Grassroot Soccer New Available Job Position

Grassroot Soccer (GRS) is an innovative, international adolescent health organisation that educates, inspires and mobilises young people to overcome their greatest health challenges and live healthier, more productive lives. As a leader in the Sport for the Development field, GRS uses the power of soccer to connect young people with the mentors, information and health services they need to thrive, and empowers adolescents to make educated choices about pressing health challenges such as HIV and AIDS, sexual health, and gender-based violence. GRS’s evidence-based programmes, led by trained local Coaches, incorporate soccer into dynamic lessons about health and wellness that engage young people and break down cultural barriers. With proven results and a constant focus on research and innovation, GRS has reached over 2 million young people in nearly 50 countries with adolescent-friendly health education.

Job Title: Global Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Manager – Partnerships
Division: GRS Global
Location: South Africa (Cape Town or Johannesburg)
Manager: Technical Advisor – Curriculum & Research
Location: Cape Town

Role Overview:

Grassroot Soccer Global team provides remote and in-person support to partner organisations across Sub-Saharan Africa (Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique and Nigeria, among others) to increase their capacity to deliver GRS interventions in their communities, with a secondary support role to Flagship (South Africa, Zambia & Zimbabwe) sites.

With direction from the Research & Curriculum team leadership, consisting of Global Director of Strategy and the Technical Advisor – Curriculum & Research, the Global MEL Manager supports M&E staff for partner organisations in the region, providing technical M&E and programmes support. The Manager is encouraged to think creatively on the link between M&E and programme quality and impact.

Key Performance Areas include:

• M&E System Management & Reporting [20%]
• M&E System Strategy and Development [15%]
• Data Flow & Knowledge Management [15%]
• Technical Assistance & Knowledge Management [30%]
• Research and Evaluations [20%]

Key Performance Areas:

M&E System Management and Reporting

• Work closely with Systems Analyst & Developer to ensure GRS partners have a functional understanding of GRS cloud-based M&E system
• Provide remote and on-site technical assistance to partners on GRS M&E system design, set up, and execution
• Train partner organisation staff as necessary on utilizing the system including integrating revised tools and curricula into the system
• Compile yearly GRS key performance indicators (KPIs) report for partners

M&E System Strategy and Development

• Oversee the rollout and routine use of GRS KPIs within partnerships and coordinate with the MEL Manager for Flagship sites to ensure consistency across geographies
• Advise and oversee the development and operationalization of a Partnerships M&E strategy that addresses all layers of the GRS Impact model accounting for country localization
• Lead and/or contribute to development of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning plans for proposals, including development of strategic frameworks (such as theories of change, logic models and conceptual frameworks) for proposals, work plans, and projects
• Develop project-specific M&E tools and processes to track outputs and outcomes including attendance registers, and surveys
• Support partner organizations with refining standard operating procedures to ensure quality data collection and timely reporting
• Maintain and suggest improvements to M&E tool user experience and relevance at all levels of data flow

M&E Data Flow Management and Quality Control for Implementing Partner Organizations

• Support and advise partners on data collection process and flow
• Track, analyze, and present information from database for reports and feedback to GRS and partners
• Conduct data quality assessments/audits on a quarterly basis (to be adjusted as needed) across GRS partners
• Provide strategic-level support to partners and GRS staff working on partnerships

Technical Assistance & Knowledge Management

• Contribute to the refinement, implementation and monitoring of KPIs and GRS M&E strategy
• Work closely with GRS curriculum and training staff to translate routine M&E and research into new content or to update existing content and implementation approach
• Contribute to cross-functional knowledge exchange across the organization
• Create summaries of recent publications and research findings for organization-wide “Scouting Report”
• Provide technical assistance to partners and GRS staff working on partnerships continuously improving the quality of data collection, analysis, and reporting, including on-site visits to partners
• Support partner organizations to address M&E challenges, integration with GRS M&E systems, and propose innovations based on program objectives, reporting needs, and strategic direction
• Lead information management (data, institutional knowledge) by ensuring proper documentation of Global M&E unit G-Drive as a strategic resource
• Facilitate discussion and cross-team and cross-partnership learning platforms to apply learnings from data analysis and to support program improvements

Research and Evaluation

• Collect, analyze, and present qualitative feedback from beneficiaries and stakeholders through focus groups, site visits, and M&E data in data review forums (internal & external)
• Lead and/or assist on evaluation projects utilizing internal M&E data
• Conduct literature reviews to inform grant writing, program design, curriculum development, and evaluations
• Coordinate internal information exchange to ensure GRS staff understand emerging issues in adolescent health through creation of research summaries and facilitation of cross-functional calls

Job Specifications and Competencies:

• Passion for and commitment to Grassroot Soccer’s mission
• Master’s Degree in public health, education, business, social science or related preferred
• 2-3 years’ experience in M&E, research, evaluation, database management, data analysis, or similar areas.
• At least 2 years of field experience working in health, education, or research, preferably in Africa
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis
• Experience designing and executing analytical or evaluative research
• Computer proficiency required – Salesforce database familiarity preferred, Microsoft Office Suite required (especially Excel)
• Interest and expertise in HIV prevention, adolescent health and/or youth development
• Ability to work with drive and enthusiasm and to function in a fast-paced, team-oriented environment
• Demonstrated attention to detail, ability to implement procedures, meet deadlines, and work independently and cooperatively with team members
• Track record of launching and implementing innovative ideas and programs
• High emotional and cultural intelligence and ability to work effectively with diverse groups especially in a cross-cultural environment
• Applicant must be a team player capable of working independently in a fast-paced, multi-cultural environment
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English
• Valid passport, Yellow Fever immunization, and permit to work in South Africa
• Must be willing to travel up to 20% of the time
• Preference for individuals who have experience in more than one African country

To Apply:  Please submit a CV and cover letter to [email protected]. Title the email  “MEL Manager Partnerships”.  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.

Application Deadline:  12 October, 2018.