Ref No: DDG-R4D/MES/SB/12/14

Background: The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) invites applications for the internationally recruited position of Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist.

IITA is an international non-profit agricultural research-for-development (R4D) organization established in 1967, governed by a Board of Trustees, and a member of the CGIAR Consortium. Our R4D approach is anchored on the development needs of the tropics. We work with partners to enhance crop quality and productivity, reduce producer and consumer risks, and generate wealth from agriculture. We have more than 100 internationally recruited scientists from about 35 countries and 900 nationally recruited staff based in various stations across Africa. Please visit http://www.iita.org/ for more information on IITA.

The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) seeks a qualified Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist for a technology scaling project focusing on soybean and for an aflatoxin control project focusing on maize and groundnut in Malawi. The soybean technology scaling project aims to increase soybean production and productivity through a sustainable seed system involving public-private partnership to stimulate the commercialization and distribution of improved seeds. On the other hand, the aflatoxin control project aims to develop and commercialize a biological control product that controls aflatoxin in maize and groundnut in Malawi. The two projects are part of a larger project—Reseeding Malawi’s Smallholder Agriculture with improved Maize, Groundnut, Pigeonpea and Soybean, Sweetpotato and Aflatoxin Management Technologies Development Project (ReSeed)—funded by USAID/feed the Future and implemented by a consortium of four CGIAR centers (CIP, CIMMYT, ICRISAT, and IITA) in partnership with the public and private sector partners and emphasizes capacity strengthening and monitoring and learning across these partnerships.

Under the direct supervision of the Project Managers of the two projects and with technical backstopping from IITA’s M&E team, the M&E specialist will lead and coordinate the design and conduct of project performance monitoring and outcome evaluation according to USAID’s Feed the Future performance management requirements. In planning and conducting the M&E activities of the two projects, the M&E specialist will also work as a team member of the larger ReSeed project. In addition to regular monitoring of project performance, the M&E specialist will be expected to provide an assessment of technology adoption and outcome evaluation for learning lessons and providing feedback to the project implementation process. The successful candidate will seek synergies with other partners in tapping available and reliable data source, and engage with relevant stakeholders in the technical and operational design and implementation of M&E activities. Periodic reporting to the donor and implementation partners will be required on the measured and projected status of key output and outcome indicators, in addition to the FTF monitoring indicators.

Position/Responsibilities:

• Design performance management plans for the respective projects and monitor the implementation processes to track milestones and report on selected standard performance indicators, as well as custom indicators and outputs.
• Design and conduct baseline household surveys to establish baseline database and undertake analyses of current soybean production conditions, household incomes, and market opportunities.
• Design and conduct follow-up household and community surveys to assess adoption levels, pathways, constraints, and outcomes at household and village levels.
• Participate actively in project review and planning meetings.
• Work closely with project management staff and contribute to periodic monitoring and evaluation reports.
• Contribute to capacity strengthening of project staff and other partners through on-the-job training as well as structured training workshops.
• Publish action research results or success stories and contribute to dissemination of results to stakeholders. 

​Educational Qualifications

The candidate should have a PhD in agricultural economics, agribusiness, economics, development studies, or related social science fields from a recognized university.

Core Competencies:

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in designing and conducting M&E activities, especially following Feed the Future M&E guidelines.
• Experience and understanding of data collection and survey methodologies, including statistical survey methodologies and analysis.
• Good understanding of the agricultural sector and its development challenges in Africa, such as those affecting technology dissemination, adoption, and impacts.
• Relevant project experience may include work in the technical areas of agricultural productivity, nutrition, poverty alleviation, and income generation.
• Ability to work independently in a multidisciplinary and multi-cultural environment.

• Demonstrated ability to prepare high quality M&E reports as well as scientific papers.
• Proficiency with SPSS and STATA.
• Excellent spoken and written English.

Duty station: The position will be based at IITA-Malawi, Chitedze Research Station, Lilongwe.

General information: The contract will be for an initial period of two years with possibility of renewal for a third year based on performance and availability of funding. IITA offers internationally competitive remuneration package paid in U.S. Dollars.

Applications: Applications must include covering letter which should address how the candidate’s background/experience relates to the specific duties of the position applied for, curriculum vitae, names and addresses of three professional referees (which must include either the Head of the applicant’s current or previous organization or applicant’s direct Supervisor/Superior at his/her present or former place of work). The application should be addressed to the Head, Human Resources Service. Please complete our online application form using this link: http://www.iita.org/careers      

Closing Date: The position will remain open until a suitable candidate is found

IITA is an equal opportunity employer and particularly welcomes applications from women candidates.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.