Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist

Job Description

Digital Strategy Roll-out

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist

Background

USAID launched the Agency-wide Digital Strategy in April 2020. This strategy furthers USAID’s objectives to (1) improve development and humanitarian assistance outcomes through the responsible use of digital technology; and (2) strengthen the openness, inclusiveness, and security of country digital ecosystems.

Digital Frontiers has played a key role in supporting the development of the Digital Strategy and will continue to play an integral role in its implementation. With USAID’s Center for Digital Development (CDD) leading the process, Digital Frontiers will work closely with the CDD team to ensure a thorough, thoughtful, and consensus‐led process. At the end of this activity, CDD will have launched the Digital Strategy, developed and piloted the newly designed ecosystem assessment, and designed, tested, and iterated on the newly formed funding mechanisms. These activities will continue to engage and create support for the Digital Strategy across USAID.

Tasks

The USAID Digital Strategy team is leading all efforts related to implementation of the Digital Strategy. Digital Frontiers is supporting roll-out activities and for the sixteen initiatives comprising implementation.

The MEL Specialist will support the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning plan for USAID’s Digital Strategy implementation. Duties include:

• Set up templates, systems, and other necessary systems and processes to implement the MEL plan
• Coordinate with Missions and other USAID staff to socialize Digital Strategy indicators and set up processes to collect related data
• Compile data from Missions to report on Digital Strategy indicators with the appropriate dis-aggregations
• Create new data sources, including working with OAA and others to track digitally-supported programming awards, including reporting at predetermined intervals on associated indicators
• Baseline data collection, organization and analysis of existing data, and quarterly data reporting
• Support the continuous tracking of milestones and timelines for the sixteen initiatives
• Serve as helpdesk for USAID staff in early years to improve implementation of new Digital Strategy indicators and successful data calls
• Compile MEL reporting for the Annual Digital Strategy Report
• Work with the Digital Frontiers MEL Manager for additional data collection efforts and integration of performance monitoring and learning as needed
• Develop learning products that outline the challenges and successes of the Digital Strategy work within the first year

Timing

In order to build and capture evidence and carry out performance monitoring and learning for an initiative with the breadth, depth, and complexity of the Digital Strategy, this position will be full-time. The position is currently scheduled through September 2021 to complete the above deliverables with possibility to extend.

Qualifications

• 5+ years working on monitoring, evaluation, and learning with a focus on data analysis, with at least two years on USAID projects
• Masters in a related field: International Development, Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Public Policy, etc. preferred
• Ability to capture data for decision-making through data visualization, strategic communications, and utilization-focused deliverables
• Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to forge effective working relationships with peers
• Attention to detail and ability to balance competing priorities
• Strong analytical thinking and problem-solving skills
• Excellent written and oral communications skills in English
• Previous experience with data collection and analysis for development programs
• Familiarity with data processing in Excel and a qualitative data analysis platform (NVivo, Dedoose, etc.) or other analysis software preferred
• Familiarity with USAID program cycle and programming; familiarity with USAID digital work preferred

About the Organization

DAI is an international development company. For 40 years, we have worked on the frontlines of international development, tackling fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. Currently, DAI is delivering results that matter in some 80 countries. Our development solutions turn ideas into impact by bringing together fresh combinations of expertise and innovation across multiple disciplines. Our clients include international development agencies, international lending institutions, private corporations and philanthropies, and national governments.