Systems Transformation/MEL Advisor – Seas of Change project job at SNV

SNV is a mission-driven global development partner, rooted in the contexts and societies where we work. Inspired by the transformational principles and objectives set out by the SDGs, we are committed to building resilient agri-food systems that deliver food security and adequate nutrition; to increasing the reliability and availability of water and sanitation at an acceptable quantity and quality; and to improving access to affordable and sustainable energy for all. In doing so, we aim to strengthen institutions, markets and effective governance within and across the agri-food, energy, and water sectors, reducing gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enabling adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.

We are one team of over 1,600 people, the vast majority of whom come from the contexts where we work, in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia. In Uganda SNV operates through a decentralised approach with a country office in Kampala and regional offices in Fort Portal, Lira, Jinja and Mbarara. SNV implements donor-funded activities across more than 100 districts in Uganda, ensuring broad and diverse impact.

Our core values of people-centeredness and respect, equity and equality, and diversity and inclusion, are fundamental to who we are, and what we do. This is reflected in our vision and mission, and strategy, which sets out our aspirations and commitments as our compass towards 2030.

Project information

SNV is designing a program that will work at the nexus of regenerative agriculture (RA) and productive use of renewable energy areas (PURE). It builds on a shared philosophy between SNV and its partners to accelerate the transition towards a more equitable, secure, and sustainable future where people and the planet can thrive. The programme applies an innovative hybrid implementation model where it leverages existing initiatives and expertise within the ecosystem and connects actors to facilitate processes and encourage synergies; it has an overall objective to achieve systems transformation within the RA-PURE nexus space. The programme is therefore not a traditional one but seeks to identify and work with partners already operating within the RA and/or PURE nexus space. SNV seeks to build a movement with and through its partners – in Uganda, but also the wider East Africa region – with SNV’s role being one of facilitation and coordination.

The program will have three intervention pathways of LEARN: Practice-based learning and evidence, LINK: Action-oriented collaboration among system actors and LEVERAGE: Through these pathways, the program seeks to facilitate a new way of working to achieve an integrated, sustainable and resilient agri-food system; to leverage additional funding and resources; and to improve people’s lives and livelihoods in Uganda.

The program will be implemented in 30 districts in four regions of Uganda. Initial efforts will focus on 15 districts in the Central Region (Masaka, Mpigi, Mubende, Luwero, Nakasongola, and Kayunga), Eastern Region (Mbale, Iganga, and Jinja), Lango sub region (Lira) and Western Region (Mbarara, Kabarole, Isingiro, Kasese, and Ntungamo). The program will then move into 15 additional districts in the Central Region (Mukono, Kalungu, Lwengo, Kyankwanzi, Kiboga, and Lyantonde), Eastern Region (Kween and Kamuli), Lango sub region (Apac, Dokolo, and Otuke) and Western Region (Kamwenge, Bushenyi, Kyenjojo, and Sheema).

Job Purpose

The Systems Transformation/MEL Advisor is responsible for leading the design and evaluation of the programme (baseline, mid-line, and end-line evaluations), ensuring the integration of systems thinking throughout and stimulating this within the project team and implementing partners. He/she will provide close guidance and support to SoC Uganda programme partners to implement the innovative MEL framework developed for this unique programme and steer the MEL Officer in data collection and analysis processes. He/she will work closely with the SoC Uganda Programme Manager and Pathway Leads to track the programme’s progress, capture learnings, and supply relevant data to inform adaptive management decisions. He/she will support the team by providing clarity on the programme’s MEL requirements, balancing donor and organisational requirements with the requirements to steer a systems transformation driven programme, and the effective application of relevant MEL tools. He/she will support capacity building and learning initiatives for the programme team and implementing partners, including the organisation of learning exchange visits, relevant training sessions, and developing PME learning briefs. The aim is to underpin evidence-based project design, execution and learning in the project.

Responsibilities

• Lead the overall MEL framework (development and implementation) as well as the institutionalisation of systems transformation thinking within the core team and among partners to track delivery against targets, outcomes, and impacts.
• Lead analysis of data collected by implementing partners for assessment of progress (on-the-ground and at system level) to measure the programme’s progress towards strategic outcome areas as well as to capture learnings and inform adaptive management.
• Maintain a high-level and strategic overview of the programme’s progress and engaging with other RA-PURE nexus programmes in East Africa to continuously refine programme strategies and monitoring efforts.
• Direct engagement with programme implementation partners to build their understanding and capacities of the programme’s ToC, MEL framework, and data collection tools, while ensuring the collection of high-quality data by programme partners.
• Support PME capacity building and learning activities for SoC Programme staff.
• Lead the collection and documentation of programme learnings by organising in and cross-country learning events and exchange visits and capturing these learnings in the form of knowledge products (including case studies, learning briefs, best practice documents, and success stories).
• Guide reporting processes amongst technical staff and consolidate program reports, promote learning and knowledge sharing on best practices and lessons learned.
• Collect, consolidate and review impact results at corporate level in coordination with the Project Manager. Manage the corporate level results database and support distribution of planned and actual results to management. Supports Sector and Country teams with use of global harmonised indicator (GHI) data on request.

Qualifications& Experience

• A Master’s degree in Statistics, Qualitative Economics, Social Studies, International development, or related disciplines is required.
• A minimum of 10 years of relevant work experience in programmes in areas of MEL.
• Familiarity with donor and SNV reporting requirements
• Demonstrated skills in quantitative data analysis, data management and in the presentation of results for the identification of best practices and to inform decision-making
• Proficiency in using databases and statistical software is required (e.g. SPSS or EPI-Info, STATA, LogAlto) as well as strong skills in Excel, Word, PowerPoint and mobile technologies to report data.
• Proven ability to stimulate a culture of learning, liaise with selected research partners, and develop knowledge products for dissemination.