• Application Deadline:
• Position: Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning, and Adapting (MERLA) Lead



• Job Type Full Time



• Qualification BA/BSc/HND , MBA/MSc/MA



• Experience 8 - 12 years



• Location Abuja




• Job Field NGO/Non-Profit 
  
  

Program Description

• The purpose of the $25-50M USAID Food Basket (Nigeria) Activity is to increase the productivity and competitiveness of selected value chains and markets by building capacities of agri-businesses, removing barriers to investments, and developing innovative financial products. The anticipated program will be based in Nigeria.

Position Description

• RTI is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning, and Adapting (MERLA) Lead for an anticipated USAID/Nigeria Food Basket activity.


• The MERLA Lead will oversee all MEL components of the activity, including the design and implementation of the Activity MEL Plan and corresponding information system to track delivery against targets.


• The position will promote learning and knowledge sharing of best practices, and dissemination of lessons learned and project outcomes as part of its collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) approach.


• The MERLA Lead will also mentor and support all the technical staff in MEL functions and data-driven decision-making and will manage any MEL-related program staff.


• This position will report to the COP and be based in Abuja, with travel to state-level implementation areas.

Responsibilities

• Serves as a member of leadership team, setting a positive and professional tone for the team, collaborating closely with the other team leaders.


• Develop, monitor, and ensure successful implementation of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (AMELP) by overseeing project results, data management, reporting on indicators, capturing evidence and learning, and supporting evidenced-based decision-making.


• Work closely with technical team members to gather and share necessary data for M&E reporting needs and CLA activities.


• Oversee MEL technical assistance to subcontractors and local partners.


• Prepare quarterly report summarizing performance against the indicator list and performance standards of the Quality Assurance Surveillance Plan.


• Review data and reporting to analyze progress toward targets and determine corrective action needed to improve goal achievement.


• Outline specific learning questions and activities and work closely with the staff to generate, validate, and present data in user-friendly format.


• Facilitate constructive and collaborative dialogue during regular MEL project reviews and biweekly team meetings.


• Support the Senior Management team to lead quarterly “pause and reflect” performance review processes with Workstream Leads.


• Represent the project in professional circles through meetings, conferences, and presentations and assist with dissemination of project results and learning.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree and 12 years of experience, or Master’s degree and 10 years of experience.


• At least 8 years of experience in managing and/or leading MEL activities for large-scale agriculture or market systems development programs in West Africa, with at least three of those years working in Nigeria as a senior advisor or staff member.

Key Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Knowledge of and experience with civil society organizations, government and private sector in Nigeria, with demonstrated understanding of local agricultural market systems is preferred.


• Strong analytical skills to successfully use data and evidence to guide program adaptations.


• Demonstrated experience in setting up and managing MEL systems that track performance as per the objectives of Nigeria Food Basket.


• Familiarity with CLA approaches. Excellent ability to articulate oral and written technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences. Data visualization skills a plus.


• Demonstrated experience in mainstreaming relevant GESI approach into MEL systems.


• Experience supervising MEL staff at different levels across different offices.


• Proven ability to work independently and multi-task in high-pressure settings.


• Ability to travel and work in any of the anticipated priority states.


• Excellent interpersonal communication and writing skills.


• Excellent knowledge of MS Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Excel.


• Knowledge and experience with using statistical packages for data analysis will be an added advantage.


• Verbal and written English proficiency is required.


• Experience working on USG-funded programming in Nigeria.