Hashtag Generation

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist

Contract : Full time / 1 year with possibility of extension 

Reports to: Director Strategy and Operations 

Hashtag Generation is a leading organization focused on digital governance, with a particular emphasis on social media monitoring. In collaboration with international donor agencies, the organization aims to enhance digital transparency, accountability, and regulatory frameworks to ensure safe and inclusive online spaces. Our projects encompass advocacy, research, capacity building, and policy interventions aimed at combating disinformation, hate speech, and other online harms while promoting freedom of expression and digital rights.

The organization seeks a qualified and proactive Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist to support the effective implementation and tracking of project activities, ensuring alignment with donor requirements and organizational goals. The MEL Specialist will play a critical role in documenting, analyzing, and reporting on project impacts while fostering a learning environment within the organization.

Objectives of the Role:
The primary objective of the MEL Specialist is to design and implement a comprehensive MEL framework to track progress, measure impact, and facilitate learning across the organization’s digital governance and social media monitoring programs. The specialist will ensure accountability to donors and key stakeholders by delivering evidence-based reports and contributing to the continuous improvement of the organization’s strategies and interventions.

Key Responsibilities:

  1. Design and Implementation of MEL Framework:
    • Develop a robust MEL framework/s in collaboration with program teams, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and donor expectations.
    • Design appropriate tools, indicators, and methodologies for data collection, analysis, and reporting.
    • Establish systems for monitoring progress and evaluating program outcomes, including baseline assessments and impact evaluations.
  2. Data Collection and Management:
    • Oversee the collection, analysis, and interpretation of quantitative and qualitative data related to social media monitoring, digital governance, and related interventions.
    • Ensure data integrity and maintain comprehensive databases for program performance tracking.
    • Guide program teams in implementing data collection processes, ensuring compliance with ethical and privacy standards.
  3. Reporting and Communication:
    • Prepare high-quality, evidence-based reports for donors, stakeholders, and internal use, summarizing program achievements, challenges, and lessons learned, in  collaboration with the communications team.
    • Provide regular updates on MEL activities and progress, contributing to donor reports, proposals, and presentations.
    • Communicate findings effectively to a variety of audiences, ensuring the relevance and usability of MEL data for decision-making.
  4. Capacity Building and Learning:
    • Conduct training for program teams and partners on MEL tools, practices, and standards.
    • Promote a culture of learning by facilitating internal learning events, reflections, and discussions to ensure adaptive management.
    • Provide technical guidance to program staff in integrating MEL processes into their daily work.
  5. Donor and Stakeholder Engagement:
    • Collaborate with donor agencies, partners, and stakeholders to ensure MEL systems meet donor requirements.
    • Support the organization in complying with donor reporting timelines and requirements, maintaining strong communication with donor agencies regarding MEL expectations.
  6. Evaluation of Program Effectiveness:
    • Lead mid-term and end-term evaluations, ensuring the use of evidence-based methods for assessing program effectiveness and impact.
    • Recommend improvements and adaptations to program strategies based on evaluation findings.
  7. Learning Documentation and Knowledge Management:
    • Develop knowledge products (briefs, case studies, success stories, etc.) based on lessons learned from project implementation.
    • Ensure that learning and insights from MEL activities inform the organization’s strategic direction and operational decisions.

Qualifications and Experience:

  • A bachelor’s or master’s degree in statistics, social sciences, development studies, or a related field.
  • A minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning, preferably within digital governance, social media monitoring, or similar contexts.
  • Demonstrated experience in working with international donor agencies and understanding of donor MEL frameworks.
  • Expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, data analysis, and reporting.
  • Familiarity with digital governance issues, online misinformation, and social media platforms, will be an added advantage. 
  • Proven ability to design and manage MEL systems for complex, multi-stakeholder projects.
  • Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to facilitate capacity-building workshops.
  • Proficiency in data analysis tools (e.g., Excel, SPSS, or other statistical software) and visualization platforms.
  • Experience with adaptive management and a demonstrated ability to promote a culture of learning within organizations.

Deliverables:

  • A comprehensive MEL framework for ongoing and future projects.
  • Monthly/quarterly MEL reports to the program team and donors.
  • Mid-term and final evaluations of project performance.
  • Learning briefs and case studies capturing project impacts and lessons learned.

Application Procedure:

Interested candidates should submit their CV and a  cover letter to [email protected] by 31st October 2024. Please include references and mention “MEL Specialist – Digital Governance” in the subject line.