Monitoring, Evaluation, and CLA Specialist
Location: Colombo, Sri Lanka or Remote
Period of Performance: 6/1/2023 – 4/18/2024 (with a possible 1 year extension)
Overview and Position Description:
IDG is seeking qualified candidates for the role of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Specialist on the Indo-Pacific Opportunities Project (IPOP).
IPOP is a 4-year, regional activity, that provides the Asia Bureau Washington and Regional Missions with a flexible on-demand mechanism to facilitate rapid, sustainable, and equitable economic growth by enabling USAID to bring a systems approach to addressing PFM objectives under the Indo-Pacific Strategy. IPOP will implement activities that improve the macroeconomic policy environment to promote sustainable economic growth and prosperity, improved regional economic cooperation, sound management of institutions, and good governance while also leveling the playing field for business in the region.
Under IPOP, the Monitoring, Evaluation, and CLA Specialist will be responsible for finalizing, using co-creation methodology, and implementing the Performance Management Plan (PMP), including maintaining the MEL database, managing data collection, preparing inputs for Performance Management Progress Reports and the Annual Reports, leading quarterly CLA reviews, analyzing data, and communicating results under the guidance of the COP.
S/he will work closely with each of the Activity Directors to coordinate MEL activities for each on-demand activity. S/he will be responsible for verifying and assessing M&E quality.
Tasks and Responsibilities:
Implement and manage the project’s PMP Include:
Lead finalization and necessary revision using co-creation methodologies of the Performance Management Plan (PMP), ensuring it aligns with contract requirements and client objectives.
Finalize data collection instruments and Microsoft Excel database with relevant disaggregation (objective, sex, location/region, geographic area, government office, district, type of training, medium, etc.) necessary for capturing and reporting on project indicator data. Ensure templates align with partner reporting formats, as required (Development Data Library (DDL), Development Information Solution (DIS), Training Exchange Automated Management System (TEAMS), etc.).
Advise on culturally sensitive and inclusive methods in all data collection, analysis, and reporting. Ensure we follow high ethical standards of clear, informed consent, data protection, sensitivity, and respect.
Under the direction of COP, lead the implementation of the PMP and support project teams in identifying custom/standard indicators or outcome/output indicators to be reported on at the start of each activity.
Complete Performance Indicator Reference Sheets (PIRS) to reflect final indicators, baseline, and targets. Integrate the activity data collection into the overarching project data collection, analysis, reporting, and the annual work planning process.
Ensure that Activity Directors and project staff understand their roles and responsibilities in data collection and provide training as needed.
Develop budget estimates for M&E and CLA tasks Include:
Organize and oversee the collection of baseline data and setting of targets for each activity. Where appropriate, develop specific activity templates such as a checklist or a range of sub-areas to be planned and implemented over the life of the project.
Perform data quality and integrity assessments, examining data against the five USAID Data Quality Assessment (DQA) standards.
Identify and track reliable secondary (external) sources of data as appropriate and aligned with project objectives.
Conduct periodic training for project staff, stakeholders, and/or partners to strengthen understanding of leading practices and tools. Share information as appropriate to help them monitor the progress of their work, inform design, and use data for strategic decision-making.
Periodically evaluate tools, procedures, and field activities as necessary to provide the project with accurate and useful data.
Monitor critical project assumptions over the life of the project to ensure they remain valid and are revised, and that the project design adapts when required to mitigate risk.
Work with a Gender Specialist to monitor inputs and outputs and ensure measurable results across the PMP, as well as data quality, completeness, and progress against targets, including gender equality and female empowerment indicators, per ADS 504.
Ensure the project operates in an inclusive manner; consult with local stakeholders and incorporate feedback and lessons learned.
Communicate M&E and CLA information
Check-in regularly (i.e., monthly, depending on activity) with Activity Directors on performance progress and disseminate relevant information gathered at the central level on a quarterly basis.
Compile and analyze relevant data on project indicators for contractual reports.
Provide M&E data as requested by the client in a timely manner.
Contribute to and/or lead quarterly CLA reviews, and other M&E/CLA reviews as required.
Develop dissemination plans for reporting and sharing findings with USAID.
Depending on the complexity and duration of the Mission buy-in activities, regional travel may be required.
Requirements
A minimum of a Bachelor’s degree, Master’s preferred, in development, evaluation, development analytics, economics, knowledge management, or related fields.
A minimum of 7 years with a Master’s or 10 years with a Bachelor’s degree of progressively responsible professional experience in monitoring and evaluation with monitoring and evaluation activities within complex international development contexts in one or more areas of public financial management, democracy and governance, economic growth, and infrastructure development within the Indo-Pacific region.
Professional experience working with USAID and familiarity with reporting requirements and formats.
Excellent teamwork, inter-personal, verbal, and written communication, presentation, and facilitation skills.
Willingness to travel to the Indo-Pacific countries, and fluency in written and spoken English required.
Sound understanding of quantitative and qualitative analytical approaches to Monitoring and Evaluation.
Experience designing and leading co-creation processes (preferred)
International Development Group LLC is an international development consulting firm that assists donors, governments, and the private sector to create and take advantage of opportunities for sustainable, broad-based economic development and poverty reduction. IDG provides entrepreneurs and policymakers with the practical tools needed to achieve real and measurable impact for their communities and countries. IDG assistance programs aim to build the capacity, skills, and knowledge of local individuals and institutions in the public, private, and not-for-profit sectors, fostering synergies between local knowledge and international experience.
