Associate, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL)

Who We Are

International Justice Mission (IJM) is the global leader in protecting vulnerable people from violence around the world. Our team of over 1,200 professionals are at work worldwide in over 30 offices. Together we are on a mission to rescue millions, protect half a billion, and make justice unstoppable.

We are a global community that cares for one another. We believe that the way we work is as important as the results we achieve. We provide professional excellence with joy and celebration to all those we serve.

The Need

For over 25 years, IJM has pioneered the work to protect vulnerable people from violence. 9 out of 9 times in the last decade, IJM’s Justice System Strengthening Projects have reduced slavery and violence between 50 and 85% for very large populations of people in poverty. As we grow to expand our impact to protect 500 million people from violence, we are seeking an Associate Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning to play a key role supporting IJM Uganda Violence Against Women and Children (VAWC) program monitoring, evaluation, research and learning in Karamoja on a donor-funded project with a focus on ending Violence Against Women and Girls (VAWG) in the region. The Associate, MERL, is also responsible for keeping up to date project data in the IJM program database and generating reports as and when required. Under the supervision of the Project Coordinator, Karamoja and the Senior Coordinator, MERL, the Associate, MERL is responsible for supporting Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning agenda for the Irish Aid project to allow for effective and accurate collection and analysis of data for decision making in line with achieving program goals. The Associate, MERL, is responsible for the development of and routine update of project monitoring plans.

This position is based in Moroto and reports to the Project Coordinator and is only available for candidates with the right to work in Uganda.

Responsibilities:

• Develop routine data collection and monitoring tools for assigned grants (e.g., Detailed Implementation Plans, dashboards, risk management plans, budgets, etc.).
• Conduct field visits to ensure the quality and accuracy of collected and/or reported data.
• Continuously assess methodologies and instruments for the collection, documentation, analysis, and reporting of data for weaknesses and potential improvements.
• Support the MERL department to develop and improve key performance indicators (KPIs) to track project progress towards outcome and impact.
• Support assessment of key government stakeholders for data management and use.
• Support adoption and use of available reporting tools and databases.
• Innovatively operationalize learning fora’s for IJM and stakeholders to enable data sharing, results, and feedback communication.
• Assemble and disseminate relevant monitoring and evaluation resource materials, templates, and guidance documentation to staff.
• Create visual and written reports to communicate project performance to internal and external stakeholders.
• Document lessons learned, innovations and success stories from projects implementation and as well as for knowledge sharing with the stakeholders.
• Develop agile processes of reviewing tools used for data collection and analysis to always ensure we are collecting all we need and how we need it.
• Train partners, including government agencies on MERL and build efficiencies in their data capture, analysis and reporting.
• Develop data collection tools for partners like survivor shelters, advocacy partners, casework partners.
• Develop M&E Plans for assigned grants and projects including performance indicators and reporting templates to effectively track processes, outcomes, and results.
• Write regular and timely progress reports of grant initiatives and project activities for donors and other stakeholders.
• Develop data collection tools, field data collection, entry, cleaning, and analysis for all assigned grant operations research activities.
• Collaborate with project staff to design effective pre- and post-training assessment tools and conduct analysis of these assessment tools to determine effectiveness of capacity building activities.
• Develop interview tools and surveys for the collection of qualitative data of key actors, officials of the public justice system, among others.
• Apply ethical standards to all research initiatives.
• Collaborate with specialists to design effective evaluation tools for satisfaction surveys, pre and post training.
• Support the IJM MERL team to execute baseline surveys, midterm reviews, final project evaluations, impact evaluations and other relevant studies. This may include engaging with external consultants and evaluators to design and execute these studies.
• Participate in the implementation of IJM Quality Assessment Framework and Guidance through initiating of data quality protocols, monitoring field data collection, analysis and dissemination of data and ensuring data security.
• Participate in the development and maintenance of local databases (excel routine data collection sites) to capture relevant data on key performance indicators.
• Lead in quarterly, bi-annual, and annual grant reporting.
• Participate in IJM programs of professionalism and Christian spiritual formation.
• Ensure to use staff-care resources and tools provided by the office to take good care of physical, emotional and psychological health.
• Ensure compliance with IJM core commitments and values
• Ensure compliance of budget implementation as per donor requirements.
• Ensure strict adherence to IJM and grant operational, finance, program and human resources policies.
• Ensure strict compliance with all security guidance and tactical plans in all casework and field work operations
• Ensure commitment to Safeguarding, Zero tolerance to Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment, Child abuse and whistleblowing information.
• Adhere to IJM safeguarding code of conduct towards a safe work environment for all.

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Demography, Population Studies, Development Economics, information management, social sciences or a field related to international development with post graduate training in Monitoring and Evaluation.
• A minimum of three (3) years of experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning, preferably in the humanitarian or development context. International NGO and justice sector experience is desirable.
• Experience in data analytics is preferred.
• Experience working with donor funded projects.
• Experience with statistical software and project management information systems preferred.
• Familiarity and experience working with justice service providers within the formal and informal justice systems is desirable.
• Experience developing and conducting training for teams.
• Experience working in a multidisciplinary work environment.
• Proven track record and experience in developing M&E plan, systems and database using MS office applications (Excel or Access) and software applications.
• Fluency in the English language both written and spoken is mandatory. Working knowledge of local languages added advantage.
• Excellent computer literacy with proficiency in MS Word, Outlook, Power Point, Excel or Access and software applications.
• Knowledge of statistics and of common qualitative and quantitative methodologies preferred.
• Familiarity with principles and current approaches to MERL in development programs using both quantitative and qualitative methods.
• Practical Data Analysis skills using statistical software like SPSS, STATA
• Excellent writing, documentation and reporting skills, including the ability to maintain digital records and generate high-quality reports.
• Ability to present complex research and information in an easy-to-understand manner.
• Ability to navigate information management systems.

Critical Qualities:

• Eager commitment to IJM's Core Values: Christian, Professional and Bridge-Building;
• Self-starter with strong initiative;
• Disciplined with priorities;
• Strong interpersonal skills and self-awareness;
• Exceptional verbal and written communication;
• Flexible, collaborative and eager to support others;
• Effective team player who fosters collaborative environment; and
• Adept at creative problem solving.

Application Process:

Please submit Resume/CV, Cover Letter, and Statement of Faith* in one PDF document to ugandarecruiting@ijm.org by close of business on Friday 2nd August 2024 with the subject line APPLICATION ASSOCIATE MERL. Applicants must have the legal right to work in Uganda. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

*What is a statement of faith?

A statement of faith should describe your Christian faith and how you see it as relevant to your involvement with IJM. The statement can either be incorporated into the cover letter or submitted as a separate document and should include, at a minimum, a description of your spiritual disciplines (prayer, study, etc.) and your current fellowship or place of worship.

What does IJM have to offer?

• Comprehensive GPA/GL and Medical benefits
• Competitive compensation package
• Retirement benefit options
• Paid leave starting at 21 days.
• Professional development opportunities
• Daily, quarterly, and annual community spiritual formation
• Robust staff care resources.

IJM holds strict safeguarding principles and a zero tolerance to violations of the Safeguarding Policy, Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy, and Code of Ethics. Candidate selection is based on technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring criteria subject to assessing the candidates value congruence and thorough background, police clearance, and reference check processes.

IJM requires a background check, police clearance and thorough review of references with an employment offer and/or employment contract.