Terms of Reference for “Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Intern (MEL)”

Position: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Intern (MEL)

Number: 2

Duty Station: Kigali, Rwanda with frequent travel in different Districts

Type of Appointment: Fixed term contract

Duration: 12 Months with possibilities for extension

Report to:  Head of Knowledge Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning 

Background 

Never Again Rwanda (NAR) is a peace building and social justice organization that arose in response to the 1994 genocide perpetrated against Tutsis. Never Again Rwanda's mission is to engage society to embrace sustainable peace and social justice. Currently, NAR is implementing its five years Strategic Plan (2021-2025), through which several programs and projects are being implemented across five strategic pillars including Peacebuilding, Governance & Human Rights, Research, Youth engagement and Strategic partnerships.  

With the above, NAR is dealing with large-scale data from different programs. To support the implementation of its Knowledge Management, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning system, NAR is recruiting 2 Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Interns to be based in Kigali Offices. The MEL Interns will dedicate their efforts to support the Knowledge Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning department in strengthening the organizational MEL system. 

Position Summary: Under the  supervision of the director of programs and  Head of Knowledge Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, the MEL Intern will assist in strategic planning, overseeing and maintenance of strong MEL system, including designing tools, surveys, data collection, performance data management, Data quality assurance, Data analysis, reporting, Knowledge Management, and learning, and providing feedback on the ways to forester quality programs implementation. 

Specific Duties and Responsibilities

1. Planning

• Work with the Head of Knowledge Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning to lead organizational planning exercises including development of Monthly Activity Planning, Quarterly, Semi-Annual, and Annual work plans.
• Ensure the logistics preparation of planning workshops with staff, partners, and donors.
• Work with the Head of Knowledge Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning in development and review of MEL Plans for new and existing programs/projects.
• Assist to ensure alignment of MEL Plans and Work Plans to NAR strategic Plan, programs documents and programs’ theory of change.
• Support the programs director in documenting the programs interventions.

2. Monitoring and Evaluation 

• Collaborate with the Head of Knowledge Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning in providing technical leadership and operationalization of MEAL efforts across the institution.
• With support from the Head of KM and MEAL to create and maintain logical frameworks, MEAL plans and Indicator Progress Tracking Tables (IPTT) for each project/program.
• Support the development and or review of relevant monitoring tools and instruments to measure progress on activities and outputs.
• Support in collection of quantitative and qualitative data collection, including the documentation of achievements of performance indicators and progress markers.
• With support and oversight from the head of KM and MEAL, plan, and budget for MEL activities in new and existing project proposals.
• Collect monitoring data, enter, analyze, and report on findings to project leads.
• Review project IPTTs monthly and ensure progress, challenges and corrective actions are adequately documented by project leads to support decision making and improved performance.
• Support project leads in preparing project inputs for the Monthly, Quarterly, semi-annual, or annual Programme Review meetings.
• With support from the Head of KM and MEAL, support baseline, midterm (as relevant) follows up assessment, cases studies and impact and final project evaluations, including development of ToRs, inception reports, tools, testing of tools, data collection, analysis, and reporting as well as advertising and managing external consultants whenever relevant.
• Undertake regular visits to programs activities for collection of MEAL data (observations, interviews, collection of Most significant stories, FGDs, etc.)
• Coordinate with program coordinators and program officers understood all necessary M&E requirements before, during and after the event.
• Support the head of Knowledge Management and learning to build the capacities of NAR staff, CSOs, CBOs and other boundary partners in Monitoring, evaluation, and learning.
• Support programs implementation and in identification of problems, causes of potential bottlenecks in the project implementation, and providing specific recommendations.
• Identify strengths and weaknesses in existing data collection and management systems and propose solutions.
• Ensure proper and systematic filing of M&E documents (both in hard and soft copies) 

3. Accountability

• Work with the head of KM and MEAL to develop an accountability mainstreaming framework for each project that describes the stakeholder/beneficiary engagement plan through the project life.
• In consultation with project leads and project team, participate in creating accountability tools required to capture beneficiary feedback. Such tools could include FGDs, feedback and complaints forms, etc.
• Periodically review project management response to any feedback and complaints received through accountability channels.

4. Management of Information systems 

• Receive and review MEL spreadsheets and activity reports from district coordinators and staff.
• Receive and review MEL data from CSOs and CBOs working with NAR and provide them with feedback/inputs.
• Assist in populating data in NAR M&E database/MIS, review data and provide feedback to program staff.
• Work with the Head of Knowledge Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning in conducting regular data quality assessments (DQAs) in accordance with donor requirements.
• Assist in populating and Updating MIS systems for donors including DIS, DEC, etc.
• Assist in collecting GIS data, Mapping NAR programs interventions and link GIS data with MEL systems.

5. Reporting 

• Work with the Head of Knowledge Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning in analyzing and reporting on Monthly Milestones
• Follow up on technical reports (Quarterly, semi-annually, Annual) from programs coordinators, and assist the Head of Knowledge Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning to compile them.
• Ensure close follow-up to programs coordinators and program officers on events reports, field visits reports and other MEL requirements.
• Support CSOs and CBOs in narrative report writing.
• Review the programs weekly updates and provide timely feedback.
• Work closely with Head of Knowledge Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learnings to meet the deadlines for donor and institutional reporting. 

6. Knowledge Management and Learning 

• Work closely with NAR Head of Knowledge Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning and communications team to identify and document lessons learnt and best practices for learning.
• Assist in collecting of feedback from programs boundary partners to feed MEL systems.
• Assist in preparation of meetings, workshops and review for knowledge sharing and learning.
• Assist to promote organizational culture of knowledge sharing, learning and improvement through packaging, sharing and use of information.
• Ensure filling of MEL documents and reports
• Any other duties as assigned by Head of Knowledge Management, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning.

Required Qualifications:

• Applicants must have at least a bachelor’s or master’s degree in Statistics, Economics, Development studies, management, or any other social sciences.
• Understanding Quantitative and qualitative Methods
• Experience in Data collection, data entry and Data analysis
• Highly analytical mindset, including outstanding research skills.
• Advanced critical thinking and logical reasoning, with the ability to take initiative and work independently.
• Demonstrated interest in peacebuilding, participatory governance, and research.
• Highly proficient in computer skills, especially Microsoft Word and Excel 

Preferred Qualifications:

• Previous experiences not mandatory
• Coursework and/or hands-on experience with evaluation methods, including focus groups and survey design and administration.
• Advanced skills in statistics and quantitative reporting

• Knowledge of Outcomes Mapping Methods and qualitative methods
• Software knowledge, including statistical software such as R, STATA, SAS, SPSS

• Fluency in English and Kinyarwanda

• Knowledge of French is an added advantage.

The interested candidates are required to submit their Motivation letter, updated Curriculum Vitae, Degree, and certificates to: info@neveragainrwanda.org

Indicate on the subject Monitoring and Evaluation Intern.      

Application deadline:  14 June 2023 

Proposed start Date: 1^st July 2023 

Only short-listed applicants will be contacted for further assessment. 

Done in Kigali, on 31^stMay 2023.