Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist Myanmar - Mercy Corps

Tracking Code: 218487-927

Job Location: Naypyitaw, Mandalay, Myanmar [Burma]

Position Type: Full-Time/Regular

Job Description

 This position is pending funding and donor approval.

PROGRAM/ DEPARTMENT SUMMARY:
The Department of Rural Development (DRD) of the Republic of the Union of Myanmar is implementing a National Community Driven Development Project with assistance from the World Bank.    The objective of the project is to enable poor rural communities to benefit from improved access to and use of basic infrastructure and services through a people-centered approach and to enhance the government’s capacity to respond promptly and effectively to an eligible crisis or emergency. This community-driven development (CDD) approach will empower villagers to manage and participate in their own development.

The objective will be achieved through: (i) financing community-identified rural infrastructure investments; (ii) strengthening the capacity of communities in partnership with local authorities to effectively identify, plan and implement their development priorities; and (iii) facilitating the participation of the poor and vulnerable, both women and men, throughout the project cycle at the community level.

Mercy Corps is proposing to provide technical assistance to the DRD for the implementation of the National Community Driven Development Project.  Mercy Corps works in Myanmar to build more resilient communities with increased economic opportunities and protection from hazards, improved public health and strengthened civil society networks. Mercy Corps operates in the Ayeyarwady Delta, the Central Dry Zone, and has partnerships with local NGOs in several parts of the country.  The main objectives of program activities are enhanced food security mainly through agri-business value chain improvements and civil society capacity building.

[Describe overview of job missioGENERAL POSITION SUMMARY:
The Monitoring and Evaluation Officer will be responsible for supporting the Program Team Leader to ensure that sub-grant procedures, performance monitoring and results reporting across the entire program are in place, effectively implemented according to guidelines, and well synchronized.

ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

• Supervise the internal reporting system of the project, including the development of reporting formats and flows of information between the Village tract, Township and Union levels

• Oversee the Management Information System (MIS) and ensure that project data are complete, accurate and reliable.

• Help DRD prepare reports on the project

• Oversee the development of case studies and ethnographic research to provide information on implementation progress, lessons learned and best practices

• Explore the establishment of smart-phone enabled monitoring

• Assist DRD in supervising independent monitoring activities undertaken by other consultants

• Design and oversee evaluation activities including impact studies and external evaluations by third parties, as necessary

• Alert DRD to any emerging project implementation issues

• Assist the Training Specialist in developing training tools and deliver trainings on monitoring

Organizational Learning: 

• As part of our commitment to organizational learning and in support of our understanding that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities they serve - we expect all team members to commit 5% of their time to learning activities that benefit Mercy Corps as well as themselves.

Accountability to Beneficiaries

• Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts towards accountability, specifically to our beneficiaries and to international standards guiding international relief and development work, while actively engaging beneficiary communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

 
SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Additional M&E staff

ACCOUNTABILITY:
REPORTS DIRECTLY TO: Project Team Leader
WORKS DIRECTLY WITH: DRD staff, CDD project team members including the Training Specialist, township level consultants

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

• Master’s degree in economics, public policy, political science or a related field

• Minimum 7 years of experience in monitoring large-scale CDD projects, preferably in Myanmar or SE Asia

• Previous experience working on World Bank funded projects preferred

• Ability to work effectively and sensitively in teams and with government counterparts

• Strong inter-personal skills and ability to resolve conflict

• Prior experience of working in low capacity environments

• Proven track record in capacity building

• Ability to communicate effectively with project stakeholders

• Fluency in spoken and written English (the ability to communicate effectively in Myanmar language is not required but is highly desirable)

• Willingness and ability to travel frequently to project villages

• Proven ability to work under pressure and deliver in a timely manner

SUCCESS FACTORS:
A successful candidate will be conscientious, with excellent judgment and will display an entrepreneurial spirit that is both creative and flexible. He will combine strong communication skills, creativity, initiative, participatory leadership and tactful decisiveness to assist in the development and implementation of Mercy Corps’ M&E strategy. He will ensure products are on time and of the highest standard. Multi-tasking, prioritizing, problem solving and simultaneous attention to detail and strategic vision are essential. He must have the confidence and humility to work effectively with a large variety of people who will be diverse culturally, economically and in social status – as well as be sensitive to political and cultural nuance - be able to consistently apply excellent judgment to a variety of demanding and fast-changing situations while working as part of a team and coordinate with project personnel.
LIVING /ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONS:
Naypyidaw is the capital of Myanmar which lies roughly 200 miles north of Yangon. The city is newly constructed and modern amenities are available including healthcare facilities. Must be willing to travel under difficult conditions. 

Mercy Corps Team members represent the agency both during and outside of work hours when deployed in a field posting or on a visit/TDY to a field posting. Team members 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.

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