The Purpose of the Role

As part of a global MEL team, the job holder will closely work with project managers and the senior team in CABI in Asia. The position will monitor, evaluate, and report on each project and overall centre and regional targets. The job holder is expected to backstop project teams to monitor performance indicators, milestones, and support collection of qualitative and quantitative evidence of results.

Key accountabilities

The specific tasks to be delivered by the MEL Manager - Asia include.

• Lead on the provision of monitoring, evaluation, and learning support to CABI projects and programmes run from the Asia region.
• Develop MEL plans for programmes and projects in Asia in consultation with project staff.
• Support project managers and partners to formulate theories of change, results frameworks, and appropriate monitoring, learning, and evaluation approaches including tracking institutional change, and behavioural and system change.
• Training, capacity strengthening and coaching of project managers on MEL systems, tools, and processes.
• Support project managers and their teams to implement project level results monitoring procedures and report progress against work plans and team goals.
• Facilitate a consistent process for timely collection of all required information (e.g., activities conducted, number of farmers reached, personnel trained, etc.) from project teams with clear timelines on collection, aggregation, and reporting, and facilitate the transfer of this data to the MIS.
• Produce periodic progress reports on set indicators, narrative documents, monitoring formats and tracking tables.
• Conduct field missions for projects in Asia to identify strengths, weaknesses, risks, lessons learned and implications for projects’ success/failure, and report clear findings with immediate actions/recommendations for necessary corrective actions to the project and senior regional teams.
• Lead or backstop research studies to evaluate outcomes and impacts, provide evidence of achievements and lessons learned, and support project managers, partners, and contractors in the implementation of surveys and studies, as required.
• Conduct and contribute to the writing and publication of reports, articles, scientific papers, internal communications etc., ensuring that research findings are written up in formats for wide dissemination.
• Work with Project Development Group to incorporate MEL approaches and budgets into project design, contributing to theory of change and results framework development.
• Undertake any other tasks as assigned.
• Adhere to CABI policies and procedures at the Centre, including HR procedures, health and safety requirements, financial and project management procedures, and IPR procedures.

CANDIDATE PROFILE

Knowledge & Skills

• Broad understanding of agriculture and the use of applied biological science in international development.
• Theoretical and practical background in MEL, including skills in participatory qualitative and quantitative MEL methodologies and techniques.
• Extensive experience in design and use of results frameworks, logframes and other strategic planning approaches.
• Demonstrated experience in data collection, including through use of mobile data collection technologies.
• Experience with data management including the ability to structure and collate data sets for ease of analysis.
• Demonstrated experience of statistical analysis, including through appropriate software, including Stata.
• Proven ability to analysis and evaluate complex information for results monitoring and reporting.
• Ability to summarize and simplify complex information and communicate it to the targeted groups.
• Demonstrated experience in training and capacity strengthening across diverse, multi-cultural teams and partners.
• Demonstrated ability to plan, organize and manage MEL work for a small team.
• Excellent computer skills (especially Microsoft Office applications) and ability to use information technology as a tool and resource.
• Strong writing, editing and oral communication skills.

Education & Qualifications

• Master’s degree in development studies, research methods, statistics, social sciences, project management, or another relevant field required.
• 7 years of experience of field-based experience in MEL required.
• Written and oral fluency in English

Personal Characteristics

• Excellent time management and organizational skills.
• Capable of working independently as well as part of a team.
• Proven ability to work in a cross-cultural and multi-disciplinary team environment.
• Ability to multi-task and deliver within strict deadlines and under pressure.
• Ability to interact and work with communities in rural settings.
• Willingness to undertake international travel.

ROLE DETAILS

• Job Title:  Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager - Asia
• Grade:  HAY BAND 6
• Reporting to:  Sr. Regional Director, Social Science Director
• Key Peer group: CABI teams in Asia, Global M&E team
• Direct reports:  M&E Officer, M&E Assistant

NOTE 

This job description is not intended to be exhaustive. It is expected that the post holder and CABI will adopt a flexible attitude and accept that the duties may have to be varied according to circumstances, in particular changing corporate requirements, and individual development needs. 

WHAT WE OFFER

We aim to recruit and retain passionate people who have the necessary skills, knowledge, and commitment to help us achieve our mission. Our benefits are designed to make our lives easier, improve our work-life balance, save money, and safeguard our well-being. They include:

• Competitive salaries.
• 26 days of annual leave, plus public holidays.
• Defined contribution pension scheme with employee contribution.
• A culture committed to being a fully inclusive, enjoyable, and fulfilling place to work.
• An Employee Assistance Programme, with a full calendar of health and well-being initiatives.
• Flexible working options.
• Career development opportunities including internal promotions, mentoring and Development Bursary to visit another CABI centre.
• Health/Life insurance and long service awards.

EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES AND STATEMENT OF SAFEGUARDING

 We are a thriving international organisation attracting a diverse range of talented people from around the world. Our staff currently comprises over 30 nationalities and as an equal opportunity’s employer we welcome applications from candidates irrespective of age, gender, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, disability, religion, sexual orientation, or marital status. No applicant will be disadvantaged by conditions which cannot be shown to be justified and selection will be based on merit. CABI believes that everyone we come into contact with, regardless of age, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or ethnic origin has the right to be protected from all forms of harm, abuse, neglect and exploitation which includes child safeguarding, adult safeguarding, and protection from sexual exploitation and abuse. CABI has a zero-tolerance approach to any attitudes or behaviors that put children or adults at risk of harm. Safeguarding incidents are acts of gross misconduct and are grounds for disciplinary action up to and including, dismissal and referral to relevant authorities for criminal prosecution.