Job Description

The Organization:

Lutheran World Relief which is part of Corus International, has been present in Togo since 2023. Corus International is the parent of a family of world-class organizations working to deliver the holistic, lasting solutions needed to end extreme poverty once and for all. We are a global leader in international development, with 150 years of combined experience across our brands. Our nonprofit and for-profit subsidiaries include IMA World Health and its fundraising brand Corus World Health, Lutheran World Relief, CGA Technologies, Ground Up Investing, and Farmers Market Brands. In Togo, Corus operates under Lutheran World Relief Our more than 400 employees around the globe are experts in their fields and dedicated to helping the world's most vulnerable people break the cycle of poverty and lead healthy lives.

At Corus we believe that good only grows stronger and we reflect that belief in our workplace culture. We value every employee's specialized area of expertise and nurture professional growth. We promote an engaging and supportive work environment, where employees feel enabled and driven to innovate, learn and collaborate. And because our subsidiaries often function as partners, our employees have the opportunity to work across our enterprise family.

The Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist supports the program focused on the project's high-level objectives. The MEL Specialist will guide the technical direction of the M&E approach and strategy. In addition to managing monitoring and evaluation activities, the MEL Specialist will oversee impact analysis in the project's areas. This includes building the capacity of staff and beneficiaries in knowledge management and learning, supervising M&E data management systems, and communicating progress towards objectives based on performance measurement indicators.

Reporting Line: The Senior MEL Specialist reports to the Chief of Party/Project Leader.

The Senior MEL Specialist will be responsible for developing the M&E plan, designing the system to track and monitor performance indicators, guiding and training technical managers, technology managers, and business facilitators on data collection and uploading into the data management platform, and ensuring data verification and validation. They will manage the project's monitoring and evaluation activities, including the technical direction of the M&E approach and strategy, as well as the supervision and coordination of work related to the project's monitoring and evaluation activities. They will report quarterly and annual performance indicators and highlight successes, lessons learned, and gaps to be addressed through collaboration, learning, and adaptation measures.

Supervision: The Senior MEL Specialist will supervise M&E Analysts.

Key Result Areas

• Assume overall responsibility for all project-related documentation processes and systems in terms of M&E.
• Establish and manage internal data management processes for effective and efficient monitoring and reporting of activities and reports internally, as well as with donors and implementing partners.
• Coordinate M&E efforts to ensure reliable and up-to-date data is collected and ensure M&E staff efforts meet quality requirements.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Specific Functions:

• Support M&E Analysts and regional staff to ensure the team receives the necessary support to fulfill their M&E responsibilities.
• In coordination with headquarters, manage the project's M&E system in accordance with the Performance Management Plan (PMP) and donor-approved evaluation plan.
• Update the project evaluation plan as needed, as well as management tools such as the PMP, indicator tracking table, and reference sheets.
• Develop standard data collection forms in coordination with technical teams.
• Coordinate data collection.
• Ensure grant documents consider project monitoring requirements related to M&E indicators and that responsibilities for these indicators are clearly defined.
• Ensure reports document progress towards achieving performance measurement targets.
• Coordinate the dissemination of evaluation results and the production of communication tools.
• Oversee impact analysis in the areas of private sector development, value-added transformation, and investment facilitation.
• Apply technological tools (GIS, ICT4D project platform) to improve decision-making and results-based management.
• Directly supervise M&E Analysts.
• Design and lead mid-term and end-of-project evaluations in coordination with headquarters M&E teams and consultants.

Data Quality:

• Assume overall responsibility for data quality at every stage of the management cycle.
• Conduct internal data quality assessments and annual system reviews.
• Manage the assignment of monitoring and evaluation staff to ensure system performance.
• Oversee evaluations and all research related to data quality.
• Regularly verify data quality in the field.

Capacity Building:

• Design and implement M&E capacity-building activities for field staff in areas such as project monitoring, evaluations, quantitative and qualitative data analysis, data use, quality, and other areas as needed.
• Provide technical expertise and leadership to promote the planning and implementation of a quality M&E system.
• Provide guidance and technical assistance to strengthen staff capacity in program implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.
• Serve as the main focal point with implementing partners, program beneficiaries, consultants, and stakeholders on all M&E-related matters.

Research:

• Ensure the quality of research reports and other special studies.
• Coordinate and ensure quality control of all service providers engaged to conduct studies/research.
• Supervise consultants recruited for all M&E activities.
• Actively participate in M&E working groups and professional associations.

Experience & Education

• Master's degree in social sciences, economics, statistics, agronomy, or any related field.
• At least 8 years of demonstrated experience with progressive responsibility in the design, monitoring, and evaluation of development projects at the national level in Togo.
• Demonstrated knowledge of M&E systems (design, implementation, tools, and evaluation techniques).
• Experience applying M&E to agricultural development projects, including the application of quantitative and qualitative analysis and evaluation techniques.

Qualifications:

• Commitment to Corus values and ability to model these values in relationships with colleagues and partners: accompaniment, gratitude, vocation, stewardship, and innovation.
• Understanding and commitment to development and agriculture in Togo.
• Demonstrated experience (3 years) with USDA M&E standards and procedures or a similar program funded by the US government.
• Demonstrated expertise in capacity building and conducting M&E training for team members and implementing partners.
• Knowledge and experience with ICT data collection and data visualization tools, especially GIS and Database Management Systems.
• Demonstrated experience using a mix of information sources and research methods to analyze project progress, communicate results to a range of external and internal stakeholders, and apply learning to work planning.
• Professional proficiency in English and French.
• Demonstrated leadership, experience, and technical report writing skills.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Initiative, flexibility, and adaptability to the project context and a multidisciplinary team.
• Ability to travel up to 30% of the time within Togo.
• Experience and commitment to working in a diverse and multicultural environment.

Other Responsibilities

This job description is not intended to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities or responsibilities. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice. All positions must perform any additional tasks assigned by the supervisor. Global positions linked by contracts will not be modified without notice and approval.

Working Conditions, Travel, and Environment

• The position requires regular presence of at least 5 days/week. The employee must be available to work outside normal office hours or in weekends as needed. Corus has a hybrid work policy, allowing 50% of work to be performed remotely.
• This position must be able to travel as needed for standard national and international business purposes. While performing the duties of this position in various locations, the employee may be exposed to precarious environments with high security risks and/or very basic living conditions and outdoor weather conditions, as well as infectious diseases.

As a member of the Corus Family, each employee is expected to:

• Foster a work environment where everyone feels valued and included.
• Support employees' evaluation and promotion processes based on skills and performance.
• Promote a safe, secure, and respectful environment for all members of Corus family, stakeholders in general, and particularly for the communities we serve.
• Follow Corus Code of Conduct helping to prevent any type of abuse including workplace harassment, sexual abuse and exploitation, and trafficking in persons.
• Adhere to the Organizational Core Values

Corus International prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type and affords equal employment opportunities to employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability status, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by U.S. or International law.

This position is open both to women and men.