World Education, a division of JSI Research & Training Institute, Inc. (JSI/WE) is dedicated to improving people’s lives around the world through greater health, education and socioeconomic equity for individuals and communities, and to providing an environment where people of passion can pursue this cause.
JSI/WE is seeking for a Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Specialist for the USAID’s Targeting the Learning Crisis Activity in Uganda, which aims to create sustained, measurable improvements in development outcomes in Basic Education through Targeted Instruction for foundational skills, a learner-centric pedagogy that reorganizes math and reading instruction based on children’s actual learning levels, rather than on the prescribed grade-level syllabus. The Activity seeks to implement cost-effective, sustainable, and impactful programming, centered around Targeted Instruction pedagogy for P3-P5, Targeted Instruction and other evidence-based approaches for P1-P2, and evidence-based early childhood education for pre-primary years, in order to significantly improve math and reading learning outcomes for Ugandan primary students.

The MEL Specialist is a full-time position based in Lira and will report to the Regional Program Manager & MEL Director. She/he will ensure development, oversight and implementation of USAID’s Targeting the Learning Crisis (TLC) Activity’s monitoring, evaluation and learning plan (AMELP) and provide general M&E support to core activities at field level and country office in collaboration with the MEL Director, Chief of Party, and Technical Leads, and also MEL focal persons from TLC’s consortium partners. This shall include: collaboratively designing the activity’s MEL framework, data collection tools, standard operating procedure (SOPs), reporting templates, formulating learning questions, and stakeholders mapping. He/she shall provide training to JSI/WE staff and partners on MEL system operations and tools. She/he will lead coordination of the collaboration, learning, and adapting (CLA) approach among partners in the TLC districts, as well as lead in data quality assessment (DQA) process at the district level. The job holder shall provide support in needs assessment, action research, and other special studies. He/she will support integration of Geographical Information System (GIS) in project reporting, including GIS mapping and dissemination of MIS/GIS reports. S/He will establish a mechanism for collecting, tracking, and responding to feedback and complaints from Programme stakeholders in the TLC districts.

A: Programme Support

• In close collaboration with the TLC Activity MEL Director and MEL focal persons from consortium partners, participate in the design and development of the MEL Plan, monitoring tools and aligned indicator definitions across the TLC Activity partners to ensure consistent and timely tracking.
• Support in developing the performance indicator reference sheet (PIRS) with precise definition of the indicators.
• Assess the needs of the target communities in the areas of TLC Activity as may be required from time to time as a basis for designing, implementing, monitoring, and evaluating programs.
• Document critical lessons and challenges to be used for program design which should be in the TLC strategic learning agenda while ensuring that the learning agenda is fully understood and used by the program team.
• Support the implementation of the TLC Activity’s assessment, research, and evaluation activities, which may include performance evaluations, surveys, formative research, qualitative studies, and rapid/special studies. This may include providing support to the contracted local research firm or partner universities.

B: Establish and maintain a robust MEL System:

• Review program data collection tools to ensure that tools provide required information on USAID Standard and Project Specific indicators
• Participate in the design and development of robust quantitative and qualitative tools and context-appropriate systems for data collection, quality assurance, analysis, and reporting.
• Participate in relevant MEL technical working groups and coordinating bodies (especially at the district level), collaborating with USAID implementing partners, and project staff as necessary.
• Oversee field team responsible for data collection, entry, verification, analysis, and reporting, ensuring accurate and high-quality data is reported and highlighting emerging patterns and findings.
• Support implementation of Activity’s MIS and integration of GIS in program reporting. Support GIS mapping and dissemination of MIS/GIS reports. Provide MIS content/requirements and feedback to the MEL team and document progress on indicators/achievement of targets.
• Provide onsite support to TLC’s partners by carrying out routine data quality assessment and continuous quality improvement of the program to ensure quality program implementation and reporting.
• Participate in the design/ review of MEL Plan, to include the Activity’s Theory of Change (TOC), Logical Framework (Log frame), Indicator Tracking Table (ITT), Performance Indicator Reference Sheets (PIRS), Reporting Plan, Monitoring Approach, Data Quality Assurance, in addition to other report requirements as may be requested
• Provide technical guidance and lead in capacity building of the TLC Activity partners’ staff and stakeholders on implementation of MEL within the Program at field level; to include capacities for data collection, storage, indicator definition, and reporting.
• Take lead on activity Output and Outcome monitoring across partners and ensure that information reporting and sharing systems fulfil needs of TLC Activity, communities, government, relevant agencies, donors and other stakeholders and are in line with MEL standards and integrating Child Rights Monitoring and Evaluation principles.
• Enhance use of digital data management within the program, this includes use of Kobo and ODK among other programs.
• Participate/coordinate in the design of quantitative and qualitative participatory Project evaluations (e.g., baseline, annual, and/or final), assessments, reviews and other special studies
• Facilitate documentation of project results, impact, best practices and significant changes.
• Document learnings and best practices; disseminate learnings, reports, publications and participate in learning sessions, and ensure that the lessons learnt are utilized to inform programming and advocacy.

C: Complaints Response and Feedback Mechanism (CRM):

• Support the TLC Activity project team in the development of information sharing materials/briefs, posters and brochures, and dissemination of Project information materials to relevant stakeholders, partners and beneficiaries.
• Set up relevant contextualized feedback and complaints infrastructures, mechanisms, and approaches to receive feedback and complaints from beneficiaries including children.
• Collect and manage complaints and feedback in close coordination with the Project team.
• Track timeliness of response to complaints and maintain an updated Project complaints tracker.
• Facilitate program staff to set up relevant contextualized feedback and complaints infrastructures, mechanisms, and approaches to receive feedback and complaints from beneficiaries including children.

D: Integrate ICT in the TLC Activity MEL system

• Support implementation of TLC Activity MIS and integration of GIS reporting and coordination. Support GIS mapping and dissemination of MIS/GIS reports. Provide MIS content/requirements and feedback to MEL team and document progress on indicators/achievement of targets
• Enhance use of digital data collection, through the use of Kobo, ODK, or other programs.
• Ensure safeguards and integrity of data management on MIS and/or other online platforms in line with the protection policy.

E: Partnerships.

• Participate in joint field monitoring and provide regular guidance and support to ensure partner’s effective implementation of MEL according to expected standards and donor requirements.

F: Learning:

• Foster and develop a culture of learning within the TLC Activity program based on learning priorities for the donor and partners.
• Establish information-sharing mechanisms for project staff to document and share examples of good and bad practice and learning.
• Identify opportunities for research and learning questions in collaboration with the project team, TLC Activity program manager, MEL Director, and Technical Specialists.

G: Planning, Budgeting and Reporting:

• Provide day to day direct support to TLC Activity team in preparation and reviewing of annual and quarterly Project plans and Project reports, ensure that Project reports meet USAID reporting standards.
• Oversee the MEL budget utilization and ensure timely implementation of MEL activities.

H: Communication and Networking

• Foster a culture of information sharing, learning and collaboration within the TLC Activity.
• Be available for and responsive to questions, queries and requests for information and support from the project teams.
• Create and sustain positive working relationships internally with other technical staff; externally with the district local government and CSO partners, and other stakeholders, and maintain an up to date understanding of key development trends in the Project area.
• Representing the Program in external fora at the district level as may be requested by the program and TLC Activity MEL Director.
• Ensure coordination with government activities and structures in the implementation of project activities.

I: Capacity building of program teams

• Identify the capacity gaps and needs of the partners’ staff in MEL, program quality and utilization of the MEL system.
• Develop a learning/capacity building matrix to ensure teams capacity are built through continuous mentorship, coaching, training etc.
• Coordinate tracking performance of the team based on the area of Capacity built.

J: Other

• Ensure that in of line of duty, S/He is aware of child safeguarding principles and guidelines and apply it in your day-to-day roles as you interact with communities and children.
• Ensure promotion of safe child practices and mitigation, prevention and reporting of violations of children to ensure compliance; and
• Perform any other tasks required for the needs of the project as assigned by the supervisor or designee.

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in Education, international development, social sciences, statistics, or related field required. Master’s degree or equivalent, preferred;
• At least 5 years of experience specifically developing and managing M&E of early grade reading and math programs to improve learning outcomes and attain program objectives;
• Must have demonstrated experience developing, assessing and evaluating studies, education-related management information systems, logical frameworks, performance monitoring plans, and performance and impact evaluations related to improvement of reading and math at the primary grade level;
• Must be familiar developing and conducting project baseline, midline, and endline assessments and classroom-level assessments (including EGRA and EGMA);
• Must have knowledge of a range of approaches to performance monitoring, impact evaluation, and research in areas including design, instrument development, sampling design, data collection, data analysis, and dissemination;
• Ability to utilize a wide range of software applications, including database applications;
• Significant expertise in providing technical assistance to project/host country government staff working on MEL activities;
• Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills. Effective oral and written communication skills including demonstrated ability to make formal/informal presentations and compose professional, analytic reports;
• Demonstrated experience supervising, mentoring, and training staff; and,
• Prior experience supporting the Ugandan education sector is desirable but not required, preferably including experience coordinating with national and sub-national level stakeholders.
• Prior experience supporting USAID-funded programs, preferred.