DIMENSIONS OF THE ROLE
The MERL and Innovation Coordinator collaborates closely with the M&E Manager and country program Manager, Project manager along Program Coordinators in Ainaro. This role entails building strong relationships with all project and partner staff, as well as community development facilitators and partner staff based in Ainaro.
MERL and Innovation Coordinator Responsibilities include effectively coordinating the monitoring and evaluation system for Country Programs 1-3. This involves tasks such as data collection and analysis, project planning and enhancement, and capacity building for both partner organizations and teams operating within Country Programme 1 to 3.
The M&E Coordinator will provide valuable support to the Program Manager by assisting in documentation, reflection, and reporting procedures. These efforts ensure the program's implementation is well-monitored and evaluated. Moreover, the role involves gathering programmatic insights that contribute to refining projects, strategic planning, and informed decision-making.
ACCOUNTABILITIES
- Develop data collection and data storage tools and systems to measure project performance.
- Conduct regular data collection, ensuring the timely collection of data elements on an ongoing basis. Communicate findings to Country Programme manager for analysis and quality assurance.
- Manage all pertinent documentation, data collection, and storage tools and systems, including the assets register, required for efficient and effective project performance.
- Collaborate closely with the program manager to develop and revise the project log frame and project monitoring plan.
- Forge strong relationships with relevant stakeholders and efficiently gather and integrate secondary data into the M&E system's database.
- Ensure that all data collected through the M&E system is disaggregated by sex, disability, urban/rural status, and age, while maintaining data quality.
- Analyze data quarterly and share outcomes with Country Programme staff, partners, and stakeholders during meetings.
- Lead the implementation of an M&E system and processes to enhance learning and development.
- Formulate a monitoring framework specific to the project and share it with the project team and MERL manager.
- Define and implement key project performance indicators (KPIs), monitoring them throughout project duration.
- Suggest strategies to enhance data utilization and demand among Program staff.
- Assist Program staff in clarifying project information needs.
- Support project/program staff in proper documentation, organization, and capture of program progress and reports.
- Collaborate with Country Programme Manager to prepare quarterly and annual reports for Donors and stakeholders.
- Monitor and advise on the inclusion of girls, young women, and youth with disabilities at all project stages.
- Establish community monitoring systems for project interventions.
- Work closely with the project team, contributing to and leading coordination and preparation for project evaluations as needed.
- Oversee regular project progress monitoring processes and report sharing with diverse audiences.
- Assist communications staff by providing field project information for project messaging and dissemination.
- Offer coaching to project team members, as required, on monitoring and evaluation processes.
- Build and maintain positive working relationships with field staff, organizing appropriate M&E training.
- Monitor child protection matters and report suspected neglect or abuse to Plan management.
- In case of a significant humanitarian emergency, coordinate rapid assessments in affected areas.
- Contribute to Plan Timor Leste's Annual Program Participatory Review processes.
- Lead the design and implementation of the project's mid-term review, end-of-project evaluation, and project-related research.
- Ensures that Plan International’s global policies for Safeguarding Children and Program Participant and Gender Equality and Inclusion are fully embedded in accordance with the principles and requirements of the policy including relevant Implementation Standards and Guidelines as applicable to their area of responsibility. This includes, but is not limited to, ensuring staff and associates are aware of and understand their responsibilities under these policies and Plan International’s Code of Conduct (CoC), their relevance to their area of work, and that concerns are reported and managed in accordance with the appropriate procedures.
KEY RELATIONSHIPS
The MERL and Innovation Coordinator maintains crucial connections both internally and externally. Internally, they collaborate closely with the M&E Manager, CP1 Manager, the CP1 Project Team, and the IT Team. They also engage with Child Marriage Officers (CMOs) in Aileu and Ainaro, Plan Program Staff in those locations, as well as the District Coordinator.
Externally, the role involves fostering relationships with various stakeholders. These include Project Partners, the individuals benefiting from the program (girls, boys, young women, and young men) and the wider community in the project areas. Moreover, the MERL and Innovation Coordinator interacts with duty bearers, such as suku and municipality leaders, local leaders of civil society organizations (CSOs), and community-based organizations (CBOs). Lastly, the role includes engagement with relevant Government Institutions. This intricate network of relationships facilitates the coordination and success of monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning activities within the organization.
TECHNICAL EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE
Essential
- Proficiency in Windows Excel and quantitative analysis.
- Solid background in Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), including experience in program design and M&E plan development.
- Ability to design M&E tools, surveys, surveillance systems, and evaluations.
- Demonstrated capability to provide training and enhance the capacity of partners.
- Strong interpersonal skills and effective managerial abilities.
- Exceptional narrative and analytical reporting skills.
- Excellent communication skills and a collaborative approach to teamwork.
- Highly developed interpersonal skills, particularly in engaging with individuals from diverse social, ethnic, and cultural backgrounds.
- Thorough understanding of basic gender concepts, child protection, and adeptness in addressing gender-related issues across various cultural, social, and geographic contexts.
- Proficiency in analyzing the distinct capacities, barriers, and vulnerabilities of both women and men, as well as boys and girls.
- Sensitivity to gender, age, and disability considerations in all aspects of program implementation.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications.
- Fluency in written and spoken Tetum.
- Proficient in writing, speaking, and communicating in English
Desirable
- Familiarity and practical working knowledge of GIS using KML data.
- An effective M&E system that provides quality information on project performance and contributes to project management decision-making.
- Experience in the use of digitalization data collection tools would be advantageous.
- Timely performance of data collection and inclusion in major reporting cycles.
- Strengthened staff capacity in M&E and ability to implement M&E methodologies.
- Experience in participatory community development approaches.
- At least 3 years' experience working with youth/community development programs and teams.
- Experience working with local organizations and leading the development of their capacity.
- Understanding of Timor-Leste's current development issues, trends, challenges, and opportunities, with implications for community development in Timor-Leste.
- Experience and willingness to learn Monitoring and Evaluation of project implementation.
- Skills and experience in analysing monitoring reports and making recommendations at the management level.
- Experience in training design and delivery.
- Experience working with different stakeholders, including government, civil society, and communities.
- Experience working with children, boys, and girls, as well as youth (males and females) in rural communities.
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT
- The position is based at the Dili Office, with 50% travel to Ainaro and occasional visits to sucos and sub-municipalities for data collection, monitoring, and fieldwork.
- Some out-of-hours work may be necessary from time to time. This role might involve work during nights, weekends, and holidays to address work slippages or meet deadlines.
- The role may entail exposure to diverse weather conditions, contagious and communicable diseases, as well as challenging dusty, rugged, and mountainous terrain. Fieldwork might also require access to inaccessible roads and flood-prone areas.
- The ability to ride a motorcycle is required. A current driving license will be necessary for this position.
- This role requires strict adherence to the Plan International Code of Conduct and other work standards, particularly concerning child protection and dedication to gender equality.
LEVEL OF CONTACT WITH CHILDREN
Low contact: No contact or very low frequency of interaction
Mid contact: Occasional interaction with children
High level: Frequent interaction with children
Mid Level of contact with children, especially in community setting
FOR ALL PLAN POSITIONS AND CONSULTANCIES…
- Strong commitment to the equal rights and participation of girls and women is essential
- Strong commitment to the Rights of the Child is essential
- Plan does not tolerate child abuse. All Plan staff and consultants are selected and employed in line with the conditions of Plan’s Safeguarding Children and Young People Policy. These include appropriate reference and background checks.
- Applications will not be acknowledged. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. No correspondence or telephone calls will be entered into.
- Short listed candidates will be required to attend panel interviews and other selection procedures.
