Global Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Advisor , USAID/Global Inclusive Development Activity

**** This position is remote-based. Applicants from marginalized or underrepresented groups and those based in the Latin America and Caribbean regions are highly encouraged to apply. **

About IREX:**

IREX is an independent nonprofit organization dedicated to building a more just, prosperous, and inclusive world by empowering youth, cultivating leaders, strengthening institutions, and extending access to quality education and information. Founded in 1968, IREX has an annual portfolio of over $100 million, work in more than 100 countries worldwide with offices in 13 countries, and a global staff of 600.

Position Summary:

IREX seeks qualified Global Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Advisor candidates to support an anticipated five-year USAID-funded inclusive development activity to bolster Missions and DC-based operating units’ ability to represent and address the needs of marginalized, under-represented populations and/or people in vulnerable situations (MUGPVs). The activity will address programmatic gaps USAID Missions have in assessing the needs of, engaging with, and supporting the priorities of marginalized and underrepresented groups around the world. This includes accompanying local organizations in their ongoing efforts to transform their societies to be more inclusive and equitable and responsive to the needs of marginalized communities across diverse geographic regions and areas of programming. The Global MEL Advisor will oversee and implement the project’s Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) approach, MEL plan, and learning agenda. They will manage the learning agenda, implementation, and adaptation of the MEL system, as well as data collection, analysis, and reporting.

This position is contingent on funding.

Summary of Responsibilities:

• Oversee the program’s CLA process, including working with the project leadership team and consortium members to develop a learning agenda and apply program learnings in pursuit of adaptive management; ensure the program’s CLA approach is applied with consistency and rigor.
• Collaboratively develop and co-lead a culture of learning across the project, engaging staff, partners, and stakeholders in learning and adaptation.
• Collaboratively develop and implement a MEL plan across all program components including identification of innovative process, output, and outcome indicators to track progress toward inclusive development objectives in diverse global contexts.
• Collaboratively develop monitoring and evaluation activities that safely and reliably capture necessary data to report on program results, including in fragile, closed, and closing spaces.
• Work with partners to ensure application of high-quality, inclusive MEL activities, including participatory data collection led by MUGPVs and rigorous data security policies and procedures for projects and partners; oversee partner capacity building as needed.
• Ensure monitoring activities are conducted on schedule and lead internal evaluations.
• Communicate information obtained through MEL and CLA activities to project staff, consortium members, and various external stakeholders, notably organizations led by MUGPVs, donors, and other partners.
• Ensure data collection process is functioning in all activity locations to provide quality data within deadlines.
• Regularly review data collection, storage, and security processes and make adjustments as needed; support USAID data quality assessments.
• Conduct periodic visits to program sites to provide technical assistance and ensure proper monitoring of program activities.
• Produce MEL reports for project staff, consortium members, and donors, as needed.
• Contribute to annual LWA performance plans and lead development of annual MEL plans with consortium members.
• Serve as a core member of the project leadership team.
• Supervise assigned MEL staff.
• Some international travel will be required.
• Other duties, as assigned.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• A graduate degree in a relevant field, such as statistics, demographics, public policy, international development, non-profit management, with a focus on evaluation methodologies and at least three (3) years of experience (or a bachelor’s degree with five (5) years of experience) in designing and implementing M&E and learning systems on complex donor-funded initiatives—preferably USAID-funded programs that engage local partners led by MUGPVs.
• Proven success in designing, implementing, and operating program M&E systems from program initiation to closeout stages required.
• Experience on the use of M&E systems to support a learning agenda and evolve a theory of change to maximize impact.
• Knowledge of the major evaluation methodologies (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, mixed method, and impact) and data collection and analysis methodologies.
• Experience in strategic planning and performance measurement, including indicator selection, target setting, reporting, database management, and collaboratively developing MEL and performance monitoring plans.
• Familiarity with innovative MEL methods to ensure data collection in areas with minimal connectivity, with participants with minimal literacy skills, and with vulnerable populations.
• Experience in designing, managing, and implementing multi-disciplinary and results-based surveys, and developing and refining data collection tools.
• Experience with data quality assessments and oversight, preferably USAID DQA procedures and standards.
• Experience managing and providing ongoing training to partner M&E staff.
• A demonstrated commitment to creating a learning environment in a program.
• Fluency in advanced use of modern communications tools, internet, email, social media, and teleconferences.
• Ability to communicate professionally and provide written reporting in English is required.

To Apply:

Click on “Apply” below to submit your CV and cover letter summarizing your qualifications and stating your salary expectations.

IREX is committed to attracting and retaining a diverse staff and will honor your unique experiences, perspectives, and identity. IREX strives to create and maintain working and learning environments that are just, inclusive, and welcoming, because we believe every member on our team enriches our collective effort by exposing us to a broad range of ways to understand and engage with the world, identify challenges, and to discover, design and deliver solutions. Our goal is not only to advance diversity, equity and inclusion at IREX, but also to increase equity and justice on a global scale.