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SalaryJob Title/Grade: Specialist, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (P5)
Department: Development Innovations
Reports to: Principal Manager, USG Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning
Function of the Position:
The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist will be responsible for providing monitoring, evaluation, and Learning expertise across project delivery, new business and through capacity building for home office and project staff. S/he will support DAI’s efforts to improve the way data are collected, managed, and used, with an emphasis on using data for learning and adaptive management. S/he will be responsible for finalizing outstanding Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) and MEL documents and deliverables, coordinating CLA/MEL activities with USAID and local partners, and building capacity of DAI field staff and home office staff to manage CLA/MEL activities. The MEL Specialist will also have a focused responsibility to provide curriculum development for MEL capacity building efforts for home office (HO) and field staff. This is a full-time professional position on the MEL Team within DAI’s USG Business Unit, with minimum travel of 40% time (post COVID) to possibly any location DAI has projects.
Roles and Responsibilities :
Technical
- Work with home office and field staff to support CLA/MEL needs during start-up, including participation in rapidly assigned STTA, recruitment of local CLA/MEL staff, and managing CLA/MEL expectations of the client.
- Develop competencies in new MEL approaches, including, but not limited to, CLA and complexity aware monitoring (CAM approaches).
- Help create and maintain a culture of learning and adaptive management within DAI.
- Support projects to onboard MEL staff, deploy digital technology tools to conduct surveys, develop data management systems, and carry out statistical analysis and reporting.
- The MEL Specialist may be asked to carry out activities such as: data analysis, in collaboration with technical experts, using appropriate methods such as multivariate regression modeling; data visualization using Microsoft Power BI or Tableau dashboard and use of geospatial data for visualization, mapping etc.; the development of data systems for collecting, managing, and reporting MEL data.
New Business
- Support business acquisition activities by reviewing CLA/MEL requirements in proposal documents and contributing written content to DAI proposals.
- Identify and work with MEL partners and subcontractors as needed.
Knowledge Sharing & Learning
- Support in the development of CLA/MEL curriculum for HO and field staff capacity building efforts.
- Support the development of community of practices for MEL, including CLA and CAM approaches to field staff.
- Provide training and capacity-building on CLA, knowledge management, and adaptive management methods and tools and best practices
- Support the development and revision of MEL guidelines and standards.
Additional responsibilities as deemed necessary.
Qualifications:
Minimum Qualifications :
- Minimum of 5 years of relevant professional work experience and a college degree.
- Experience developing MEL curriculums, training content and methods and facilitating MEL trainings.
- Excellent communications skills – particularly in presentation and relationship building.
- Ability to meet deadlines, take initiative and accomplish work with minimal supervision.
- Experience writing and implementing CLA plans.
- Experience with statistical analysis, qualitative and quantitative methods, and applied research and Learning through development projects.
- Experience with primary data collection (such as the use of mobile data apps)
- Knowledge, interest and past experience in at least one of DAI’s Technical Sectors (Governance, Environment, Economic Growth, Health)
- Able to travel internationally 40% of time (post COVID) and with a minimum of 55% providing support to projects and/or working on new business.
Preferred Qualifications :
- Experience in supporting USAID projects in complex environments and utilizing complexity aware monitoring approaches.
- Experience working successfully and respectfully in local communities in developing world setting.
- Proficiency in a second language (French, Spanish, Russian, or Arabic preferred).
- Experience with coding in R or python.
- Experience and proven knowledge using mobile/ cloud-based digital technology for data collection and management.
- Demonstrated experience doing analysis and reporting through the utilization of business intelligence platforms, such as Power BI. Experience using geospatial data for visualization or mapping.
Supervisory Requirements: None.
DAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or national origin. EOE-Minorities/Females/Disabled/Veterans
Compensation & Benefits:
For employees working the United States, the full-time equivalent annual base salary for this position is expected to be between 89,689 to $112,171. Salary for part-time employees will be prorated based on actual hours worked. Actual offers will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant education, experience, skills, seniority, performance, and business or organizational needs.
Eligible U.S. based employees will be able to enroll in medical, dental and vision insurance, plus a 401(k)-retirement plan with a company match. Additionally, employees will be eligible for company-paid annual leave (vacation & holidays), sick leave, and parental leave , as well as short- and long-term disability coverage. Detailed information will be provided at the time a formal offer is extended.
For employees working outside of the United States, compensation and benefits will vary based on location.
Equal Employment Opportunity
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.
DAI and its employees are committed to confronting discrimination in all forms, nurturing respect for our interpersonal relationships, and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races, ethnicities, and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.
DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.
DAI requires COVID-19 vaccinations subject to accommodation required by law
