Monitoring, Learning and Evaluation (MEL) Specialist

Center for Agricultural Transformation (CAT)

Lilongwe, Malawi

Background:

Land O’Lakes Venture37 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit helping communities around the world build economies by strengthening agriculture from farm-to-fork, helping businesses grow, and linking farmers to markets. Since our start in 1981, we have been leveraging nearly 100 years of expertise in dairy, animal nutrition, crop inputs and agricultural insights from our close affiliate, Land O’Lakes, Inc., a farmer-owned agribusiness committed to fulfilling its purpose of feeding human progress.

Our team is made up of nearly 350 employees who are committed to market-led approaches, and passionate about collaborating locally to create lasting inclusive economic growth. By unlocking the potential of agriculture for the last 36 years, the lives of more than 3 million people have been transformed through nearly 300 programs in more than 80 countries.

Project Description:

Venture37 is seeking candidates for the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist position for the Center for Agricultural Transformation (CAT) funded by the Foundation for a Smoke Free World (FSFW).  Venture37 is a lead consortium member of the Center for Agricultural Transformation (CAT) initiative with support from the Foundation for a Smoke Free World’s (FSFW) Agricultural Transformation Initiative (ATI). The CAT is a consortium of four leading agricultural development and academic institutions: Land O’Lakes Venture37, the University of Minnesota, Stellenbosch University and the Malawi University of Science and Technology.  The goal of the CAT is to expand “ready-markets” for small-holder farmers -to diversify in other value chains.

Position Summary and Primary Responsibilities:

Under the direct supervision of the Executive Director and working in close coordination with the CAT technical team, the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist will support the implementation of a monitoring, evaluation and learning system for the project. Specifically, the MEL Specialist will utilize the already established quantitative and qualitative data collection tools and processes to (i) collect data, (ii) assist businesses to report results, (iii) help implement MEL tools, forms, and surveys, and (iv) enter data into a beneficiary and results tracking database. The MEL Specialist will also be involved in the project’s learning and outreach activities and help document the results of these activities.  The position requires travel within the country to partner business locations, training venues, and other field visits some of which may be in rural areas of Malawi.

Primary responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited to, the following:

• Collect primary data and supporting records from beneficiaries of the CAT project.
• Enter data into an online beneficiary and results tracking database.
• Organize and audit documentation (electronic and/or hardcopy) files.
• Support and participate in conducting surveys of people participating in training events to document baseline information (about demographic, income, and practices) and, later, follow-up on application of knowledge or practices introduced in the trainings. 
• Help implement, support users of an on-line and tablet-based data collection platform, including training staff and ensuring timely data entry and reviewing data quality.
• Support project evaluations, partner site visits, and research missions as required.
• Carry-out field visits and contribute to data quality assessments as assigned.
• Contribute to, and help document, regular collaboration, learning and adaptation (CLA) events both internally and externally.
• Demonstrate the highest degree of integrity throughout all activities and raise any concerns with implementation quality immediately with the Executive Director.

Reporting and Supervision:

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist will report directly to the Executive Director.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in business management, economics, statistics, or related field.
• Minimum three (3) years of relevant experience.
• Well-developed conceptual, analytical and innovative problem-solving ability.
• Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor tasks.
• Ability to proactively work as a team member.
• Demonstrated analytical skills and experience in recommending solutions to problems or implementing approaches.  Experience in quantitative and qualitative research, M&E systems, data analysis, or evaluation is an advantage.
• Full computer literacy and proficiency in use of Microsoft Office software required. Experience as database user and/or proficiency in common statistical software, including Stata, SPSS, etc. is an advantage. Experience with electronic data capture and analysis platforms is also a plus.
• Previous experience with USAID or other U.S. Government funded development programs is considered an advantage, as is experience with agricultural and business or enterprise development programs.