Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Advisor

1. Context

1.1. Background of DID and STEP project

Développement International Desjardins (DID) is a non-government-organization which belongs to Desjardins Group in Canada. It was established with a mission to support the cooperative credit model in the world in general and in Vietnam in particular. It has implemented several projects in Vietnam since 1993 to assist the People's Credit Fund network in its establishment and development.

In 2015, DID in collaboration with the Cooperative Bank of Vietnam proposed a project to support strengthening the People's Credit Fund network in Vietnam to Global Affairs Canada (GAC). The project was approved for a five-year period. The project name is "STrEngthening the People's Credit Funds network (STEP)".

STEP is jointly managed by the Cooperative Bank of Vietnam (Co-opBank) and Développement International Desjardins (DID), and funded by Global Affairs Canada (GAC).

The project goal is to strengthen the capacity of Co-opBank and its network of financial cooperatives, the People's Credit Funds (PCFs). The overall mandate is to support and advise the Co-opBank and PCFs network in their process of transformation and modernization in order to increase their level of integration and performance.

The Project has the following objectives:

• Develop tools and competencies with Co-opBank enabling it to better support the People's Credit Funds (PCF) in their efforts to improve their competencies and raise their performance.
• Enable the PCF to deliver a range of safe and sustainable products and services that meet the needs of the rural population.

1.2. Cooperative Credit Model in Vietnam

The People's Credit Fund in Vietnam was originated from a cooperative credit union, which was formed by farmers and small entrepreneurs. Its mission is to provide mutual benefits for its members by seeking capital for their enterprises and farming efforts in order to improve their livelihood, reduce poverty and eliminate famine.

The Co-opBank, formerly Central Credit Fund, was established to serve as an apex institution for this the PCF system. Its mission is to assist the PCFs to contribute to implement the policy of the government for rural and agricultural development.

The PCF system has a two-tier structure, first, the Co-op Bank and its branches acting as an apex institution, the second tier comprises of 1162 PCFs to date.

2. Objectives

STEP is currently seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Advisor. The position will work with international advisor(s) and will report directly to the Project Director and ensure the realization of project deliverables. S/he will participate in implementing the organization's theory of change. She/he develops and maintains a department-wide performance measurement system to articulate, monitor and help communicate the impact, progress, shortcomings, and learnings from our work with partners. The MEL Advisor works closely with Project Director and teams to ensure quality monitoring, evaluation and learning for capacity development. The MEL Advisor is responsible to lead the continuous improvement of STEP's results-based management resources and to help strengthen organizational learning and performance. S/he plays an active role in advancing STEP's knowledge development and mobilization agenda.

3. Key Responsibilities

The MEL Advisor will:

• Develop procedures and tools that execute STEP Project's impact frameworks within each project area, including both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis.
• Coordinate the collection of impact and outcomes data from the project teams, partners and stakeholders, providing support for accurate and consistent reporting.
• Develop a Capacity-building strategy to support the activities of the project to strengthen Co-opBank in its APEX role.
• Collaborate with Project Director and the teams to produce insights and strengthen evidence to inspire storytelling efforts and cultivate relationships with partners, in a multi-cultural environment.
• Engage with the teams to help them envision and embed creative methods for impact and results-based measurement into the solutions they're delivering to partners at project implementation and closing phases.
• Drive experimentation around data collection and analysis through new methodologies and tools, including working with the project partner(s) to shape how they collect and share data with the Project.
• Cooperate with the other Advisors to actively contribute to corporate and program procedures for collaborative learning, knowledge management and project cross-fertilization.
• Develop related documentation;
• Develop and disseminate training and coaching in the field of monitoring, evaluation and learning to the project teams and partner(s), if required;
• Help create and maintain a synergy between the various components of the project to promote the smooth implementation of the project;
• Act as project representative at events on the theme of the "MEL"
• Undertake any other tasks as required by the Project Director.

4. Deliverables

• Production / update of the baseline data report;
• Production / update / PMF monitoring and other relevant indicators for the project;
• Development of the monitoring and evaluation strategy and implementation of an annual plan;
• Production of a capacity-building strategy;
• Coordination of data collection with the partner and internal and external resources and development of collection methods and tools;
• Production of the study reports and coordination of the production of the annual and semi-annual report (demonstration of the results according to the PMF)
• Production of internal reports on lessons learned and facilitated workshops to adjust project implementation strategies
• External communication, representation and development dialogues in regional forums, sectoral tables, etc.
• Field visit / incident reports (written form and verbal) to be produced for events attended / observed;
• Analytical briefings (oral and/or written), as required;
• Monthly, quarterly, annual reports to be produced related to MEL;
• Manual, guides, tools to be developed;
• Training to be organized for the project teams and partner institutions;
• Promotion of the STEP Project to partners and stakeholders, taking into account the importance of social, gender and environment issues.
• Written/verbal opinions/comments in the field of MEL if required by Project Director.

5. Assignment

The initial contract term is 1 year with possibility to extend to 3 year(s). The employer is Développement International Desjardins. The anticipated start date of the contract is 1st September 2017.

The MEL Advisor will base in the office of the STEP project in Hanoi with office facilities and administrative support provided by the STEP team. The MEL Advisors will be available to travel within Vietnam as required.

6. Qualifications

6.1. Education:

• Requires a University degree in public/business administration, international development, or related fields;
• A master's degree in a relevant field or an accreditation in monitoring & evaluations (M&E) is also an asset.

6.2. Languages:

• Written and spoken fluency in English and Vietnamese;

6.3. Experiences/skills:

• Requires five (5) - seven (7) years of experience in M&E, from project development, design, implementation and closing stages, ideally in the context of results-based capacity development projects.
• Requires demonstrable experience building organizational capacity in results-based management and M&E and/or training, coaching, mentoring individuals in these topics.
• Strong interpersonal skills and capacity to build consensus to support change and learning initiatives with colleagues and partners in a multi-cultural environment.
• Strong writing and analytical skills, and experience providing high quality analytical feedback.
• Energetic and collaborative spirit with the ability to learn quickly, manage priorities and work autonomously in a dynamic environment.
• Good knowledge on the cooperative credit models in the world is a plus.
• Strong leadership and teamwork skill;
• Well organized, patient, dedicated, tactful, understanding, disciplined and mature.
• Strong skills in verbal and written communication.
• Autonomy, professional creativity and attention to detail.
• Ability to transfer expertise.
• Availability to travel within the country.

7. How to apply and Selection Criteria:

• Applicants (women and men have a similar opportunity) are invited to submit application which include a cover letter, a curriculum vitae and scanned copy of relevant education/training certificates in English via email: [email protected] by August 6th , 2017, 16:00 at the latest.
• Applications which are received after this date and time will not be considered.
• We thank all applicants for their interest but only those selected will be contacted.