Monitoring Evaluation Research Learning Adapting (MERLA) Lead, Kenya Education READ TO at RTI International

Responsibilities

Responsibilities of the MERLA Lead include, but are not limited to:

• Mentor and oversee research, monitoring, evaluation, adapting, and learning functions and related project staff to ensure implementation is effectively supported.
• Coordinate the development and oversee the implementation of the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan as well as annual revisions as applicable.
• Develop, manage, and implement the project’s monitoring and evaluation systems and tools, including relevant performance evaluations, complementary research studies, and annual targets and ensure compliance to USAID requirements.
• Supervise the collection, analysis, and reporting on performance indicators by other team members and project counterparts.
• Design and coordinate activities that demonstrate education modalities, teacher and coaching efficiency, student enrollment and impacts of external factors on the program.
• Ensure adherence to USAID and RTI data quality principles, inclusive and crisis-resilient data collection approaches, and gender and disability inclusive reporting in all aspects of MERLA.
• Coordinate the preparation of monthly, quarterly, and annual progress reports on the status of project implementation for timely submission; contribute to other project reports such as annual work plans.
• Provide monitoring, evaluation, and learning capacity-building for partner organizations and Government counterparts.
• Regularly consult with relevant stakeholders to inform project MERLA approaches.
• Organize and undertake frequent trips to program sites across Kenya to ensure sound implementation of MERLA programming and to verify results reported by staff, partners or consultants.
• Demonstrate professional behavior, including a commitment to conflict-sensitivity, gender sensitivity, and social inclusion and environmental protection and being a team player within the project, and growing and learning.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief of Party.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree and 12 years of relevant experience or a Master’s degree and 9 years of relevant experience in the following fields
• Knowledge of reporting procedures, best practices, guidelines, methods, and approaches for MEL.
• Excellent management, communication, and organizational skills (attention to detail is required); demonstrated flexibility and capacity to multi-task.
• Familiarity and experience with indicators relevant to the education sector preferred.
• Ability to articulate and apply CLA principles.
• Demonstrated experience in analytical skills and data visualization.
• Computer literacy, with ability to analyze and interpret data using Excel, online reporting tools, or statistical packages such as SAS, SPSS, or STATA.
• Experience with MEL that measures and promotes gender and social inclusion.
• Ability to work effectively, responsively, and collaboratively with government counterparts, development and private sector partners, civil society organizations, and academic/research institutions.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills in English required, additional fluency in Kiswahili preferred.