Learning and Impact Manager - Save the Children (Apply by: September 27, 2015)

JOB DESCRIPTION

Learning and Impact Manager, Save the Children, Gurgaon

1. POSITION VACANT: Learning and Impact Manager, Save the Children, Gurgaon

2. ORGANISATION BACKGROUND: 

Save the Children, Bal Raksha, Bharat (SC BR) is India’s leading independent child rights’ organization and works in 18 states across the country, to make a difference in the lives of the most socially-excluded children.

SC BR’s work in the areas of Child Education, Health & Nutrition, Child Protection and Humanitarian Response & Disaster Risk Reduction has benefitted lakhs of children in India and last year alone reached over 8.5 lakh children. The organization has existed in India since pre-Independence days.

SC BR is a member of the International Save the Children Alliance coalition, a global network of organizations working for the betterment of the most disadvantaged children in more than 120 countries in the world.

Please visit https://www.savethechildren.in/ to learn more about Save the Children and SC BR.

3. JOB DESCRIPTION/ RESPONSIBILITIES:

Reporting to the Director – Knowledge Management, the Learning and Impact (LI) Manager shall be a member of the KM team at the national headquarters in Gurgaon. S/he will work closely with the National Manager (Research) and the Manager (MIS).

The LI Manager shall lead the process of conducting baseline and impact assessments, documentation of good practices and dissemination of various findings. S/he will also lead/co-lead the development of results framework, project log frames, and will work along with the National Manager (Research) and the Manager (MIS), in improving the overall quality of monitoring and evaluation activities in the organization and its utilization for evidence-based decision making and for increasing visibility of SC BR’s efforts in programmes and advocacy. S/he shall also coordinate with state level KM Coordinators, with regards to their activities.

Knowledge Management (KM) Function at Save the Children: Structure and Responsibilities
The KM Team at the national headquarters is headed by the Director-Knowledge Management, who is part of the senior management of the organization. Beyond the national headquarters, the KM team has members positioned in state offices. Most state offices have one Knowledge Management Coordinator each, who reports to the concerned State Program Manager.

This team is responsible for conceptualizing, awarding and supervising evaluations (baseline, mid-line and end-line) and other studies related to all projects undertaken by SC BR, though some of the studies are directly commissioned by State Offices. Barring some small studies, all the studies are contracted out to external consultants/ agencies. This contracting is governed by a standard procurement process.

The KM Team is also responsible for producing the flagship publications of SC BR every year in collaboration with external experts. Two such publications focused on the Girl Child and Urban Child, have already been produced.

The team also manages the management information system (MIS) of SC BR and generates comprehensive MIS which called BRISK (Bal Raksha Information System for Knowledge).

Key Job Responsibilities:

A. Conduct Baselines, Impact Assessments, Good Practice Studies, etc.

(1) Draw up annual L&I plans in coordination with the national and state teams;
(2) Finalize Terms of References in coordination with program teams;
(3) Lead the process of agency/consultant identification at the national level, as per prescribed procedures;
(4) Support state teams in complying with agency/consultant selection processes;
(5) Ensure contracting of baselines, impact assessments, good practices, etc. at the national level;
(6) Ensure smooth coordination with the selected agency/consultant;
(7) Ensure the quality of reports  generated, by assuring the quality of data collection tools, participating in field briefings, making field visits, analyzing plans and reports, etc.;
(8) Guide and monitor the State KM Coordinators so as to ensure the quality of reports at the state level;
(9) Ensure report finalization which entails eliciting feedback from all key stakeholders
(10) Maintain the updated study tracker which monitors study progress;
(11) Conceptualise mechanisms for ensuring that learnings from SC BR implementation experience are incorporated into program design;
(12) Present a consolidated organizational picture with regards to impact across various thematic areas;
(13) Ensure maintenance of data sets for all studies conducted.

B. Strengthen the Processes of Project and Programme Monitoring

(1) Development of comprehensive M&E frameworks for projects which are aligned with SC India’s and SC International’s requirements and are synchronized along with the organization’s Comprehensive Management Information System;
(2) Support the development and costing of the monitoring and evaluation component of proposals submitted by the resource mobilization unit;
(3) Provide technical assistance and training in M&E to programme and advocacy staff and partner organizations;
(4) Develop guidelines and training materials to support the implementation of the M&E framework at state and national offices;
(5) Visit and monitor implementation sites of programmes, both during the time of study and implementation, to ensure their effective implementation.

C. Knowledge Management to Provide Evidence Base for Effective Programming and Advocacy

(1) Contribute to the development of project knowledge;
(2) Support the development of an end of project dissimilation plan and manage the implementation of this plan to highlight project learning and results;
(3) Collect, analyze, write, edit and package, in a variety of formats, technical knowledge, lessons learned and good practices, for the purposes of sharing with internal and external audiences;
(4) Support the National Research Manager and MIS Manager, in the synthesis of programmatic data and research findings for dissimilation to internal and external target audiences.

4. QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES: 

Qualification:

Applicants must possess a post-graduate degree in Social Sciences, Statistics, Development Studies or related discipline, from a recognized university or college.

Experience:

A minimum 10-12 years monitoring and evaluation experience in the fields of social development, human rights or social policy, along with an understanding of issues of programme learning, policy formulation and advocacy, in different contexts.

Professional Competencies:

(1) A sound understanding of a range of methods for monitoring, evaluation and impact assessment, to promote evidence-based learning;
(2) Strong writing, editing, analytical and interpersonal skills;
(3) Successful planning and management of events, including webinars, meetings, and facilitating online discussions;
(4) Ability to work in a matrix reporting system;
(5) An understanding of the external environment in which this area of work operates;
(6) Good knowledge of research methodology, including sampling approaches and data collection tools;
(7) Good knowledge of SPSS and qualitative research software (viz. Atlas Ti etc.); 
(8) Strong analytical skills; 
(9) Strong presentation skills; 
(10) Sound strategic thinking and planning skills; 
(12) Creative and innovative; 
(13) Experience of coordinating or matrix-managing a team; 
(14) Ability to build support from staff across teams and to build the capacity of others;
(15) Highly developed writing skills; 
(16) Strong communications skills (both written and verbal); 
(17) Experience of working within budget constraints; 
(18) Ability to operate within a predominantly administratively self-servicing environment;
(19) Commitment to Save the Children’s mission, values and approach (includes child protection, equal opportunities and health and safety).

Personal Attributes

(1) Excellent interpersonal, team working and communication skills; 
(2) Positive attitude; 
(3) Strong influencing skills; 
(4) Strong planning, strategizing and organizational skills; 
(5) High energy, ability to work long hours under pressure; 
(6) Self-starter, high initiative; 
(7) Willingness to abide by SC BR’s Code of Conduct and Child Protection Policy.

5. COMPENSATION OFFERED:

Gross compensation for the position shall be attractive. The offer made to the selected candidate shall be commensurate with qualifications, experience and salary history.

6. LOCATION: Gurgaon, Haryana

7. REFERENCE: LIM-SC

8. CONTACT INFORMATION:

Senior Consultant
Strategic Alliance Management Services P Ltd.
1/1B, Choudhary Hetram House, Bharat Nagar
New Friends Colony, New Delhi 110 025 
Phones: 011-2684-2162; 011-4165-3612; 011-4101-1564 and 011-4101-1565
Email: lim-sc@sams.co.in

9. LAST DATE FOR APPLICATIONS:

Eligible candidates interested in this position are requested apply to lim-sc@sams.co.in by or before September 27, 2015 with a cover letter, discussing their interest in and suitability for the position, along with an updated resume, giving details of three references, current cost to organization and expected compensation at the earliest. For further details please visit www.sams.co.in.