The Coastal and Ocean Resilience (COR) Programme is responsible for marine and coastal issues, including biodiversity conservation, development and management of marine protected areas, other effective conservation measures (OECMs) and their networks, blue economy, ecosystem and fisheries management, High Seas, blue carbon, marine spatial planning, marine pollution, integrated management and governance of coastal areas, adaptation to climate change and disasters risks reduction.

In order to accelerate and scale up efforts in the region towards coastal and ocean resilience, IUCN has been coordinating efforts, together with countries and partners, in developing the Great Blue Wall initiative. The Great Blue Wall is a Western Indian Ocean (WIO)-born, Africa-driven roadmap to achieve a nature positive world by 2030. It aims at unlocking unprecedented nature-based recovery efforts through the establishment of a transformational movement. Its goal is to dramatically accelerate and upscale ocean conservation actions while enhancing socio-ecological resilience and the development of a regenerative blue economy by catalyzing political leadership and financial support.

 

Job Responsibilities

As the lead for monitoring, evaluation and learning work for the Coastal and Ocean Resilience thematic area, this position has overall responsibility for the monitoring, evaluation and programme learning functions and the quality of MEL outputs in the COR portfolio. In addition, S/He will contribute to steering the performance and assurance of the COR portfolio of projects implemented in the WIO region and contributing to ensuring quality in the design and development of the portfolio.

S/He will also lead the implementation of IUCN’s MEL policies, practices and systems. As the COR focal point for the MEL function, this position is expected to liaise with the Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Unit to collaboratively build the MEL capabilities to COR team and partners.

This position provides subject matter expertise in MEL to support COR programme and projects implemented in the WIO region. S/He will contribute to the management of project evaluations. This position will report directly to the Deputy Regional Head, Delivery and Operations and with functional/matrix reporting to the Regional Monitoring and Evaluation Manager.

Under the direct supervision of the Deputy Regional Head, Delivery and Operations, the Impact Officer- COR will work closely with the COR team to track the progress of COR programmes based on performance indicators of the program. S/He will collect and analyze the data required for monitoring and evaluation purposes by leading, coordinating and ensure effective and efficient monitoring, evaluation, learning and risk management functions in the COR programme, specifically:

Planning, monitoring and reporting;

• Coordinate COR input from projects managers to ESARO Annual Cycle of planning, monitoring and reporting (reports include progress reports, country quarterly, semi-annual or annual reports; reginal offices reports).
• Develop and implement Regional COR performance measurement framework, aligned to ESARO performance/results framework.
• Guide the identification and designing of performance questions, key indicators and targets for each program component.
• Coordinate and oversee the preparation of ToR and implementation of outcome surveys at country level, other relevant surveys, special studies and research efforts, providing overall technical guidance and supervision of organizations that are sub-contracted to implement special surveys or studies required for evaluating program effects and impacts.
• Determine information needs of the portfolios, grantees and other key stakeholders.
• Identify and design data collection and reporting systems and structures and set procedures to ensure data quality.
• Identify and develop mitigating actions for the MEL plan risks and problems.
• Support program teams to establish professional linkages with development partners, resource centers and institutions in monitoring and impact evaluation.
• Contribute to the development and implementation of regional performance criteria to steer a strategic and effective portfolio.
• Track, monitor and evaluate COR projects portfolio implementation in the IUCN Programme and Project Portal and through any tools used in the country/region.

Evaluation and learning;

• Evaluates the COR program metrics to ensure contribution to organizational effectiveness.
• Develop and ensure adequacy of COR evaluation framework in consultation with the Regional M&E Manager and maintain the register of evaluations and management responses.
• Coordinate and implement the review and analysis of the performance of project partners using agreed upon indicators and targets to measure progress, and make recommendations for improvement to partners, and to management.
• Support project and programme evaluations and reviews, including advice on evaluation ToRs, advise on and provide evaluation management in alignment with IUCN guidance on evaluations and reviews, ensure projects comply with the IUCN Monitoring and Evaluation Policy requirements for evaluation.
• Facilitate learning across the portfolio by applying international best practices to enable adaptive management and organizational learning and participating in regional exchanges.
• Support resource mobilization efforts for MEL through the provision of subject-matter expertise on MEL requirements, and by ensuring projects are designed with performance frameworks, meet ESMS standards, and budget appropriately for MEL staff time and activities (implementation of the project costing framework).
• Guide the identification and design of performance questions, key indicators and targets for each program component.

Institutionalization of MEL Tools and Standards;

In collaboration with the Regional Monitoring & Evaluation Unit, implement IUCN’s MEL policies, practices and systems, specifically: Institutional annual cycle planning, monitoring and reporting requirement

• Project Guidelines and Standards (PGS), including Project Appraisal and Approval System (PAAS)
• Programme and Project Portal (project data forms and project workflows that control project status)
• Enterprise Risks Management Policy and internal control framework
• Environmental and Social Management System (ESMS): contribute to ESMS quality assurance, supported by the Regional ESMS Specialist at ESARO.
• Guide COR project leads implementation of policies and standards for MEL, ensuring policy understanding and providing a control and quality assurance role.
• As the subject matter expert and the focal point, provide capacity building briefing and coaching to internal COR (IUCN) and external (partners) staff to effectively implement the MEL policies, practices, and tools.
• Provide project assurance through managing evaluations for COR projects including facilitating appropriate feedback on draft reports, compliance with the IUCN M&E Policy, and facilitating the preparation of management responses; and leading and participate in project supervision missions.
• Advocate for and facilitate the proactive use of MEL information in decision-making and adaptive management across the COR portfolio.
• Share lessons, provide advice, raise issues, and identify current or emerging risks to the implementation of the policies and controls
• Supervise and build capacity for COR project MEL officers.

Other duties;

• Follow up on implementation of audit and evaluation recommendations; ensure the optimal use of evaluation findings by providing guidance and a clear dissemination plan.
• Carry out other relevant tasks assigned by, and mutually agreed with, the direct and functional/matrix line managers.

Job Requirements

• Master’s degree in environmental studies, biodiversity conservation, natural resource management, or statistics and data science.

Work Experience;

• At least 7 years of experience in programme and project performance management and Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL).
• Proven experience with the implementation of institutional performance and assurance approaches and systems.
• Knowledge of the application of environmental and social safeguards, working experience in this area a plus.
• Demonstrated experience in results measurement methods and management in conservation, development or other relevant sectors.
• Demonstrated experience designing, implementing and managing complex, multi-partner and multi-sectors projects in conservation, development or other relevant sectors.
• Excellent organization and communication skills with a proven ability to engage across levels of an organization and across geographies.
• Experience with change management and the people skills to build a culture of accountability and learning.
• Excellent group facilitation skills and experience with the application of monitoring and evaluation methodologies
• Ability to deliver analytical reports to facilitate management decision-making.
• Proficiency in data management and analysis, with strong statistical skills highly desirable
• Proficiency with statistical and data management software and tools, project management software or tools.
• Experience with institutional knowledge management and learning is an asset.
• Capacity to work collaboratively within a diverse team.

Language Proficiency ;

• Fluency in English is a requirement and working proficiency in French language is desirable.

Functional competencies;

• Strong analytical and research skills; ability to see patterns in data and understand the cause and effect.
• Solid overall computer literacy, including proficiency in various MS Office applications (Excel, Word, etc.) and email/internet; and office technology equipment.
• Excellent knowledge of statistics and research methodology including sampling techniques and use of statistical applications such as SPSS, SAS, or STATA; advanced Excel skills with the ability to create excel based tools using complex formulas, pivot tables, create graphs etc. experience in Remote Sensing and GIS is a plus.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a strong team player with the ability to work effectively within multicultural and multidisciplinary teams.
• Ability to collaborate well with the teams, including those working at remote locations, while also taking initiative to complete assigned tasks with high competence.
• Capacity to produce high-quality briefs and reports.
• Detail-oriented, flexible and hardworking.
• Creative, engaging, full of initiative, resourceful.
• Committed to continuous learning and proactive and mature attitude towards self-development.
• Demonstrable good understanding of the nature conservation seascape, challenges, opportunities and priorities in the WIO region.
• Experience with mainstreaming gender indicators into M&E plans and frameworks will be an added advantage.