National Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Coordinator

Role Overview:

The post holder will be reporting to the Programmes and Strategy Lead and provide leadership in meeting Accountability, Learning and Planning System (ALPS) requirements at all levels. The post holder will also provide managerial oversight for the MEAL function, ensuring effective team leadership, resource allocation, and strategic alignment of monitoring and evaluation activities with the organization’s goals. The role will also involve representing the unit in decision-making forums and contributing to organizational leadership.

Key Accountabilities / Responsibilities:

Values Practice & Strategy Change Priorities

• Leading Innovation and Change – Establish a culture of excellence in respective to a team that values experimentation and continuous improvement
• Feminist Leadership – Championing feminist leadership principles and values including commitment to diversity and inclusion (race, gender, power)
• Child protection and safeguarding –Embed AAIK and sector’s approach to child protection and Safeguarding is embedded in all initiatives holistically
• AAIK Values Practice – Ensure a personal and team culture that demonstrates all of AAI’s Values including: Mutual Respect, Equity and Justice, Integrity, Solidarity with people Living in Poverty and Exclusion, Courage of Conviction, Independence and Humility

Organisational and Corporate Development

• Lead the development, implementation, and review of policies related to MEAL functions, ensuring alignment with global standards and internal frameworks.
• Strategic Planning: Contribute to strategic decision-making and participate actively in country strategy development and updates.
• Risk and Compliance: Identify potential risks in program implementation, develop mitigation strategies, and ensure adherence to national, regional and international compliance standards.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration – Act as a liaison between the MEAL unit and other departments to ensure cohesive integration of MEAL priorities in organizational plans.
• Represent the organization in high-level forums, government meetings, and partnerships, advocating for MEAL priorities and securing strategic collaborations.
• Lead initiatives to identify and implement innovative MEAL tools, processes, and approaches that align with organizational goals.

Planning and Reporting

• Ensure MEAL frameworks are integrated into the broader organizational strategy and actively contribute to the development and operationalization of strategic plans.
• Review all program-level reports, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and alignment with organizational objectives before submission to the Programs and Strategy Lead.
• Promote and support AAIK’s Accountability, Learning and Planning (Alps) system
• Coordinate the overall planning processes across the organisation including analysing organisation-wide plans (three-year and operational) to ensure delivery of strategic objectives
• Prepare gap analysis and gap closure recommendations for review by Uamuzi
• Lead on the development of organisation-wide report, management updates and other reports as necessary to ensure accountability

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

• Provide managerial oversight for MEAL systems, including design and ensuring scalability and adaptability to meet organizational needs.
• Lead quality assurance processes for MEAL deliverables, including internal audits and evaluations.
• Lead design, monitoring and evaluation system for AAIK and partner program in accordance with AAIK strategy and internal standards (including monthly, semi-annual and an annual report).
• Lead development of tools for diagnosis, impact analysis and Monitoring & Evaluation which promote and stimulate effective and efficient programming in relations to value for money
• Lead rollout of innovative approaches for monitoring, evaluating and learning from and for the communities and their institutions as well as partners
• Coordinate regular monitoring and supervision in the field in order to strengthen the capacities of the LRP and Partner staff to sustain achievements
• Develop standards and tools and provide technical advice – guidance, coaching, training – to local and national programme teams and implementing partners on M&E
• Coordinate the annual Participatory Review and Reflection process (PRRP) with programme partners and in development of Annual Progress Document
• Responsible for quality control of evaluations, partnership appraisals and peer reviews
• Ensure that feminist principles, gender, power analysis and rights perspectives are fully incorporated into ActionAid’s planning, monitoring and evaluation processes
• Co-ordinate the operationalization of action research to elicit issues impacting on power, poverty, gender and vulnerability especially from the perspective of the poor and excluded people.
• Actively engage in applied research to increase capacity in the organisation to test theories of change and promote innovation leading to increased impact
• In collaboration with the Programmes and Strategy Team develop KPIs for monitoring programme implementation
• Lead aggregation of organizational data and interventions to assess the level of achievement of the outcome of AAIK at local level
• Coordinate the recording of achievements of the outcomes on AAIK’s programme interventions in the communities to document what has already been done; and how to strengthen them further.
• Coordinate monthly narrative reports, and field visit reports for monitoring and supervision of work and work with the programme staff to document processes

Management Information Systems

• Provide oversight to the management of the Monitoring, Evaluation And Learning unit and the organizational Knowledge Management processes in collaboration with the IT ad ICT4D Coordinator.
• In collaboration with the Compliance Team, work embed Contract Management System within the organization
• Participate in the development and implementation of programme and organisation learning activities of AAIK.
• Develop and support the operationalisation of management information systems (MIS) for capturing and managing data including baseline and coverage information, emanating from programme work in the communities.

Communication and collaborations

• Support the various themes in the development of funding proposals for programme work, especially in definition of progress and impact assessment processes.
• Build and sustain networks with organisations and practitioners working in the areas of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning with a view to influencing and learning from approaches and practices beyond AAIK
• Represent AAIK and ensure the maintenance of optimum relations at all levels with Government agencies, Private Organisations, as well as Non-Governmental Organisation in Kenya.
• Support collection and documentation of evidence for policy research and advocacy strategy, policy briefs and position papers and generate content development of policy briefs for inclusion in county/ national policy briefs
• Disseminate programme findings and lessons learned to key stakeholders by providing information for producing and sharing quality lessons learnt documents.

People Management, Leadership and Development

• Mentor, supervise, and provide ongoing professional development for team members, including the Monitoring and Officer(s), to foster a high-performance culture.
• Performance Management: Set measurable objectives, deliver regular feedback, conduct performance appraisals, and create tailored improvement plans when necessary.
• Support recruitment of MEAL staff and partner staff (where need be) and ensure availability of and provide appropriate professional development opportunities.
• Organize capacity development programmes for AAIK and partner staff on MEAL

Other Duties

• Participate actively in Programmes and Strategy meetings, planning and review activities regarding LRP and partner programming.
• Actively participate in key relevant internal meetings such as programme review meetings or MEAL meetings as required. Participate in any donor visit to project(s) within AAIK, as required.
• Perform other functions that will be assigned by the Line Manager or Executive Director from time to time.

Education & Certifications

A bachelor’s degree in social sciences, policy development or its equivalent from a recognized University

Post graduate qualification in Monitoring and Evaluation

Experience

Appointment to the position will be made from persons who have:

• Five (5) years minimum working experience is essential, three of which are in the field of Monitoring and Evaluation.
• At least 3 years’ experience in project management is essential
• Experience in community mobilization and engagement with government at State and local levels is essential
• Experience in social mobilization and campaign is essential

Essential knowledge and skills

• Excellent negotiation and communication skills, including demonstrated ability to handle sensitive negotiations on matters affecting AAIK staff, partners and communities.
• Ability to maintain donor relationship and accountability in line with funding policies and standards.
• Strong leadership and management skills
• Excellent planning and prioritization skills
• Excellent Skills in Programme Information Management
• Strong analytical/problem solving, and management of crisis, conflict, and risk
• A strong commitment to embedding feminist leadership, resilience building and AAIK’s humanitarian signature.
• A good understanding of human rights, women’s rights, social mobilization, socio-economic justice
• A strong commitment to adhering to and promoting AAIK’s approach to Sexual Harassment, Exploitation, and Abuse and other Safeguarding concerns (including child abuse and abuse of adults at-risk).
• Excellent conceptual, analytical, documentation and presentation skills
• Excellent skills in facilitation and capacity building for inter-linkages amongst staff, partners & stakeholders
• High degree of integrity, dependability, and confidentiality
• Good interpersonal and communication skills coupled with ability to influence, negotiate, advice, mentor, and train
• Ability to work independently and be self-motivated

Desirable Knowledge and Experience

• Programme implementation and project management is preferred

Competency Profile:

Strategic perspective

Demonstrate alignment of the Organisation’s strategic priorities and goals to the LRP and Partner plans

Change management

Uses effective strategies to facilitate organisation change initiatives and overcome resistance to change by involving others, listening, and building commitment.

Decisiveness and Agility

Prefers quick and appropriate actions in many management situations, able to adapt and respond to fast changing eco system/environment.

Leading others

Attracts, motivates, and develops high performing teams.

Building Collaborative Relationship

Builds productive working relationships with co-workers and external parties, whilst valuing diversity (gender, race, culture).

Communication

Expresses ideas clearly and concisely; disseminates information about decisions and plans proactively.

Leading with Purpose and Credibility

Acts in accordance with stated values; has strong commitment to develop, promote and practice AAI’s values

Innovation and Taking Initiative

Takes charge and proactively seeks new ideas, experiments with new processes/practices that capitalizes on opportunities