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.
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”
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:
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”