Monitoring Evaluation and Learning officer

 

Position Title:  MONITORING EVALUATION AND LEARNING OFFICER/ MEL Officer
Reporting Title: MONITORING EVALUATION and LEARNING MANAGER, Ivory Coast

Department:  SUBSTAINABILITY

Location: ABIDJAN

 

 

JOB DESCRIPTION

Barry Callebaut, the world's leading cocoa and chocolate producer, is in search of a dedicated Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Officer. This pivotal role encompasses various responsibilities, including reporting, Impact assessment, client and operation’s team request management related to data providing, collaboration on field research, and serving as the primary focal point for MEL field topics.

 

This position will be an integral part of Barry Callebaut Côte d’Ivoire's local sustainability team, reporting directly to the Country MEL Manager. The MEL Officer will act as the driving force for efficient systems, consistently seeking insights from operational activities and client requests. The ideal candidate should be results-oriented, adept at developing processes that prioritize continuous efficiency, effectiveness, and innovation. Responsibilities also include developing and managing systems to collect and analyze information on inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impacts, contributing to Operational Excellence.

 

JOB SUMMARY 

The position of MEL Officer holds a pivotal role within the organization, reporting directly to the Country MEL Manager and collaborating closely with the Country Operations Team. The primary responsibilities encompass ensuring focus on reporting, customer and operations query management related to data providing and reports, act as the main point of contact for operational teams, facilitating communication with the MEL department, coordinating the daily activities of field teams and projects, supporting on providing training and mentoring to registered producers in alignment with M&E impact studies, and serving as the key focal point for all M&E-related matters in the field.

This role centralizes responsibilities on reporting, managing requests from customers and the sustainability team (Program Managers, Pillar Leads), as well as supporting the management of systems dedicated to the acquisition and analysis of information related to inputs, outputs, outcomes, and the overall impact of sustainability program activities. The ideal candidate for this position must be passionate about data, have a deep understanding of requirements, strive to capture key learnings from the information collected and foster a culture within the team that values data-informed decision-making.

 

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

●            ● Support the development and roll out of Monitoring and Evaluation Frameworks, guidelines, plans or tools to guide quality Monitoring and Evaluation in the projects.

● Design and conduct project impact assessments

●            ● Regularly review Monitoring and Evaluation plans, tools and other documents such as results matrices, reporting templates etc., as may be necessary in coordination with relevant colleagues or partners

●            ● Conduct periodic Field visits to project sites, to ascertain and promote adherence to agreed standards and timelines of implementation, create greater awareness of reporting

●            ● Prepare periodic internal reports by providing Monitoring and Evaluation data and content, ensuring that results are aligned to indicators outlined in results matrices and that reports are results based to improve quality of reporting

●            ● Provide feedback to project managers for program revisions and amendments based on monitoring or evaluation findings

●            ● Contribute towards the strengthening and deepening of monitoring and evaluation functions in Sustainability through regular monitoring checks of projects.

●            ● Assist in preparing reports, briefs, presentations, and other written materials related to data evaluation and MEL activities for varied audiences and using data visualization tools such as BI, Python etc.

●            ● Leadership in Collaborative Projects. Take a lead role in collaborative projects that involve other contracted evaluators and researchers, ensuring effective communication, coordination, and successful project outcomes.

●            ● Provide capacity building on Monitoring and Evaluation to field staff including through training, mentorship, coaching and sharing of information

 

REQUIRED ACADEMIC & TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS

●            ● Master's degree in a field related to Computer Science, Economics, Information Technology, Statistics, or Project Management.

●            ● Minimum (3) three years of professional work experience in data analysis, informatics, MEL, research, or data analysis required, preferably in the context of Agriculture Sustainability.

●  Experience with research methodologies, contextual analytical skills, and data collection

●            Demonstrated experience in database management, and proficiency in business intelligence software.

●  Familiarity with specific business intelligence tools or database systems

●            Strong skills in field data collection, including the ability to design and implement effective data collection strategies.

●            Proven experience in team management, showcasing the ability to lead and coordinate teams effectively.

 

 

MARKET THE ROLE

Become a key player in our thriving sustainability team! The MEL Officer will be at the center of our growth story. Join a medium-sized, dynamic team where his leadership will be instrumental in data and customers request management. This role provides a unique chance to lead transformative initiatives, set strategies, and contribute to the overall success of our sustainability endeavors.

 

CANDIDATE PROFILE

When thinking of the ideal candidate profile factor in the CONTEXT in which the role operates, as well as the hard and soft skills required to be successful. All attributes listed will be considered “must haves” unless otherwise specified with “nice to have”, “preferred” or “can be developed”.

 

ESSENTIAL EXPERIENCE & KNOWLEDGE

●  Experience in field activities in Origin countries is preferred

●  Experienced with Quantitative and Qualitative research

●  Experience in the Agri. Development/Sustainability sector

●   Experience in team management

●   Reporting and Communication skills

●   Knowledge in application development (Desktop, Web, Mobile)

 

TECHNICAL / FUNCTIONAL COMPETENCIES

● Well versed in Microsoft Office

●  Experience in using Power BI, Data studio, Big Query, Analysis for Excel, SQL, Python/R

●  Strong analytical and critical skills to ensure excellence in data and consistency in KPI reporting

●  Experience with setting up and running field-based experiments for impact analysis a plus

●            ●  Independence and quick learning ability, although able to find right stakeholders within environment to improve quality of solution

●  Project management experience

●  Coordination of teams outside of reporting line

●  Experience in cocoa or other tropical commodities is a plus

 

INTERPERSONAL COMPETENCIES & LEADERSHIP COMPETENCIES

● Strong listening and analytical skills

● Strong interpersonal teams

● Attention to details and reporting capability

● Strong multitasking skills

●            Teamwork and management

 

PERSONAL STYLES & ATTITUDE

● Solution minded

● Business and entrepreneur spirit

● Open to innovation

● Strong delegation capacity without losing control.

● Stress Tolerance