WUSC is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Officer to support the development and management of the M&E framework and strategy for the ‘Displaced and Refugee youth Enabling Environment Mechanism (DREEM)’, a five year project based in northern Kenya and funded by the MasterCard Foundation

Background:

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a leading Canadian international development organization that works with and through its southern partners to promote sustainable development. Founded in 1957 and currently working in more than 20 countries worldwide with an annual budget of approximately $45 million dollars, WUSC fosters youth-centered solutions for improved education, economic, and empowerment opportunities to overcome inequality and exclusion. We believe youth have the potential to provide for their families, build strong communities, and create positive social change for future generations. Globally, WUSC has a network of higher education institutions, civil society organizations, private sector partners, professionals, students, volunteers, faculty, and community leaders that can be leveraged to support our work.

WUSC offers a dynamic international work environment with a diverse intercultural workforce. We offer employees exciting opportunities to apply their skills and gain experience all while making a difference for youth around the world. Employees at WUSC work hard to create lasting change in education, employment and empowerment.

DREEM project

WUSC through the DREEM project plays a unique role as a technical assistance and strategic learning partner to the Mastercard Foundation and its partners. The DREEM project contributes to the Mastercard Foundations’ commitment to meaningfully include refugee and displaced youth in their Scholars Program and Young Africa Works strategy.

The DREEM project focuses on the following pillars:

1. Higher Education Inclusion:
   1. Support Scholars Program (SP) partners and staff with the knowledge, capacity and networks to meaningfully recruit and serve refugees and displaced youth in higher education and transition to work and to work towards more inclusive societies;
2. Economic Inclusion:
   1. Support Young Africa Works (YAW) country partners and staff primarily in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Ethiopia and also in other countries around the continent to gain the knowledge, capacity and networks to meaningfully include and develop programming that meets the unique training and employment needs, opportunities and aspirations of refugee and displaced youth, especially young women;
   2. Strengthening Economic Opportunities for Refugees (SEOR) to complement WUSC’s existing Learning through Education and Access to Employment Pathways (LEAP) project and provide refugee entrepreneurs, especially young women with improved access to market-oriented business support services that improve business and employment outcomes in Kenya.

Job Role

Under the supervision of the Deputy Project Director, DREEM, the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Officer will work closely in collaboration with the DREEM team in Kenya, the Canada-based WUSC Advisory Team and the Mastercard Foundation team.

Responsibilities:

• Coordinates implementation of the MERL framework and plan for the DREEM program, in line with requirements of the Mastercard Foundation and WUSC;
• With support of technical advisors, develops the appropriate tools for periodic reviews of the project’s results chain and workplan, and proposes adjustments as necessary;
• Undertakes regular data collection exercises to monitor the production of outputs as well as the advancement towards outcome targets, ensuring quality of all collected data and facilitating their interpretation and use for evidence-based adaptations with the support of the pillar leads;
• Provides capacity building and overall support to partners to properly monitor and evaluate activities and contributions towards outcomes;
• Develops and delivers training on M&E across the DREEM team and network, providing direct coaching and capacity support as needed;
• Supports the recruitment and relationships with external evaluation and research consultants;
• Contributes to the draft of the project’s progress reports by providing quality data and analysis on results achieved;
• Supports the documentation of learning from project DREEM implementation;
• Supports the development and circulation of knowledge products to draw out lessons learned and success stories;
• Participates as required in regional and international meetings/workshops (remotely or in person, as feasible and appropriate) to share project lessons learned, success stories and research/studies findings.

Line Manager

Deputy Project Director, DREEM

Position Requires Close Collaboration with:

DREEM Team

ACT Project team

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences, Development Studies, Statistics, or related field (Master’s degree is an asset).
• At least 3-5 years of experience in M&E, preferably in an NGO or development context.
• Proficiency in statistical software (e.g., SPSS, Stata) and experience with data visualization tools.
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex data sets.
• Experience in designing and implementing surveys, focus groups, and other qualitative/quantitative data collection methods.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Experience & Competencies

The ideal applicant will combine technical expertise in one or more of DREEM’s sectors (higher education, durable solutions for refugees, vocational and technical training, support to entrepreneurs and businesses), a familiarity with the East African refugee context, a strategic and analytical mindset, excellent listening and interpersonal skills, and an ability to get things done.

Specific competencies:

• At least 5 years of experience working in the coordination, implementation and evaluation of international development and other key donors
• A strong quantitative and/or qualitative background and experience with best practice data collection and analysis methods would be an asset
• Technical experience in at least one of DREEM’s core pillars would be an asset
• Superior oral and written communication skills, including the demonstrated ability to distill data and create compelling narratives for a variety of audiences
• Substantial experience with data collection, management, and analysis considered an asset
• Demonstrated experience in and commitment to working collaboratively across teams
• Experience infusing a gender responsive lens across M&E
• Strong problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet deadlines.
• Proficiency in project management software (e.g., MS Office, Excel, PowerPoint).

Other requirements

• The role will require regular travel (up to 20%) to field sites in Kakuma Refugee Camp, Kalobeyei Settlement, and nearby communities in northern Turkana, as well as occasional international travel for conferences, workshops and meetings
• Ability to work a flexible schedule

How to Apply:

WUSC’s activities seek to balance inequities and create sustainable development around the globe; the work ethic of our staff, volunteers, representatives and partners shall correspond to the values and mission of the organization. WUSC promotes responsibility, respect, honesty, and professional excellence, and we will not tolerate harassment, coercion, sexual exploitation or abuse of any form. Successful applicants will be required to undertake an enhanced criminal record check where appropriate.Only those candidates selected for an interview will be contacted. WUSC is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome and encourage applications from people with disabilities. Accommodations are available on request for candidates taking part in all aspects of the selection process.

If you wish to apply for this exciting role, please submit your resume with a covering letter here by 2nd December 2024

WUSC does not charge a fee at any stage of the recruitment process.

Applicants must have the relevant immigration status to work in Kenya.