Senior MEL Experts

Job Description

KEY INFORMATION
Job Title: Senior MEL experts
Sector: MEL
Position Type (full/part time): TBD (several full and part-time positions)
Duration/Level of Effort (long/short term): TBD (several long and short-term positions)
Position Location (e.g. city, country, remote): Jerusalem, West Bank, and Gaza, or in the MENA region, with flexibility for remote work.


SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
Cowater International is seeking dynamic and experienced Senior MEL Experts to join the team for the OPTIMEL (Occupied Palestinian Territories Independent Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning) project. This FCDO-funded initiative aims to deliver independent monitoring, evaluation, and learning services across a range of development programs in the West Bank and Gaza. The project supports ODA programs, including humanitarian aid, governance, economic development, and security, focusing on evidence-based decision-making, adaptive programming, and conflict-sensitive approaches.

OPTIMEL is a 3-year contract, designed to provide robust MEL support to FCDO’s portfolio in the region. As a Senior MEL Expert, you will play a crucial role in ensuring the project’s success by delivering high-quality, timely, and contextually relevant MEL services.


KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead the design and implementation of MEL frameworks for a range of ODA programs in fragile and conflict-affected areas.
• Conduct independent monitoring activities, including results verification, conflict sensitivity assessments, and partner compliance assessments.
• Provide high-level strategic advice and contribute to portfolio-wide evaluations and programmatic reviews (e.g., logframe development, annual reviews, and closure evaluations).
• Integrate Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP) and ensure learning informs adaptive programming and policymaking.
• Collaborate with local partners, ensuring the inclusion of local organizations and promoting capacity building in the region.
• Oversee data collection and analysis, using innovative approaches, including remote monitoring methods where security restricts access.

JOB REQUIREMENTS
Education:

• Masters’ Degree in a relevant field

Minimum Experience:

• Minimum of 7-10 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation, with significant experience in fragile and conflict-affected settings (FCAS).
• Proven expertise in designing and delivering MEL systems for large-scale donor-funded projects, ideally within the Middle East or OPT context.
• Strong knowledge of adaptive learning processes, conflict sensitivity, and partner capability assessments.
• Experience in one or more of the following areas: humanitarian response, recovery and reconstruction, governance and reform, economic development, security.
• Experience working with local partners and subcontracting specialist services, with a focus on capacity building.
• Ability to work in challenging environments, with demonstrated flexibility and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent communication skills and proficiency in English. Knowledge of Arabic is an asset.
• Experience working with UK FCDO would be a strong asset.

Essential Skills:

• Advanced M&E skills and strong expertise in developing and applying MEL frameworks, methodologies, tools and monitoring systems.
• Experience working in fragile, conflict-affected, and politically sensitive environments, particularly in the Middle East.
• Strong skills in incorporating learning into programming and policy-making processes and ability to facilitate adaptive decision-making based on real-time monitoring data.
• Conflict sensitivity and Accountability to Affected Populations (AAP), ability to assess and manage the impact of interventions in conflict settings, ensuring a conflict-sensitive approach.
• Proficiency in qualitative and quantitative data collection techniques. Experience with remote monitoring tools and innovative approaches like remote sensing and digital data collection.
• Strong skills in collaborating with and building the capacity of local organizations.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for drafting reports, briefs, and presentations.
• Experience working with donors, governments, NGOs, and local organizations.
• Understanding of the political and cultural dynamics in the Middle East, particularly in the OPT.

Language Proficiency: English, Arabic (desirable)
Employment Conditions: Consultant contract


APPLICATION PROCESS
Candidates are encouraged to apply by 15 November 2024.

For your application to be considered, please upload your documents as followed: Candidate Last Name, First Name, date, Title of the Position.

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.
We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.

About the Organization

ABOUT US
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.

We thank you for your interest in building a better tomorrow.