Job Description
Democracy International (DI) is seeking to hire a part-time
Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Assistant for community-based violence prevention and peacebuilding interventions.
This position is only open to Jamaican nationals and those eligible to work in Jamaica. The MEL Assistant will primarily work in the Democracy International Jamaica field office and remaining work will be conducted remotely.
The selected candidate will support the daily functions of Positive Pathways’ MEL department including data management entry, cleaning, planning, and visualization. S/he will also support technical operations as it relates to data verification, performance monitoring and reporting to ensure high data quality standards. The MEL Assistant will also support stakeholder management, while coordinating with key service providers to drive qualitative and quantitative program reporting. S/he will contribute to the implementation of Positive Pathways MEL systems and procedures, including supporting knowledge management and learning activities. Based on program designs, the selected candidate may work on interventions delivered in Clarendon, St. Catherine, St. James, Kingston, and St. Andrew.
Background:
The USAID Positive Pathways Activity in Jamaica seeks to prevent community violence through an evidence-based, collaborative problem-solving, positive youth development approach that strengthens youth, parental, caregiver, and community resilience in target communities for greater impact and sustainability. The Activity utilizes cross-cutting tools and approaches such as social and behavioral science, positive youth development, therapeutic intervention, case management, positive deviance, and other strategies that focus on impact at the individual, community, and system levels.
Positive Pathways posits that for parents, caretakers, and youth to develop resilience to violence, they must be equipped with three essential assets: individual emotional strength, constructive skills to lead them to positive outcomes, and optimism and opportunities for a better future. At the community and national levels, stakeholders must improve their coordination efforts to maximize effectiveness. Thus, Positive Pathways’ theory of change is:
IF parents, caretakers, and youth develop individual psychosocial strength, constructive skills that can lead them to positive outcomes, and optimism and opportunities for a better future, and
IF civil society organizations (CSOs), the Government of Jamaica (GOJ), the private sector, and other stakeholders improve their resource and service coordination at the community and national levels,
THEN youth and families will improve their resilience and be better equipped to prevent crime and violence.
Responsibilities:
The MEL Assistant will work closely with the technical and programmatic team at Positive Pathways to:
- Support preparation of databases and datasets, including data entry and cleaning;
- Support the collection, analysis and reporting of qualitative and quantitative data;
- Ensure data quality assurance by supporting data verification of program activities, this includes reviewing documentation for accuracy and integrity.
- Collaborate with the Senior MEL Officer to oversee the management of internal MEL filing systems, physical and electronic files;
- Collaborate with the Senior MEL Officer to provide timely strategic information to inform short-term program planning;
- Collaborate with the Senior MEL Officer to manage beneficiary feedback mechanisms and reporting
Desired Qualifications, Skills, and Experience:
- Pursuing tertiary level education in social and natural sciences
- Experience working with data management and analysis software such as Microsoft Excel (SPSS experience is an asset)
- Experience with qualitative and quantitative research strategies, data collection, data entry and data analysis;
- Strong attention to detail, self-starter attitude and flexibility
- Strong interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate and work with a wide range of stakeholders
- Be able to quickly adapt to new technologies, automated systems, and databases.
- Be well-organized, detail oriented and complete assigned tasks on time.
- Excellent analytical and critical thinking skills
- Strong writing and communication skills.
Reporting:
- This position reports to: Positive Pathways’ Senior MEL Officer
Application Process:
To apply, please submit a letter of interest and CV. The letter of interest should demonstrates how the candidate meets the required and desired qualifications and the candidate’s daily consulting rate in US Dollars. Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. DI will only contact candidates of interest.
Democracy International maintains 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.About the Organization
DI provides technical assistance, analytical services and project implementation for democracy, human rights, governance and conflict mitigation programs worldwide for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the U.S. State Department and other development partners. Since its founding in 2003, Democracy International has worked with civil society organizations, political parties, election-management bodies, government agencies, legislatures, justice-sector institutions, and others in 80+ countries.
DI welcomes and supports a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are committed to equal employment opportunities (EEO) for all applicants seeking employment and for DI employees. DI makes employment decisions based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, military status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, educational status, unemployment status, place of residence or business, source of income, or reproductive health decision making. Additionally, harassment or discrimination based on these characteristics will not be tolerated at DI. To perform the essential functions of this position, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities.
