Monitoring, Evaluating, and Learning (MEL) and Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Specialist, Zimbabwe AT ACDI/VOCA

Overview

Since 1963 and in 148 countries, ACDI/VOCA has empowered people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Based in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that designs and delivers technical and management solutions in agriculture, economic growth, and resilience to promote economic prosperity and social inclusion.

Monitoring, Evaluating, and Learning (MEL) and Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Specialist, Zimbabwe

​​ACDI/VOCA is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluating, and Learning (MEL) and Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Specialist for upcoming agriculture and value chain activities in Zimbabwe funded by USAID.

​The MEL and CLA Specialist will lead learning workshops, engaging partners in identifying evidence-based ways to adapt and scale interventions. They will design and manage the CLA and MEL plan and learning agenda on technical and management processes. They will supervise the MEL, KM, and reporting functions to systematically generate, synthesize, share, and apply learning, effective, and adaptive management. The program is anticipated to start in 2024 and this position will be based in Zimbabwe.​

Responsibilities

• Lead the design of and manage the MEL framework and plan that incorporates CLA principles and components for the program
• Ensure effective reporting, data collection, and monitoring systems are in place
• Lead the baseline data collection process, develop the MEL plan, and perform other related monitoring and evaluation efforts for the program
• Develop and test instruments for data collection; collect, analyze, and summarize field visit reports from program technical staff and implementing partners
• Evaluate the integration of project design with the program strategy and the impact of business and technical processes to the program
• Provide strategic leadership for MEL learning and knowledge exchange
• Create, share, and manage relevant knowledge assets that support program outcomes
• Ensure that programmatic learning and results are fully documented, shared, and used to drive adaptive management processes
• 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
• Provide technical assistance to ACDI/VOCA staff members and partner organization staff in the utilization and management of monitoring and impact assessment tools
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative program impact surveys to ensure that program 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
• Complete impact assessment, baseline, midline, and end line surveys to assess the impact of the program
• Design learning approaches that enable analysis of data, context, and emerging experience, as well as iterative adaptive management for the program’s technical approaches

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in evaluation, development studies, economics, statistics, or relevant field is required; master’s degree is desired.
• Minimum 7 years of experience managing the M&E component of a donor-funded project, USAID preferred.
• Proven experience in quantitative and qualitative research methods, survey design and implementation, and statistical data analysis is required.
• Familiarity with applying the CLA approach to management is desired.
• Excellent written communication skills required, with a demonstrated ability to write reports in a clear, concise manner.
• Experience working in Zimbabwe preferred.
• Fluency in English is required.

Zimbabwean nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.