Director, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning – Nepal Agricultural Inputs and Market Systems Activity At Lutheran World Relief

Director, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning – Nepal Agricultural Inputs and Market Systems Activity

In anticipation of a new multi-year USAID Nepal Agricultural Inputs and Market Systems Activity, Lutheran World Relief is seeking a Director, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (Director, MEL).

Corus International is a family of organizations which believes that those who were born into impossible circumstances deserve the opportunity for a better life. Corus was formed through the strategic merger of IMA World Health (operating as a public health organization since 1960), and Lutheran World Relief (operating as a livelihoods organization since 1945), and today includes the smaller entities of Charlie Goldsmith Associates, Ground Up Investing, and Farmers Market Coffee. Corus International works in over 20 countries in Africa, the Middle East, and Latin America, with a primary focus on health, livelihoods, and emergency response.

Corus International’s country portfolio in Nepal has worked alongside the Nepal government, donors, and a variety of local and international partners since 2009. Programs reach marginalized communities through market systems facilitation, agriculture, food security, livelihoods, enterprise development, and disaster risk reduction activities. The portfolio includes a focus on both sustainable development and humanitarian assistance activities and operates out of Kathmandu.

Based in Kathmandu, the Director, MEL will oversee the monitoring, evaluation, and learning components of the anticipated “Agricultural Inputs and Market Systems Activity,” which is expected to: 1) develop a demand- and supply-responsive and financially viable seed system; 2) improve the soil fertility management and fertilizer distribution system; 3) enhance climate adaptive and sustainable water management systems; and 4) increase the adoption of modern agricultural equipment. The Director, MEL will lead a team to develop and maintain systems to collect data and lead analyses to produce information on project activities, outcomes, and impact. S/he will design and manage the M&E and CLA plan and learning agenda. The Director, MEL will supervise M&E and reporting functions (including sub-grantees), to systematically generate and apply learning and adaptive management. The position reports directly to the Chief of Party.

Actual hiring is contingent upon signed agreement and USAID approval.

Key Responsibilities:

• Ensure programmatic learning and results are fully documented, shared, and used to drive adaptive management processes
• Oversee the program’s robust learning component, including providing technical assistance for the project baseline, mid-line, and endline, while developing the MEL plan a research dissemination plan
• Lead the collection, analysis, documentation, dissemination, and use of best practices and lessons learned
• Develop and/or maintain strategic relationships with relevant stakeholders to promote effective coordination, collaboration, and dissemination of program learning
• Support the design of, and manage the M&E framework and plan that incorporates CLA principles and components
• Ensure effective data collection and monitoring systems are in place to submit on-time, accurate, and quality reporting according to contract
• Oversee the development, implementation, and training of the M&E system, liaising with developers, partners, and the client to ensure the system meets M&E needs
• Provide technical assistance to consortium staff members to utilize and manage monitoring and impact assessment tools
• Identify and train staff on appropriate and relevant indicators in line with international and national M&E standards
• Directly supervise M&E Officers and oversee baseline, mid-term, and final evaluation consultants
• Participate in relevant M&E technical working groups and coordinating bodies; work with relevant ministries on project-linked M&E, as appropriate
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative program impact surveys to ensure that project goals are met and that the team constantly improves program implementation quality
• Conduct data quality reviews to ensure that all information required for submission to donor is collected in a valid, reliable, and timely manner

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field, such as monitoring and evaluation, data quality collection and analysis, surveys, or assessments
• A minimum of seven years of experience in managing monitoring and evaluation related tasks for development projects in developing countries, ideally with experience working with youth, gender, and social inclusion
• Successful experience using a Learning Plan to inform activity implementation is preferred
• Successful experience in training and building the capacity of staff in monitoring, evaluation, learning, and data collection
• Experience working with Feed the Future monitoring and evaluation guidance and reporting requirements is preferred
• Strong conceptual knowledge of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) and USAID’s CLA framework is preferred
• Demonstrated experience using research methods to analyze project progress, communicate findings to a range of external and internal stakeholders, and apply learning to work planning
• Proven experience collaborating and coordinating with local and national host government agencies and other key stakeholders, such as NGOs, CSOs, and the private sector
• Proven experience aligning program activities and results with national strategies
• Willingness and ability to travel to project sites within Nepal
• English fluency, with professional proficiency in writing required; knowledge of Nepali is an asset

Based on the final solicitation for this opportunity and target geographic areas, this position will be based in Kathmandu. The role can be negotiated as an accompanied post for families.

IMA/Corus International OR LWR/Corus International is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). As such, Corus makes employment decisions and provides equal employment opportunity without regard to an applicant’s or employee’s race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state, and local laws. If you need a reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please notify Corus’s Human Resources department.