Overview
Background:
Creative Associates International is a fast-growing, social impact company that specializes in the areas of education, economic growth, democratic transitions, and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Chevy Chase, Maryland (within the DC metro area), this global development organization has a field presence in more than 25 countries and a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department. Since its founding in 1977 by four enterprising women, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.
Position Summary:
The MEL Specialist will be responsible for designing, developing, and implementing an effective system to monitor progress, impacts, and successes of project activities and performance at all levels. S/he gathers, analyzes, and processes complex information related to all aspects of program implementation. S/he will conduct and/or oversee impact assessments, baseline studies, surveys and need assessments to identify necessary changes and future project opportunities. The MEL Specialist will ensure that the project complies with USAID performance reporting requirements. The MEL Specialist will also lead Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) activities and provide expert guidance to the Project’s Chief of Party (COP) and Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP) to inform decision-making processes and adaptive management.
Reporting & Supervision:
The MEL Specialist will report to the DCOP and work closely with the Senior Director Monitoring Evaluation and Learning based in the Washington, D.C. office.
Responsibilities
Primary Responsibilities: – Update the AMELP, including review of its theory of change, results framework, identify indicators, relevant and applicable midline and other assessments data collection strategies and methodologies, and the financial and human resources needed to successfully implement the MEL strategy;
- Design and lead CLA activities and efforts in close coordination with the project Outcome Leads, COP and DCOP, extracting lessons learned that are then used to inform program design;
- Develop tools for data collection and protocols for performance monitoring as well as baseline, midline and endline and other assessments as needed;
- Lead the continuous validation and implementation of COMPAS-T and SenseMaker tools
- Ensure data collected, is stored and analyzed in the Creative web-based platform, MEDAL, as well as other appropriate tools, as needed;
- Analyze ongoing quantitative / qualitative data at different points in the program leading to the specific program / contract results and to inform adaptive management;
- Conduct field visits, as necessary, to develop monitoring / performance management plans with and train technical teams;
- Regularly review work plans to ensure the timely achievement of results related to USAID MEL, including relevant indicators that align with the Activity implementation approaches such as gender and social inclusion and positive youth development;
- Ensure integration of gender and youth data into MEL by identifying key GESI indicators and ensuring GESI lessons learned are collected to inform future program design and implementation;
- Elaborate annual plans related to the MEL component as well as budgets for relevant activities;
- Ensure regular communication of MEL activities to all key stakeholders and contribute to the quarterly, annual report and project reporting to USAID;
- Collaborate with the technical team to monitor the progress of the program in terms of the compliance requirements of USAID results and indicators;
- Supports the project’s Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) approach (design and host pause and reflect sessions, workshops, etc.);
- Supervise the work of the Program Support Officer and provide ongoing training and capacity building support in order to achieve MEL expected outcomes
- Work closely with technical staff and institutional partners to explain MEL processes and understand how these processes relate to the project’s technical work, and to promote MEL-related training as needed;
- Manage MEL resources and ensure that M & E information and resources are up-to-date, available to staff and widely disseminated;
- Other related duties as assigned.
Qualifications
Required Skills & Qualifications:
- Master’s degree in international development, education, statistics, social sciences, or other related field required;
- Minimum of seven years’ experience of Monitoring and Evaluation international development program, including five years implementing M&E systems for USG-funded projects in Positive Youth Development (PYD), workforce development, economic growth, Feed the Future, livelihoods, or other related fields;
- Strong quantitative skills and demonstrated capacity and experience in data analysis, data collection; statistical analysis; and reporting; including experience with computer-based statistical packages and databases (Epi Info, ACCESS, SPSS, etc.) required;
- Experience designing and implementing M&E training / capacity building programs for international organizations required;
- Experience in developing and leading CLA activities;
- Experience working with international donors, USAID preferred;
- Experience conducting field research required, including using qualitative and quantitative techniques;
- Experience with USAID’s rules and regulations, including recent MEL guidance, strongly preferred;
- Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail;
- Ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines and to initiate and implement activities with minimal oversight and supervision, required;
- Excellent interpersonal skills and teamwork. Effective communication skills, able to make formal and informal presentations both orally and in writing and produce professional and analytical reports and program documents;
- Excellent writing skills in English; and
- Proficiency in written and spoken Spanish and English required.
Only finalists will be contacted. No phone calls, please.
Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer (gender/race/disability/veteran) and provides equal opportunity to all individuals regardless of their race, color, creed, religion, gender, age, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by state, federal, or local law.
Please view Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity Posters provided by OFCCP here.
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