The Market Development (MADE) Programme for Northern Ghana is a British Department for Development (DFID) funded programme being implemented by a consortium led by Nathan Associates UK. MADE uses the Making Markets Work for The Poor (M4P) approach to increase incomes and resilience for smallholder farmers (SHFs) and small rural enterprises in targeted communities in Northern Ghana.

MADE began implementation of a four-year programme in March 2014. DFID agreed a 2 year no cost extension commencing in March 2018. The objective of the extension is to ensure increased productivity and income gains for SHFs and rural enterprises in Northern Ghana.

Job Description

Monitoring and Learning Specialist (MLS), Market Development (MADE) Programme for Northern, Ghana

Contract Duration: June 17, 2019 to February 29, 2020
Accountability: Reports directly to the MADE Team Lead (TL)

Objective
The Monitoring and Learning Specialist (MLS) role is a cross cutting role working closely with the MADE Market Development Team (MDT), and Communications/Information Officer. The monitoring of MADE programme interventions and defining the lessons learnt from the monitoring information is the responsibility of the MDT which consists of 2 Market Development Managers and 4 Market Development Specialists. The MLS will work closely with the MDT in Tamale to ensure that the MDT has the appropriate tools, skills and guidance to effectively monitor the MADE programme and interpret the data from the monitoring and fully capture the lessons learnt from the data.

The MLS will be responsible for developing a programme performance monitoring system that will be suitable and appropriate for the MDT to implement effectively. To ensure the MDT carry out the monitoring in a timely and effective manner, the MLS will train the MDT on monitoring and the use of the monitoring system and tools. S/he will act as a resource for the MDT offering it advice and guidance as and when required.

The MLS will also act as a quality assurer of the MDT’s implementation of the programme performance monitoring system and the products from the system such as data, market analysis and research which will be used for programme management decision making.

The MLS will collaborate closely with the MDT on the development of learning and results sharing products using the data and lessons learnt that have come from the programme performance monitoring system. The MLS will also work closely with the Information/Communications Officer to ensure the results sharing products are aligned with and advance the MADE Communications/Engagement and Influencing Strategy.

Scope of work of the Services

Developing and Reviewing the Programme Performance Monitoring System

• Develop tools and templates for the MDT to use to project results for their intervention indicators
• Develop templates for the MDT to use to plan their data collection – this includes indicators, timing of collection, method of data collection, and resourcing
• Design data collection tools and develop research designs as required by the data collection plans
• Develop tools, templates and research designs (where necessary) for verification of partner reported data
• Ensure gender considerations are mainstreamed throughout all monitoring activities and processes
• Update all monitoring and results measurement protocols and guidance documents as required

Guidance and Quality Assurance on Monitoring

• Provide guidance to MDT on market analysis and research to be carried out by the team and undertake quality assurance of that market analysis and research when completed
• Train the MDT on developing and using results chains, and/or similar planning and decision-making approaches, and provide them with tools and templates to manage their results chains
• Review the indicators the MDT develops to monitor change against results chains and regularly review with the MDT the intervention results chains to inform the MDT of best practice standards required by DFID and ensure adherence to these standards
• Review intervention data collection plans produced by the MDT
• Quality assure all data collection through reviewing enumerator training, collection budgets and workplans, spot checking field-based data collection, and reviewing data input and quality
• Provide the MDT with guidance and capacity building to check the quality of self- reported data received from MADE partners
• Support the MDT with guidance, capacity building, and tools to ensure gender considerations are mainstreamed throughout intervention design and implementation
• Perform all calculations required to report against log-frame indicators on a quarterly basis, ensuring aggregation processes adhere to the MADE Aggregation Protocol

Lesson Learning

• Analyse the data collected by the MDT for intervention monitoring according to the data analysis plans developed in collaboration with the MDT,
• Present analysed data to the MDT in an accessible format
• Support the Deputy Team Leader to establish a regular intervention review and learning process
• Facilitate all intervention review and learning meetings, ensuring monitoring data is used to make decisions
• Collaborate with the MDT and Team Leader to identify issues for learning and results sharing products such as learning briefs, case studies, infographics, etc and develop the products which will be used to advance MADE’s communications/engagement and influencing strategy.

Required Skills or Experience

A Masters’ degree in Agricultural Economics, Statistics, Sociology or related discipline

Specific Professional Experience:

• At least 6 years’ experience in similar position including design and implementation of results based monitoring and evaluation systems including the application of DCED standards; Program monitoring, tracking of results and lessons learnt; Conduct of outcome and impact evaluations – mid-term/end-line evaluations, socio-economic and livelihood surveys, monitoring surveys, impact assessments; Automated database design, management and implementation; Diagnostic analysis of value chains including cost and returns analysis, business cases for investment.

Core skills include:

• Expert use of electronic data collection tools and mobile applications including CSPro, KoBoToolbox, other ODK tools;
• Data Analysis – use of SPSS, STATA, Microsoft Excel;
• Advanced use of Microsoft Office Suite Applications (Word, Excel, PowerPoint);
• Technical report writing.

General Professional experience:

• Ability to develop and carry out work plans and solve problems independently
• Self-motivated and able to meet tight deadlines
• Comfortable with team-oriented approach to work, including multicultural setting
• Strong analytical skills with good judgment and ability to solve problems quickly and effectively
• Ability to work to deadlines and manage a busy work environment with competing priorities
• Ability to work effectively in a team particularly with team members with little knowledge of monitoring and learning
• Excellent written and oral communication in English is required
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively and work with a wide range of stakeholders
• Flexibility to travel when required