Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist

C****ontract type:  Fixed Term Contract

Duration: This is a limited-duration position, with an anticipated term of 4 years.

Location:  Remote- Middle East and North Africa (MENA)

Deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply soon.

Please note: This position is contingent upon receipt of funding and donor approval.

ABOUT IWPR:

The Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR) is an international non-profit organisation founded in 1991, with charitable status in the US, UK and the Netherlands. We give voice to people at the frontlines of conflict, crisis and transition to help them drive change and build more stable, just and inclusive societies.

Drawing on three decades of experience in some of the world’s most challenging environments, we support media, civil society, democracy and governance, gender, and youth-focused projects in over 30 countries – promoting reliable information and responsible public debate and removing barriers to freedom of expression

SUMMARY:

The Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) seeks a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist to focus on USG funded Middle East and North Africa (MENA) projects. This is a limited-duration position, with an anticipated term of 4 years.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply soon. This position is contingent upon receipt of funding and donor approval.

The MEL Specialist ensures successful project implementation by operationalizing MEL Plans and leading reporting to USG donors. Supporting Country Directors and/or Chiefs of Party, the specialist ensures evidence-based interventions and data-driven adaptive management. The role includes sharing information with USG and stakeholders on project impact and lessons learned. The specialist aligns MENA portfolio MEL efforts with the organizational MEL by collaborating with cross-departmental MEL Specialists team with oversight of the IWPR Principal MEL Manager. This includes enhancing organizational MEL requirements through knowledge sharing.

The specialist leads high-quality MEL for multi-country and multi-year program in MENA from design to final evaluation, responding to donor requirements and IWPR practices. Responsibilities also include developing program-specific indicators and theories of change, supporting the adoption of qualitative and quantitative MEL approaches and tools, leading data analysis, and facilitating sessions to discuss findings and improvements. Additionally, the specialist trains project staff and partners and collaborates with teams to enhance organizational learning.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program MEL design and planning:

• Leads on the development and implementation and update of the program monitoring and evaluation and learning strategy, including designing/adapting M&E tools and approaches and learning milestones (moments, activities, products, approaches) suitable and relevant to diverse program actors (staff, donors, partners, beneficiaries);
• Lead in the design, update and support the adoption of the program Theory of Change, the Annual Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Plan by all program implementers to monitor all project activities and progress towards achieving program goals;
• Incorporate "do no harm," inclusion, and equity principles within the MEL strategy, plan, and throughout its implementation;
• Develops and maintains a secure system for storing and organizing all program data.

Data collection, analysis and reporting:

• Lead in the design, collection, and analysis of baseline mid and end-line data in collaboration with Country Director/Chief of Party;

• Works closely with other team members and partners to collect information for monitoring, analyze data and presents reports and presents evidence to program team and Country Director/Chief of Party on strategies for improving project effectiveness;

• Reports as needed, including monthly, quarterly, and annual progress on all project activities to technical team and Country Director/Chief of Party;

• Coordinates with project partners in collecting relevant quantitative and qualitative data to report on key performance, context, and outcome indicators;

• Lead and support the adoption of qualitative participatory evaluation methodologies among implementers;

• Develops all required quantitative data collection tools and templates, including identifying and requesting administrative data relevant to the program;

• Responsible for compliance with USG MEL requirements;

• Lead and support the design, delivery of program evaluations (baseline, mid and final evaluations), thematic case studies and other research required to enhance program results and its sustainability. Oversee the work of consultants in case the studies are developed by third parties.

Learning and knowledge sharing:

• Lead on facilitating Pause and Reflect sessions and other learning activities, including MEL Kick-off workshops, Theory of Change workshops and theme-specific sessions, mid and final learning sessions involving project implementers and other stakeholders (including donor or beneficiaries as appropriate), in furtherance of the MEL objectives of projects;
• Lead on presenting MEL findings in a simple and actionable manner to staff, donors, and implementers, fostering common understanding and collaboration;
• Lead on delivery of capacity building and training in MEL practices, tools, and techniques, and provides technical support and contextually relevant capacity building to staff, partners, and program beneficiaries (as appropriate);
• Contribute to the IWPR organizational MEL by sharing program MEL data, updating the IWPR MEL databases, and engaging in cross-departmental learning and knowledge-sharing sessions.

EDUCATION and/or EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Demonstrated experience leading the MEL function of a large project and expertise in developing and operationalizing a comprehensive monitoring and evaluation plan, routine monitoring system, and USG reporting;

• Relevant university degree or equivalent lived/professional experience required;

• At least 7+ years of experience in monitoring and evaluation of development programs;

• Familiarity with USAID’s management and reporting requirements and systems, indicators, and MEL framework;

• Experience developing and documenting monitoring and evaluation plans for USAID-funded programs including selecting and developing performance monitoring indicators and setting targets, creating performance indicator reference sheets, and developing performance indicator tracking tables for USAID-funded programs;

• Experience working in regional or multi-country programs, including collection and analysis of sensitive and personally identifiable information in complex and volatile contexts;

• Proven expertise in designing and implementing qualitative participatory MEL approaches;

• Proven expertise in designing and conducting evaluations and research adopting mixed method.

Skills and Abilities:

• Excellent conceptual, oral and written communication skills in English required; and knowledge of Arabic is highly desirable; and experience in the MENA region (preferred);
• Excellent data analysis and report writing skills;
• Adept decision-maker and problem solver with a high level of attention to detail;
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to facilitate effective discussions and maintain productive relationships with a broad and diverse group of colleagues, donors and partners;
• Knowledge of best practices for MEL and a good critical grasp of the latest thinking in the sector, tools, codes, standards and practice;
• Advanced computer literacy in Word, Excel, PowerPoint and applications relevant to MEL. Knowledge of diverse MEL data collection forms, database, use of dashboards (desirable);
• Willingness and ability to travel internationally as required;
• Willingness to work with colleagues remotely across time zones;
• Knowledge about human rights programming in the MENA region and related MEL good practices.

Principals only. No calls please. Only those who have been considered for an interview will be contacted.

IWPR is an equal opportunities employer and positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender reassignment, religion or belief, marital status, veteran status or pregnancy and maternity. IWPR will never ask for payment for recruitment.