Job Post: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager

Closing date for applications is: 1 December 2023.

Closing Date	2023/12/01
Reference Number	RAS231110-1
Job Title	Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager
Job Type	Full Time
Experience Level	Middle to Senior Level
Workplace Type	Hybrid
Town / City	Newlands, Cape Town
Province	Western Cape
Country	South Africa
Job Category	Other
Description	(Based in Cape Town or Johannesburg) WWF is the world’s largest and most respected independent conservation organisation, with over 6 million supporters and a global network active in over 100 countries. WWF’s mission is to stop the degradation of the Earth’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by conserving the world’s biological diversity, ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable, and promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption. WWF South Africa is a national office that is part of the WWF network. We are a local NGO that has worked for 50 years with the aim of inspiring all South Africans to live in harmony with nature, for the benefit of our country and the wellbeing of all our people. WWFs work is for nature, for you. Our work is challenging and exciting and we love what we do. To join our team, you need to be brilliant at what you do, passionate, results-orientated and have a positive attitude. Background: The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager will provide operational and strategic leadership to measuring WWF’s impact. This will be achieved by maintaining a robust monitoring, evaluation and Learning culture and system throughout the organisation. The MEL role is responsible for ensuring that effective monitoring and evaluation systems, processes, approaches, and tools are embedded in all aspects of WWF South Africa’s programmatic work. Our MEL seeks to develop insights that support individuals, communities, government, and business leaders in decision making while ensuring that we effectively assess and document the outcomes, impact and reach of our work. The MEL Manager is situated within the Environmental programme and plays a key role in leading and energising an internal community of practice that promotes a supportive monitoring, evaluation and learning culture and seeks to ensure that WWF South Africa’s approach is informed by global best practice. This is a varied and highly rewarding role that includes leading a dispersed, dynamic MEL support team, hands on creative design of MEL frameworks, as well as continuous development and improvement of systems and processes to collect quality data, analyse trends and patterns, evaluate outcomes, and impacts in relation to our work and share data and creatively communicate key findings. The WWF Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager will work with the WWF Impact Lead, to design and implement the WWF Monitoring and Evaluation Framework and guide the development and refinement of project M&E plans. The MEL Manager will identify capacity development needs of WWF partners and provide M&E support and capacity building training to respond to these needs. The MEL Manager may undertake program evaluations with the Impact Lead and the MEL team. The MEL Manager will work with MEL team members to contribute to program-wide processes of data synthesis, analysis, and reporting. This will include coding WWF data into the WWF MEL database and contributing to WWF program analysis and reporting. It will also include reporting against performance indicators and targets of the WWF strategic outcomes. The MEL Manager will coordinate and co-facilitate the WWF Annual Learning Workshops and regular learning events with programme portfolio teams. The MEL Manager will provide timely and relevant MEL information to the WWF Portfolios, other units such as the communications and business development as well as stakeholders in the form of briefings and articles/posts for the website and social media. The MEL Manager will coordinate the reporting at the programme on a quarterly basis, linking all implementing partner reports, evaluations, and other relevant publications into an overall assessment of WWF outcomes, learning and actions for improvement in the overall WWF organisational performance. The MEL Manager will report directly to the Impact Lead.
Minimum Requirements	Postgraduate degree (or equivalent) in relevant field and/or proven experience in rural development or environmental conservation. A minimum of five years’ experience directly working in monitoring and evaluation on nature conservation or development programs, including leading and participating in project evaluations. Experience in management of staff in an organisational matrix. Experience in providing line/technical management to remote colleagues. Experience in developing and running training workshops. Experience conducting quantitative and qualitative socio-economic and econometric analysis. Experience in scientific report writing and preparation of research papers for publication Expertise in research design, as well as data management, analysis, and reporting, Experience with GIS systems Experience of developing monitoring and evaluation methods and approaches including a demonstrable understanding of sampling design, and the development and implementation of data capture tools Experience in performing to a high level with minimal supervision and enthusiasm to work as part of a small team, to take responsibility for specific tasks, and the ability to deliver agreed tasks on time. Understanding of M&E approaches for policy and advocacy would be advantageous. Well-developed consultation and facilitation skills, and experience in conveying complex information to audiences with varying levels of experience and abilities. High-level computing skills, including word processing, Excel spreadsheets, email and MEL Databases. High-level analytical and report writing skills, including ability to write to WWF specifications. Demonstrated skills in data reporting and presenting information in clear and simple figures and graphs. Fluency in written and spoken English, and at least one other South African language. Excellent technical reporting skills, and experience of preparing project reports for funders. Excellent skills in communication of complex information to diverse stakeholders.  Excellent time management and organisational skills.  Highly developed interpersonal and communication skills. Ability to use collaborative approaches with key stakeholders to enhance the value of organisation M&E Highly developed cultural awareness and ability to work well in an environment with people.  from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
Duties and Responsibilities	Lead the implementation of the WWF Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning framework, including reporting requirements and data collection tools. Provide M&E-related training and capacity building for WWF implementing partners in WWF areas where WWF works and sharing of learning with extended stakeholders through the regular learning events and products. Lead on the collation and analysis of implementing partner reports on progress against project milestones, to write annual reports on the progress towards WWF programme work Plan program outcomes. Provide accurate and timely information on the WWF programme to the Impact Lead and other stakeholders. In collaboration with the communications unit, write articles and reports for the WWF websites and other forms of media on projects and learnings. In consultation with Senior portfolio managers, undertake field visits as required to monitor WWF implementing partner performance. Undertake evaluations with the Impact Lead, including the participatory review of WWF. transformative approaches and coordinate any external evaluation of the programme work. Provide relevant information to team members and stakeholders to ensure MEL findings are regularly discussed and fed into program decision making processes. Always maintain professional and ethical standards, including taking a do no harm approach to the implementation of all activities and ensuring adherence to the ESSF. ESSF data Coordination & Reporting to WWF network.

More details: WWF Recruit