Job Description

Posted on August 9, 2022

Position Title: Safeguards and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Officer
Reports to: Project Manager/ Catchment Management Expert
Location:  Mafinga District, Muchinga Province, Zambia
Position Type: Full time position for 2 years with possibility of extension
Project Duration: 5 years (2022- 2026)
Background
Consistent with the country’s vision 2030, National Development Plans, National Policy on Environment (2007), and other relevant environmental policies, strategies and plans, the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) through the Environmental Management Department under the Ministry of Green Economy and Environment (MoGEE) is promoting an integrated landscape approach for the Luangwa catchment area with funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF). World Wildlife Fund Inc. (WWF) was designated by GRZ as the GEF Implementing Agency for Zambia’s project: Sustainable Luangwa: Securing Luangwa’s water resources for shared socioeconomic and environmental benefits through integrated catchment management. The project’s objective is to reduce forest and land degradation of the Luangwa Upper Sub-catchment for enhanced protection of water resources, biodiversity and associated community livelihoods. The project objective will be achieved through the implementation of three interconnected components:
Protected area management and establishment in the Luangwa headwaters- Component 1 will lead to the demarcation and improved participatory management of the existing key protected area within the headwaters, Mafinga Hills National Forest Reserve, which includes important river source areas. It will also support the development and designation of a Water Resource Protection Area that will provide a model for improved protection and community-based management of the upper sub-catchment.
Community management of the upper Luangwa Sub-Catchment (Mafinga District)- Component 2 will establish sustainable community management as well as environmentally sustainable and climate resilient livelihoods through prioritised interventions focused on the headwaters to reduce land and forest degradation that contribute towards the loss of biodiversity and ecosystem services. These interventions will be based on a participatory landscape management plan and community conservation agreements, and include conservation agriculture, community forestry, forest and grassland rehabilitation, community woodlots and support for resilient livelihood development.
Knowledge management and Monitoring and Evaluation- Component 3 will ensure that the increased knowledge of sustainable catchment management from lessons learned and best practices supports replication of the approach in other headwater areas at local and national levels, as well as being disseminated at Zambezi River Basin level and globally. M&E will be carried out to inform project decision-making and adaptive management.
Social and environmental safeguards and gender mainstreaming and women’s empowerment are cross-cutting themes that run through all components. The project will be implemented over a 60-month timeframe starting in July 2022.
Major Functions
Under the guidance and supervision of the Project Manager, the Safeguards and MEL Officer will be responsible for ensuring project compliance with WWF’s Environmental and Social Safeguards Standards and for M&E activities. 100% of the Safeguards and MEL Officer’s time will be devoted to the project. The  Safeguards and MEL Officer will be responsible for: 1) the assessment and monitoring of project activities and processes to ensure conformity with WWF Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) Standards and the effective delivery of the ESMF/PF for the project; 2) the collection and analysis of different data in relation to the project activities, outputs, and outcomes; maintaining the M&E results frameworks of the project; and assisting the Project Manager in preparing quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports on project progress; and 3) the delivery of knowledge management aspects of the project. Through the collection and analysis of high quality and timely data inputs, the Safeguards and MEL Officer will advise the PM towards ensuring that the project maintains its strategic vision and that its activities result in the achievement of its intended outputs and outcomes in a cost effective and timely manner, as well as contributing to project team discussions of potential opportunities for adaptive management. The Safeguard and MEL shall ensure that safeguards instruments are integrated in sub-projects operations.
 
The Safeguards and MEL Officer will work in close collaboration with other project staff, implementing partners and any external data collecting and data sharing organizations, and will report to the Project Manager.
Responsibilities
Safeguards (50%)

Provide inputs to the Project Manager to ensure safeguards compliance with reference to ESMF/PF during project planning and implementation;
Monitor implementation of the ESMF/PF including inputs and recommendations from related consultants;
Ensure the project team’s understanding of environmental and social safeguards and how to support implementation of the ESMF/PF;
Provide training on safeguards requirements to PMU staff and relevant partners as required;
Regularly review the above-mentioned plans and make amendments as necessary;
Set up, lead the socialization of and ensure implementation of the grievance redress mechanism including overseeing the addressing of grievances;
Ensure full disclosure with concerned stakeholders;
Carry out regular monitoring and capacity building visits to the project sites;
Provide inputs to project reports on the status of safeguards compliance with the ESMF/PF during implementation and any issues arising.
Undertake any other tasks assigned by the project manager to support the project with respect to E & S safeguard issues.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (50%)

Work with PM to design the methodology for the collection of relevant data in close collaboration with all technical specialists;
Work with field teams and implementation partners to ensure they are building and using effective monitoring systems aligned with the project Results Framework and M&E Plan including the GEF Biodiversity tracking tool;
Based on the project Results Framework and M&E Plan, design a database that helps maintain data collected over the course of project implementation and is transparent to all partners;
Manage said database to ensure data is accurate and updated, with guidance to ensure consistency of measurement methodologies over time;
Monitor application of project M&E plans, gather and analyze data, and produce semi-annual, and annual reports on project progress and impact in partnership with the PM including progress, reflections, adaptive management, M&E outcomes, and project ratings;
Provide a completed and up to date Results Framework and Work Plan Tracking for the WWF-GEF
Project at the end of each project year;
Proactively investigate and reflect on emerging data collection for adaptive management proposals, including modifications to project strategy or theory of change;
Coordinate annual reflection workshops to inform adaptive management of the project;
Collect and analyze additional data relevant to project from external sources;
Troubleshoot data collection challenges;
Monitor for data inaccuracies or inconsistencies and seek clarifications when needed;
Facilitate logistical and coordination support to facilitate project supervision missions and evaluations (by WWF-GEF Agency, MoGEE, WWF ZCO and external evaluators);
Lead organization of annual reflection meetings
Develop and lead the implementation of a gender-sensitive/responsive knowledge management and communications strategy in close collaboration with the PM, MoGEE and WWF;
Document, generate, and share knowledge products with relevant stakeholders or parties;
Develop and maintain content on project-related websites for the purpose of making project news and resources available to diverse stakeholders.

Qualifications and Experience

University degree in an appropriate field of management, social sciences (Demography, Economics, Development Studies, program evaluation, etc.) or Natural sciences (conservation, environment, environmental anthropology, natural resource management, forest, freshwater, terrestrial ecology, animal sciences, etc.). MSc will be an added advantage;
Must have at least 5 years of relevant work experience. A Master’s degree in the above-mentioned fields will substitute for 2 years of experience;
Professional training in Monitoring and Evaluation, and some knowledge of project cycle management (i.e., situation/context analysis, conceptual models, theories of change, monitoring and evaluation);
With technical knowledge on various safeguards related laws, policies and processes particularly on Land acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Processes, Zambian Environmental Laws and Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) systems
At least 3 years’ professional experience in designing and implementation of Monitoring and Evaluation systems, project/programme design and implementation.
Experience with practical development and implementation of related result-based management-oriented monitoring system in conservation will be an added advantage;
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to network, and to develop and maintain strong relationships with project staff;
Capability to provide guidance on negotiations and conflict resolutions processes
Must have at least 2-year relevant experience of the application of environmental and social safeguards to project management, including familiarity with access restrictions and equitable benefit sharing;
Must have proven ability to manage multiple priorities;
Strong analytical skills/expertise in analyzing data is required;
Strong writing skills are required;
Experience in research methods, designing and implementing tools and strategies for quantitative and qualitative data collection, analysis and production of reports is preferred;
Experience and expertise using statistical and database software, such as R or Stata, Excel and Smartsheet, is desired;
Familiarity with PPMS (Program and Project Management Standards) and results-based management principles, tools, and techniques is preferred;
Fluency in written and spoken English and relevant local languages (Nyika and/ or Lambya) is required;
Experience working in a remote rural area will be an added advantage.
Clean valid driver’s license

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Email cover letter and CV to [email protected]  by 16th May, 2022. Please mention €œYour name- Safeguards and Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Officer€ as your subject of your email.
Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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