Monitoring, Learning, and Communications Officer at DAI Global LLC

DAI works at the cutting edge of international development, combining technical excellence, professional project management, and exceptional customer service to solve our clients’ most complex problems. Since 1970, DAI has worked in 150 developing and transition countries, providing comprehensive development solutions in areas including crisis mitigation and stability operations, democratic governance and public sector management, agriculture and agribusiness, private sector development and financial services, economics and trade, HIV/AIDS, avian influenza control, water and natural resources management, and energy and climate change. Clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and host-country governments.

1. Project Background:

The Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) Program is a cross-ministry and multi-donor program to reduce stunting in Zambia. The National Food and Nutrition Commission (NFNC) implements SUN as part of the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ) 1,000 Most Critical Days Program.  SUN 2.0, the second phase of the program, has three major components: (1) Pooled Multi-Donor SUN Fund, (2) SUN Technical Assistance (SUN TA), and (3) SUN Learning and Evaluation. Working in parallel with the SUN Fund, the USAID/Zambia SUN TA program will provide support and direct technical assistance to sub-national government departments in target provinces and districts to plan, implement, coordinate, and monitor integrated nutrition-sensitive and nutrition-specific activities to reduce the rate of stunting among Zambian children under two.

USAID has identified two main objectives that address stunting, including (1) Adequate Quantity and Quality of Dietary Intake among Target Groups; and (2) Adequate Health Conditions for Biological Utilization of Nutrients. SUN TA interventions will increase access and availability of safe, diverse, nutritious food; adoption of better child feeding habits and household hygiene practices; and access to improved health, water and sanitation services. The project will prioritize sustainability by improving intra-household joint decision making and building capacity of local government and their stakeholders to ensure coordination, accountability, and learning, following the Scaling Up Nutrition model.

2. Location:

– ZONE 1: Kabwe, Central Province, Zambia

The Monitoring, Learning and Communications Officer will be based in Kabwe and will be covering the Central Province and the Copperbelt Province (Zone 1), with frequent (more than 50% of time) travel throughout assigned districts: Kabwe, Mumbwa, Chibombo, Kapiri-Mposhi, Kitwe and Ndola.

–  ZONE 2: Kasama, Northern Province, Zambia

The Monitoring, Learning and Communications Officer will be based in Kasama and will be covering the Northern Province and the Luapula Province (Zone 2), with frequent (more than 50% of time) travel throughout assigned districts: Kasama, Kaputa, Mbala, Luwingu, Mansa, Samfya and Nchelenge.

3. Objective:

The Monitoring, Learning and Communications Officer will lead monitoring, learning and communications efforts for their assigned Zone (Zone 1: Central and Copperbelt provinces, Zone 2: Luapula and Northern province), and will liaise closely with the Lusaka-based Monitoring and Learning Expert and Communications Manager and other regional counterpart to ensure sound activity monitoring, incorporation of lessons learned, communications and support district activities to achieve results. The Monitoring, Learning and Communications Officer is expected to support development of the project’s internal and external communication strategy and advance the uptake of knowledge by the project’s audiences.

4. Tasks and Responsibilities:

Monitoring & Leaning

• Support the design of data collection systems to measure project performance and impact, including undertaking visits to activity sites
• Support management of the monitoring and evaluation system, including implementing the PMEP, developing data collection methodology and tools, and leading complex statistical analyses and M&E reporting
• Manage program indicators and targets and gather qualitative and quantitative data related to those indicators and targets.
• Provide training on tools and methodologies to staff and local partners as needed.
• Ensure timely preparation of M&E related progress reports on a weekly, monthly, and quarterly basis
• Provide technical assistance and training on tools and methodology to staff and local partners
• Provide data analysis in support with periodic reporting, success stories and lessons learned.
• Conduct internal and grantee data quality assessments to test the validity and reliability of data used to measure program impact
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Regional Manager for successful achievement of SUN TA Monitoring and Learning objectives

Communications

• Under the direction of the Lusaka-based Communication and Learning Manager, support the development of the SUN TA communications and learning strategy
• Manage program communications and reporting activities for the provincial office, including preparation of reports, success stories, press releases, and other internal and external program communications
• Support the drafting of programmatic progress reports, including weeklies and quarterlies, in accordance with USAID guidelines and the project branding and marking requirements
• Support in setting up and maintaining SUN TA’s knowledge management system in conjunction with other Communications counterparts on the project
• Build capacity of SUN TA partners, including hands-on support, to adequately meet the branding and communication needs of the program
• As needed, assist in developing specifications for procurement of program publicity and communications service providers, materials, and equipment
• As requested, participate in coordination meetings and represent the project at various events
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Regional Manager for successful achievement of SUN TA Communications objectives

5. Reporting and Supervision:

The Monitoring, Learning and Communications Officer directly reports to the Regional Manager of their zone and coordinates closely with the Lusaka-based Monitoring and Learning Expert and Communications and Learning Manager, as well as communications counterpart based in other Regional office.

6. Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in a relevant discipline; Master’s degree preferred;
• 5 years of progressive experience in program monitoring, capacity building in M&E of host government, communications, and reporting on project progress;
• Previous experience in knowledge management or as a MEL/CLA Officer, or equivalent for a project of similar complexity is preferred;
• Proven knowledge of different M&E tools, approaches, and methods;
• Demonstrated experience developing content for communications products, including social media, success stories, web content, and other media;
• Demonstrated successful use of data and research to inform program management and implementation;
• Demonstrated ability to inform programming based on third party evaluations;
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to adapt communication styles to a range of audiences, including professional and community stakeholders;
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required.

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