Senior Manager, MLE Strategy at Evidence Action

About the MLE Strategy Team

• The MLE Strategy team optimizes Evidence Action’s evidence-based, cost-effective programming through versatile and right-fit monitoring and evaluation solutions and insights. Working closely with other global and regional teams, we are responsible for developing MLE frameworks and strategies that improve programs and further our understanding of programmatic impact.
• Evidence Action is uniquely able to adapt our programs based on the evidence generated and shared by the MLE team. The Senior Manager role sits at this nexus and plays an important role in driving program improvements and critical program decisions.
• We aim to be cost-efficient and appropriately rigorous when answering programmatic learning goals and strive to deliver timely services that meet programs’ needs. Although the team works across the organization, the MLE Strategy staff are committed to fostering a team culture that values connectedness and continuous growth and learning.

About the Position

• The Senior Manager will play a key role in supporting Evidence Action’s DtWI and IFA Supplementation programs. They will manage the global MLE work for these programs with guidance from the DtWI and IFA Program Directors.
• The primary responsibilities of the Senior Manager, DtWI and IFA will be to (1) ensure the MLE for the DtWI and IFA Supplementation programs is “right fit” and high quality, in collaboration with the Program teams and regional MLE teams, (2) manage the MLE Strategy team’s support to these programs, and (3) lead new global MLE initiatives for these programs or other programs in the organization’s Nutrition portfolio.
• This role will report to the Director of our MLE Strategy team and join two other MLE Strategy team members currently supporting these programs, including a direct report.

Responsibilities

Technical leadership and design strategy:

• Lead or manage the design, development, and maintenance of global MLE frameworks and country MLE strategies.
• Oversee and ensure the quality of the MLE Strategy team’s technical output, including sampling methodologies, data collection tools, and analysis, as well as the technical output of external MLE consultants.
• Lead or manage implementation research, including refining the design and overseeing the implementation of an endline process evaluation for the IFA program.
• Provide technical leadership on the design and implementation of implementation research studies or pilots, including assessing the acceptability and feasibility of nutrition or school-based health interventions the organization is pursuing.
• Identify the need for and develop global MLE best practices.

Advising and external engagement:

• Provide thought partnership to regional MLE teams on MLE planning and implementation, helping to ensure the quality of data collection and analysis activities.
• Lead the global analysis and tracking of MLE results for DtWI and the IFA supplementation program and support accurate interpretation and application of the results.
• Meet regularly with global and regional Program and MLE leads to discuss progress, challenges, and solutions.
• Support engagement with donors on the proposed scope of MLE activities, ensuring alignment with the program’s goals, and provide inputs on donor reports and fundraising proposals, including sharing MLE results to inform donor and funding decisions.
• Ensure the external communication and interpretation of data is accurate and relevant, including leading or guiding the development of abstracts, reports, blogs, and publications to disseminate program findings.

Project management and cross-team collaboration:

• Manage and oversee MLE scopes of works, budgets, and work plans for DtWI and the IFA Supplementation programs, including identifying and tracking key MLE milestones and ensuring deadlines for deliverables are met.
• Prioritize multiple work streams, mitigate risks, problem solve challenges, and clearly communicate expectations.
• Coordinate with regional MLE teams to ensure effective role distribution and develop efficient processes and protocols to streamline and create consistency in the MLE team’s work.
• Foster a culture of accountability and feedback across teams.

People management:

• Supervise a team, initially starting with one direct report.
• Empower staff reporting to you, identify areas for growth, and effectively coach their learning.
• Maintain and promote a healthy work environment for the staff reporting to you.

Requirements

• Advanced degree with significant coursework in quantitative courses (e.g. in economics, statistics, epidemiology)
• At least 5 years of demonstrated experience developing M&E frameworks and plans, conducting implementation research, designing M&E activities including sampling design, survey protocols and data collection tools, and conducting global and country data analysis.
• Strong project management skills and the ability to manage multiple priorities simultaneously.
• Strong analytical skills and experience using statistical software (Stata preferred) to oversee and conduct analysis of large datasets.
• Strong team player; Strong people management skills and can manage people and teams cross functionally without direct authority.
• Adapts quickly to new and dynamic contexts.
• Willingness to work hours that overlap with colleagues in the US, India and across Africa.
• International travel to program locations is likely to be up to 25% of the year.