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Job Description and Requirements
Terms of Reference
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist
Project Overview
The Kaizen Company (Kaizen) is an international development consulting firm and an incubator for innovative, scalable solutions that address emerging market challenges and opportunities. Our proven solutions catalyze locally driven organizational and institutional performance improvements and establish communities of practice that facilitate peer-to-peer learning and the achievement of shared goals. We aspire to transform the nature and impact of development assistance and work to strengthen organizations and institutions through innovative approaches to organizational development, reform, and change.
The Kaizen Company is seeking applications for a MEL Specialist position under a USAID-funded activity in Jordan. The Enhancing School Management and Planning (ESMP) Project objective is to develop sustainable system and process improvements related to school planning, design, construction, and maintenance and enhance the staff capabilities within Jordan’s Ministries of Education (MOE) and Public Works and Housing (MPWH) to improve the school management and planning process, and the quality of school environments in Jordan.
The scope of this project is to provide assessment expertise, technical assistance, capacity building, collaboration, facilitation, and training to targeted stakeholders and counterparts to improve existing management systems and procedures used by the Government of Jordan (GoJ) in the education sector, improve performance and sustain these improvements.
Purpose of Assignment
The Jordanian Ministry of Public Works and Housing (MPWH) manages the school design and construction process through contracts with specialized architectural engineering firms and contractors selected through MPWH tendering processes for school building design, construction, supervision, and construction management. After schools are built, the MPWH and Ministry of Education (MOE) form a committee to review and approve the final work before officially transferring the responsibility of the schools’ operation to the MOE. There is, typically, a two-year defects liability period during which the construction contractor is responsible for repairing any faults in the building.
MPWH manages hundreds of construction projects, yet project management and document retention systems could be more optimal. As a result, contract timelines are not enforced, project delays go unanswered until they escalate, documentation needs to be better cataloged, and the Ministry is often responsible for contract-related financial penalties.
ESMP is working with MoE and MPWH to look at the construction management process institutionalized at both ministries from a holistic perspective, starting from project inception to closeout and taking over, and provide technical expertise and support to enhance the ongoing procedures and processes. The goal is to develop and conserve the built environment through clients/donors, public and private sector organizations, and individuals to meet the changing needs and increased challenges of school infrastructures in Jordan and achieve better control over project delivery, cost, and quality of the school facilities.
Kaizen is seeking to hire a MEL Specialist to ensure that USAID-ESMP activity is effectively monitored and evaluated to measure its impact and improve its performance. The MEL Specialist is responsible for designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation systems, analyzing data, and reporting on program results. The ultimate goal of the MEL Specialist is to use data and evidence to inform decision-making and improve the effectiveness of ESMP.
Scope of Assignment
The MEL Specialist will be responsible for overseeing the monitoring, evaluation and reporting of the USAID-ESMP activity. The Specialist will work closely with the project team to design and implement monitoring and evaluation systems and will be responsible for ensuring the project meets USAID performance standards. The ideal candidate will have a strong understanding of monitoring and evaluation methodologies, experience with data analysis, and excellent project management skills.
Responsibilities
Lead the development and implementation of monitoring and evaluation plans and indicators for ESMP.
,Collaborate with project teams to ensure that M&E data is collected, analyzed, and reported accurately and timely, including conducting field visits and data verification.
Develop and maintain databases and information systems for storing and analyzing M&E data.
Prepare and present M&E reports to management and project stakeholders, including recommendations for project improvements.
Conduct quality control checks on M&E data to ensure consistency and accuracy.
Prepare regular project performance reports and other documentation as required by USAID, including for quarterly and annual reports and annual work plans.
Provide technical assistance to project teams on monitoring and evaluation.
Ensure that monitoring and evaluation activities are integrated into project activities and decision-making processes.
Collaborate with project managers to ensure the integration of the Construction Management Information System (CMIS) into project planning and execution.
Analyze data collected by CMIS to provide insights and recommendations to project managers.
Ensure that CMIS is used to support decision-making processes and improve project outcomes.
Provide guidance to project teams on the interpretation and use of monitoring and evaluation data.
Investigate international best practices and techniques for information systems and policy improvements.
Engage and share knowledge with the relevant key stakeholders and donors to ensure coordinated delivery of activities.
Ensure data quality, consistent with the five USAID data quality standards of validity, reliability, precision, integrity, and timeliness.
Lead in identifying, disseminating, and sharing best practices and lessons learned.
Qualifications
Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in a related field such as international development, statistics or civil engineering.
At least 6 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation in an international development context, including at least 2 years leading MEL activities Additional experience in construction management industry is preferred.
Strong understanding of monitoring and evaluation methodologies and experience with data analysis. This includes data collection, analysis reporting and visualization.
Strong knowledge and understanding of principles of infrastructure project management is preferred.
Excellent project management and organizational skills
Ability to work effectively with various stakeholders, including project teams, Government of Jordan counterpart, USG clients, and other donors
Excellent communication, writing, and interpersonal skills
Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel and Access
Familiarity with donor-funded school construction projects implemented in the education sector in Jordan is preferred
A cultural understanding of project management within Jordan is a must.
Critical thinking abilities with strong analytical and systematic skills.
Prior experience working with USAID-funded projects is preferred.
Ability to take initiative and organize work with minimal supervision
Ability to act as the MEL expert/lead on the project
At Kaizen, A Tetra Tech Company, we find strength in our diversity. We are committed to creating and sustaining an inclusive working environment where everyone has an equal opportunity to fulfill their potential. We know that we can only do development differently if we are open to and inclusive of new and unique perspectives. We encourage candidates of all abilities, ages, gender identities and expressions, national origins, races and ethnicities, religious beliefs, and sexual orientations to apply. Further, we urge parents and non-parents, married and unmarried, those from different or non-traditional educational backgrounds, and persons of all other diverse identities or experiences to apply. Kaizen is an equal-opportunity employer.
