THE ORGANIZATION

The Alliance of Bioversity International (www.bioversityinternational.org) and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) (www.ciat.cgiar.org) delivers research-based solutions that harness agricultural biodiversity and sustainably transform food systems to improve people’s lives. Alliance solutions address the global crises of malnutrition, climate change, biodiversity loss, and environmental degradation. The Alliance is part of CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future.

Beans for Women for Empowerment (Beans4Women) aims to strengthen the gender equality, agency in decision-making, and resource rights of women and girls active in the bean sector in three conflict-prone provinces in Eastern DRC: North Kivu, South Kivu, and Tanganyika.  The project chooses as its entry points three areas that most affect the degree of women’s empowerment in the bean value chain, namely the business environment around climate-smart agriculture, the participation of women in bean value chain leadership and decision-making, and the rights (both legal and cultural) of women to productive resources like land and nutritious food.

Project interventions focus on (1) upskilling and brokering new business opportunities for women-led bean enterprises and female entrepreneurs, (2) accelerating the uptake of climate-smart technologies by women bean producers, (3) empowering women and girl voices in bean economy leadership and decision-making, (4) strengthening the capacity and responsiveness of the public sector to deliver gender-responsive programming and policies, (5) improving and enforcing institutional arrangements around women’s land rights, and (6) outreach, education, and bean product development activities aimed at influencing nutrition behaviors and attitudes, ultimately making fortified, improved, or high iron beans a bigger part of diets in Eastern DRC. Over six years, the project will directly benefit 2 million people, 60% of whom will be women and girls, in poor rural communities in three provinces of Eastern DRC. It will indirectly benefit 10 million people over the longer term.  The project has four components: Seed system, agribusiness, nutrition, and gender ( Gender empowerment and gender and land rights).

About the position

The Alliance is searching for a Specialist – MEL who will play a pivotal role in ensuring effective monitoring, evaluation, and learning within the ” Beans for Women Empowerment Project in the Eastern DRC.” The successful candidate will lead the B4WE project MEL efforts, overseeing the collection, analysis, and utilization of data to track project progress, assess impact, and facilitate evidence-based decision-making. She/He will report directly to the Project Manager of the B4WE and collaborate closely with the Principal Investigator, project teams, and partners on all MEL activities and reporting.

Main responsibilities

MEL System Development:

• Co-design, co-develop, and co-implement a comprehensive and participatory (partner- centered) Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) framework and robust systems, including indicators, data collection tools, and reporting mechanisms, in alignment with project objectives and donor requirements.
• Co-develop MEL plans and protocols to guide data collection, analysis, and reporting throughout the project lifecycle.
• Co-establish data quality assurance procedures to ensure the accuracy, reliability, and completeness of collected data.

Data Collection and Management:

• Coordinate the collection of baseline data and regular progress updates on project activities, outputs, and outcomes.
• Manage databases and information systems for storing, organizing, and analyzing project-related data.
• Collaborate effectively with all the project Partners across all the provinces and ensure access to the database for all the project components.
• In collaboration with partners conduct field visits and interviews to gather qualitative and quantitative data from project participants, stakeholders, and beneficiaries.
• In collaboration with  partners conduct regular monitoring activities to track project progress against indicators and targets.

Monitoring and Reporting:

• Monitor project implementation against planned activities, timelines, and targets, identifying deviations and challenges.
• Prepare and share periodic progress reports, dashboards, and presentations on key performance indicators, achievements, and lessons learned for internal and external stakeholders.
• Ensure timely sharing of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) reports to project partners, donors, and other stakeholders, highlighting successes, challenges, and recommendations, while ensuring they are accurate and effectively communicate project progress. 

 Impact Assessment and Learning:

• Lead efforts to assess the transitional impact and effectiveness of the B4WE project interventions.
• Conduct evaluations, surveys, and studies to measure changes in knowledge, attitudes, and behaviours among project beneficiaries.
• Facilitate learning workshops, reflection sessions, and knowledge-sharing events to promote continuous improvement and adaptive management.
• Lead impact assessments and evaluations to measure the effectiveness and outcomes of project interventions.
• Facilitate learning sessions and knowledge-sharing activities to promote continuous improvement and best practices.

Capacity Building and Support:

• Provide training and technical assistance to the B4WE project staff, partners, and stakeholders on Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) concepts, tools, methodologies, and systems to enhance their capacity and understanding of MEL practices.
• Strengthen the capacity of B4WE and consortium partners to collect, analyse, and utilize MEL data for decision-making and accountability.
• Foster a culture of learning, evidence-based, and data-driven decision-making within the project team and partner organizations to promote continuous improvement and informed actions.

Requirements

• Master’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Management, Statistics, Economics, Development Studies, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant experience in MEL, preferably in the context of Gender empowerment, agriculture, or rural development projects and familiarity with donor MEL requirements and standards, particularly those related to Global Affairs Canada (GAC) with excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in MEL methodologies, including quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis techniques.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with the ability to interpret and synthesize complex data sets.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse stakeholders.
• Proficiency in data management and analysis software such as Excel, SPSS, STATA,
• Familiarity with donor MEL requirements and standards, particularly those related to Global Affairs Canada (GAC)
• Good knowledge of French is mandatory, and English will be an advantage

Terms of employment

This is a nationally recruited position based in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Bukavu. The initial contract will be for two (2) years, subject to a probation period of three (3) months and is renewable depending on performance and availability of resources. This position is graded at BG08 level (on a scale of 14 levels, BG 014 being the highest level). We offer a competitive salary and excellent benefits including but not limited to insurance, retirement plan, staff training and development, paid time off and flexible working arrangements.

The Alliance Bioversity-CIAT offers a multicultural, collegial research environment with competitive salary and excellent benefits. We are an equal opportunity employer, and strive for

gender, diversity and inclusion in our staff, without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, ethnicity, age, disability, marital status, or any other characteristic.

Applications

Applicants are invited to visit  https://alliancebioversityciat.org/careers  to get full details of the position and to submit their applications. Applications MUST include reference number Ref: 103926 Specialist- Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning as the position applied for. Application and CV should be saved as one document using the candidate’s last name, first name for ease of sorting.

Note: The Alliance does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process (application, interview meeting, processing or training). The Alliance also does not concern itself with information on applicants’ bank accounts.

Applications closing date: 27^th August 2024

Please note that email applications will not be considered.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

We invite you to learn more about us at:
http://alliancebioversityciat.org