The position

• Develop, in collaboration with relevant programme and other M&E staff, a comprehensive MEL system for the project that considers its theory of change.. This system will respond to the project’s key performance indicators, data collection processes and analysis, and will include: the creation and rollout of simple and context-appropriate data collection tools, the design of a project database, as well as the establishment of data management and collection plans, and reporting procedures that deliver high quality data in a timely manner.
• Work with project staff to develop weekly and monthly work plans to train data collectors, monitor the proper use of data collection tools – including data collection via smart phones – in the field, and resolve ongoing problems/bottlenecks in the collection and reporting of field data.  The M&E Officer will monitor adherence to these work plans and guarantee that all project staff are actively engaged across the project’s expansive geography.
• Work pro-actively with district and other project staff, to solve problems that arise in the collection and reporting of field data as well as carrying out on-going sensitisation work with community activists and other data collectors on the importance of data collection for the realisation of project objectives.
• Plan and hold regular (monthly) coordination meetings with project staff to gain feedback on M&E-related challenges as well as to collect observations from district staff on issues of broader project performance.
• Plan and hold data interpretation and/or reflection sessions with project staff to review results of data collection processes to integrate learnings into work plan phases
• Supervise the maintenance the project database and ensure the regular updating of project monitoring data so that it is available for project narrative reports, internal project coordination meetings, as well as meetings with the donor and relevant partners.
• Take the lead, alongside the Project Manager, in drafting in project narrative reports, ensuring that these include quality data as well as a critical reflection on project performance.
• To work, in coordination with the project team, as well as AKF’s M&E Manager, to ensure the timely implementation of mixed methods project studies, evaluations and other outcome-focused data collection activities. This includes taking the lead in the development of study plans, data management and analysis plans, and data collection tools, as well as organising relevant trainings of data collectors, piloting tools in the field and supervising the collection, cleaning, analysis and reporting of data collected in the field.
• To provide technical advice and work closely with the National Health Institute (INS) to support the reinforcement of the health system under Pillar 1300. While the INS holds primary responsibility for this pillar, including the design, implementation, and monitoring of a pilot community-based demographic and health surveillance system, the individual will be expected to ensure progress is made by offering strategic and technical guidance. Key areas of focus include strengthening government capacity in managing, analyzing, and using community and institutional data related to sexual and reproductive health (SRH), nutrition, and climate, as well as enhancing emergency preparedness and planning.