Design Monitoring Evaluation & Learning Officer

Search for Common Ground (Search) is an international non-profit organization that promotes the peaceful transformation of conflict. With headquarters in Washington, DC, and Brussels, Belgium, Search’s mission is to transform how individuals, organizations, and governments deal with conflict—moving away from destructive approaches and towards cooperative solutions. With more than 700 staff worldwide, Search implements projects in more than 30 African countries, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and North Africa, and North America. Project Summary Search for Common Ground (Search) is implementing a 30-month project with the overall goal to reinforce the legal, social and policy environments for improved Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Nigeria Through (i) capacity and network building for legal practitioner and advocates (ii) training of government and security agencies and (ii) opportunities for the legal community, state and security actors, and religious leaders to collaborate on protecting religious freedoms, the project will strengthen the capacity of these to advance and promote FoRB across the North Central, North East, and North West and regions. Ultimately, the project will contribute to shifts in attitudes, behaviors, and policies in favor of religious tolerance and freedom in Nigeria. Position Summary Search for Common Ground is seeking a dynamic, analytical, and self-motivated individual for the position of Design, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Officer to support DMEL activities. This role resides in Makurdi, Benue State requires one with experience and commitment to monitoring and evaluation activities of the project in target locations. S/he should have experience in the development and use of simple monitoring tools to collect routine project data, collate, and process complex information related to all aspects of project actions, and have it stored in the provided ITT and GMS of the organization. The holder will also ensure that data on DMEL OKR indicators are collected routinely, data quality checks are conducted and the validity of the data is ensured before storing in the Database. S/he will liaise and support the project with training evaluations, data quality checks, and implementation of Beneficiary Feedback and Response Mechanisms in the target states. The incumbent will carry out his/her work according to an established DMEL standard operating procedure for collecting data, monitoring project progress, and measuring program inputs/outputs/outcomes result statements. The DMEL Officer will develop monthly factsheets and quarterly Data Dashboard from the indicator tracker informing the project implementation team of progress toward project result targets highlighting areas requiring improvement.

Roles and Responsibilities

Support in the designing of the Indicator Tracking Template for the Strengthening Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) in Nigeria through Legal Support and work closely with other project staff to roll out the template in capturing action data every month.

Using data from the ITT, ensure to develop Quarterly Project DMEL Dashboard using the traffic light system to indicate project performance and highlight areas for adaptation.

Work closely with the DMEL Manager to roll out a Beneficiary Feedback and Response Mechanism by ensuring that all the appropriate channels of communication operate optimally in the field.

Quality assure all project data and submit a report to the DMEL Coordinator with clear recommendations on how data quality in the organization can be improved. Upon approval of recommended strategy or any other that may be suggested, the DMEL Officer will be responsible for building the capacity of project Staff on how data in the project can be improved, and the validated data used for reporting.

 Ensure the project team is aware of and up to date on all DMEL tasks and reports.

Conduct site visits using appropriate checklists during the project implementation phase in the target states and develop and share key findings with Project Team and the DMEL Coordinator.

In concert with the DMEL Manager, develop Monitoring and Evaluation plans for field-level

Share observations from monitoring visits with DMEL Coordinator when findings demonstrate questionable actions. 

Strategic Objectives

Support with the conduct of Bi-annual face-in Learning sessions and ensure that the learning logs section in GMS is updated periodically.

Conduct project monitoring visits regularly and report findings to the project teams to improve the delivery of activities in line with set standards.

Technically support in strengthening the MEAL capacity of Partner Organizations through handholding and training approaches.

Maintenance of up-to-date outcome data on the GMS and indicator tracking table of the project capturing progress against target of all project result indicators.

Conduct Quarterly DQA and devise appropriate strategies on how data quality in the project can be improved.

Education

A university in international development, social science, economics, or a related field is required as a minimal qualification for this role.

Additional education in conflict management and Monitoring and Evaluation

Required Experience

At least 3-5 years of experience in peacebuilding, gender mainstreaming and Do No Harm related work.

Experience in managing a team and project management in the field of conflict resolution, conflict transformation, development or related fields.

Other Relevant Requirements

Knowledge of and exposure to a wide range of conflict prevention; peace; conflict transformation; governance; and development and humanitarian issues;

Good knowledge of the country context and ability to network with both civil society and public sector

Ability to review and analyze and interpret financial reports, budget versus actuals, financial projections and procurement documentation;

Good interpersonal and networking skills, as well as the ability to conduct professional working relationships;

Experience in setting performance objectives of teams and leading a team.

Willingness to keep abreast of new developments in farmer-herder issues, policies, laws etc.,s and peace-building fields;

Good knowledge of North Central, including the political, economic and social dimensions;

Basic computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite) and other software

Willingness and desire to learn while demonstrating self-initiative

Ability to adapt to new cultures and work in diverse environments

Added Advantage

Language Skills: (Native/Fluent/Basic)

English Language (Fluent)

Hausa (an added advantage)

To apply: Interested candidates should send the following to our portal on or before September 20, 2024.  Current resume Cover Letter (which includes expectations of compensation and projected start date) Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please note that the system only has the functionality to upload two documents per application. Incomplete applications will not be accepted.Only applicants invited for an interview will be contacted. No phone calls please. Please see our website: ​for full details of our work. Commitment to Search Values: Trust, Breakthrough and Collaboration