Pro Development Network (PDN) is a local non-governmental consortium of civil society organizations (CSOs), established in 2010 and certified by Federal Government of Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Authority for Civil Society Organizations with a registration number of 1701. With 56 member CSOs, it is one of the leading networks of civil societies in the country that adds values to its members through creating better access to resources and establishing strategic alliance with key stakeholders. PDN envisions becoming a network of vibrant local CSOs that are mentionable for significant and irreplaceable contribution to the realization of societal development and transformation in Ethiopia.

Currently, PDN is working in partnership with Ireland Embassy, under its initiative of Supporting Civil Society in Ethiopia, to implement a project on promotion of civic engagement and social inclusion in Amhara and Afar regions beginning from November2024. Hence, PDN is looking for a competent fulltime professional person to employ as a MEL Expert of the project.

Job Description

The MEL expert will be a fulltime employee of PDN meant exclusively for the above-mentioned project and, hence, will base at the main office of PDN in Addis Ababa, where a project office is established. The position holder will report to the Program Coordination Unit (PCU) of PDN and will be responsible to ensure that the project implementation is on the right track with the expected rate and quality of progress throughout its life thereby contributes to the successful implementation of the project as per stated in the project document.

The following are the main duties and responsibilities of the position holder:

• Prepare and execute the MEL plan of the entire project with baseline, target and milestone values based on the result framework and with project implementing partners or sub-grantees;
• Ensure the proper preparation and execution of MEL plans by all sub-grantees in line with that of the grant project;
• Ensure the proper and timely execution of project activities as per the work plan of the entire project and that of the sub-grantees;
• Ensure the proper preparation of work plans and timely execution of project activities for accomplishment of tasks by the sub-grantees;
• Assess the context of project implementation environment at country and region levels frequently with respect to the pre-stated assumptions and risks of the project and update the project manager on the prevailing situation together with decision support information;
• Collect, review and verify the quarterly narrative reports of implementing partners or sub-grantees on the execution of project activities planned for same period,
• Prepare comprehensive quarterly project status narrative report to PCU by aggregating the reported performance of sub-grantees in line with donor and government requirements,
• Organize quarterly project implementation progress review meetings of implementing partners;
• Conduct mid- and end-term project evaluations and prepare corresponding narrative reports;
• Organize review workshops for stakeholders on mid- and end-term project evaluations;
• Work with project staffs as a team and support implementing partners to ensure the integration of gender equality/equity & social inclusion (GESI) issues in the execution of all project activities;
• Keep records of execution of project activities fortnightly, and document monthly summary report for routine monitoring purpose and to provide insight to the project team on the situation of project implementation at large;
• Update the PCU on the work-on-progress, challenges faced, opportunities available as well as decision support information in execution of project activities;
• Ensure all necessary MEL related documents of project implementation are properly filed and kept both in hard and soft copies.
• Document and disseminate best practices of and lessons learnt from the project.

About You

Required Knowledge and Experience:

• Bachelor’s Degree in social sciences, statistics, monitoring and evaluation, or related field.
• At least three years experience as MEL officer of donor funded project;
• Demonstrated experience in conducting descriptive and/or analytical assessments, surveys and studies on similar projects.
• knowledge and application of proper systematic mechanism for the monitoring & evaluation of as well as capturing lessons from project implementation;
• Fluent in English language oral and written communication skills;
• Demonstrated skills of smooth communication with and coordination of pertinent professionals of partners to ensure collaborative/collective action for common goal;
• Multi-tasking, organizational and prioritization skills;
• Working in hard/difficult conditions and tight schedules;
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to follow procedures, meet deadlines and work independently and cooperatively with team members

 Appreciated knowledge and skills:

• Experience in working with international NGO is strongly preferred
• Working with various people of different cultural, economic, religious and other social identities;
• Ability to foster solid working relationships with Government bodies at various levels, beneficiary communities and partner organizations.