Tegemeo Institute MLE Expert Job in Kenya

Job Title: MLE Expert
 

Responsible to: Head of MLE Unit
 

Duration: 12 Months
 

Hours: Full time, 40 hours per week
 

Start Date: Immediate
 

About Tegemeo, an Institute of Agricultural Policy and Development, in Research and Extension Division of Egerton University

Tegemeo is Kenya’s leading agricultural policy research institute and one of the leading research institutes in East Africa. It has a long track record designing and conducting policy research and evaluation for local and international partners. 

Tegemeo wishes to strengthen its capacities in MLE to enable it to play a greater role in the execution of development strategies in the agricultural sector. 

The long-term goal is for Tegemeo Institute to leverage its local position, credibility and expertise to create a strong, sustainable regional network in MLE.
 

Background: Tegemeo received a grant to strengthen the Institute’s capacity to provide Measurement Learning and Evaluation (MLE) services to agricultural development projects and programmes in East Africa, and to support its development into an important regional hub for MLE within the Agricultural Learning and Impacts Network (ALINe) initiative. 

The support will also help Tegemeo achieve its goal of becoming a world-class research institute that can play a long-term regional role in agricultural policy research, monitoring and evaluation, including the capacity to mentor other evaluation Institutions/Firms in the region. 

The grant supports three areas: 

1) strengthening staff and capabilities; 

2) investing in technology and innovation; and 

3) developing partnerships and networks in the East African MLE community.
 

Position Summary: Tegemeo Institute seeks an MLE Expert for its MLE Unit, a position that will combine an advisory role with that of creating MLE business and implementation of assignments. 

Specifically, the MLE expert will ensure the Institute has the resources capability to prepare wining proposals and execute MLE assignments competitively (cost-effective and timeliness). 

He/she will actively seek and propose cutting-edge equipment, technology/innovations and skills training in MLE to make the Institute the MLE service provider of choice.
 

Further, he/she will actively seek out potential Institutions/Firms for possible partnerships. 

The MLE advisor will prepare timely progress reports as per the contract and provide routine updates to management.
 

The MLE expert will work in a small team within the MLE Unit, and also able draw resources and expertise from the broader research team at the Institute as well as from strategic partners and associates/consultants.
 

This position reports to the Head of the MLE Unit. 

In fulfilling various tasks, he/she will consult, update, review progress with the Unit Head, Institute’s management and also consult with strategic partners.
 

Key Responsibilities
 

Support the Head setting up of MLE Unit:

1. Participate in designing the model for MLE service delivery and its implementation
2. Participate in MLE Business Development
3. MLE capacity building within Tegemeo Institute and its partners
4. Engage with partners and stakeholders to identify MLE needs/gaps and remedial activities

Specific Responsibilities
 

1. Design and Implement Organisational Model for MLE services and Resource Management

• Participate in designing the model for MLE service delivery and its implementation
• Day to day technical management of MLE service delivery and strengthening agenda
• Undertake a scoping study on the status and gaps in equipment and technologies/innovations for MLE work

2. Business Development

• Be proactive in searching for upcoming MLE jobs in the market.
• Advise director on which MLE jobs Institute should bid for
• Lead in preparation of MLE proposals
• Identify strategic partners within and outside the region
• Lead in implementation of MLE assignments
• Advice in procurement of experts for MLE service providers
• Deliver technical reports in accordance with TORs of MLE assignments
• Collaboratively, with MLE unit head and BDO, track MLE business development

3. Staffing & Team Development or Skills Capacity Development

• Organise MLE skills training for staff - in the cutting edge MLE approaches, technology and innovations for MLE tasks
• Determine staffing and resources requirements for various MLE assignments
• Build a database for competent MLE consultants/associates in the region
• Assist in identification and procurement of MLE consultants/associates
• Facilitate evidence-based learning sessions with staff, partners and stakeholders

4. Stakeholder Relations

• Promote trust and good working relationships with partners and stakeholders
• Routinely consult strategic partners as well as on a need to basis.
• Have scheduled meetings with the team at the Institute where to report on progress and receive feedback on MLE unit plans/business model etc.

Personnel Requirements

Educational Qualifications
 

Essential

• Advanced degree in Agricultural or Development Economics

Desirable

• Training in both quantitative and qualitative social research methods

Knowledge
 

Essential

• Deep understanding of theory and application of design of monitoring, evaluation and impact evaluation
• Deep understanding of theory and application of social research methods – both quantitative and qualitative

Desirable

• Knowledge of best practice, tools and approaches in MLE
• Deep understanding of development issues in agricultural and rural sectors in SSA

Skills
 

Essential

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Excellent analytical skills using statistical software especially SPSS,STATA
• Excellent presentation skills
• Excellent writing and communication skills
• Excellent proposal writing skills
• Fluent in English

Desirable

• Communicates in Swahili language (spoken and written)

Experience
 

Essential

• 3 year hands-on experience leading evaluations or impact evaluations of which at least 2 years of MLE work experience has been in sub-Saharan Africa, in agriculture or rural development
• 5 year experience in application of social research methods – both quantitative and qualitative
• 5 year experience in design of household surveys – including calculating sample sizes and power calculations
• 2 year experience in design of survey tools using CAPI and data management from CAPI surveys
• 2 year experience in use of cutting edge data collection and data management (storage, security, transfer) technologies, especially CAPI
• Demonstrated experience in writing winning proposals in MLE

Desirable

• Specific experience in designing of evaluations and impact evaluation
• Track record in analytical work using quantitative methods

Attributes
 

Essential

• Thrives in demanding work environment, meets strict deadlines
• Facilitative, collaborative skills
• Team player and ability to cultivate a good working relationship with research team at the Institute and partners

Other
 

Essential

• Good professional networks with MLE experts and providers of data collection and management systems

Desirable

• Work experience in East African Countries

An offer of employment will be subject to the receipt of satisfactory references. 

We require three references, one of which must be from you present or most recent employer. 

The Institute reserves the right to contact your previous employer before an offer is made. 

Unless your permission is granted, your present employer will not be approached until after an offer of employment has been made.

Probationary Period
 

The first 3 months of your employment with the Institute will be counted as a probationary period. 

During this time the Institute will make an assessment of your suitability for acceptance to a permanent position.
 

Hours of Work: This post is full time, 40 hours per week.
 

Holidays: The annual leave entitlement is 30 days
 

Notice

During your probationary service the period of notice to terminate your employment is 1 month. 

Following successful completion of your probationary period, the notice period you are required to give the Institute is 3 months.
 

Duration:  

This position is for 12 months with possibilities of renewal for a further period upon satisfactory performance and if project is extended.

Salary: The position with be competitively remunerated including benefits such as medical insurance and other allowances.
 

Location: The position will based in Nairobi, Kenya but will involve extensive travel to focal countries of donor agents as well as project locations.

Application Instruction and Deadline: A cover letter together with copies of transcripts, certificates and a detailed CV including names and contact information of three referees should be submitted via email address tegemeo@firetail.co.uk 

Applications should be clearly marked with the relevant position and should be received no later than Wednesday 18th June 2014.

Only applicants meeting the above requirements will be contacted.