Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary Job Vacancy

Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Officer

(Libassa – Marshall Road)

Structure of employment:

Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary (LiWiSa)

Date of publication: 21st of October 2022

Background:

The Libassa Wildlife Sanctuary works closely with the Forestry Development Authority (FDA) who are the government body responsible for the forests of Liberia and together we have a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that all wildlife that is confiscated or relinquished is sent to the sanctuary (apart from chimpanzees). The aim is to then care for, rehabilitate and release as many animals as possible back to the wild. Since the sanctuary opened in 2017 there have been 69 different species through the sanctuary and 622 animals have been confiscated/relinquished and 303 have been released back into the wild. The species released have included the endangered black-bellied and white-bellied pangolins, reptiles (crocodiles, snakes, monitor lizards, tortoises, terrapins, turtles and chameleons), antelopes (black-backed duiker & water chevrotain), civet, mongoose, otter, squirrel and many birds (doves, eagles, hawks, parrot, heron, kite, vulture and eagle) including the CITES 1 protected Liberian Timney parrot. The taxa that have not been re introduced into the wild are the non-human primates and this is because they need to be in social functioning groups before release. The sanctuary is currently home to 109 primates with an average of 2.5 per month entering per month (between February 2017 and March 2022).

In a new project entitled ‘Introduction of orphaned sooty mangabeys (Cercocebus atys) into the forest at Lake Piso, Liberia’ funded by WABiLED (USAID) we aim to successfully introduce a group of the sooty mangabeys at the sanctuary to Wacoloh Forest, Lake Piso. We will collaborate and raise awareness

nationally and locally at Lake Piso and employ Ecoguards from the local area. The project will run from September 2022 to the end of February 2024.

Job Description:

We are seeking a reliable and committed Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Officer to support the LiWiSa team and partners in our Libassa Office in ensuring effective implementation of WABiLED project and to deliver on project objectives through efficient tracking of project results and reporting. The M&E Officer will work closely with the director and the project manager

for the various activities, and will be required to facilitate the implementation of an efficient and effective results-based M&E system, consistent with the donors’ M&E result-based tracking mechanisms. Knowledge about M&E donor procedures, in particular from USAID.

Location: Kpan’s Town, Margibi County

Responsibilities:

The MEL Officer will be responsible for data collection, collating, analysis, and reporting. S/he will work in close collaboration with the Director and Project manager, focal points for the different activities, other field staff, and beneficiaries, to follow MEL processes, protocols and reporting mechanisms as required by the WABiLED (USAID)-funded project to track results that lead to the achievement of the Project outcomes and goals

Specifically, the MEL Officer will:

• Work closely with the Director and Project Manager, all focal points, field staff and beneficiaries, to collect, analyse and consolidate data as well as verify the internal consistency and validity of data submitted by field staff and implementing partners
• Support planning, implementation and monitoring of project activities, including consultation, trainings, workshops, field activities etc.
• Track project indicators consistent with LiWiSa’s project objectives
• Follow M&E processes, protocols, and report mechanisms as required by the donors and LiWiSa
• Build the capacity of LiWiSa staff, interns, and all implementing partners to collect, collate, store, analyze, and disseminate information based on results
• Ensure safe storage and management of project documents and data, as well as reporting as required
• Manage surveys and assessments and ensure outcomes and lessons learned are integrated into the project and shared with relevant stakeholders
• Work with the Project Manager to document lessons learned from the project and share with relevant stakeholders
• Strengthen the evidence-based decision-making processes that leads to improved accountability from the field sites to within the LiWiSa
• Track implementation of the project’s Environmental Mitigation and Monitoring Plan as well as the Climate Risk Management Plan.
• Fully support all project activities focusing on the successful release of the orphaned sooty mangabeys, as well as other activities related to the project
• Support communication and behavior change campaigns and independent monitoring
• Support the awareness raising on relevant national conservation laws and international conventions to which Liberia is a signatory
• Support all gender-related policies and activities as required by donors
• Perform other duties as needed for the success of LiWiSa’s project and as instructed by the Project Coordinator, Country Director and other assigned supervisors

Qualifications:

Required:

• University degree in a development field, monitoring and evaluation in natural resource, social science, economics, Business Administration, Statistics or relevant discipline • Strong quantitative and qualitative skills
• Minimum of 5 years of progressively responsible professional experience in a performance monitoring and/or evaluation role, preferably with an international NGO
• Experience with USAID funded projects and related M&E procedures, or with M&E procedures from other major donors (e.g. UKAID, EU)
• Proven success in designing, implementing and operating project M&E systems from project initiation to closeout stages
• Previous experience with data quality assessments and oversight
• Demonstrated ability in data analysis, monitoring and evaluation of development activities • Experience in developing results frameworks and logical frameworks
• Knowledge of the major evaluation methodologies (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, mixed method, and impact) and data collection and analysis methodologies
• Excellent computer skills, including Microsoft Office, word processing, spreadsheet programs and data base management, as well as statistical packages and statistical programs (e.g. SPSS)
• Good knowledge in Kobocollect Toolbox Software or other electronic data collection tools • Ability to organize and accurately handle multiple tasks
• Proven experience with gender and social inclusion focused projects

Preferred:

• Working experience in the Lake Piso area
• Working experience with projects focusing on conservation, bio-diversity and Wildlife

Deadline for submission: 15th November at 5 pm.

Applications (CV and Cover letter with two references) should be sent electronically with the subject line “Application M&E Officer” to susanwiperliwisa@gmail.com.Or apply via the system below.

LiWiSa is an equal opportunity organization and especially encourages women to apply.