Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Expert-Kyrgyzstan

Job Description

Project Description:

Contingent upon funding, the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Expert will be responsible for the overall direction and management of all MEL-related initiatives under the “Deepening Linkages in Civic Participation Activity” program in Kyrgyzstan, funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

These initiatives will provide data and information to support adaptive management of the program and ensure that program support enables civil society to effectively address community priorities in collaboration with citizen groups and government institutions. The MEL Expert’s specific duties include development and oversight of implementation of MEL systems under the program, coordination of MEL initiatives with programmatic activities, analysis and synthesis of MEL data for periodic use by the program management team, and systematic use of MEL data to inform learning and adaptive management processes operating within the program. The MEL Expert will also coordinate closely with project partners, including CSOs, and aid in building capacity of these partners to design and implement MEL systems. The MEL Expert will work under the direction of the DEEP program Chief of Party (COP) and will also be supported and guided by IFES’ Monitoring, Evaluation, and Survey Research (MEASURE) team based in Arlington, Virginia.

Job Responsibilities:

Provide primary support for design of MEL initiatives under the DEEP program, conduct oversight of the implementation of these initiatives, and work with program leadership to ensure effective use of MEL data in learning and adaptive management practices.

• Establish robust MEL systems to support effective functioning of MEL initiatives during program implementation
  • Work with COP and Deputy Chief of Party (COP) to identify and design MEL initiatives that can foster positive development of MEL practices in the program, including use of CLA approaches to foster learning during program implementation;
  • Collaborate with IFES MEASURE team to develop MEL systems including data dashboards and data collection tools for indicators data;
  • Collaborate with COP, IFES MEASURE team, and relevant experts in design and implementation of research and evaluation initiatives (including gender analysis, intersectionality assessment, opinion research, CSO assessments, etc.);
  • Develop process for use of MEL data to promote learning at both program and system levels, and develop clear deliverables for learning products and for data sources;
  • Work with relevant staff to develop reporting processes that provide actionable data on a periodic basis to program management, as well as to program partners and relevant stakeholders;
  • Work with academics and other research professionals, as needed, to identify innovative evaluation practices that can support and inform the DEEP program, and work with program staff to identify opportunities to introduce innovative evaluation into IFES programs.
• Oversee implementation of MEL initiatives to support DEEP programming and strengthen MEL capacity of program and partner staff
  • Provide guidance, support and training to program teams and IFES partners in the development of MEL tools and approaches to ensure timely and accurate capture of indicator and other MEL data;
  • Ensure implementation of MEL approaches and effective use of established MEL systems, and periodically assess as part of adaptive management process to ensure approaches and systems align with programmatic approaches;
  • Design and conduct evaluations of specific components of the DEEP program, as needed to inform project design and adaptations, and in close collaboration with USAID;
  • Develop the capacity of IFES field staff and staff of IFES partners in MEL principles and tools, and provide mentorship as they use these skills;
  • Represent IFES at MEL meetings with IFES partners and work with COP in presenting/discussing and sharing findings from MEL initiatives with USAID;
  • Represent IFES at public events in Kyrgyzstan to discuss and/or present MEL initiatives and findings;
  • Supervise the work of MLE staff as well as MEL components of the work of general IFES field staff;
  • Undertake other duties as assigned related to program MEL initiatives.

Qualifications:

Education: Master’s degree in international politics, international development, public policy, or related field.

Experience: Minimum of five years’ experience in overseeing monitoring and evaluation USAID-funded initiatives, with an emphasis on learning. Prior work on democracy and governance programming is strongly preferred, especially in relation to civic society strengthening, policy advocacy, and/or local governance. Experience integrating gender equality and women’s empowerment issues within civic organizing and civil society strengthening initiatives is also preferred. Experience working on civil society activities in Central Asia or the former Soviet Union is strongly preferred.

Related Skills or Knowledge: Experience with establishing and managing robust MEL systems to support effective functioning of MEL initiatives during program implementation as well as strengthening MEL capacity of staff/partner organizations. Thorough knowledge of USAID MEL requirements and policies. Detailed oriented and organized. Demonstrated ability to manage staff, prioritize and handle multiple tasks and consistently meet tight deadlines. Ability to develop and manage effective local relationships by applying cultural awareness. Strong communicator, both verbally and in writing. Collaborative, team oriented individual. Proven capacity to work well with minimal supervision.

LANGUAGE SKILLS: Fluency in written and spoken English and Russian or Kyrgyz.

TRAVEL: Travel may be required up to 15% of the time.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS/WORK ENVIRONMENT:

Standard office work environment. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the job.

“All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment/promotions and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

IFES takes affirmative action with respect to the employment and promotion of women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and covered veterans. IFES will also take affirmative action on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

IFES is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor”

About the Organization

Vision: Our vision is a world in which strong democratic institutions empower citizens to have a voice in the way they are governed.

Mission: The International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES) supports citizens’ rights to participate in free and fair elections. Our independent expertise strengthens electoral systems and builds local capacity to deliver sustainable solutions.

As the global leader in democracy promotion, we advance good governance and democratic rights by:

• Providing technical assistance to election officials
• Empowering the underrepresented to participate in the political process
• Applying field-based research to improve the electoral cycle

Since 1987, IFES has worked in over 145 countries – from developing democracies, to mature democracies.

“All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment/promotions and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

IFES takes affirmative action with respect to the employment and promotion of women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and covered veterans. IFES will also take affirmative action on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

IFES is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor”

“All qualified applicants/employees will receive consideration for employment/promotions and will not be discriminated against on the basis of disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, race, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

IFES takes affirmative action with respect to the employment and promotion of women, minorities, individuals with disabilities, and covered veterans. IFES will also take affirmative action on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity.

IFES is a VEVRAA Federal Contractor”