Background:
Land O’Lakes Venture37 is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit committed to helping communities around the world build economies by strengthening local agriculture, helping agribusinesses create jobs and linking farmers to markets. Since 1981, it has implemented over 315 integrated dairy, livestock and crops development programs in nearly 80 countries — creating lasting impact by linking farmers, businesses, and the public and private sector in local and global contexts. Land O’Lakes Venture37’s long-standing affiliation with Land O’Lakes, Inc. sets it apart. Land O’Lakes, Inc. is one of America’s largest farmer-owned cooperatives. It supports Land O’Lakes Venture37 project implementation with nearly 100 years of expertise in dairy, animal nutrition, crop inputs and agricultural insights and technologies. This gives Land O’Lakes Venture37 development projects a unique global view of agriculture, food and the power of well-functioning market systems. Land O’Lakes, Inc. supports these efforts as part of its enterprise purpose of Feeding Human Progress at home and around the world.
Proposal Summary:
Land O’Lakes Venture37 is preparing for an anticipated USAID/Sri Lanka Economic Modernization Activity with a potential procurement release date later in 2023. The purpose of the Activity is to improve Sri Lankan economic competitiveness through an improved business enabling environment, agriculture sector efficiency, increased small and medium business export competitiveness, and upgraded workforce capacity.
Position Summary:
The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager will develop and implement a MEL system for the project. Specifically, the MEL Manager will develop tools and processes, documented in a MEL plan, train staff and partners in the MEL system, coordinate all data collection efforts, ensure data quality, process and analyze the data for donor reporting, adaptive management, and learning purposes, and provide oversight support to external evaluators. The MEL Manager will also lead significant learning and outreach activities, such as planning collaboration and learning events, developing outreach materials, and ensuring program adaptation based on findings. This individual reports to the Chief of Party with technical support from the Venture37 Global MEL staff based in the United States. This position is based in Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Primary Responsibilities:
- Lead the development and oversight of the MEL system and update as necessary throughout the life of the project;
- Oversee a team of MEL Specialists based in the project head office and potential field offices;
- Train all project staff and key partners in their role in project monitoring and evaluation;
- Manage an electronic data collection platform, including training staff and ensuring timely data entry and cleaning;
- Select and manage appropriate consultants for evaluations and research, as required, including developing scopes of work, reviewing methodology and survey design, conducting quality control of the work, and reviewing final reports.
- Lead internal annual data collections, including developing scopes of work, designing surveys, selecting and training enumerators, overseeing fieldwork, analyzing and reporting on the findings.
- Regularly review data collection processes, including regular field visits and data quality assessments, and adjust processes as needed;
- Lead the team in developing learning priorities, a learning plan, and organize regular collaboration, learning and adaptation events both internally and externally;
- Provide regular updates on project progress against key metrics to the Chief of Party for inclusion in donor reports, work planning and learning events; and
- Demonstrate the highest degree of integrity throughout all activities and raise any concerns about implementation quality immediately with the Chief of Party.
Required Skills and Qualifications:
- A bachelor’s degree in economics, statistics, monitoring and evaluation, or related field.
- A minimum of 7 years of relevant and progressive experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning of development projects in Sri Lanka
- Excellent quantitative and qualitative research, analysis and evaluation skills.
- Highly developed conceptual, analytical and innovative problem-solving ability.
- Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor tasks.
- Computer literacy and competency in use of Microsoft Office software.
- Ability to independently and proactively work as a team member with minimum day-to-day oversight.
- Proficiency in statistical software (e.g. Stata, SPSS).
- Strong writing and oral presentation skills; and
- Fluency in written and spoken English and Sinhala.
Preferred Skills & Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in economics, statistics, monitoring and evaluation, or related field.
- Experience in monitoring, evaluation and learning of resiliency and agriculture programming in Sri Lanka, especially USAID projects.
- Knowledge of GIS data collection, software, and analysis.
- Experience utilizing data for creative communications.
The position described above is contingent upon activity award.
Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. No phone calls will be accepted.
Land O’Lakes never requests money or payment from candidates for any position type. Please report any such requests to Land O’Lakes.
Land O’Lakes Venture37 is an equal opportunity employer and an organization striving to help global communities thrive through agriculture. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status, among other factors. Our culture values a diversity of voices. So bring us your unique experiences, your workstyle, and your dreams — they’ll only make us stronger.