Monitoring and Evaluation Volunteer, Guinea

  Guinea

• Conakry: 
Conakry

  Senegal

Dakar

Durations of Program: 7-12 months and 1-2 years
Typical Duration of Program: 1-2 years
Dates: 07/31/2010

Description: Monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) Field Volunteer, Tostan Guinea

The Monitoring and Evaluation Volunteer has a general goal to help Tostan systematize its Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Department systems across regions and countries in which Tostan is operating.

Minimum commitment: 1 year required, 2 years preferred   

Hours per week: 40 hours/week, but must also be flexible to work/travel on weekends depending on tasks

Location: Labe, Guinee (approximately 7 hours from Conakry, Tostan Guinea headquarters) with travel to Conakry and in other regions of the country

Direct supervisor(s): National Coordinator, Coordinator of International Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Department, International Programs Team

Collaborator(s): Assistant National Coordinator, Volunteer Coordinator, and other staff and partners at the local and national levels

Primary Responsibilities:
* Working in a team with Tostan staff and external partners to plan the project monitoring and evaluation cycle, including: creating monitoring and evaluation plans, log frame matrices, and indicators, and reviewing past plans, etc.
* Support high quality data collection through routine monitoring of project outputs and outcomes
* Participate in the implementation of internal evaluation system: baseline surveys, midterm evaluation and final evaluation for Tostan-Pathfinder-PSI project.
* Synthesize and analyze baseline studies, monthly Regional Coordinator and Supervisor reports for entry into Tostan database
* Produce graphs, charts and analysis to be used in quarterly reports
* Collaborate closely with the Volunteer Assistant to the National Coordinator and the MERL Field Volunteer to ensure timely delivery of data, data analysis, and M&E reports
* Research, write, and deliver quarterly reports to project funders in collaboration with the National Coordinator and Executive Director
* Write village portraits and collect anecdotes
* Submit meeting minutes, project reports, and status reports to Executive Team
* Represent Tostan at meetings, seminars and conferences in Conakry, and serve as a general presence for Tostan (sometimes with the National Coordinator)
* Maintain a positive and productive relationship with partner and donor organizations
* Assist staff to professionally present Tostan's work during donor and partner visits, with local and national media, in the office space, etc.
* Assist the International Office in seeking funding for future projects and activities by researching and writing proposals (in coordination with the Executive Director and the International Programs Team )
* Assist the National Coordinator with various miscellaneous tasks

Secondary Responsibilities:
* Initiate capacity-building activities for staff in ICT skills, report writing, statistical data collection and analysis, and English through trainings, workshops, and collaboration/critique
* Conduct trainings for key field staff on Excel, report writing, participatory interview, data analysis, graph- and chart-making computer programs, and data collection techniques
* Facilitate capacity-building for project supervisors (who are based in villages participating in the program) when possible. This may include attending trainings linked to the implementation of the CEP, assistance with report writing, training in computer and internet skills, informal language instruction, etc.
* Build capacities of employees in report writing, statistical data collection and analysis, and English
* Help to develop an organization and communications system within Tostan Guinea to ensure that information is shared with the Executive and International Communications Teams
* Write and edit reports, proposals, articles, etc. for Tostan Guinea , including translation when necessary
* Work with staff to produce publicity materials (in French and English), such as PowerPoint presentations, brochures, and films (if qualified)
* Write and edit reports, proposals, articles, etc. for Tostan Guinea , including translation when necessary   
* Assist the National Coordinator with various miscellaneous tasks
* Help to increase awareness of gender issues and gender sensitivity among regionally-based project team, as well as contribute to efforts to develop the organization as a leader in gender-equal practices (on the national and international level)

Final Products
* Electronic copies of all documents produced, edited, etc. to supervisor, incoming volunteer, and Volunteer Coordinator
* Final narrative report of individual activities for internal distribution and adaptation for external use
* Completed "Request for Volunteer" forms, submitted to the Volunteer Coordinator, as needed
* Other activities, as requested by Executive Team, Volunteer Coordinator, and other immediate supervisors and collaborators

Highlights: Benefits

Professional Experience:
* Hands on experience with an internationally recognized NGO
* Development of curriculum vitae/resume
* Opportunity to develop highly sought-after skills in project management, training, and written and oral communication in a multicultural, multilingual environment
* Opportunity to collaborate and interact with communities, Tostan staff, international volunteers, and a variety of donors and partners   

Accommodations:
* Common volunteer housing and utilities
* Lunch Monday-Friday
* All work-related travel, including work-related travel between Dakar and Conakry, and internet communication covered by Tostan (All other flights to and from Guinea will be paid for by the volunteer)
* Accommodations for stipend or other living expenses should be discussed with Tostan Volunteer Coordinator prior to commitment

Trainings provided:
* Week-long volunteer orientation with other volunteers
* Introduction to national language skills
* Introduction to Tostan Community Empowerment Program
* Introduction to Tostan's monitoring and evaluation system, including the use of site tools such as GPS and mapping tools
* Short introduction to software
* Other training, as deemed necessary and appropriate by supervisors

Qualifications: Qualifications and Necessary Skills
* Bachelors degree in the social sciences, business, management, or related field required
* Master's degree OR current enrollment in Master's program (studies in International Development, Education, Gender Studies, Non-Profit Management preferred ); Master's coursework with research training preferred, specific training in M&E highly desired
* Previous experience with a non-governmental organization/non-profit; familiarity with M&E systems and NGO processes (6 months 1 year of monitoring and evaluation experience preferred )
* Thorough understanding of Tostan's programs and methodologies
* Strong written and spoken proficiency in both English and French (written samples in both languages required )
* Experience managing a multicultural team preferred
* Capable of working with external stakeholders on planning and program implementation
* Strong computer skills in Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; experience with Access or other database software preferred
* Knowledge of Gmail, Google Groups, Google Documents, Google Calendars, and other Internet programs preferred
* Ability to be persistent and diplomatic, and to establish mutual respect among Tostan staff, project partners, and local community members
* Ability to work independently, self-motivate, and to manage multiple tasks at once
* Strong communication and organizational skills
* Flexibility, in order to adapt to a multicultural environment, work in varied conditions, be considerate of limited resources, and to adapt work priorities to the immediate needs of the project or donor
* Ability to travel independently
* If a woman, ability to operate in a male-dominated society, including occasional cat calling/harassment from men

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Other
• Resume
• Written Application

Post-Program Services Include:

• Alumni Network
• Job and Internship Network

Tostan's Mission Statement: Tostan's mission is to empower African communities to bring about sustainable development and positive social transformation based on respect for human rights. Tostan means "breakthrough" in the West African language of Wolof. Since 1991, Tostan has brought its holistic 30-month education program to thousands of communities in ten African countries: Burkina Faso, Djibouti, The Gambia, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Mali, Mauritania, Senegal, Somalia, and Sudan.

Year Founded: 1991