Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Director at DT Global

Overview:  

• DT Global is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Director for an anticipated USAID program in East Africa. The anticipated program seeks to strengthen conditions that support peace and prosperity through increasing engagement of civil society actors, improving access to timely, accurate information, and encouraging citizens to model democratic behaviors. The Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Director (MERLD) is responsible for managing MEL program staff. The MERLD will ensure each MEL staff member is properly trained on the corresponding M&E procedures and standards and reporting requirements (as applicable), regularly review their work in order to build their capacity, provide quality control, and will take part in key MEL activities personally such as leading cluster evaluations and helping develop baseline, mid and final surveys (to be conducted by an outside company). Additionally, the MERLD will contribute to the development of the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan (MELP), oversee and coordinate overall Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) activities, oversee program research activities, and help develop data collection and storage procedures for tracking and monitoring deliverables.

Tasks and Responsibilities:

• Provide overall support, advice, and oversight on program-level monitoring and evaluation;
• Support and advise colleagues on activity-level monitoring and evaluation efforts, ensuring quality and consistency across offices.
• With support from USAID, contribute to the design, implementation and ongoing revision of an MEL system that adheres to USAID guidance and meets the needs of the program for learning, analysis, and reporting.
• Supervise MERL staff.
• Oversee program research activities, including development of concept, strategy, methodology, and monitoring of overall progress.
• Offer technical assistance in the development, selection, and application of MEL processes and tools.
• Support and advise colleagues on activity-level monitoring and evaluation efforts, ensuring quality and consistency.
• Oversee and advise colleagues on information management processes by reviewing data collection efforts, overall data reliability, consistency, and quality.
• Lead and manage program-level evaluation efforts, including the development of studies that examine higher level outcomes and the utilization of external MERL resources.
• Provide input and advice on procurement of MEL third-party services if needed.
• Help identify, analyze, and synthesize lessons learned from program implementation and facilitate the incorporation of those lessons into the activity development cycle.
• Train other staff, and local partners where required, on key MERL concepts, tools, and processes.
• Undertake, as required and when possible, visits to project locations to collect data and/or oversee data collection efforts
• Help design and supervise programmatic research initiatives. Serve as a measure of quality control for research integrity and progress.
• Other tasks as assigned by supervisor.

Education & Minimum Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field required; Master's degree in relevant field preferred.  
• A minimum of seven years of progressively responsible relevant work experience.
• A minimum of three years of experience in monitoring and evaluation, social science research, or a similar field.
• Demonstrated experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods, including surveys and focus groups.
• Proficiency with software such as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Access; familiarity with statistical software (SPSS or others) is highly desired.
• Strong analytical skills and writing abilities.
• Supervisory experienced required. Must have a demonstrated ability to build the capacity of teams.
• Experience in a diverse and fast-paced work environment.
• Familiarity with USAID reporting and branding and marking requirements desired.
• Experience working with donor-funded projects.
• Fluency in written and oral English is required.
• Fluency or working proficiency in Arabic desired.

Core Competencies:

• TEAMWORK:  Works cooperatively and effectively with others to achieve common goals. Participates in building a culture characterized by inclusion, trust and commitment.   
• COMMUNICATION:  Effectively conveys information and expresses thoughts professionally. Demonstrates effective use of listening skills and displays openness to other people's ideas and thoughts. 
• ADAPTABILITY:  Adjusts planned work by gathering relevant information and applying critical thinking to address multiple demands and competing priorities in a changing environment. 
• CUSTOMER/CLIENT FOCUSED:  Anticipates, monitors and meets the needs of customers and responds to them in an appropriate and responsive manner. 
• DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION:  Conveys respect for diverse individuals and perspectives; models inclusive behavior and treats everyone fairly. 
• PROFESSIONALISM:  Displays appropriate and ethical behavior, integrity and personal presentation in the workplace always; demonstrates respectful communication for others, both verbal and non-verbal.