JOB DETAILS:
Description
Heifer International is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, among other things, or status as a qualified individual with disability.

Heifer is collaborating with Mastercard Foundation in Uganda to implement a 5-year project under the Young Africa Works strategy. The SAYE project aims to improve the socio-economic well-being and resilience of young people in the Busoga sub-region by 2029. The project focuses on four key intervention areas: skills development, equitable access to markets, innovative and inclusive finance, and creating an enabling environment to achieve the desired outcomes.

The project targets 250,000 young people between 16-35 years old, with 70% being females and 3% youth with disabilities. This will be achieved through collaboration with The Consortium for Enhancing University Responsiveness to Agribusiness Development Limited, Federation for Small and Medium Enterprises, Financial Sector Deepening Uganda, and ASIGMA Group.

The primary purpose of the department is to support program teams in monitoring and collecting data on project achievements and learnings. Additionally, the department ensures proper tracking of household and youth data while generating evidence on the transition of young people, women, and persons with disabilities into the workforce.

The Function

This role is a crucial position within the project structure, supporting Heifer, the project, and its partners in making informed decisions for adaptation, sustainability, and scaling up. Under the supervision of the Country Program MEL Manager and with a matrix functional reporting line to the Project Director - SAYE, this role provides leadership in project monitoring, periodic data collection and analysis, developing mechanisms, and ensuring effective dissemination, utilization, and documentation of learnings.

The role involves developing and overseeing MEL and reporting systems that integrate appropriate indicators, baseline data, targets, and a structured plan to evaluate performance. Additionally, it strengthens the capacity of project partners to monitor, document, and analyze systemic changes while ensuring data quality. The role provides technical assistance, advice, and training on MEL aspects to shape the overall SAYE framework and ensure that key outcomes are properly monitored, tracked, and documented. It also builds team capacity on data indicators, monthly data analysis, and quality assurance methods, working with project partners to strengthen their information systems, prepare periodic reports, and promote programmatic learning.

Responsibilities & Deliverables
A. Program Effectiveness (50%)
• Develop and oversee the implementation of the MEL plan and system, including MEL tools, platforms, and methods suited to the project's scope, context, and technical requirements.
• Provide leadership in monitoring project outputs and outcomes, ensuring data analysis, tailored reports for different stakeholders, and dissemination of lessons learned.

• Lead the review of the project framework, plans, and indicators to capture performance results and ensure accurate and timely reporting.
• Oversee the implementation of the performance monitoring plan, including routine data reporting, baseline and end-line assessments, and outcome evaluations.

• Manage data flow to ensure timely data collection and reporting.
• Utilize training monitoring systems to track and monitor trainers and participants, facilitating follow-up and recordkeeping.
• Identify and address bottlenecks in completing planned activities to improve project efficiency and effectiveness.

• Provide technical supervision to the SAYE cluster MEL Officers.
• Coordinate all MEL capacity-building activities for project staff, implementing partners, and hub staff.
B. Project Reporting and Documentation (20%)
• Review and ensure compliance with data quality and timeliness requirements in project reports.
• Support the Project Director in compiling monthly, quarterly, and annual reports for both donors and Heifer, ensuring the highest standards of quality.

• Provide technical support to country teams in documenting SAYE success stories and project impacts.
• Lead results reporting to Mastercard Foundation, ensuring alignment with shared measures.
• Build the capacity of hub management teams in documentation and recordkeeping.
C. Management and Compliance (15%)
• Supervise and support the MEL team, providing technical training, mentoring, and coaching to project staff and partners.
• Oversee all project evaluations and operational research, including baseline, midterm, tracer studies, and end-line evaluations.

• Ensure high-quality implementation, aligned with Heifer and Mastercard Foundation MEL guidelines, protocols, and reporting systems.
• Protect participant data and maintain confidentiality during reviews and evaluations.
• Regularly review monitoring data and organize learning days and summits to identify successes and adapt strategies for better results.
• Collaborate with Heifer’s finance unit to track and report cost-related data to enhance financial strategies and budgetary planning.
• Ensure compliance with all reporting requirements from Heifer and Mastercard Foundation.
D. Partnership and Engagement (10%)
• Develop strong stakeholder, participant, and community feedback mechanisms to ensure project accountability and effectiveness.
• Work with the Project Director to implement a collaborative learning and action plan, knowledge management system, and learning agenda across project components and partners.
• Ensure that programmatic learnings and results are documented, shared, and used to guide adaptive management.
E. Other Duties (5%)
• Perform any additional duties as assigned.

Minimum Requirements
• A Master’s degree with a Bachelor’s degree in International Development, Project Planning and Management, Economics, Statistics, or a related field, with an academic focus on monitoring and evaluation.
• Minimum of seven years of experience in planning, monitoring, and evaluation, preferably in an NGO setting.
• At least five years of relevant supervisory experience in Monitoring, Learning, and Evaluation (MLE) of large-scale projects/programs.
• Certifications in Project Management (Project Management for Development, Prince2 UK, or PMI), Evaluation, and Research Methods are an added advantage.
Key Behavioural Competencies
• Accountability
• Professional Excellence
• Humility
• Customer Orientation
• Empathy
• Innovation