Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Lead BRIDGES Program

ABOUT FIRST CONSULT

First Consult is a leading economic development consulting firm implementing projects in Ethiopia. Founded in 2006, First Consult (FC) has grown to design and implement projects across the agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors. Our multidisciplinary teams combine a capacity to execute with clarity of the local context. As a result, we have delivered at-scale real impact in terms of jobs & wealth creation, business formation & growth, and investment attraction & mobilization.

POSITION SUMMARY

The MERL Lead will primarily be responsible to develop and manage monitoring and evaluation system of the programme. S/he is responsible for capturing result achieved and report to internal and external stakeholder. In addition, the lead is expected capture lessons learned and ensure management uses the information in the intervention implementation process.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• .Design and maintain monitoring and evaluation system for BRIDGES program.
• Adhere to Donor measurement guidelines, definitions and reporting systems.
• Lead implementation team in necessary Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation processes and preparation of needed outputs.
• Capacitate downstream partners on result aggregation database and manage the system.
• Guide and train MERL analyst and research officer to ensure proper implementation of MERL activities.
• Provide capacity building on monitoring and evaluation to internal and external stakeholders.
• On board and manage consultant to undertake different research and assessments.
• Ensure quality of interventions implemented and results measured (during and post intervention phase)
• Support management with information to steer interventions and assessments.
• Provide necessary assistance in formulation and development of case studies, quarterly reports, annual reports, business plans, special studies and other similar documents periodically.
• Support knowledge management and learning by producing specific programme information resources.
• Capture, document and share lessons learned from the project implementation to larger stakeholders and community, including evidence on project stories of change and promising practices.
• Provide information on project learning and monitoring data to integrate lessons learned and course- correction in implementation going forward,
• Supervise Monitoring and Evaluation Analysts, Research and Knowledge Officer and Junior Officer.
• Pay regular field visits to the intervention areas to observe progress, with a focus on ensuring quality of service.
• Develop MERL manuals and procedures and update them as it is fit.
• Prepares and submits periodic analytical reports.
• Perform any other duties as may be required by him/her immediate supervisor.

• BA/BSc/MBA/MA/MSc in in economics, business, and/or other closely related fields from a recognized University/College
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation, or a related field with responsibility for data collection and analysis.
• Knowledge of research techniques and data analysis.
• Understanding of monitoring and evaluation.
• Competence in MS office, especially Microsoft Excel.
• Professional level competence in English Language
• Certification in Monitoring and Evaluation may be an advantage.
• Ability to think critically and lead discussions on intervention results.