Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Manager

Position description

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager will be responsible for day-to-day monitoring and evaluation activities and impact research for the U.S. Department of State Conflict & Stabilization Operations (CSO) programs being implemented in the Ukraine. They will oversee the programs’ complex Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning plans and approaches, which includes ensuring the programs are collecting, analyzing, and sharing quality data accurately and effectively, tracking progress and reporting on indicators, and managing the programs’ learning strategies. The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Manager will also be responsible for supporting staff in the use, development and/or enhancement of MEL systems and tools. The MEL Manager will, as required, represent IREX inside the country and perform additional duties and tasks to meet the needs of the organization, team, or assigned manager.

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Your Background & Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree monitoring and evaluation, social science, public administration, international development, or another relevant field.
• A minimum of 7+ years of progressive job experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning or data analysis or a master’s degree and 6 years of experience in a relevant field.
• Experience in monitoring and evaluation for an international NGO is preferred.
• Strong experience of data-collection, management, and analysis skills (both qualitative and quantitative), with demonstrated experience managing donor data requirements.
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative data collection as well as impact research methodologies.
• Experience in planning and managing surveys, including the development of data collection tools from scratch.
• Experience with data quality assessments and oversight; knowledge of data cleaning processes.
• Proficiency in data visualization tools (e.g., Tableau, Power BI) to create clear and compelling visualizations for communicating complex MEL findings effectively.
• Experience in managing and mentoring a team of MEL professionals, providing technical guidance and support to achieve project objectives.
• Demonstrated and facilitation skills with experience providing relevant and appropriate capacity development for staff and partners.
• Experience conducting research and ability to proficiently articulate findings in the English language.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge and experience related to effective data management, strategic planning, and performance measurement, including indicator selection, target setting, reporting, database management, and developing MEL and performance monitoring plans.
• Demonstrated technical knowledge of methods and ethics in educational and/or social science research.
• Proven experience managing multiple complex programming in a demanding, time-sensitive work environment.
• Knowledge and practical experience in research, monitoring, and evaluation methodologies (e.g. qualitative, quantitative, mixed method, and impact identification).
• Strong problem-solving skills and demonstrated flexibility to meet program outcomes.
• Strong representational and organizational skills.
• Proficient in Microsoft office products, including Excel.
• Speaking, reading, and writing proficiency in English and Ukrainian required.
• Excellent cross-cultural and interpersonal communication skills.
• Demonstrated computer skills, including Microsoft Office.
• Self-motivated and result oriented.
• Knowledge of gender equality, diversity, equity, and inclusion principles and their integration into MEL processes.

• Must demonstrate valid proof of unrestricted authorization to work in the Ukraine.

Your Daily Tasks

• Lead the design and implementation of complex evaluations, special studies, and assessments.
• Support effective relations and coordination with program donors on MEL related issues, including presenting data and outcomes to donor representatives when relevant.
• Design methodology and tools for the variety of evaluation studies and impact research.
• Design Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Plans, manage the approved MEL Plans, and facilitate updates to the current MEL Plans as appropriate in cooperation with Senior Management and program staff.
• Establish and maintain a knowledge management system for MEL-related resources, reports, and data and ensure that lessons learned, best practices, and research findings are documented and easily accessible to inform future programming and decision-making. Responsible for managing MEL databases for the programs.
• Regularly review programs’ data collection processes, while performing data quality assessments and adjusting as needed.
• Oversee and lead the development of program indicators.
• Ensure and coordinate regular monitoring of program activities and oversee data quality. Develop and/or coordinate the design and utilization of M&E management systems, data collection tools, and baseline assessment.
• Analyze M&E data and results to determine impact of program activities and progress towards achieving goals and objectives. Use the analyzed data to produce internal reports and research.
• Prepare data summaries, data analyses, and reports in support of team learning, donor reporting, and IREX requirements.
• Identify ways to streamline processes and increase efficiency in gathering and using performance information to maximize program impact and development.
• Develop data collection flows to ensure data integrity and validity at the output and outcome levels.
• Coordinate and manage external evaluations conducted by third-party firms or consultants, ensuring they align with program objectives and adhere to quality standards.
• Support the design of new programs by providing evidence of program impact and outcomes through MEL data and research and contributing to the development of logical frameworks, theories of change, and MEL plans in project proposals.
• Lead development and implementation of the program’s learning agenda and activities to ensure continued programmatic improvements and iteration, including after-action reviews, data reviews, and learning retrospectives using IREX templates.
• Support Senior Management to plan junctures at which after action reviews, data reviews, and other learning activities need to take place to support projects.
• Develop compelling and visually engaging data visualizations to effectively communicate complex MEL findings, ensuring accessibility and comprehension for diverse stakeholders.
• Participate and collaborate with IREX MERL Community of Practice, GP MEL, CALI/SREAL and IREX MERL activities and event.
• Collaborate with external partners, including donors, government agencies, and implementing partners, to harmonize MEL approaches and promote mutual learning.
• As required, upload program data into IREX relational database (Activity Info) to ensure IREX can report on Strategic Plan Outcome indicators/goals as per relevant for work and data for all programs.
• Provide MEL technical training, mentoring, and coaching to technical staff, partners, grantees, and counterparts.
• Ensure effective communication and dissemination of evidence-based findings and learnings derived from Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) processes within the organization and to external stakeholders.
• Ensure the integration of gender equality and inclusion principles into MEL processes, fostering organizational awareness and alignment with Diversity, Equity and Inclusion principles.
• Finalizes drafts of MEL documents, analysis plans, and deliverables, providing technical guidance and quality control, with a focus on standardization, timeliness, technical rigor, effective communication of technical work, and use.
• Travel to field site to follow up independently with program activities (if the organization and security policies and procedures allow).
• Engage stakeholders, including beneficiaries and partners, in participatory evaluation processes to gather feedback and insights on program effectiveness and impact.
• Communicate information obtained through MEL activities to program staff and various external stakeholders, notably donors and partners.
• Liaise regularly with IREX’s CALI team in Washington DC.
• Ensure compliance with ethical standards and data protection protocols in all aspects of data collection, storage, and analysis.
• Provide guidance to and supervise the Data Specialist and other staff involved in MEL activities.
• Provide capacity-building and coaching for program staff and local partners in all aspects of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning and data collection.
• Oversee work of MEL consultants and contractors. Organize procurement processes for MEL needs. Ensure the quality of the submitted deliverables.
• Through use of IREX HR processes, develop and maintain supervisory systems including performance management, review and support.
• Provide, as needed, any IREX MEL onboarding with support from the CALI team in Washington DC.
• Other duties as assigned.

We conduct background checks on all successful candidates.

This position is eligible for Remote work or in-person. 

This position is not eligible for Immigration Sponsorship.

NO PHONE CALLS PLEASE 

EOE – Equal Opportunity Employer 

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability/vets. 

 

Application instructions

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