Monitoring Evaluation and Learning

**About the Project**

Animals, plants, and microorganisms harvested and grown in water play a significant role in sustainably feeding and nourishing the world. Globally, 800 million people depend on small-scale fisheries and aquaculture for their livelihoods. But these vital aquatic food systems are hindered by the insecure livelihoods of those in related jobs, their low capacity to adapt to climate change, and the loss of marine nature.

The Asia-Africa BlueTech Superhighway project, supported through the UK’s Climate and Ocean Adaptation and Sustainable Transition (COAST) program under the umbrella of the Blue Planet Fund (BPF), will focus on enabling communities to adapt to and mitigate against climate change as well as responsibly and sustainably manage marine and coastal nature and resources resulting in improved food and nutritional security as well as employment and income opportunities. The project will be implemented in two phases over seven years, starting with Phase 1 in Bangladesh, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, and Tanzania.

**About the Position**

WorldFish is looking for a highly motivated Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist to the Asia-Africa BlueTech Superhighway. The MEL specialist will be based in Malaysia to implement and manage the monitoring and evaluation and learning (MEL) system and activities of the project.

S/he will work under the supervision of the MELIA Research Leader at WorldFish to identify and define performance indicators, develop quality assurance strategies, train program staff and ensure all project aspects comply with established Result Based-Management standards and procedures in WorldFish. The MEL Specialist will be supporting the development, the review and the implementation of a robust Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning framework and tools to facilitate measurement of progress of the project and enhance their compliance with donors’ requirements and best practices to achieve efficiency and accountability. S/he will be responsible for the use of digital platform and Management Information Systems to support research, knowledge sharing and data management for a proficient result-based system focus on aquaculture and fisheries.
- Design, implement and oversee the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) system for the project and ensure it is aligned with established Result Based-Management (RBM) and Knowledge Sharing (KS) standards and processes.
- Work closely with scientists, partners and project management in developing and reviewing the Theory of Change (ToC) for the project and each work package.
- Align the project monitoring system with existing WorldFish monitoring systems to ensure consistent reporting of deliverables, outputs and outcomes.
- Support annual planning and reporting processes for each work package and the project.
- Monitor performance indicators in a timely manner and provide key recommendations to project leadership to facilitate informed decision making and knowledge sharing.
- Provide guidance and support to project personnel in documenting the project MEL system in accordance with the project, WorldFish and FCDO requirements.
- Ensure adequate research data and knowledge management system with an effective system in place that is in line with WorldFish's Open Access and Open Data Policy.
- Prepare and timely submit all required performance reports to the project management, FCDO and other interested parties.
- Check data quality and provide recommendations for its improvement. This includes overseeing data management activities in the implementation of surveys.

**Requirements**:

- At least 5 years working experience in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) role(s), with a focus on survey design and report preparation
- Demonstrated technical knowledge of a broad set of monitoring and evaluation methods suitable for use in complex systems.
- Capable of management activities including project planning, implementation and report writing
- Excellent data analyses skills, producing tables/graphs with interpretation and the ability to make verbal presentations.
- Strong in essential computer software/packages like MS Word, MS Excel, MS PowerPoint, SPSS or similar software
- Motivated to learn and use new information technologies related to data science
- Logical thinking, strong analytical and mathematical skills, with excellent attention to details
- Excellent proficiency of spoken and written English.
- Proven proficiency in the use of Microsoft excel to extract, combine, analyze and refine large data sets.
- Experience writing research reports.

**Desired Skills/Experiences**
- Strong teamwork and effective cross-cultural interpersonal skills.
- Excellent interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to effectively interact with people in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environment.
- Understanding of qualitative and quantitative research tools, methodologies and analysis.

**Benefits**
- A copy o