The International Center for Biosaline Agriculture(ICBA) is an international, non-profit agricultural research center established in 1999 through the visionary leadership of the Islamic Development Bank (IsDB), the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) Fund, the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development (AFESD), and the Government of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). ICBA is a unique applied agricultural research center in the world that is focused on marginal areas where an estimated 1.7 billion people live. It identifies, tests and introduces resource-efficient, climate-smart crops and technologies that are best suited to different regions affected by salinity, water scarcity and drought. Through its work, ICBA helps to improve food security and livelihoods for some of the poorest rural communities around the world. ICBA is an equal opportunity employer and appoints qualified staff regardless of race, creed, color, age, gender, religion or national origin. We demonstrate our commitment to each member of our team through a competitive benefits package designed to assist our employees to cover their needs and the needs of their immediate family members.

Job Summary

The Project Management Specialist (Monitoring and Evaluation) aims to maintain and improve a project management, monitoring and evaluation framework that will ensure timely information and feedback to project stakeholders; contributes to develop the ability of ICBA Director General and other management members to communicate and manage information effectively; and develop systems, policies and procedures that facilitate communications between the technical team and other concerned parties.

Job Responsibilities
Periodically review and enhance the existing ICBA MEL (Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning) tools such as the indicator handbook, the KPIs (Key Performance Indicators) monitoring tool, and dashboard, among others;
Develop a centralized system to monitor project milestones and timely submission of project deliverables;
Ensure that adequate data collection and reporting systems are designed and correctly used by ICBA team and project stakeholders to inform learning and evidence-based strategic management decisions;
Coordinate, collect, and consolidates quantitative and qualitative performance management and impact data, as well as indicator information for biannual narrative reports and biannual progress reporting against KPIs;
Assist ICBA management in translating strategic information and other MEL data into meaningful policy and program improvements;
Lead ICBA efforts to adopt recommendations and key findings from evaluations and impact assessments into relevant processes and procedures;
Assist ICBA team in ensuring projects and activities are designed with the most useful metrics to monitor achievement of the project and integrate ICBA strategic priorities;
Assist ICBA team in the development and implementation of MEL Plans for research and development projects and ensure these plans are responsive to ICBA\xe2\x80\x99s needs;
Inform and advise ICBA team on MEL guidance, trends, and requirements as well as technical best practices in the MEL field;
Serve as the point of contact for evaluation activities, ensuring that evaluations take place as required, helping to draft the scope of work for external evaluations, and serving as the project manager for those evaluations, as needed;
Support ICBA Chief Scientist in the preparation of the Annual Budget for DP (Directorate of Programs) and in budget review;
Support ICBA Chief Scientist in planning internal projects, ensuring these projects are aligned with ICBA strategic priorities;
Upon the supervision of ICBA Director General (DG) or designee, prepare and contribute to other interim reports as required.
Qualifications and Experience

Essential

Master\xe2\x80\x99s degree in a relevant field (Economics, Social Sciences, Public Policy/Administration, International Relations, Statistics, etc.).
At least 10 years of relevant Project Management experience.
Strong analytical, quantitative and qualitative research skills.
Fluency in English language.
Strong written and oral communication skills.
Strong proposal writing and coordination skills.

Desirable

Understanding of research communications and research uptake strategies

Post Date
11 March 2024
Status
Open
Vacancy Type
Full-time
Closing Date
25 March 2024
Location
ICBA, UAE
Report To
Director General
Job Number
ICBA-DGO-2024-002