Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer At Chemonics

Chemonics is an international development consulting firm based in Washington, D.C. Its mission is to promote meaningful change around the world by helping people live healthier, more productive and independent lives.

Chemonics is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer for the USAID/OTI Connecting Communities Project. The program, funded by USAID/OTI and implemented by Chemonics in El Salvador, will help foster organized and connected communities where citizens work to build social cohesion and address collective priorities. The implementation of this program requires a highly integrated and dynamic team approach for creative, coordinated and effective implementation. This position will be based in San Miguel, El Salvador.

Responsibilities:

• Develop monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) plans, as well as final evaluation reports (FERs) for grants in coordination with MEL and program team members.
• Develop and create feedback flow mechanisms, data collection and analysis tools for profiling, data assessment, monitoring and evaluation purposes as needed.
• Support the MEL Manager to ensure timely, accurate and reliable high-quality data collection, reporting and analysis for baseline studies, activity monitoring, surveys, pre- and post-intervention evaluations, using quantitative and qualitative tools, including but not limited to focus group discussions, key informant interviews, qualitative observation and surveys.
• Upload MEL data and maintain USAID/OTI Activity Database records on project activities in an organized and timely manner. Liaise closely with the Grants Central Unit (GMU) and other field-based staff to ensure consistency in qualitative and quantitative information collected and captured for entries in the USAID/OTI Activity Database.
• Work with MEL team members, reporting directly to the Communications Officer to analyze and report on program impact, lessons learned, and other factors to better inform program development and reporting and create a robust feedback loop.
• Conduct grant evaluation, identifying lessons learned and sharing relevant information with the team to support and provide feedback to the team.
• Conduct periodic visits to the site where the program is present, attending events and activities of the beneficiaries of the donations to collect data for the purpose of carrying out monitoring and evaluation activities for adequate documentary support.
• Work with the program team and other relevant staff to monitor and provide analysis of the community context and to provide recommendations to senior management and USAID/OTI on opportunities to respond to the context with grants or other activities.
• Assists Program Development Officers and others as needed in reviewing entries in USAID/OTI Activity Databases during activity development.
• Contribute to strengthening the capacity of partners and grant recipients in monitoring and evaluation issues.
• Participate and provide input in the development of the program’s strategic framework, objectives and propose concepts for the yellow light.
• Attend and contribute to weekly concept review meetings.
• Other responsibilities as assigned.

Ratings:

• A minimum of two (2) years of verifiable work experience and a bachelor’s degree, or six (6) years of relevant work experience, is required. Relevant experience includes work on analysis and reporting on program impact and implementation or other non-programmatic experience involving qualitative data collection, contextual analysis, reporting, and community work. Experience with donor-funded organizations is preferred.
• Strong interpersonal, oral and written communication skills are required.
• Previous experience in MEL and/or related functions is preferred.
• Strong organizational, management and administrative skills, preferably in research or qualitative analysis.
• Demonstrated analytical skills and understanding of the local and regional political context, with the ability to think creatively in conceptualizing grant activities, with preference for candidates with experience in USAID/OTI projects.
• Proven knowledge of local and international NGOs and community organizations implementing relevant activities and programs in the country, as well as institutions, actors and stakeholders.
• Strong knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) is required.
• Ability to work professionally and cordially with colleagues, visitors, the general public and partner institutions, including international and local NGOs, government entities and support organizations.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, prioritize multiple tasks in an extremely dynamic environment, meet deadlines, and exercise sound professional judgment that communicates the stated message of the program.
• Broad understanding of conflict sensitivity and “do no harm” principles.
• Willingness to travel, sometimes extensively, within El Salvador.
• Fluency in written and oral Spanish is required.

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Officer

Responsibilities:

• Drafts monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) plans and Final Evaluation Reports (FERs) for grants in coordination with MEL and program team members.
• Develops and tests feedback loops, data collection, and analysis tools for profiling, assessment, monitoring, and evaluation purposes as necessary.
• Supports MEL manager to ensure timely, accurate, and reliable high-quality data collection, reporting, and analysis for baseline studies, activity monitoring, surveys, pre/post-intervention assessments, and evaluations using quantitative and qualitative tools, including but not limited to focus group discussions, key informant interviews, qualitative observation, and surveys.
• Uploads MEL data and maintains USAID/OTI Activity Database records on project activities in an organized and timely manner. Liaises with Grants Management Unit (GMU) and other field-based staff to ensure consistency in qualitative and quantitative information collected and captured for USAID/OTI Activity Database entries.
• Works with MEL team members and reporting and communications officer to analyze and report on program impact, emerging program trends, lessons learned, and other factors to better inform program development and reporting and create a robust feedback loop.
• Conducts grant evaluations, identifies lessons learned, and shares relevant information with the broader team to support team-wide learning.
• Conducts periodic site visits and attends grantee events and activities to collect data for monitoring and evaluation purposes for proper documentation.
• Works with the program team and other relevant staff to monitor and provide analysis of community-level context in El Salvador, and to provide recommendations to the senior management team and USAID/OTI on opportunities to respond with grants or other activities.
• Assists Program Development Officers, and others as needed, to review USAID/OTI Activity Database entries during activity development.
• Contributes to the capacity building of partners and grantees on monitoring and evaluation topics.
• Participates and provides input into the development of the program strategic framework, objectives, and proposes concepts for yellow light.
• Attends and contributes to weekly concept review meetings.
• Other duties as assigned.

Qualifications:

• A minimum of two (2) years of relevant work experience and a bachelor’s degree or six (6) years of relevant work experience. Relevant experience includes work in in analysis and reporting on program impact and implementation or other non-programmatic experience involving contextual analysis and reporting required. Experience with donor-funded organizations preferred.
• Strong interpersonal and oral and written communications skills required.
• Prior experience in MEL, and/or related functions preferred.
• Strong organizational, management, and administrative skills, preferably with respect to research and qualitative analysis.
• Demonstrated analytical ability and understanding of the local and regional political context, with the ability to think creatively in conceptualizing grant activities, with preference given to candidates with experience working on USAID/OTI projects.
• Proven knowledge of local and international NGOs and community-based organizations implementing relevant activities and programs in country, as well as key institutions, actors, and stakeholders.
• Strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) required.
• Ability to work in a professional and cordial manner with fellow staff members, visitors, the general public, and partner institutions, including international and local NGOs, governmental entities, and support organizations.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, to prioritize multiple work assignments in an extremely fast-paced environment, meet deadlines, and exercise good, professional judgment that communicates the established message of the program.
• Strong understanding of conflict sensitivity and “do no harm” principles.
• Willingness to travel, sometimes extensively, within El Salvador.
• Fluency in written and oral Spanish is required.