Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Advisor – Jordan

We are searching for an experienced Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Advisor – Jordan at our Jordan facility. You are eligible for this position if you have demonstrated experience in developing MEL Frameworks. Please note that Only applicants who are residents in Jordan will be considered.

About Project:

The Challenge Fund for Youth Employment (CFYE) is a 7-year and €134 million programme funded by the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign Affairs, that aims to create a prosperous future for 230,000 young women and men in the Middle East, North Africa, Sahel & West Africa and Horn of Africa regions. The Fund will be supporting initiatives in 11 focus countries that will offer youth, in particular young women, opportunities for work that is demand-driven and productive, offering a stable income and safe working conditions, and that is contributing to their personal development and social protection.

Private sector, civil society and knowledge institutions will be invited to submit proposals geared to scalable solutions for creating more and better jobs and income generating opportunities for youth. Solutions will in particular focus on an integrated approach that addresses the shortcomings on the demand side (jobs) and supply side (skills) and bridging the mismatch between these two in the labour market.

Assignment Overview:

CFYE requires in-country Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Advisors to work with the CFYE team in Jordan and Implementing Partners (IPs) during their reporting period & annual assessment to review milestone validation documents, data collection, data analysis, job target & KPIs achieved. The MEL consultant will play a key role in reviewing data provided by IPs, validating the data and planning follow up activities. There is potential to extend the role into full time job to cover maternity leave.

Objectives:

The purpose of the role is to support Implementing Partners (IPs)& CFYE team in the annual reporting, evaluation and quarterly progress reviews.

The in-country MEL Advisor is responsible for supporting IPs and CFYE team in Jordan in the MEL-related activities during annual and quarterly reporting, and thereafter to support with IPs’ data collection and reporting. The role requires a candidate with substantial experience providing hands-on, in-depth support to partners, building their capacity to maintain a high-quality project MEL system and appropriate data collection processes and tools.

 Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

– Conduct 1:1 MEL / outcome verification meeting with all IPs, assess the logical causal pathways to the job outcomes, based on a thorough understanding of the project delivery approach.
– Provide on-demand follow-up support to IPs as necessary, continuing to refine the MEL Framework, interrogate the underlying assumptions, define/develop data collection approaches, and respond to IP MEL-related issues as needed.
– Conduct annual evaluation and outcome Assessment with each IP in the country portfolio based on the data submitted on CFYE portal and supplemented by an additional site visit as required.
– Complete full analysis and write-up of data quality risks identified over the annual and quarterly review, Present the findings back to the CFYE MEL team and to each IP, and contribute to the IPs’ TA Plans with prioritised MEL support needs.
– Liaise with the CFYE MEL team on shaping and developing the IPs’ Knowledge Agendas, drawing out relevant, high-quality learning from the country portfolio.

Deliverables:

– Completed Output & outcome milestone verification for each (IP). This deliverable will be developed jointly with the Implementing Partners, CFYE MEL team and in country team.
– Recommendations to IPs delivered via Feedback Session: for effective mitigation strategies (e.g., through more long-term MEL TA support during project implementation) for any flagged risks.

Operational Arrangements & Reporting:

The MEL Advisor will report directly to the Country Lead for Jordan with technical oversight from the MEL central team.

Level of Effort (LoE):

Up to 60 days over a period of 6 months (Preferred start date July 2024)

Minimum Requirements:

– Expertise in MEL, including experience developing and refining Results Chains/Theories of Change and Results Frameworks, indicator selection, baseline assessments, and setting targets.
– Experience in data verification and validation, annual review, QPRs and project management.
– Demonstrable experience supporting programme partners to develop and apply suitable MEL processes and tools, including creating an overall MEL strategy and plan to operationalise it.
– Experience working on job creation programmes and knowledge of the key data quality risks in job creation programmes preferable.
– Working knowledge of key issues and opportunities related to decent work in the country and how these should be captured and applied in results measurement plans (e.g., establishing and measuring decent income) preferable.
– Experience using both qualitative and quantitative data collection/research techniques and advising programme partners on the use of appropriate research techniques.
– Familiarity with the DCED Standard of Results Measurement preferable.
– Previous experience advising or working with private sector preferable.
– Fluency in English required. Fluency in Arabic preferred.
– CV and application are written in English.
– Strong interpersonal skills and proven ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships across teams and organisations.
– Excellent attention to detail and ability to effectively and efficiently perform multiple tasks and balance competing priorities often within a required timeframe.

Core Competencies:

– Applicants must have expertise in MEL.
– Applicants must have demonstrable experience supporting programme partners to develop and apply MEL processes and tools.
– Applicants must have experience using both qualitative and quantitative data collection/research techniques.

Deadline: June 20, 2024

Our company provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability or genetics.

About Palladium

Palladium is a global leader in the design, development and delivery of Positive Impact – the intentional creation of enduring social and economic value.

We work with foundations, investors, governments, corporations, communities and civil society to formulate strategies and implement solutions that generate lasting social, environmental and financial benefits. For the past 50 years, we have been making Positive Impact possible. With a team of more than 2,500 employees operating in 90 plus countries and a global network of more than 35,000 technical experts, Palladium has improved – and is committed to continuing to improve – economies, societies and most importantly, people’s lives.

Palladium is a child-safe organisation, and screens applicants for suitability to work with children. We also provide equal employment to all participants and employees without regard to race, colour, religion, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, veteran or marital status.