MEL Coordinator/ Manager (Locally Recruited Staff)

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (known by our Spanish acronym Centro International de Mejoramiento de Maize y Trigo, or CIMMYT) in Bangladesh as an International Organization. CIMMYT’s core business in agricultural research and training and is recognized globally as an International Public Organization (IPO) and is part of CGIAR, or Consultative Group on International agricultural Research, that also includes the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), the International Food Policy Institute (IFPRI), and WorldFish, among others. With our partners, CIMMYT envisions a world with healthier and more prosperous people – free from the threat of global food crises – and with more resilient agri-food systems.

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Centre, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT®, is a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries. Please refer to our website for more information: www.cimmyt.org

The posting place: Dhaka, Bangladesh with frequent field visits

Specific duties of this position include:
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager is a higher-level position based in Dhaka working closely with Team Leaders and Project Managers to ensure and oversee the MEL activities across the projects. The manager will lead Monitoring and Evaluation activities for the Cereal Systems Initiative for South Asia – Mechanization and Extension Activity, provide MEL guidance and support to and associated projects aligned the CSISA portfolio (CSISA: https://csisa.org/) and supervise a team of MEL officers working at the Dhaka and field level.

Responsibilities & Duties:

• Lead and manage the MEL team to develop and refine the integrated Monitoring and Evaluation Plan and Data Collection Tools to measure project indicators and targets and identify lessons learned
• Take lead responsibility for ensuring consistency of the MEL system and tools
• Ensure the data quality system all the way with full knowledge on Personal Identifiable Information (PII) ethics
• Build capacity of project staff (both in the country and abroad) on using in the use and content of the MEL tools
• Leading the planning, operationalizing, and implementation of the project MEL system in collaboration with the Project Leaders, Project Managers, Project teams, partners, and the MEL team (Bangladesh and Head Quarter).
• Supervise, coach, and oversee field team to increase their skill on MEL issues
• Ensure quality information flow for analytical report preparation and presentation ensuring donor compliances
• Proactively take lead responsibility to ensure Development Information Solution (DIS) entries and respond to queries by management and/or donors
• Take the core responsibility for updating the Field Office team on the latest update against the indicators and acting as field office MEL focal point
• Support Project Leaders and Portfolio/Project Managers in data analysis, presentation preparation, and updating MEL Plan
• Assist in the development and revision of the annual work plan, budgeting, and strategies for the project, and lead on all components related to MEL.
• Lead the planning, supports, and execution of the project learning document preparation and present where requires as per guidance by Project Leaders
• Guide communications team on the preparation of bi-weekly and semi-annual and annual reports to USAID and other donors.
• Organize and lead frequent field visits to interact with the beneficiaries, local service provider, mechanics, NGO staff, Government and Private Sector field staff, civil society to verify the monitoring data and get the first-hand positive views and facts of the data
• Act as the focal point for updating MARLO and other information as requested by CIMMYT and CGIAR

Education & Knowledge:

A. Education & Knowledge: Minimum Formal Education needed

• Bachelor’s/ Master’s degree in Agri-economics/ Science/ Statistics/ Geography/ Development Studies or relevant field. Other disciplines will be considered in cases of strong demonstrated work experience.
• Thorough knowledge of the Microsoft Office Package, SPPS, and GIS; knowledge of Python will be an advantage. Working experience with Microsoft Power BI is a major advantage.
• Demonstrated, practical, and in-depth knowledge of USAID’s MEL system, survey designing, complex MEL data analysis and interpretation, and FtF indicators
• Demonstrated experience leading telephone and in-person surveys using a variety of tools
• Demonstrated experience with Kobo Toolbox and/or ODK.
• Demonstrated knowledge of Feed the Future Indicators and reporting requirements

B. Work Experience Required & Number of years of relevant experience needed

• At least five years in a strong leadership MEL capacity supervising staff focusing on USAID-funded projects
• Demonstrated knowledge of USAID’s Feed the Future Indicators and reporting protocols, procedures, and time requirements
• Demonstrated ability to analyse complex data, carry out and explain computations, or resolve complex problems.
• Identifying options based on research and consideration of their consequences
• Full command and knowledge of DIS entry
• Demonstrated ability to coach teams, motivate staff members, and influence team members (even those who are not direct reports

C. Extent to which interpersonal skills are important for this job interpersonal skills:

• Contacts (Internal, External) Frequency, Nature & Purpose of Contacts
• Frequent contact with people other than immediate colleagues, but mostly within CIMMYT.
• Purpose is often to provide or seek services, share information, and secure the cooperation and commitment of individuals or small groups or project teams.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, including gender sensitivity and ability to work in multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams.

D. Level of English Language Required

• Excellent spoken and written English, ability to respond appropriately to correspondence, orally and in writing.
• Ability to prepare regularly-used documents and reports within short time-frames without assistance.

E. Information Technology skills needed

• Thorough knowledge of the Microsoft Office Package, SPPS, and GIS; knowledge of Python will be an advantage. Working experience with Microsoft Power BI is a major advantage. Advanced skills in Windows Operating System, LAN, and Internet
• Complex use of Simple systems

F. Authority to make decisions, Extent of supervision & support available

• Objectives and desired outputs are defined.
• Jobholder has the freedom to choose the best approach or method to use in their field of work.
• Work is occasionally checked for methodology as well as outputs. Supervision is readily available.

G. Impact of the job; positive and impact of errors. (Contribution to own unit, department, project, or the organization.)

• Provides services or information, the quality, and timeliness of which are important to enable the delivery of other functions, units, or individuals.
• Work is occasionally checked, and errors soon become apparent and can be corrected with moderate costs and/or delays.

H. Resources managed in terms of staff reporting to this job, directly and indirectly, budget, targets, physical assets, etc.

• Manages own time and outputs; priorities are set by the supervisor
• Directly supervises the MEL team
• Control over other resources is not a significant element of the job, only custody of assets such as cars, laptops, etc.

I. Preferred Competences:

• Critical thinking
• Creative thinking
• Communication
• Teamwork
• Team leadership
• Client orientation
• Problem-solving and decision-making
• Negotiation and conflict resolution
• Self-motivated
• Proactive

J. Other requirements

• Excellent demonstrated Experience in M&E systems working in the context of large bi-lateral donor-funded projects, especially for USAID.
• Strong understanding of, and experience with, USAID M&E requirements and Feed the Future evaluation indicators.
• Familiarity and experience with project management concepts (Logical Frameworks, Theory of Change, or similar approaches)
• Familiarity with data archiving systems, databases, and experience training researchers or M&E specialists in their use.
• Demonstrated experience with the use of participatory and gender-sensitive methods for rural appraisals and data collection.
• Ability to travel and undertake fieldwork in rural contexts.

CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity. Women are encouraged to apply