Call for Job Applications at World University Service of Canada

Company Profile

WUSC (World University Service of Canada) is a Canadian non-profit organization working to create a better world for all young people. We bring together a diverse network of students, volunteers, schools, governments, and businesses who share this vision. Together, we develop solutions in education, economic opportunities, and empowerment to overcome inequality and exclusion for youth around the world, particularly young women and young refugees. WUSC currently works in 25 countries across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and Latin America, with an annual budget of approximately CAD $40 million. We have over 90 staff in our Ottawa office, and over 200 people overseas implementing 16 development projects in collaboration with donors such as Global Affairs Canada, the UK Department for International Development (DFID), the World Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the Mastercard Foundation and the African Development Bank.

There is a call for job applications at WUSC (World University Service of Canada). WUSC is inviting applications from interested and qualified candidates for the position of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Officer.

Job Description

Position: Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Officer
Position location: Accra, Ghana
Reports to: MERL Manager
Contract term: 2 years
Application Deadline: 2 August 2024 (Open until filled)
Expected Start Date: 2 September 2024

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BACKGROUND

The Accelerating Change Through InnoVation in Agricultural TVET (ACTIVATE) project is a 5-year collaborative initiative that will contribute to a stronger, gender-responsive, socially inclusive and market-driven Agriculture Technical, Vocational Education and Training (ATVET) System that facilitates sustainable employment pathways, well-being and resilience of young women and men in Ghana. ACTIVATE will blend education and high quality, market relevant skills training in specific agriculture value chains and support growth of agripreneurship.

The project will reduce gender specific barriers, elevate the voice and aspirations of youth and integrate a strong inclusivity lens, with respect to gender and disability while building collaboration and linkages among key stakeholders such as public and private actors, academia, and agriculture value chain actors to create decent work for young people.

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ACTIVATE will respond to key challenges facing the agriculture and adjacent sectors including insufficient management capacity of ATVET sector facilitation bodies, non-alignment of new TVET policies and reforms across sector ministries, low quality of ATVET instruction, curriculum and equipment, lack of ATVET engagement with industry, poor business skills among others.

Our network in Canada also works with WUSC to raise awareness among Canadians to inspire greater action on global development issues.

NATURE AND SCOPE

The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) officer will be responsible for the monitoring and evaluation activities in Ghana. Under the MERL Manager’s direction, his/her roles and responsibilities include:

Implement and contribute to the regular update of the MERL Plan, in line with Results-Based Management (RBM) principles, as well as organizational requirements;
Carry out all MERL-related tasks (such as planning, coordination of monitoring and data collection activities, training of staff, etc.) in accordance with the project’s MERL plan;
Contribute to the capacity building of partners as necessary and appropriate, to promote their active participation in all phases of the development and implementation of the MERL plan (from the design of the MERL plan itself and its tools, to the data collection exercises; from data analysis, to the dissemination and use of findings);
Supporting WUSC and MasterCard Foundation teams, and implementing partners in Ghana to plan for and execute MERL-related activities;
Deploy and contribute to the regular update all MERL tools linked to key indicators for the purpose of informing program activities and reporting to the donor, and supporting continuous evidence-based learning and adaptive management in the process;
Provide high quality technical support on planning, development and implementation of the MERL plan to project and partner staff; and
Contributing to regular communication and coordination with regard to the collection and exchange of MERL-related information with project staff and key stakeholders in Ghana, as well as with WUSC and Mastercard Foundation global teams.

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MERL tools Design, Deployment and Quality Assurance

Contribute to the development and periodic review of monitoring tools for routine tracking of activities and collecting of program data;
Identify training needs of staff including anchor partner staff working on the project and recommend actions for improving capacity with regard to MERL;
Ensure that MERL activities are carried out by partners in accordance with the project’s MERL Plan and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs);
Ensure that data collected are reliable, accurate and complete – to the extent possible in the project context; and
Support Staff and Partner to correctly use the MERL data collection tools and templates.

Data Collection and data management

Work with technical staff and partners to ensure that the necessary MERL data is collected and submitted through the MERL data management system.
Conduct data quality checks on data submitted onto the MERL database management system and identify any monitoring needs based for follow up.
Ensure that accurate and complete MERL-related files are filed, maintained and updated, in a way that ensure data security;
Support qualitative data collection for the purposes of documentation and dissemination of lessons learnt, case studies and stories of change; and
Document and execute data verification, entering and duplicate check processes with the MERL database management system.

Communications, knowledge management and Reporting Duties

Ensure timely and regular MERL data are shared with project colleagues to feed into reporting cycles, mainly annual narrative report, in an efficient and timely manner, in accordance with organizational and donor’s standards;
Ensure that regular updates on project MERL processes are communicated and shared with project staff across all partner organizations;
Maintain and regularly update the database and take lead in the compilation of high quality and evidence-based donor reports;
Respond to requests for information from WUSC and Mastercard Foundation staff, project partners, and WUSC and Mastercard Foundation Senior Management; and
In collaboration with other project staff and partners, contribute to the translation of project data into knowledge products through various communication channels relevant to project stakeholders (blogs, guidance notes, newsletters, social media, etc.).
Undertake any other tasks assigned by the MERL Manager.

Required Skills or Experience

A Bachelor’s or Master’s Degree in social sciences, statistics or related field.
A minimum of five years of experience in developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation system and plans;
Experience with designing and managing database systems built on Airtable platform (required).
Experience working with international development partners, international non-governmental organizations and donors.
Experience in capturing and translating project evidence into useful knowledge products (using different forms of communication channels) to support the project’s communication objectives will be an asset;
Experience with RBM concepts and principles is required;
Experience in both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis is preferred;
Experience working with ethnically diverse communities and with projects implementing gender mainstreaming strategies;
Experience with data analysis software (preferred);
Demonstrated high level written and verbal communication skills in English.

How To Apply: Call for Job Applications at World University Service of Canada

Please send your application to jobs-ghana@wusc.ca

WUSC offers a dynamic work environment with a diverse intercultural workforce. We offer employees and volunteers exciting opportunities to apply their skills and gain experience all while making a difference for youth around the world. We believe youth have the potential to provide for their families, build strong communities, and create positive social change for future generations. Employees at WUSC work hard to create lasting change in education, employment and empowerment.

WUSC is an equal opportunity employer. Female candidates and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. No telephone calls please. Applications will be received on a rolling basis.