interventions is required.
  1. Skills and Abilities: The incumbent must have strong inter-personal skills such as communication, negotiation, representational and program/project management and coordination, time management, quantitative and analytical skills with ability to communicate technical information clearly and effectively with professional.Must have ability to work effectively with superiors, subordinates, colleagues and partners both inside and outside the Mission including multi-cultural team is required. Must be diplomatic but firm in dealing with and cultivating relationships with a wide variety of officials. Computer skills (Microsoft Office, Excel and database and/or other software programs and tools that facilitate monitoring and evaluation efforts and ability to travel is required.

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