Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Technical Director

  • Senior-level, Long-term consulting assignment
  • Posted on 17 July 2019

Job Description

CAMRIS is an international development and research firm that realizes innovative solutions to development challenges through high-quality, cost-effective program and research management services. With experience working in more than 80 countries, we combine our proven systems with today’s most effective, evidence-based best practices to improve development outcomes. We apply a customized, customer-centric business approach to offer greater value to our clients.

Conflict Management Consulting (CMC) provides research, monitoring and evaluation, and technical assistance in challenging, conflict-affected and post-conflict areas. We work for international organizations, governments and civil society, deploying multinational and highly specialized teams of experts. Our staff offer in-depth thematic expertise in a few areas, including on topics such as peacebuilding, stabilization, migration and social tensions/cohesion, and have served organizations across the Middle East, Europe, Africa and Asia.

CAMRIS and CMC seek an Amman, Jordan-based Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Technical Director for the upcoming USAID Syria Accountability and Research Team (USAID/ART). This will be a three-year activity to support the USAID Middle East Bureau (MEB) Syria program in its overall monitoring, evaluation and research, and collaborating, learning and adapting (CLA) needs.

The USAID/ART mechanism has several key tasks:
* Support development and annual review of performance monitoring plans (PMPs), the PMP learning agenda, evaluation questions, and task calendars.
* Support development of a system for collecting, analyzing and reporting activity-level data from multiple implementing partners.
* Conduct third party monitoring in Syria to verify if activities are taking place or have been completed and whether or not the interventions are effective in meeting objectives.
* Review activity-level MEL plans submitted by implementing partners and provide USAID activity managers with recommendations to address weaknesses, inconsistencies, and/or misalignment of indicators, and ensure consistency with USAID policy.
* Design and conduct sectoral and thematic assessments, baseline studies, ad hoc studies and quarterly public opinion polling in Syria.
* Strengthen the capacity of USAID/MEB and implementing partner (IP) staff to effectively monitor and evaluate progress on USAID/MEB’s Syria program.
* Propose, design and assist implementation of a wide range of innovative methods to support USAID/MEB’s CLA needs. Assess baseline data collection plans and collected data, identifying gaps and proposing assessments, surveys, and other data gathering.
* Support planning and conduct of Data Quality Assessments (DQAs), including making site visits to implementing partner field offices.

This position will be based in Amman, Jordan.

It is contingent upon contract award.

* Support the Chief of Party by serving as a lead technical resource for all MEL related tasks and activities
* Manage a team of three technical specialists (CLA/Capacity Building; Evaluation/Research, and Performance Monitoring) and 3-4 Syria based Field Monitors (SFMs) to fulfill the MEL requirements of USAID/MEB’ Syria program.
* Oversee all aspects of third-party monitoring, evaluation and research, and capacity building/CLA activities, such as planning, budgeting, recruitment of consultants, and designing and implementing each assigned activity
* Incorporate MEL considerations into USAID/Syria strategy as it is developed and finalized
* Lead/oversee the review of PMP data, including baseline data collection, analysis of performance indicator data, assess/refine project-level MEL plans, and work to ensure the quality and utility of performance monitoring data
* Guide team leads on designing and conducting sectoral and thematic assessments, including special studies focused on gender, stability, resilience, social cohesion, health, education, economics, political dynamics, security dynamics. Other topics to include identifying lessons learned and opportunities for enhancing performance and/or potential follow-on activities.
* Guide team leads on conducting research and analysis (R&A) on issues/questions/topics directed by USAID/ART to inform results-oriented program planning and activity implementation. R&A sub-tasks include framing clear research questions and issues; mining existing data; applying best practices; conducting primary source searches; conducting thorough analyses; and producing high-quality R&A products, such as research reports, executive briefs, info-graphics, videos/animations, maps, and/or PowerPoint presentations
* Conduct trainings, which may include but are not limited to face-to-face training, distance learning, CD and web-based instruction, print and web material, dissemination of evaluation methods and approaches, and capacity building.
* Ensure that cross-cutting priorities, such as gender equality and social inclusion, are integrated into ME&L processes.
* At least ten years of professional experience managing a team conducting data collection, analysis, capacity building in MEL, CLA, performance monitoring, evaluation, and research.
* A graduate degree (Masters or PhD) in development studies, economics, international relations, statistics, demography, political science or related fields.
* Demonstrated expertise in indicator development (including context indicators), data collection and analysis, data quality assessments, evaluation research and statistical methods,
* Excellent teamwork, interpersonal, communication, presentation and facilitation skills.
* Demonstrated experience to build capacity and train staff in the collection and use of data.
* Demonstrated ability in using monitoring data to review program performance, trends, and activity needs and willingness to be flexible and adaptable to respond to new information.
* Experience designing and applying innovative methods to share knowledge and facilitate learning.
* Proficiency in presenting data in various visual formats to facilitate comprehension and learning.
* Exceptional proficiency in written and spoken English.
* In addition, familiarity with the Middle East region (and particularly Syria) development issues, and Arabic language skills, is desirable.
* In addition to applying for this position through the CAMRIS Career Website, interested candidates should also send their resumes to recruitment@cmc-consult.eu.

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