How the Principal Expert fits into the Integrity team
The Principal Expert will be a varied technical and leadership role at Integrity, working primarily on the design and delivery of Monitoring Evaluation and Learning projects including, initially, the CSSF Global MEL contract.
The Principal Expert will sit within the Services team which leads the design and delivery of our work. For the first two years, you will work on the Conflict, Stability and Security Fund (CSSF) Global Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (GMEL) Partnership. Beyond the project lifetime, responsibilities are expected to broaden to include technical design and delivery across multiple projects, project direction, staff management and learning.
CSSF GMEL Partnership – Project Background
The UK government funds over £1 billion in programming per year through the CSSF. Operating in over 70 countries, CSSF is central to the UK government’s work overseas. CSSF has contracted Integrity, and our partner LTS-Niras, to form the CSSF Global MEL Partnership (GMEL). GMEL supports the development of a stronger, more agile and more sustainable ‘ecosystem’ for monitoring, evaluation, learning (MEL) and their application in decision-making. To achieve this we shall, among other things:
- Support CSSF in putting in place effective M&E frameworks, processes and tools, including evidence synthesis, at Fund and portfolio levels; and sharing promising practice at programme level.
- Support CSSF in developing and implementing a capability-building strategy for MEL;
- Strengthen CSSF organisational learning processes and incentives and support CSSF systems for the commissioning and use of applied research; and
- Enhance CSSF use of digital tools in MEL knowledge management.
This exciting programme has just begun implementation, including scaling up the growing project team to meet the anticipated requirements of project implementation.
Our theory of change envisages a stronger MEL ecosystem as one which enables CSSF to more effectively and consistently: demonstrate credible contributions to HMG priorities; use credible evidence for decision making; communicate insights transparently; and learn from its own practice.
GMEL applies an innovative approach whereby we work with the JFU and the network to co-create a responsive and utilisation-focused MEL architecture. We do this by co-designing ideas for implementation using an agile approach through stages of prototyping, testing, learning and adaptation.
The Principal Expert’s Scope of Work
The Principal Expert will join the CSSF GMEL Team as the Head of the MEL Systems Practice Area.
As a member of the GMEL Leadership Team, you will engage regularly with the other Practice Areas and Unit Heads. As the Head of the MEL Practice Area, you will supervise and mentor MEL advisers, officers and short-term technical advisers who are delivering on a range of interventions across the GMEL portfolio. You will help coordinate and deliver a consistent approach across interventions and the team. You will also be leading or contributing to these interventions, as a technical MEL expert. Some examples of technical input delivered through the Practice Area may include:
- Supporting the evolution of portfolio level theories or change and theories of action.
- Developing and reviewing MEL frameworks and tools, enabling others to use existing or new tools.
- Supporting the development and delivery of methods appropriate to data analysis, synthesis and visualisation.
- Supporting the design, delivery and learning associated with adaptive MEL approaches and methods.
- Devising useful synthesis and collations to enable analysis and responses to specific evaluative enquiry, including cross-programme questions.
- Working flexibly across a range of evaluation approaches, such as real-time, developmental, formative and summative evaluation.
You will report directly to the GMEL Team Lead and work closely with members of the Leadership Team.
Specific responsibilities include:
- Engage with CSSF stakeholders to understand MEL systems requirements.
- Engage with the GMEL team to determine intervention and MEL priorities.
- Line management responsibilities at project and company level.
- Provide technical inputs to interventions (e.g. collaborative design and development of actor based Theories of Change, MEL frameworks, MEL plans, results frameworks, learning questions, etc).
- Lead and support co-creation of specific interventions with CSSF stakeholders at fund and portfolio level.
- Work collaboratively with the GMEL team and CSSF stakeholders to design and deliver technical solutions to meet client needs within budget limitations.
- Oversee the delivery of bespoke and on-demand technical assistance to CSSF.
- Support the development of team structure, supporting the Team Lead to identify resourcing needs and solutions.
- Build up the practice area through strategic recruitments and engagement across the Practice Area.
- Contribute to client reporting, workplans, and risk management.
- Support the development and application of MEL capability initiatives, including training, coaching, and peer-to-peer learning.
Your Experience and Expertise
We are looking for an experienced MEL specialist with management and leadership experience to lead, manage and motivate the Practice Area team. We are particularly interested in individuals who have experience delivering innovative approached to strengthening MEL systems – especially in highly fluid and complex contexts.
In particular:
- Minimum 12 years relevant experience, including in leadership and technical roles.
- Curiosity and drive to understand the diverse MEL needs and opportunities of different stakeholders, and the ability to develop effective MEL solutions for a geographically dispersed stakeholder community.
- Substantial experience of working collaboratively within a team and to support others relating to specific MEL technical inputs.
- Evidence of utilising quantitative, qualitative and/or mixed research and analysis methods.
- Experience of working in fast-paced environments with the ability to adapt to new information, constantly reprioritise and work closely with senior government stakeholders.
- Confidence to make and take responsibility for appropriate decisions in a timely manner, and take forward with team.
- Confidence to engage with senior level stakeholders in UK and HMG country offices.
- Experience leading the design and delivery of data analysis and synthesis.
- Experience leading reviews and evaluations.
- Experience of programme cycle strengthening from design through delivery and to evaluation.
- Experience of working with government stakeholders.
- Experience leading and delivering MEL training and capacity building initiatives.
- Curiosity to use innovative methods to training and capacity building.
It is also desirable that the MEL Systems Head also has:
- Familiarity with the CSSF network.
- Familiarity with actor-based models, outcome harvesting and outcome mapping.
- Experience of linking theory of change work to the development of MEL tools for complex programmatic environments, including result frameworks, progress markers, and outcome harvesting approaches.
- Experience operating in Fragile and Conflict Affected States and familiarity with the CSSF network desirable.
- Experience in agile work methodologies and influencing the work of both colleagues and external stakeholders.
Languages:
Written and oral fluency in English, with the ability to write clear, distilled and compelling narrative.
How to apply:
If you are interested in applying for this position, please complete the application form at http://www.integrityglobal.com/apply-sm/ and attach a CV and Cover Letter at the bottom of your application.
Exercise to share along with your CV and Cover Letter: In no more than 200 words, please outline your experience in designing or delivering an adaptive and other innovative approaches to strengthening a MEL system.
The closing date for applications is 18 September 2020. However, we will review candidates on a rolling basis and the vacancy may be filled before this deadline. We encourage early applications. Please be advised that only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.
Candidates must have the right to work in the UK.
This role is advertised as a full-time staff position, although fixed-term contracts may also be considered from candidates available at 80% or more.
Integrity is an equal opportunity employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. We will respect your confidentiality and abide by UK data protection laws.