Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist

Job Description

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist

IESC is recruiting for a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Coordinator to support the MEL Director to conduct project data collection, analysis, and evaluation reporting for the Trade Safe (TraSa) Project in the Dominican Republic (DR). The goal of TraSa is to advance the DR’s SPS and food safety system by supporting the implementation of science- and risk-based SPS and food safety measures, standards, and regulations leading to improved efficiency, coordination, and transparency of the commercialization, trade, and safety of agricultural products. This local position is full-time (40 hours per week) and based in the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic project office. Travel throughout the country will be required.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Support the MEL Director in the implementation of the monitoring and evaluation (MEL) plan, which includes collecting, analyzing, and reporting on all required indicators;
• Guide and finalize project’s technical deliverables related to monitoring and evaluation;
• Support the MEL Director to develop and update reports on progress against indicator targets;
• Support the MEL Director to develop the Semi-Annual Performance Reports;
• Coordinate progress reporting against annual Work Plan, specifically activity milestones, outputs, and outcomes;
• Update project progress in the Work Plan every 15 days;
• Support the MEL Director to conduct monthly meetings with the technical team on Work Plan reviews;
• Support the MEL Director to conduct surveys of project beneficiaries, both physical and virtual;
• Support the MEL Director and the technical team to collect evidence and gather backup information for all polices or procedures that are implemented under the indicators FFPr#11 for Risk Management and FFPr#17 for policies and procedures
• Coordinate with the team of enumerators responsible for conducting annual surveys related to the application of techniques and technology, specifically targeting the FFPr#3 and FFPr#4 indicators. Additionally, ensure the accurate and timely collection of data for FFPr#18 and FFPr#19 indicators, guaranteeing that all survey processes adhere to established protocols and quality standards, to be presented to the MEL Director;
• Facilitate trainings for project staff and partners on roles, responsibilities, and timing of MEL operations;
• Nurture and maintain collaborative relationships with beneficiaries, stakeholders, and partners to facilitate information gathering and sharing;
• Support the MEL Director to conduct workshops with project staff to ensure the MEL plan meets their requirements and the rationale for each indicator is clearly understood;
• Organize and facilitate focus group or sampling groups as needed for data validation or qualitative analysis;
• Ensure project monitoring and evaluation adheres to policies and practices in accordance with IESC project manual and practices;
• Maintain regular reporting to MEL Director and the CoP;
• Complete other tasks as assigned by the MEL Director.

Qualifications

• B.S. economics, business administration, international business, statistics, or related field;
• At least 5 years of work experience in a related field and a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) for development projects.
• Experience with USDA, IADB, EU or other donor programs preferred.
• Ability to prioritize among multiple competing requests;
• Self-starter, detail-oriented, thorough and well organized;
• Well-developed interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills to coordinate with the local team as well as consultants effectively;
• Proven written and oral communication and presentation skills, including training development and delivery;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, capacity in cost benefit analysis, return on investment, STATA, regression analysis, and other business and trade-related analytic tools preferred;
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project, preferred;
• Fluency in English highly preferred; and,
• Ability to travel domestically.

Please note that this position is intended for a local national or a person with legal residency and work eligibility in the Dominican Republic.

Applications will be received until 5 PM on March 12, 2025.

About the Organization

IESC – the Improving Economies for Stronger Communities – is a U.S.-based nonprofit that seeks private enterprise solutions to problems of poverty in developing countries and around the world. By providing a mix of technical assistance and volunteer expert support, IESC works with emerging industries, financial institutions, and governments to stabilize economic environments, increase opportunity, and promote growth.