Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer

JOB TITLE

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer

CATEGORY

This function is classified in category V of the employee remuneration policy

DEPARTMENT / WORKPLACE

LuxDev Rwanda Office, with occasional field missions.

WORK ORGANISATION                                                                                    

Permanent full-time position.

POSITION ON ORGANISATIONAL CHART

The MEL Officer reports to the Program Officer.

JOB PURPOSE

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer ensures the quality, reliability and effective use of MEL plans and activities across the LuxDev Rwanda project portfolio. This position provides transversal technical support to projects that are already under implementation, strengthens data quality and accountability, supports evaluations, and promotes learning and continuous improvement in line with LuxDev standards and requirements.

DUTIES AND MAIN TASKS

MEL Support to projects

• Provide transversal MEL support to project teams throughout the project cycle — from finalisation of the MEL plan during the inception phase through to coordination of annual progress reports (RAPAV) during implementation.
• Provide support to baseline and end-line surveys design and conduct with the stakeholders and beneficiaries, as required by certain performance indicators.
• Ensure the quality and consistency of MEL frameworks, including results frameworks, indicators, targets and sources of verification, through the coordination of an annual indicator audit.
• Ensure that project MEL data is accurately recorded in LuxDev’s ERP (Alphabase).
• Support projects in the preparation and implementation of evaluations (mid-term and final), including contribution to Terms of Reference, coordination and follow-up, and review of evaluation deliverables.
• Support in monitoring data quality, ensuring accuracy, consistency, and identifying areas for improvement.
• Provide support and coordination for GIS initiatives across various projects.

Capacity Building

• Participate in LuxDev training sessions on MEL topics, as needed (to the Learning Agenda tool training for instance).
• Contribute to MEL capacity assessments of partners as part of project support, identify capacity gaps and risks, and propose appropriate MEL capacity-building measures.
• Ensure progressive transfer of MEL competencies to national partners.
• Contribute to the mobilisation of short-term MEL expertise, including drafting ToRs and following up on support missions.
• Organise and facilitate MEL training sessions for LuxDev staff and/or partners as needed.

Reporting & Communication

• Support partners in producing timely, results-oriented reports for LuxDev and the donor (quarterly, annual, inception and final reports)
• Contribute to programme progress reports in close coordination with project teams and the Programme Officer
• Monitor and validate annual work plans (AWPs) in coordination with project teams and the Programme Officer
• Generate data materials, including tables, graphics, dashboards, maps and other visual aids, to effectively communicate findings and actionable insights
• Upon request, supply the ROF and HQ communications teams with accurate data and salient indicators to ensure that external messaging is evidence-based, reflects progress honestly — including when results are partial and strengthens the organisation's credibility with the Ministry, partners, and the public

Learning & Adaptive Management

• Support new projects in elaborating and implementing the project’s learning agenda (identifying learning questions, preparing and facilitating learning activities, designing and/or reviewing knowledge products (including capitalisation notes), supporting knowledge sharing activities)
• Facilitate the preparation and review of external evaluations, and support internal mid-term evaluation exercise if the project team decides to do so
• Support project teams in tracking evaluation recommendations and integrating corrective measures into implementation
• Ensure lessons learned and good practices captured and mobilised across the portfolio through the learning agenda are integrated in strategic decision-making processes of projects
• Ensure knowledge sharing across LuxDev projects in Rwanda and with operational partner organisations or with other Development Partners.
• Actively participate in and learn from LuxDev’s Community of Practice for MEL experts and contribute to the agency's continuous improvement process.
• Actively contribute to the MEL Community of Practice by engaging with shared topics and integrating relevant insights and practices from other country portfolios.

COMMUNICATIONS

Within their area of responsibilities, the MEL Officer maintains regular interactions with the following.

In-house contacts

• Resident Representative (RR), Programme Officer, for validation of MEL priorities and contribution to reporting and learning
• Project teams, led by a Chief Technical Advisor (CTA) to support their MEL needs.
• LuxDev HQ M&E expert.
• LuxDev HQ KEL (Knowledge Evaluations and Learning) department.
• Members of LuxDev MEL Community of Practice, to share and learning good practices and contribute to knowledge sharing, harmonisation of practices and continuous improvement.

External contacts

• Project coordinator and M&E focal point, at the main national counterpart institution of each project, to contribute to national monitoring and reporting systems and learning frameworks.
• Any relevant person at national or international partner organisations, ad an ad-hoc basis.