Senior Manager, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning

MEL Planning & Development:
Develop and oversee the implementation of MEL plans and strategies for programmes, ensuring alignment with Theory of Change and donor requirements.

• In collaboration with the programmes team, develop and refine the theory of change, logframes performance indicators and targets
• Develop and oversee the effective collection of qualitative and quantitative data using tools and methodologies aligned with identified target outcomes
• Documentation, qualitative data, and termly activity reports from program leaders – monitoring and evaluating ongoing activities aligned with programmatic inputs, outputs, and outcomes
• Knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) surveys of relevant stakeholder groups – measuring outcomes against targets through baseline and endline data collections
• Training and meeting participation records – monitoring participation, alignment, and positive engagement with relevant stakeholders
• Focus group discussions with school community stakeholders (educators, parents, students) – ensuring the voices and needs of our beneficiaries remain central to our work
• Meetings and focus groups with local leaders, public officials and community members – deepening our knowledge of community-specific drivers and collaborating to establish a community-wide infrastructure for communication, allyship, and alignment
• Community engagement activities – identifying and facilitating qualitative data gathering methods to measure knowledge sharing, social/societal outcomes, and the reputation of our work in the community
• Workshop and activity assessments – measuring the impact of our training programs and other inputs
• School enrollment, academic, and attendance data from Network Schools – monitoring and evaluating the scale and impact of our programs on students
• Reports and data from partner organizations – learning from outside external sources to inform our programs and evaluate our investments in collaborative partnerships
• Collect contextual sub-national and national data analyze and identify trends using various statistical and qualitative methods, and interpret Flying Kites programmes performance against the trends

Data Management & Analysis:
Maintains and updates programme monitoring database, manage data entry, data integrity, and analysis aligned by theories of change and logical frameworks with:

• Commitment to data authenticity and integrity – through data collection activities performed by trained resources, and the regular employment of cross-checking data audit practices.
• Commitment to confidentiality and data security – in alignment with the laws of Kenya and the United States, with particular emphasis on cross-border communications and the preservation of student identities using secure identification numbers and other strategies.
• Development and utilization of data collection and data input tools that minimize human error – including drop-down menus, standardized terms, and the utilization of digital surveys and input forms by populations with the capacity to do so.
• Development and enforcement of internal data protection policies and practices – including staged access to data and sensitive documentation limited to trained, devoted personnel.
• Avoidance of duplicative data – develop digital tools to draw on one set of master data and auto-populate a variety of data collections and analyses related to programs benefiting that same population.

Knowledge Management, Learning and Reporting:
Prepares regular MEL reports and resources; shares and reports updates summarizing programmes progress, achievements, challenges and lessons learned, including:

• Developing and overseeing a learning agenda
• Designing and preparing reports for donors in alignment with requirements
• Facilitating knowledge building, sharing, and learning among programme teams and stakeholders, ensuring M&E findings are effectively communicated and used for adaptive decision-making and course correction
• Providing resources and input to the communication and development teams, to formulate and communicate impact results with stakeholders, and in fundraising initiatives
• Strengthening internal M&E capacity, including training staff and providing technical assistance to programme stakeholders

In addition to the Essential Duties and Responsibilities set forth herein, the Senior MEL Manager is expected to contribute to special projects, participate on working committees, and/or be assigned additional responsibilities from time to time, as instructed, including to support gaps in core services and to provide coverage for colleagues on leave.

Education and Work Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Data Science, or a related field; advanced degree preferred
• 9+ professional experience in MEL, with 5+ years’ experience in a managerial capacity at an evidence-driven NGO, preferably in Kenya or East Africa
• Familiarity with the sectors/context in which FK programmes operate

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:

• Superior project management skills — self-reliant, results-oriented, flexible, collaborative, and proactive.
• Excellent judgment and integrity, with the highest attention to ethics and policy compliance.
• Entrepreneurial team player who can multitask, prioritize effectively, and adhere to deadlines.
• Exceptional written and oral communication skills.
• Proficient in all aspects of budgeting, procurement, and fiscal management.
• Highly proficient with computer applications, including managing, analyzing, and communicating data.
• Well-developed interpersonal skills; ability to interact with stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Ability to manage and be strictly accountable for the handling of confidential and sensitive information.
• Ability to respond quickly and maintain composure in situations that impact health, safety, and security.

Additional Requirements:

• A current, incident-free Children’s Check and National Police Check (Certificate of Good Conduct) is a strict condition of employment.
• Consistent with the management level of this position, some weekend and after-hours work is expected and required to meet organizational priorities.

Working Conditions:

• The Kenya office is subject to occasional interruptions in power and/or Internet access.
• A significant (8-10 hour) time difference is acknowledged and generally accommodated for scheduled and unscheduled communications among leadership in the US and Kenya.
• All Flying Kites programs and objectives serve children from preschool through young adults. Our workplace is thus regularly accessed and impacted by children.

The statements contained in this job description are not necessarily all-inclusive; additional duties may be assigned and requirements may vary at the discretion of the organizational leadership.