MEL Specialists – Zimbabwe

Background

SoCha LLC is preparing a response to provide Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) and technical services to the USAID/Zimbabwe Mission under an anticipated MEL activity. The anticipated objectives of the Activity will be to assist the Mission with strategy and activity-level performance monitoring, evaluation, and learning, improve knowledge management, enhance the use of data and evidence in programmatic decision-making, and improve the Mission’s and implementing partners’ MEL capacity.

SoCha is seeking qualified individuals to fill different MEL positions. These positions will be full-time and based in Harare. These roles are for a proposal position and is contingent on award and funding.

Scope of Work

The MEL Specialists will work to:

• Provide MEL support to USAID and its implementing partners.
• Optimize evaluation statements of work.
• Select evaluation methodologies.
• Oversee evaluations in any sector where USAID works.
• Provide dedicated capacity building assistance in MEL operations and quality assurance.
• Conduct MEL trainings.
• Lead data quality assessments.
• Support Mission portfolio reviews and other Mission learning events.
• Oversee the advancement of learning agendas and evidence that improves USAID’s programs.
• Contribute data and insight from evaluations at learning events.
• Provide other MEL technical support as needed.

We are actively seeking MEL Specialists with experience in one (1) or more of the following areas:

• Performance Monitoring
  • Developing performance monitoring plans.
  • Designing and optimizing quantitative and qualitative indicators for international development projects.
• Evaluations
  • Designing or conducting performance or impact evaluations.
  • Mixing qualitative and quantitative methods.
  • Applying evaluation results to inform future programming.
• Data Management
  • Collecting and analyzing performance and financial data.
  • Developing GIS maps.
  • Data visualization.
• Capacity Building in MEL
  • Training monitoring and evaluation (M&E) professionals.
  • Coaching and mentoring local organizations in M&E methodologies.
  • Working with country evaluation associations to professionalize MEL.
• Collaboration, Learning, and Adapting (CLA)
  • Coordinating with stakeholders.
  • Hosting learning events for international development partners.
  • Building institutional capacity and memory.
  • Incentivizing learning and sharing.
  • Facilitating learning events.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• Experience working in international development or cross-cutting sectors (education, gender, health, youth, governance, etc.)
• For Senior-level: an advanced degree and more than seven (7+) years of experience in one or more of the areas outlined above (performance monitoring, evaluation, data management, capacity building, and/or learning).
• For mid-level: a university qualification in a related subject and between three to seven (3-7) years of MEL experience.
• Strong interpersonal and oral presentation skills.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English is required.
• Previous experience working for international donor projects in Zimbabwe strongly preferred.
• Previous experience working for USAID-funded projects preferred.

Location

Harare, Zimbabwe with travel in the country at times.