Accountability & Learning Coordinator

Scope

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) is seeking a dynamic, analytical, and highly motivated individual for the position of Accountability and Learning Coordinator. The ideal candidate has worked in programs and has concrete experience with compliance, monitoring and evaluation, and tracking systems and processes. The Accountability and Learning Coordinator contributes to overall program quality through the conceptualization, coordination, and implementation of enhanced monitoring and evaluation, accountability, and learning strategies; the emphasis is on streamlining processes and tools for efficiency, effectiveness, and sustainability throughout the project cycle across the IRC’s various sectors and departments. A critical component of this role is documentation of these processes and learning stemming from them. This position is based in Addis Ababa within the program department, but will require frequent travel to the field. The Accountability and Learning Coordinator will report to the Senior Program Coordinator, and directly manage a minimum of one staff.

Essential functions

Specific responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

Accountability and Monitoring Systems

• Coordinate with the Grants Unit and technical teams to provide input as needed on performance monitoring plans, including logical frameworks, towards comprehensive strategies that will ensure program quality and impact.
• Oversee development and use of project monitoring tools, and provide consultation as needed to project/program staff as they design and define effective and technically sound indicators for new and ongoing programs.
• Analyze and advise on program databases and processes for inputting to these databases.
• Coordinate with and support Grants/Sub-grants Units and Finance Department on ways to integrate and enhance overall compliance tracking and feedback, for IRC projects as well as sub-projects to other partners.
• Assist staff designing and carrying out participatory methodologies to strengthen participatory monitoring and accountability systems (involving e.g. partners, beneficiary groups).
• Lead a multi-sector/multi-departmental task force in efforts to strengthen and streamline various planning, tracking, and reporting tools and systems (e.g. program implementation, spending, and procurement planning and tracking)
• Coordinate ongoing efforts to streamline data (including qualitative) collection, storage, and management across the country program.
• Support the development of effective and sustainable feedback mechanisms to/from the main office and field offices with regards to program monitoring tools and systems; and to IRC from program beneficiaries/stakeholders, including an inventory of current and best practices among other actors.
• Support IRC Ethiopia technical staff as needed to interpret and inform project design and management decisions based on collected data.
• Lead collaboration with other relevant units to generate, put into action ideas related to, and document challenges and successes of innovation and technology in accountability and learning practices.

Assessment, Learning, and Documentation

• Ensure relevant, timely, and quality support to IRC Ethiopia technical sectors on assessments and evaluations, either directly in developing/advising on methods, or through support in the recruitment and oversight of consultants.
• Organize and facilitate regularly scheduled meetings with coordinators/managers on project monitoring and learning updates, achievements, challenges, while developing a method/forum for pertinent information to be fed back to other relevant staff/departments.
• Take the lead in the documentation (i.e. writing, editing) and dissemination of key findings stemming from monitoring, assessment, and other learning activities.
• Establish and maintain linkages to regional and headquarters research and design (R&D) and research, evaluation and learning (REL) focal people to assist the country program in drawing on and contributing to regional/global learning.
• Track and ensure organized, comprehensive electronic filing of documented findings/analyses.
• When appropriate/applicable, facilitate and participate in information sharing opportunities among IRC partners/donors.

Capacity Building

• Assess capacity gaps within program teams in skills related to effective accountability and learning systems and processes
• Facilitate capacity building for other IRC staff on skills and knowledge related to accountability and learning. Relevant topics may include but are not limited to, qualitative monitoring and assessment methods; analytical/technical writing; logframes/M&E plans.
• Conduct visits to field sites to provide training, technical assistance, and support, as well as to ensure that accountability and learning tools and strategies are understood and being implemented effectively.

Special Tasks and Liaison

• At the request of the Senior Program Coordinator/Senior Management, take responsibility for miscellaneous projects not falling under responsibilities underlined in this job description.
• Represent the IRC Ethiopia Country Program when requested/applicable in forums related to program monitoring and learning, within IRC and/or with donors and partners.

Requirements:

• Excellent English writing skills are mandatory and among the most important qualifications sought for this position. Candidates will be asked to demonstrate English writing competency during the screening process.
• Master’s degree in social sciences, systems science, and/or other relevant fields with at least three years of relevant professional work experience; or bachelor’s degree with more than six years of relevant experience. Background/coursework in systems science/systems engineering is an advantage.
• Minimum of three years experience in an international NGO in similar role/with similar responsibilities.
• Demonstrated understanding of project management and direct monitoring and evaluation experience, specifically in the humanitarian and development context.
• Knowledge of major donor requirements, e.g. US Government, DFID, UN, EU
• Demonstrated experience developing tools and systems for, and building capacity of others in skills related to, program tracking and documentation.
• Knowledge of monitoring and evaluation methodologies, including logical models, conceptual frameworks, and assessment/evaluation.
• Proven experience coordinating with diverse teams.
• High proficiency in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel.
• Familiarity with information management systems and analysis software is a plus.
• Effective communication, writing, and interpersonal skills are essential.

Personal specifications:

• Ability to work under pressure, long work hours, and high workload.
• Ability to independently organize work and prioritize tasks.
• Self-motivated, honest, highly responsible, and punctual.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team.