Programme Background 

REMIT was launched in November 2021 and is now in third year of its programme cycle. ASI- REMIT was assigned two broad areas of the Programme, viz. revenue mobilization and improving investment climate whereas trade and macroeconomy were being implemented by International Trade Center (ITC) and World Bank Trust Fund (WBTF) respectively. Despite challenges and pause period, ASI–REMIT successfully delivered substantial and significantly important reforms and  secured performance rating of “A” in the 2 years consecutively. Based on the successful implementation of planned initiatives and capability of the team to work across the spectrum, FCDO assigned additional components / thematic areas to ASI–REMIT. ASI–REMIT team responded with a high degree of flexibility and adaptability to handle additional work and continued to focus on results and impact as guided by the ToC.

Objective 

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Advisor will lead and manage the overall MEL function and is responsible for the development and implementation of REMIT’s MEL framework, while ensuring rigorous planning, monitoring, performance management, compliance and learning. The incumbent will measure and report against the project’s performance indicators and targeted results, developing methods and milestones to monitor the project’s progress towards its goals, and contribute to program strategy to ensure that activities and assignments are carried out as planned and the program objectives are being achieved

Specific duties and responsibilities include but are not limited to the following.

Refine and Expand MEL Strategy

Develop REMIT’s detailed monitoring, evaluation and learning strategy. Expand on the earlier work and provide a practical framework for how results will be measured, analysed, learned from, and reported on, in order to maximise the impact of the programme.

• Work with REMIT leadership team to refine the theory of change and logframe and define the application of these into REMIT’s system for MEL.
• Advise how the MEL system will best enable REMIT to measure progress against the logframe and VfM targets.
• Advise how the MEL system will best enable REMIT to meet and surpass the logframe and VfM targets
• Advise how the MEL system will facilitate better decision making for the programme, including enabling an adaptive management approach, working politically, and more joined up thinking across REMIT’s workstreams.

Set up MEL system – inputs

The MEL system is aimed at informing all results-based information for REMIT.

• Work closely with technical advisors to identify qualitative and quantitative data collection and monitoring needs for the programme, based on the logframe, workplan, VFM reporting needs, and requirements for dynamic decision making.
• Maintain a MEL system for the programme; identifying the process for collecting and reviewing data, data sources and the frequency of data collection.
• Exercising the required level of diligence to ensure that all collected data is valid, credible and updated.
• Develop VfM framework for the Programme and ensure regular data collection, both progress and financial data, for consolidation of progress against VfM indicators

Set up MEL system - outputs

The MEL system will be used to inform management and financial decisions, providing updates against work plan, log frame and annual reviews.

• Work closely with technical advisers and leadership team to identify information output requirements for internal and external reporting, availability of data to inform regular decision making, and frequency of reporting.
• Ensure that data is available in formats for ready use and provide updates as required for periodic updates and reports to FCDO and the government.
• Use data to specific reports against workstreams as and when required.
• Work closely with the programme leadership to ensure that their updates, bulletins and material are informed with updated and credible data.
• Supply data to parties carrying out third party validations, evaluations, etc.
• Ensure monthly, quarterly and annual progress tracking in accordance with the timelines set in the logframe and workplan and share feedback with programme leadership/ management and the concerned programme teams on delayed activities and backlogs. 

Manage MEL implementation activities.

• Manage all inputs into the system to facilitate timely reporting and decision making.
• Conduct quality assurance of all data collection processes:
  • Introduce and maintain high quality standards and ensure that all data collection complies to the standards; this applies to internal and external surveys etc.
  • Monitor the development, testing and use of data collection instruments.
• Document Value for Money in the overall programme approach and within delivery of the work streams. In doing so:
  • Work with workstream leads to identify where we can maximize value for money.
  • Create a documentation template to support VFM reporting to FCDO.
  • Provide quarterly updates.
• Review the MEL strategy, system and approach regularly, doing so formally on a 6-monthly basis, and adapting where necessary.
• Ensure timely submission of all donor reports to FCDO as per contract agreement including monthly, quarterly, annual, programme completion, value for money reports, etc.
• Develop and update risk and mitigation analysis reports (register register), as directed by TL and in coordination with output teams and Deputy Team Leader/ Senior Programme Manager.
• Oversee the input of MEL Manager with line management responsibilities.
• Any other tasks assigned by the Team Leader and/or PMU

Management/Reporting

The MEL Advisor will report to the Team Leader. The incumbent will also work closely with the Technical Leads, Intervention Managers and Programme Managers

Experience and Skills

• Master’s degree in development related disciplines, Economics/ Public Policy/Social Sciences, Business Administration preferably from a reputed university
• Substantial experience (10+ years) in designing M&E systems for donor funded programmes and conducting evaluations.
• Understanding of the political economy of economic development and donor funded programming.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation, results-based management, and database management.
• Excellent writing, and analytical skill in drafting reports
• Understanding and knowledge of basic computer applications such as MS Words, and Excel.
• Experience of working for the development sector. MEL experience of economic development programmes is desirable.
• Experience in DFID/FCDO funded programmes is preferred.
• Strong project management, risk management skills, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to work independently towards tight deadlines.
• Excellent written and oral skills in English.