About us

VNG International is the International Cooperation Agency of the Association of Netherlands Municipalities (VNG) and has been established in 1993. Being part of VNG, one of the oldest and strongest local government associations in the world, our roots in local government are deep. Through projects and programmes in 45 countries annually on average, we provide institutional capacity development interventions for local government authorities, their national associations, government training institutes and national government agencies and decentralisation task forces.

Our portfolio is financed through a variety of donors, including the Netherlands Ministry of Foreign, EU agencies, World Bank, and other national and multilateral institutions. Our head office is located in The Hague, employing around 50 people, while our daughter company International Development Center for Innovative Local Governance (CILG) is located in Tunis.

We are actively involved in global and European advocacy networks of local government authorities, local government associations, and in platforms of development agencies on governance programming. Our unique profile enables us to cross-fertilize and to provide services for clients which better suit the needs of the beneficiaries. “Local government” is part of our identity: we are of, for, and together with local governments.

VNG International are experts in strengthening democratic local government in developing countries and countries in transition. Local governments play a key role in the provision of basic services including water, waste management, health care and housing. They have a profound impact on areas such as safety, food security, rule of law and women’s rights. This is how our projects contribute in a sustainable way to better futures for people, communities and countries.

About the new programme

In previous programmes, VNG International has crafted local peace treaties that opened up the road to economic recovery, increased self-reliance of local governments by raising their revenue from local taxes. It has assisted cities to get a grip on their services and environment and has designed and supported reforms creating space for democratic and participatory practice. It has done so in situations in which local governments were part or the solution, but also allied with civil society in cases local governments were part of the problem. Often, Dutch municipalities have been partners or agreed to assign experts to these endeavours. The Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs and VNG International have now agreed to bundle a large part of this work into one new Partnership Programme. From 2022 onwards we will be starting a five-year programme, which will focus on 4 priorities (i.e. security & rule of law, migration, local taxation and water management), geographically spread over 9 countries (Burundi, Iraq, Mali, Mozambique, Palestine, Somalia, South Sudan, Uganda and Tunisia).

Your role

You will provide support, advice, and oversight on programme-level, thematic level and country-level monitoring, evaluation and learning for the new Partnership Programme. This will include developing, implementing and updating a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Framework; systematizing results frameworks for greater consistency; scaling up and refining monitoring systems to allow efficient tracking of programme results to inform reflection processes and compliance with reporting requirements; supporting the programme’s knowledge management strategy; ensuring proper documentation and dissemination of MEL products to internal and external audience. All this as part of, and contributing to, VNG International’s evolving MEL approach in general.

More specifically, you will be responsible for the following activities:

Results monitoring

• You take lead on how best to review and finalize Theories of Change (at programme, thematic and country-level), incl. comparable indicators and measurable targets.
• You are the creator of the data infrastructure, processes and tools required for ongoing monitoring, evaluation, feedback, and learning to strengthen strategy and implementation.
• You will develop a MEL system (incl. indicator framework and data collection plan) that is able to compare between countries and themes, as well as aggregate at programme level.
• You prepare monitoring reports and synthesize data at country or programme level and contribute to annual reflection workshops, case studies and documentation of results.
• You support the development of global reports, annual key results summary, in line with IATI requirements.

Training and Capacity Building

• You provide guidance, develop tools, templates and conduct staff training (HQ and local staff) on key MEL concepts and approaches, data collection tools and processes.
• You assist VNG International and partners in the application of participatory, youth and gender-sensitive appropriate monitoring tools and other qualitative tools.

Evaluation and Learning

• You take a leading role in preparing the Terms of Reference for (internal and) external mid-term and final evaluations.
• You will lead the identification, documentation, and translation of learning into actionable tasks.
• You are the designer of learning processes and standards to be used by the team and local partners to identify, capture and disseminate learning within the programme.
• You participate in MEL networks in the local government development cooperation sector (CIB platform, DELOG, thematic knowledge platforms of the ministry of Foreign Affairs) and be up-to-date on the latest developments in MEL as guided by IOB, OECD, and others.
• You contribute to relevant sections of funding proposals to ensure alignment between partner capabilities and project requirements to articulate outputs, outcomes, and impact.
• You advise the Management Team on how to improve MEL processes (incl. learning strategy and culture) in the wider organisation.

About you

Qualifications

University degree (Master's or equivalent) in a relevant discipline (International Development, Social Science, Public Administration, Political Science or other relevant subject).

Knowledge and experience

• A minimum of 7 years of combined experience in monitoring, evaluation and learning.
• A minimum of 10 years of experience in program development with international (development) organisations.
• Demonstrated experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods, including surveys and focus groups.

Essential skills

• Strong analytical and data visualization skills with the capacity to communicate to a range of audiences.
• Experience working with donor-funded projects.
• Solid PC-based computer skills, including Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook and PowerPoint, and Internet. Preferred skills and experience with specialised statistical and business data collection and analysis tool.

Language skills

Excellent English communication skills (oral and written) with a working knowledge of French being an advantage.

Interpersonal skills and cultural awareness

• Ability to work in a multicultural, inclusive and equitable environment.
• Ability to advise and motivate colleagues and partners.
• Ability to organise and facilitate learning sessions.
• Willingness to travel to fragile and conflict affected states.

What we offer

• A working environment with colleagues who are passionate about building better futures.
• Flexibility in how, when and where you best deliver your work.
• International travel to countries of intervention.
• 31 days of annual leave (holiday leave and ADV). 
• End of year payment and profit share.
• Pensionplan (70% contribution from the company).
• Competitive salary, depending on work experience.

Do you want to join our team?Then we'd love to hear about you! 

The deadline for applications is November 14 2021. Please send your CV, cover letter, references and a copy of previous work (all in PDF format) by using the enclosed link on this page. 

For questions you can contact: Anouk de Boer, HR Business Partner, [email protected]