Monitoring and Evaluation Officer-(Mercy Corps)-Youths Job in Nairobi Kenya

Mercy Corps has recently been awarded a 3-year program under USAID’s Yes Youth Can initiative, covering six regions in Kenya; Western, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Central, Nairobi and Coast.

The core of this program is a The Tahidi Youth Fund (TYF), which will be a youth-owned, youth-led and youth-managed financial facility to support local solutions for community economic development as it grows in value.

This program aims to appropriately empower Kenyan youth (18-35yrs) to strengthen their socio-economic and political stakes through youth-led and managed initiatives and institutions.

The TYF will in the first three years provide sustainable financial and skills development assistance to approximately 200,000 youth through a variety of youth-identified social and economic community development projects.

General Position Summary:

The M&E Officer will be based in Nairobi with frequent travel to implementing sites in six regions in Kenya; Western, Nyanza, Rift Valley, Central Province, Nairobi and Coast as as required and surrounding areas.

This position will act as a resource for all program staff, to enhance program design, monitoring and evaluation, and quality.

The position will assist with building M&E systems focused on data collection, data aggregation, data analysis and reporting (internal and external). Similarly collect and compile information about the program for dissemination to program beneficiaries, stakeholders, the government, CSOs and donors as per the instructions of the Chief of Party or country Director.

Essential Job Functions:

• Together with YYC National Carry out assessments of Youth Skills, Labour market and business opportunities and economic situations within the program operational areas and make recommendations for actions that are consistent with program objectives.
• Identify/design in collaboration with youth comprehensive projects that include activities to promote sustainable enterprises and livelihoods as per the findings of assessments and youth skills gaps. Analyze data with the team and support town hall report dissemination meetings after successful completion of the reports.
• Train Youth joint monitoring teams and reporting teams and engage them in monitoring their own projects and implementing youth mentorship programs.Train program staff and local partners on the logical framework, data management, data analysis and results-oriented programming, basic surveying and sampling techniques, monitoring and evaluation methods and principles and report writing techniques and requirements for Mercy Corps and USAID.
• Develop, standardize and deploy survey tools, and other data collection forms to realize the effective use of monitoring plans.
• Implement and improve existing monitoring tools for the youth & staff to ensure the appropriateness of the program and to gauge its impact, including a system of recording and presenting relevant data.
• Together with external evaluators, conduct final survey and program evaluation
• Provide reporting including contributions to regular conflicts reports, as well as more general situation reports.
• Prepare other documentation for internal Mercy Corps use and external requirements as may be required.
• Travel to the field to monitor and evaluate project sites, work with beneficiary groups, and organize and conduct assessments as necessary.
• Conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and to not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.
• Other duties as assigned

Supervisory Roles: None

Reports Directly To: COP( Chief of Party)

Works Directly With: DCOP,Program Officers logistics and procurement

Knowledge and Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Development Studies, Sociology, Statistics, Economics or related field
• 2 – 3 years’ experience or more in Youth Development and livelihoods in a similar role
• Experience should include conducting assessments and surveys, proposal development, program design, selecting indicators, implementing monitoring plans, and data analysis.
• Strong English writing skills required
• Experience with USAID or other donors required
• Strong knowledge of Excel and basic statistics is required; demonstrated skill in statistical analysis, SPSS, MS Access and other databases formats strongly desired.
• Work experience in post-conflict zone
• Ability to work effectively as part of team in a cross-cultural and politically sensitive setting.
• Strong inter-personal, cultural and diplomatic skills.

Success Factors 

• Excellent communication and team-building techniques
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multi-tasking environment
• Demonstrated strong understanding of cultural and social environment in Central Province & Rift Valley.
• Willingness and ability to work effectively with a wide variety of people
• Ability to work as part of a team and coordinate with other project personnel
• Strong computer and organizational skills
• Proactive, creative, problem-solver

Living /Environmental Conditions:

The position will be based in Nairobi, with 75% field travel. 

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TYD to a field posting. Staff are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner and respect local laws, customs and MC's policies, procedures, and values at all times and in all in-country venues.

Interested candidates who meet the above required qualifications and experience should submit on or before November 30th, 2011 4.00 p.m. a cover letter, detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) listing three professional references (including a recent or supervisor) to 

hrkenya@ke.mercycorps.org 

Applicants must clearly indicate on the email subject “Application for the position of "Monitoring and Evaluation Officer”. 

Applications without this subject heading will be disqualified. 

Please do not attach any certificates.

Only qualified short-listed candidates will be contacted