Overseas Volunteer Opportunity: Ghana

Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor 

Contribute. Discover. Grow. Volunteer with CDF Canada.

Eligibility criteria:   Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada

Location:   This position is in the field (Bimbila, Kpandai and Salaga)

Start Date:   As soon as possible.

Duration:   3 months

Language Requirement:   English (Mandatory)

Reporting to:   Country Program Officer

The Program – VOICE for Women and Girls

VOICE for Women and Girls, funded by the government of Canada, is a volunteer cooperation program (2020 – 2027) that aims to strengthen the performance of country partner organizations to advance gender equality and economic empowerment of 50,000 co-operative and credit union members from marginalized communities in Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, and Malawi.

The program, supported by volunteers, strives to address the challenges and barriers that adversely affect the economic and social well-being of vulnerable groups, with particular emphasis on women and girls. VOICE aims to respond to the needs identified by these groups and to increase the capacities of individual producers and primary co-operatives, to support more inclusive, sustainable, and resilient growth. Supporting institutions such as apex co-operatives, co-operative colleges, and government/regulatory bodies will also be engaged to increase the capacity and prioritization of vulnerable groups.

The Partner you will work with

SEND Ghana has previously implemented the ACCESS and Fostering project and in some initiatives including 4R-NSP in partnership with CDF with funding from GAC. SEND Ghana focuses on research and advocacy to increase good governance practices of accountability, transparency, equity and participation in pro-poor policies and social services as well as empowers resource poor women and men to expand their small enterprises to improve income and farmers to increase food and nutrition security

What you will do – Activities and deliverables

Your assignment

·       The M&E Volunteer will be based in Bimbila and will focus on addressing key M&E gaps within VOICE Ghana. The volunteer will support the organization’s internal data management and reporting systems, ensuring alignment with Voice’s overall strategy.

·       Key responsibilities will include reviewing existing data collection tools and systems, working closely with the MEAL Specialist and Country Program Officer, and leading efforts to streamline internal M&E processes.

·       A key focus will also be building the capacity of the credit union on basic M&E practices to help them effectively track their recovery plans and improve accountability.

Deliverables

The desired M$E advisor is expected to carry out the following key duties and responsibilities.

• Support data collection and analysis, including gathering and organizing information from project activities.
•  Assist with monitoring project activities, working alongside with interns and partners to track progress on key VOICE indicators.

·        Contribute to reporting efforts, helping to prepare simple progress report, annual work plans, annual reports, and success stories for internal and external audiences.

• Provide guidance and basic training on effective methods for collecting, recording, and reporting project data.
• Promote learning and improvement by identifying what’s working well and suggesting areas for enhancement based on data insights
•  Help gather stakeholder feedback, engaging with community members, partners, and government stakeholders to inform project adjustments.
• Other duties as assigned

Your qualifications

Experience:

The successful applicant must possess the following skills, experiences, and personal characteristics: 

• Bachelor’s degree required.
• Minimum of five years’ experience working in the field of monitoring and evaluation
• Proven success in designing, implementing, and operating M&E systems, data collection and analyses,
• Experience in strategic planning and performance management, including indicator selection, target setting, reporting, database management, and developing M&E and performance monitoring plans.
• Knowledge of the major evaluation methodologies (qualitative, quantitative, mixed method, and impact) and data collection and analysis methodologies
• Experience in planning and managing surveys, developing, and refining data collection tools, and with data quality assessments and oversight
• Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously in a fast-paced environment, set priorities, and meet deadlines
• Ability to synthesize complex information and communicate it effectively to diverse audiences; ability to design and implement efficient workflows and procedures
• Ability to manage critical relationships with diplomacy and tact and engage a wide range of stakeholders.
• Fluency in English; excellent written and oral communication skills, including facilitation and cross-cultural communication.
• Strong attention to detail, organizational. and time management skills
• Willingness and ability to travel domestically.
• Computer proficiency in Windows environment (Microsoft Word, Excel, Access, PowerPoint) and proficiency in data collection platforms (e.g., Kobo).

Support package

This is a voluntary assignment. CDF Canada supports volunteers through the provision of a comprehensive package designed to cover a modest and healthy lifestyle, while allowing for effectiveness in the placement:

·        Return-trip international and/or domestic airfare.

·        Visa-related costs (if needed).

·        Police record check.

·        International health insurance.

·        Vaccination and health-related costs (covered by the insurance if needed).

·        Interpreter and/or translator (if needed and depending on the assignment).

·        Modest monthly living allowance.

·        Pre-departure support and orientation.

·        Support and orientation during the assignment.

·        Debriefing upon completion of the assignment.

E-volunteering

Depending on the nature of the assignment, volunteers are encouraged to provide e-volunteering support to our local partners before or after their assignment.

Engaging Canadians

CDF Canada provides technical and logistical support to young and experienced professionals through volunteer assignments to apply and acquire new skills and knowledge in international co-operative development. We ask each volunteer, regardless of the duration of their assignment, to share their experience during and upon return to Canada. The experience can be shared by providing stories of human interest and photographs that can be used for social media outreach; Participate in events/conferences or other public engagement activities to share their experience to motivate other Canadians to volunteer