Senior Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Technical Advisor, Just Peace At American Friends Service Committee

Status: Full-time, exempt

**Location:**remote (or Philadelphia, PA)

Application Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

For consideration, please attach your Cover Letter and Resume to the online application in addition to answering the Application Questions.

SUMMARY OF PRINCIPAL RESPONSIBILITIES

The Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Technical Advisor, Peacebuilding and Healing Justice is responsible for providing timely and efficient MEL support to a global portfolio of US and International Programs aligning to the Just Peace goal in AFSC’s 2020-2030 Strategic Plan. The Technical Advisor is responsible for advancing program quality in the design and pursuit of collective outcomes and contextualized indicators, in keeping with a Theory of Change and long-term strategy for this thematic goal, as well as an organization-wide goal to amplify program impact and learning.

This is a new role within a new department and new division, and as such will require a high level of flexibility and adaptability. That will include not only a high level of teamwork within the department and division, but also strong collaboration with the Peacebuilding Director(s) and Country/Program Directors on: program strategy/design; theories of change; a common learning agenda; knowledge management (including some research support and/or curriculum review, as needed); and impact reporting/evaluation.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS/RESPONSIBILITIES: The key responsibilities of the MEL Technical Advisor, Peacebuilding and Healing Justice include the following:

Technical Guidance and Expertise in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

1. Advise and support the Peacebuilding Director(s), Country Representatives, Program Directors, and other staff of peacebuilding programs to strengthen their theory of change, outcomes, and indicators. Deepen MEL processes and systems utilizing a learning-focused approach to program quality.
2. Ensure that AFSC has a diverse set of methods/approaches and tools in our toolbox, and that program staff know which tool(s) to use for which purpose and context. Document and share lessons learned in applying such tools and frameworks within AFSC programs.
3. Co-lead internal program quality reviews with the Peacebuilding Director(s), and co-design and project manage drafting of periodic Impact Reports on the Just Peace goal.
4. Track new and innovative approaches to MEL, in order to keep AFSC program staff apprised of emerging strategies, tools, and methods in the social justice and peacebuilding fields.
5. Provide training and capacity-building on current best practice in MEL, including proactive identification of areas for improvement and responsiveness to requests from program leadership for support to specific programs.
6. Uphold data equity principles and practices at all times; ensure that internal assessments and formal evaluations are inclusive and participatory. Improve accountability to communities, partners, and program participants by embedding a strong diversity, equity, and inclusion lens in MEL practice, and upholding AFSC’s commitments to anti-racism/anti-oppression, feminism and gender justice, and youth work. Coordinate closely with the Office of DEI on such efforts.
7. Champion a positive culture of inquiry and learning.

Proposal Development

1. Ensure that M&E frameworks (log-frame and theory of change) meet professional good practice standards prior to submission.
2. Support the Peacebuilding Director(s), Grants Team, and Country/Program Directors to improve the quality of monitoring and evaluation plans at the proposal development stage, as well as initial MEL implementation planning.
3. Troubleshoot implementation challenges, upon the request of program leadership, and support programs to prepare for program evaluation, including adaptive management within the program cycle.
4. Provide additional capacity to compile and present information for donor-required MEL reporting on an as-needed basis.

Program and Project Evaluation

1. Prepare M&E implementation plans, support baseline studies, and promote adaptive learning in ways that set programs up for strong evaluation at the end of an implementation cycle.
2. With respect to formal, external program evaluation, provide direct technical assistance to program staff in preparation for the evaluation, drafting the Terms of Reference, selection of an evaluator, evaluation design, preparation of management letters, and follow-up on evaluation recommendations.
3. With respect to formal, external portfolio or systems-level evaluation of AFSC’s Just Peace goal in the strategic plan, compile and analyze all relevant inputs from community consultations, quality reviews, and internal evaluations of the goal.
4. Lead internal evaluations of new innovations and pilot projects, as requested.

Thematic-Focused Learning and Knowledge Management

1. Strengthen ongoing linkages among programs aligning to the Just Peace goal and participating in an organized Thematic Hub, in close collaboration with the Peacebuilding Director(s).
2. Develop a learning agenda for the Just Peace goal, and participatory processes to curate/update content and improve knowledge management practice.
3. Facilitate dissemination of learning in a coordinated and efficient manner across program leadership, thematic/country/program directors, and program staff; ensure that the needs of all concerned are being met effectively.

Other Duties as Assigned

1. While this role has a thematic focus, it is essential that the position holder is flexible and open to supporting MEL practice for any of the three goals, as there will be peaks in demand and the team will need to ensure a balanced workload.
2. In the first year of this new department, all team members will contribute to the drafting and review of a new Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning handbook.
3. Over time, with stronger MEL practice and systems in place, this role may expand to include additional research or curriculum writing/review duties.
4. Any other duties, as assigned by the Director of Strategy, Learning, and Impact or the Associate General Secretary of Global Cohesion.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

EDUCATION: Master’s Degree in a social science discipline, or demonstrated applied experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning in lieu of an advanced degree.

EXPERIENCE: As Just Peace is the largest portfolio of programs across AFSC’s thematic areas, as well as the most complex with respect to identifying and amplifying synergies between US and international programs, ten to twenty years of professional experience in an international or domestic nonprofit setting preferred, with a minimum of seven years of experience in a monitoring and evaluation or program management role. Applicants who do not meet the ten to twenty years’ level of experience, and meet most/all other qualifications for the role, are still encouraged to apply, but – if successful – they would be hired at the Technical Advisor level and not Senior Technical Advisor. Knowledge of peacebuilding programs and/or healing justice programs preferred. Prior exposure to community-centered design, collective impact models, and/or equitable and inclusive approaches to data collection and analysis is highly desired.

OTHER REQUIRED SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

1. Fluency in written and spoken English. Fluency in one other United Nations language desirable.
2. Demonstrated ability to think analytically and strategically.
3. Willingness to engage in reflective practice and set an example that others adopt.
4. Ability to persuade and motivate others and to gain the respect and attention of AFSC staff members and volunteers.
5. Ability to connect with diverse internal and external audiences and to influence situations using tact and diplomacy.
6. Ability to work well under pressure and adapt easily to changing situations and priorities.
7. Proven ability to reach out collaboratively to individuals, groups and organizations.
8. Ability to travel regularly, nationally and internationally, and to attend frequent evening and weekend meetings, working overtime as needed.
9. Excellent computer skills.
10. Commitment to Quaker values and testimonies. Understanding of and compatibility with the principles and philosophy of the American Friends Service Committee, including non-violence and the belief in the intrinsic worth of every individual.
11. Understanding of and commitment to the principles, concerns, and considerations, of AFSC in regard to issues of race, class, nationality, religion, age, gender and sexual orientation, and disabilities. Demonstrated ability to work and communicate with diverse staff.

COMPENSATION: Salary Family Strategy, Learning & Impact – Technical Advisor III ($64,480 – $95,459) – Exempt – Comprehensive medical and hospitalization plan; term life, accident and salary continuation insurances, defined benefit pension plan, plus fringe benefits; participation in unemployment and worker’s compensation and social security.

The American Friends Service Committee is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified persons are encouraged to apply regardless of their religious affiliation, race, age, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation or disability.

AFSC’s Central Office and some of its offices in the U.S. are unionized workplaces. This is a Bargaining Unit position.

AFSC maintains a deep commitment to a mandate of care for our staff and communities, and thus requires vaccination and have at least one booster shot for COVID-19; as well as adherence to social distancing, masking, and office occupancy protocols.

The American Friends Service Committee is a smoke-free workplace.