Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) director 183 views2 applications

Chemonics seeks a monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) director The five-year activity aims to increase safe and equitable non-formal learning opportunities for out-of-school adolescents to develop foundational skills of literacy, numeracy, and social emotional learning, with a focus on adolescent girls in multiple regions in Niger, including those affected by conflict and climate crises. This position will be based in Niger. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

The MERL director will be responsible for leading the overall design and management of the MERL approach for this project to measure and understand progress towards initial and intermediary results and the overall activity goals, as well to drive learning on key questions, all to inform needed adjustments along the way and evaluate overall project performance. This includes ensuring continuous program monitoring to help technical teams understand project performance as compared to desired results and, ultimately, help the project evaluate our approach and produce robust evidence on the project’s contributions at country and regional levels through quarterly, annual, and other reports. In addition, this position will help establish and oversee research and learning collaborations with subcontractor, grantee, or consultant partners to advance the project’s learning agenda This position will be based in Niger. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• In collaboration with the chief of party, deputy chief of party – technical, and with support from Chemonics-Washington as needed, lead the design of the Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan (AMELP) to be refined with USAID, employing the latest relevant MERL practices and methods to monitor and understand implementation and progress, evaluate outcomes, and research key questions per a developed learning agenda that promotes rapid feedback and continuous adaptation as needed.
• Oversee the implementation of the AMELP, establishing the project’s MERL systems to ensure effective use of data to measure indicators, conduct implementation research, and answer key questions per the learning agenda. Includes tracking activity progress towards targets and results, and collaborating with technical leads to discuss trends, progress, and unintended outcomes of project activities.
• Support the design and delivery of project research and evaluations, facilitate use of results to inform programming; and disseminate knowledge generated and lessons learned in keeping with Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) approaches within the project and in conjunction with related USAID and other donor activities.
• As needed per the AMELP and project workplans, lead establishment of research and learning collaborations with subcontractor, grantee, or consultant partners to advance the project’s learning agenda. Includes coordination with and oversight of any national/local research partners.
• Lead design of data collection tools that allow for quantitative and qualitative analysis as needed per the AMELP, and oversee data analysis and sense-making to inform project planning and adaptations as needed .
• Work with project leadership to design and lead internal “deep dive” sessions with project staff and donor representatives, and the external “pause and reflect” sessions with project staff, donor representatives, ministry partners, and other project stakeholders.
• Identify the most appropriate evaluation approaches to best capture and communicate project achievements.
• Overall management and oversight for data quality assurance and management practices

Qualifications:

• A bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) required in related field. Advance degree preferred.
• At least seven (7) years’ experience with increasing responsibility working in monitoring and evaluation for donor-funded projects. Experience on USAID-funded projects desired.
• Demonstrated expertise in quantitative and qualitative methodologies, research, management information systems, reporting, data quality assessments, data analysis and presentation.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively and collaboratively with government and private counterparts.
• Experience with report writing and editing.
• Demonstrated professional excellence and strong analytical skills.
• Profession proficiency in written and spoken French is required, Proficiency in spoken Zarma or Hausa and written and spoken English preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, oral, and written communication skills.

Application instructions:

Please send an email with your CV and cover letter attached and “Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Director” in the subject line to [email protected]. Interviews will begin on Monday March 27, 2023, andapplications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. No telephone inquiries, please. Chemonics will contact finalists.

Chemonics is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.

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