Job Details

SNV is a global development partner, deeply rooted in the countries where we operate. We are driven by a vision of a better world: A world where across every society all people live with dignity and have equitable opportunities to thrive sustainably. To make this vision a reality, we need transformations in vital agri-food, energy, and water systems. SNV contributes by strengthening capacities and catalysing partnerships in these sectors. We help strengthen institutions and effective governance, reduce gender inequalities and barriers to social inclusion, and enable adaptation and mitigation to the climate and biodiversity crises.
Building on 60 years of experience we support our partners with our technical and process expertise and methodological rigour. We do this in more than 20 countries in Africa and Asia with a team of approximately 1,600 colleagues. By being adaptable and tailoring our approaches to these different contexts, we can contribute to impact at scale, resulting in more equitable lives for all.

For more information on our operations in Zambia visit our website: www.snv.org/country/zambia

Overview of position :

SNV is implementing the second phase of the Scaling Up Youth Employment in Agriculture Initiative Opportunities for Youth Employment (OYE)+ project in Zambia The four-year OYE+ Phase II project builds off successes, lessons learned and evaluations to date from the Phase I project in Zimbabwe and Zambia, other SNV youth employment projects and the OYE program in the Africa region. The OYE+ Phase II program aims at fostering a strengthened approach to youth employment programming by addressing structural barriers, offering tailored support, and promoting collaboration among community, private sector, and government stakeholders to create dignified livelihoods for young people.

The key objectives of the project are to:

• Increase market and trading opportunities for young people, also in climate resilient in high value agri-food value-chains
• Increase young people access to decent (self) employment
• Improve policy support and market decisions for increased gender equality and youth inclusion

The project employs the Youth Employment and Entrepreneurship (YEE) Pull-Match-Pull-Enable framework approach that brings together partners from the private sector, service providers, and government to focus on employability, entrepreneurship, and business access for youth.

SNV Zambia is seeking a Junior Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Advisor to support the MEL activities of the project, this role will focus on data collection, verification, and basic analysis, ensuring the accuracy and quality of data collected by the program.

Principle duties and responsibilities

The Junior MEL Advisor will work with the MEL Advisor and PM and will be responsible for ensuring quality implementation of the MEL plan and framework for the project, and availability of and access to relevant MEL data, findings, and project learning to project staff, SNV management, the donor, partners, and other stakeholders. A large part of the work consists of obtaining high-quality reliable data and ensuring that data entered in the monitoring information system is cleaned, validated, and presented in a user-friendly manner. The Junior MEL Advisor will liaise on a regular basis with project management and partners on project progress, approach, and processes. S/he will participate in project management team meetings, staff meetings, and other relevant project activities and events.

Key Responsibilities:

• Data Quality Management : Ensure data collected by project partners and local service providers is accurate, complete, and of high quality.
• Project-Based MEL Plans : Support the development and refinement of project-specific MEL plans.
• Data Collection & Verification : Verify the accuracy and completeness of data collected from field activities and partners.
• Data Entry & Record Keeping : Enter data accurately into the project’s monitoring system and maintain up-to-date records.
• Data Quality Assessments (DQA) : Conduct regular data quality assessments and provide feedback to partners and field staff.
• Capacity Building : Train and support local implementing partners in data collection methods and tools to improve data accuracy.
• Collaboration : Work closely with the MEL Advisor and PM to identify and address any data quality issues.
• Monitoring Field Activities : Conduct routine physical monitoring visits to assess activity implementation, milestones, and indicator results.
• Project Reviews & Learning : Facilitate periodic project reviews and learning forums, ensuring that findings and lessons learned are well-documented.
• Documentation : Assist in the documentation and dissemination of best practices, success stories, and lessons learned.
• Administrative Support : Provide administrative assistance for MEL activities as needed.

• Field and Office Work : 60% fieldwork, including travel to remote areas, and 40% office-based work. Fieldwork will involve monitoring activities, interacting with local youth, and assessing project impact in rural communities. The ideal candidate should be comfortable with traveling to rural areas under varying conditions and engaging with diverse stakeholders.

• Educational Background : Bachelor’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Economics, Development Studies, Business Administration, or related fields.
• Experience : At least three years of experience working on development projects, with a focus on data collection, MEL, and data analysis, preferably in the agricultural sector.
• Technical Skills :
  • Demonstrated experience in designing and using data collection and analysis tools for field applications.
  • Familiarity with both quantitative and qualitative MEL methods and tools.
  • Strong proficiency in Excel for data analysis, and experience with online survey applications (e.g., KoboToolbox, ODK).
  • Experience conducting interviews, focus group discussions, and managing databases.
  • Ability to conduct data quality checks and verification exercises.
• Communication Skills : Excellent oral and written communication skills, with the ability to write clear and concise reports.
• Interpersonal Skills : Ability to interact and build strong working relationships with youth farmers, partners, and local stakeholders.
• Adaptability : Willingness to travel long distances to rural and remote areas, often under challenging conditions.
• Problem-Solving : Demonstrated ability to address data quality challenges and support partners in improving data collection methods.

Professional Growth Opportunities:

As a Junior MEL Advisor , you will gain exposure to working on a large-scale international development project with a leading global organization. You will receive hands-on mentoring from experienced MEL professionals and have opportunities to further develop your technical skills in data management, analysis, and MEL frameworks. This role is ideal for a professional seeking to deepen their MEL expertise while contributing to youth employment initiatives in Zambia

Application Process

To apply, please submit your CV and cover letter detailing your experience and suitability for this role to. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Closing date: 11th November 2024

Vetting

SNV carries out rigorous background and reference checks concerning possible safeguarding incidents for all candidates applying for national determined positions. As SNV participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme, all reference checks include a request to past employers to fill in a questionnaire regarding Misconduct (sexual exploitation, sexual abuse, sexual harassment as well as Fraud), the “Statement of Conduct”. This Statement of Conduct adopts the definitions used in the Scheme.

We do not appreciate third-party mediation based on this advertisement. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Any form of solicitation by phone or other means will be treated as disqualification of the candidate. SNV is an equal employment provider.