World University Service of Canada
Position Title: Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Manager
Background:
World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a leading Canadian
international development organization that works with and through its
southern partners to promote sustainable development. Founded in 1957
and currently working in more than 20 countries worldwide with an annual
budget of approximately $45 million dollars, WUSC fosters
youth-centered solutions for improved education, economic, and
empowerment opportunities to overcome inequality and exclusion. We
believe youth have the potential to provide for their families, build
strong communities, and create positive social change for future
generations. Globally, WUSC has a network of higher education
institutions, civil society organizations, private sector partners,
professionals, students, volunteers, faculty, and community leaders that
can be leveraged to support our work.
WUSC’s members are Canada’s most globally engaged post-secondary institutions. WUSC offers a dynamic international work environment with a diverse intercultural workforce. We offer employees exciting opportunities to apply their skills and gain experience all while making a difference for youth around the world. Employees at WUSC work hard to create lasting change in education, employment and empowerment.
Job Role
Under the supervision of the Country Director, Kenya, the Monitoring,
Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Manager will lead the MERL
strategic response by offering leadership, and technical oversight
across country level programming. The MERL manager will be responsible
for designing the MERL system in alignment with the country level
frameworks.
Management and Leadership
● Strategic leadership on MERL across WUSC projects in Kenya
● Support MERL activities across East Africa portfolio when needed
● Establish and manage working relationships and strategic engagement
with external evaluation and research consultants and other partners,
including relevant government bodies, researchers, regulators and other
MERL stakeholders.
● Develop annual operating forecasts of MERL budgets, research, evaluation and learning agenda
● Oversee the process of assessments and thematic papers, research,
analysis, interpretation and reporting of various data across all
projects in the region to ensure the highest standards of intellectual
honesty, research ethics, and academic convention;
● Lead in the development of the MERL frameworks and plans for programs, in line with the donor and WUSC’s requirements.
● Take the lead in providing capacity building and overall support to
partners and stakeholders to monitor and evaluate the programs.
● Supervisory role over the MERL team
Evaluation, Research, Design and Publications
● Lead the process of obtaining approvals for research and evaluations to ensure compliance with local requirement
● Provide technical support to Evaluation teams/consultants in the process of conducting baseline/midline/endline surveys
● Lead in periodic project or program internal evaluations as needed.
● Take an active role in managing the communication research strategy of the projects
● Lead in the dissemination of project research findings to external audiences
● Provide advisory roles in preparing annual and impact reports for the programs.
Learning
● Lead in translation of data into actionable policy and communicating to stakeholders (internal and external)
● Provide leadership to projects in the utilization of the research
conducted in the design of new projects to influence policy in the
region.
● Take leadership in implementation of WUSC’s Knowledge Management and
help develop strategies for reflection and dissemination of lessons
learned.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Line Manager
● Country Director, Kenya
Position Requires Close Collaboration with:
● DREEM Senior Project Manager
● GESI, Education and LEO Advisors
● Country leads – Kenya, Uganda and South Sudan (where relevant)
HQ
● Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Advisor
● Program Managers
● Technical Advisors
Provides supports:
● Uganda and South Sudan country offices/MERL teams (where relevant)
Qualifications:
● Master’s Degree in applied social science, statistics, international
development, or another related field. Specific academic training in
Monitoring, Evaluation and research is desirable.
● Experience in leading evaluations and research projects
Experience & Competencies
The ideal applicant will need to have a familiarity with the East
African context, a strategic and analytical mindset, excellent listening
and interpersonal skills, and ability to get things done.
Specific competencies:
● At least 7 years of experience working in the design, implementation
and evaluation of international development and other key donors.
● Strong understanding of humanitarian interventions
● Experience in managing medium size teams
● A strong focus on qualitative and participatory data collection and analysis methods and tools
● Quantitative background and experience with cutting-edge data collection and analysis methods would be an asset
● Demonstrated experience designing and implementing qualitative analyses that reflect best practice.
● Effective oral and written communication skills, including the
demonstrated ability to distill data and effectively topline messages
for busy senior leaders.
● Ability to create a MERL agenda that is closely linked with business development priorities.
● Demonstrated experience in and commitment to working in teams across lines of business.
● Experience infusing a gender responsive lens across MERL
Other requirements
● The role will require regular travel (up to 30%) to field sites in the
regions, as well as participate in international travel for
conferences, workshops and meetings.
● Ability to work a flexible schedule
How to apply
WUSC’s activities seek to balance inequities and create sustainable development around the globe; the work ethic of our staff, volunteers, representatives and partners shall correspond to the values and mission of the organization. WUSC promotes responsibility, respect, honesty, and professional excellence, and we will not tolerate harassment, coercion, sexual exploitation or abuse of any form. Successful applicants will be required to undertake an enhanced criminal record check where appropriate.
Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. WUSC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process. If you wish to apply for this exciting role, please submit your application here
Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted.
WUSC does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.
Applicants must have the relevant immigration status to work in Kenya.