The AAS is a pan African organisation headquartered in Kenya, which aims to drive sustainable development in Africa through science technology and innovation. It has a tripartite mandate of pursuing excellence by recognising scholars and achievers; providing advisory and think tank functions for shaping the continent’s strategies and policies; and implementing key science, technology and innovation programmes. The AAS utilises its membership pool which consists of a community of scientists to engage with governments and policy makers on the continent. The membership comprises individuals who have reached the highest level of excellence in their field of expertise and have made contributions to the advancement of the field on the continent. To date AAS has recognised 330 AAS Fellows and Associate and Honorary Fellows who are proven science, technology and innovation leaders, policy advisors and thinkers most of whom live and work throughout the continent. Relevant specialist committees assess nominees and those that are recommended are subsequently voted in by AAS Fellows and finally approved by the Governing Council. The AAS is the only continental academy in Africa, enjoying the support and recognition of NEPAD and the African Union as well as several governments and major international partners.

Position Overview;

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Assistant will assist support to the Evaluation and Strategy Team in carrying out key activities as outlined in various AESA strategic documents. Key to this role would be to ensure that work-outputs are completed and meet the required set standards. Specifically, the candidate will be part of a process of ensuring that work outputs are delivered on time. In line with AESA’s learning objectives, this role will be an opportunity to (a) strengthen learning processes, (b) building technical expertise in monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning to meet AESA’s growing demand and (c) continue building a culture of excellence in measurement and tracking of AESA programmes

The candidate will report to the Senior Programme Officer for Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) and will work closely with the Programmes and M&E teams and play a supporting role in line with AESA’s workplan.

Responsibilities

• Support in the operationalization of AESA M&E frameworks and M&E implementation plans including defining metrics of tracking operationalization
• Support data validation and triangulation activities
• Support M&E team in carrying out the biannual review’s meetings with the various departmental and programme teams
• Assist with the design, development and review of data collection tools and reporting templates
• Support programme teams in data collection and analysis
• Assist the programme teams with review of grantee and funder reports
• Support the development and maintenance of an effective system for archiving M&E guidelines, tools, data files, analysis files, reports and presentations for major activities undertaken
• Support the development and implementation of robust, efficient and effective reporting frameworks that facilitate the acquisition and aggregation of knowledge and impact stories.
• In collaboration with Programme and M&E teams, contribute to reporting programme progress and key lessons
• Ensure proper documentation of innovative approaches and best practices for dissemination across AAS stakeholder groups

Qualifications:

• Minimum of three (3) years of professional experience in implementing M&E activities of international development projects
• Experience in operating project M&E systems
• Proven track record in supporting teams from an M&E perspective in the initiation, set-up, operationalization, assessment and close-out stages of programmes
• Demonstrable expertise in working with various MEL database systems and in analysing data using statistical software

Skills

• Strong quantitative and analytical skills coupled with an ability to communicate technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical colleagues
• Experience in qualitative data analysis is strongly desired
• Proficiency in Microsoft computer applications including financial and statistical packages.
• Strong communication, presentation and writing skills including ability to analyse data for relevant information and insights
• High level interpersonal and cross-cultural skills including ability to build alliances and collaborative relationships with sensitivity to diversity
• Strong training and facilitation skills with an ability to initiate and manage change and to recognize and adjust to rapidly changing conditions

Attributes:

• Ability to work in an international and multi-cultural setting
• Self-motivated, goal and deadline driven; proven track record to deliver highest possible quality and within set timeframes
• Highly organized with an ability to balance working independently whilst engaging teams.
• Excellent inter-personal skills, and an ability to represent AAS at all levels and in different cultural settings
• High moral standing with impeccable integrity