PlanBørnefonden is looking for a Regional MERL Specialist, preferably with Education and/or EiE experience to support the implementation of the PlayMatters project. PlayMatters seeks to embed play-based learning into education for 800,000 refugee and host children ages 3-12+ in Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania. The project is implemented by an international consortium consisting of four partners led by the International Rescue Committee (IRC) and funded by the LEGO Foundation.

The MERL Specialist will be providing technical support to Plan International’s Country Offices in Ethiopia, Uganda and Tanzania. The MERL Specialist will work closely with the Country Offices and PlayMatters Consortium partners in developing MEL plans and country indicator frameworks, as well as in the roll out of a testing plan of newly developed learning materials for children aged 3 - 12+. This includes overseeing and/or conducting trainings in use of MEL tools. In addition, the MERL Specialist will be part of PlanBørnefonden’s MEL team and contribute to M&E, learning and documentation.

Key tasks of the position include:

Coordinate and lead PlanBørnefonden’s engagement in the MERL workstreams in the PlayMatters programme, in close cooperation with the Programme Manager, Technical Advisor and Research and Learning Advisor

• Support the development and roll-out of country-level MEL plans in collaboration with Country Offices and Consortium partners, including country indicator frameworks and tools to measure the redesigned country level approaches under PlayMatters 2.0.

• Provide MERL support to Plan International’s Country Offices ensuring M&E systems are aligned with the Consortium MEL Plan for effective monitoring of key outputs and outcomes

• Support the delivery of baseline/midline/endline assessments in Plan areas of operation

• Serve as regional RMEL technical focal point to one country RMEL team (currently Ethiopia) as part of the current PlayMatters’ Consortium RMEL structure

• Participate in the PlayMatters Consortium RMEL/Evidence Unit meetings and contribute to RMEL activities and the PlayMatters’ learning agenda

• Work with Plan Research & Learning Advisor on any joint research and MEL work or activities. This may include sometimes covering for the Research & Learning Advisor while they are on leave and vice-a-versa.

• Ensure gender and inclusion are mainstreamed in Consortium RMEL work

• General support to M&E tasks across the department's programmes and projects, including applying lessons learnt from PlayMatters based on MEL work.

Job Requirements

The ideal candidate has:

• Relevant educational background e.g. Education, Psychology, Sociology, International Development, Economics or the like.

• Minimum of at least seven (7) years of experience in design and implementation of monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning systems in an international context, preferably with Education and/or EiE

• Experience with Quantitative Research Design and understanding of the link between quantitative and qualitative knowledge processes and methods (mixed methods).

• Experience working with external consultants, as well as knowledge and research institutions.

• Theoretical and practical understanding of gender attitudes and power dynamics, and how they shape MERL approaches and methodologies

• Able to maintain a good overview of several processes at once and is well organized and has strong cooperation skills.

• Experience with data collection tools such as CommCare and/or KoBo Toolbox

• Experience with databases including setting up dashboards and conducting data analyses

• Experience in education and early childhood education, fragile contexts, preferred

Conditions of employment: The preferred starting date is 1st of November 2022. It is a 2-year project position with possibility of extension with the possibility of extension.

Duty station: Kampala, Uganda; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; or Kibondo/Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. Please note the applicant should have the right to work in one of the above countries. International travel of 4 - 8 weeks a year is expected.

How to Apply

Interested applicants can send their cover letter and CV in one collated PDF file via email:  job@planbornefonden.dk

Note: Write “MERL Specialist” on the subject line of your email

Application deadline. 26th of September 2022. Interviews are planned for week 39-40.

About Plan International. Plan International is a global independent development and humanitarian organization focusing on children and young people's rights and gender equality for girls. Plan International works to safeguard the rights of children and young people and to lift millions out of poverty. We work in 52 developing countries in Africa, Asia and South and Central America. 

About Plan Denmark. Plan Denmark supports development and humanitarian programmes across approximately 20 countries, with a strong focus on its four West African and four East African priority countries. Our programme strategy have three focus areas: Healthy, Safe, and Playful Early Childhood; Young People Driving change; and Building Resilient Communities and Responding to Emergency. Currently, we implement education in emergency programmes in eight countries. Read more at www.planbornefonden.dk.