Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist

Job Description

Position Description

EnCompass LLC is seeking a Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist with a specialization in international education to lead education sector-related MEL services for USAID through work on USAID’s Center for Education Data Ecosystems for Development in Education (DECODE) project as well as a range of projects and other EnCompass clients in the MEL practice area.

The DECODE project supports the United States Agency for International Development’s (USAID) Center for Education to strengthen the access, use, and amplification of locally-led data and evidence and ensures USAID has access to data to inform decision-making. The Senior MEL specialist will bring their extensive experience and specialized technical expertise in international education to lead the design and implementation of education MEL activities.

We are looking for someone with expert technical and managerial skills, strong business development experience, deep understanding of USAID contracts in the education-focused MEL space, the ability to foster an atmosphere of teamwork, productivity, fairness, equity, and innovation, and support for diversity, equity, and inclusion in working with team members, clients, and stakeholders.

This is a full-time position located at the EnCompass principal office in Silver Spring, Maryland, and follows the EnCompass flexible hybrid work model with split time between telework and the office. This individual may also be expected to work from client sites in the Washington, DC metro area, as needed.

Candidates residing in the DC metro area will be given first consideration. Remote applicants might be considered, but only if candidate resides in a state where EnCompass is currently registered.

For US-based positions: Must be legally authorized to work in the US for any employer without sponsorship for a work visa or permit.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Essential functions:

Management

• Serve as an Activity Lead for MEL activities on DECODE project and serve as Technical Lead/Task Lead for larger/complex MEL contracts/activities, with a priority on USAID mission MEL platforms:

• Serve as Point of Contact for client
• Manage EnCompass and partner staff, and consultants, including delegating tasks, ensuring timely and quality production, and generating solutions for issues that arise
• Oversee activity/task budgets
• Review monthly projections and budget updates with Project Management team
• Develop activity workplans
• Coordinate with project leadership team to identify resources needed to carry out activities and support recruitment of project staff and consultants
• Anticipate internal challenges and recommends solutions to leadership

• Supervise staff on the EnCompass MEL team
• Contribute to deepening synergies across all teams and practices at EnCompass

Technical

• Lead design and implementation of DECODE project activities:

• Lead and/or collaborate with US-based and local researchers or teams in designing research in response to research requests
• Lead research activities including desk research and data collection efforts
• Lead, oversee or contribute to the analysis of qualitative and quantitative data and the development of findings reports and other deliverables
• Ensure the integration of best research, reporting, and other dissemination and evidence utilization practices
• Ensure high-quality technical outputs and deliverables that are focused on use and responsive to identified needs
• Engage with clients, Ministry, NGO, and DECODE representatives around the world
• Participate in US and international convenings to amplify project as well as local and regional research efforts
• Oversee the designs of and implementation of client technical events, workshops, and capacity development sessions, using appreciative, participatory, adult learning methodologies

• Lead design and implementation of MEL contracts for USAID and other funders:

• Oversee technical designs of MEL activities
• Develop or review drafts of evaluation or monitoring system designs, data collection strategies/instruments, consent forms, analysis strategies, and reports
• Provide leadership to data collection teams, including training data collectors, managing issues that arise during data collection, directly leading data collection as needed, and facilitating workshops using appreciative inquiry and adult learning good practice in line with participatory approaches to MEL
• Provide technical guidance and quality assurance on deliverables

• Ensure technical work is continuously positioned for use by the client and other key audiences
• Provide technical support to long-term, USAID, in-country MEL contracts, guiding in-country colleagues, and overseeing home office technical teams engaged in in-country technical implementation
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to more junior MEL technical specialists leading and managing smaller/less complex MEL contracts or tasks
• Identify internal learning needs and designs and delivers training to MEL staff using appreciative, participatory, adult-learning methodologies, collaborating with other technical experts as needed
• Ensure integration of collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) principles across all aspects of technical MEL work
• Bring leading edge approaches, methodologies, and applications from the broader international education and MEL community and advocates for their integration into internal work processes, as appropriate

New Business

• Serve as Technical Lead and Lead Writer on large, complex proposals, including overseeing the development of the technical approach, management approach, and budget, as well as managing partner relations during the bidding process.
• Provide mentorship and coaching to EnCompass MEL Specialists serving as Technical Leads and Lead Writers on smaller/less complex MEL proposals.
• Contribute to company business development through networking in professional circles
• Participate in new business generation discussions with potential partners and EnCompass staff
• Recruit, hire, and manage consultants for proposals and contribute to the expansion of the Global Consultant Network

Other:

• Engage fully as a member of the EnCompass staff team, including participating in staff meetings and other EnCompass events, and providing administrative support to other team members as needed
• Other duties as assigned

Position Requirements

Qualifications

Academic Qualifications

• Minimum of a Master’s degree and 8 years of experience
• Degree in Social Sciences, International Development, Education, Public Health or a related field

Experience and Skills

General/Management

• Minimum of six years of direct MEL experience with demonstrated progression in taking on leadership roles
• Direct client engagement experience required and experience engaging with USAID strongly desired
• Experience implementing USAID monitoring, evaluation, and learning initiatives focused on international education required. Familiarity with USAID policy and guidance with respect to monitoring and evaluation required
• Experience with activity and budget management and oversight on USAID activities
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including presentation/facilitation skills
• Ability to deal sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to interact with individuals at all levels and backgrounds and proven track record of successful teamwork
• Ability to work in an appreciative and strengths-based environment and coach others in using appreciative approaches
• Strong planning, organization, and strategic thinking skills
• Demonstrated experience managing and supervising consultants, staff, and teams
• Ability to manage multiple technical activities simultaneously and deliver quality, expected results on time
• Ability to travel internationally or domestically for varying lengths of time (typically 10%-20%)
• Skilled in Microsoft Office program suite
• Direct experience engaging with USAID missions, and supporting long-term, in-country staff focused on implementation of MEL programs strongly desired
• Fluency in Arabic, French or Spanish is desired

Technical:

• Technical expertise and extensive experience in international education required
• Experience with USAID research activities required. Experience working with other donors a plus
• Demonstrated technical expertise in MEL approaches and implementation of good practice
• Strong research skills, including evaluation design, instrument development, data analysis, and reporting on qualitative evidence. Quantitative skills a plus and should include familiarity with statistics, sampling methodologies, and statistical analysis software such as STATA
• Experience working with international counterparts and ministry staff required
• At least three years of business development experience serving as Technical Lead and/or Lead Writer on USAID proposals
• Experience providing capacity strengthening with international counterparts or ministry staff preferred
• Experience in applying appreciative inquiry and participatory approaches and ability to model that approach for others highly desirable
• Experience implementing USAID Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting principles desired

How to Apply

Please submit CV and cover letter, and complete the application on the Careers & Consulting page of https://encompassworld.com.

The pay range for this role allows for the wide variety of factors that are considered in making compensation decisions including, but not limited to skill sets, experience and training, certifications, and other business and organizational needs. At EnCompass, it is not typical for an individual to be hired at or near the top of the range for their role and compensation decisions are dependent on the facts and circumstances of each case. A reasonable estimate of the current range is $94,500 to $110,000.

EnCompass LLC is a progressive Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote, celebrate, and support a diverse and inclusive organizational culture and workforce. We are committed to providing all of our employees with an environment free from discrimination and harassment, where all are treated with dignity and respect. We do not tolerate, and explicitly prohibit, discrimination or harassment of any kind, at any time, in all aspects of employment. This includes recruitment, hiring, promotions, disciplinary measures, terminations, compensation, benefits, social and recreational programs, and training. EnCompass also does not tolerate retaliation against individuals who report discrimination or harassment. Our continuing commitment to the principle of Equal Opportunity Employment for all means all employment decisions are based only on the job requirements, the candidate’s qualifications, and the needs of EnCompass as a business—not on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, belief, sex (including pregnancy and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability status, veteran status, genetic information, HIV status, family/marital/parental status, or any other status protected by the laws and regulations in the jurisdictions where we work.

For US based positions: The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.

The incumbent must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle and prioritize multiple, competing tasks and demands and to seek supervisory assistance as appropriate.

If you require accommodations in line with the Americans with Disabilities Act to complete your application, please call 301-287-8700, provide your contact information and a description of your accessibility issue. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case-basis, and we will call you back within approximately 3 business days.

EEO is the Law & EEO is the Law Supplement, Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Provision

VEVRAA Notice

At EnCompass, our internal motto is “work that fits your life”. Among other things, we offer the following Total Rewards Benefits* to eligible US Staff:

• Multiple options on Healthcare insurance
• Company paid Dental & Vision coverage
• Company paid term life insurance, AD&D Insurance, and Disability insurance
• Supplemental life insurance
• Flexible Spending Account (Health care and Dependent care FSA)
• 401K with an Employer match
• Hybrid/Remote work privileges
• Flexible work schedules
• Free EAP & ERP
• Paid Parental Leave
• Training and Professional Development resources and funds
• Generous PTO, increases with years of service
• 11 paid Holidays (2 of which are floating), including Juneteenth
• Paid Bereavement Leave
• Charitable Donation Match
• Pet insurance
• Equity & Belonging support
• Commuter Benefits

*Certain benefits are subject to restrictions depending on location, job requirements and employment status

About the Organization

EnCompass LLC is a women-owned, small business consulting firm working in International Development, and offering innovative and customized solutions for leadership, capacity strengthening, technical assistance, and monitoring and evaluation. We have experience in more than 70 countries and a team of more than 100 staff and 1,200 experts around the globe. We partner with government and multilateral agencies, nonprofit organizations, and corporations around the world, offering thought leadership, rich diversity, and technical expertise in global health, inclusive development, education, human rights, and food security.

Founded in 1999, EnCompass began as a virtual organization supporting clients and implementing work through a network of staff and expert consultants. Today, we have more than 110 full-time staff and a Global Consulting Network, our vetted database of specialists, through which we engage, on average, 200 consultants each year. In early 2017, EnCompass opened its first international office in Addis Ababa for Transform: a Primary Health Care project. In 2019, we set up our second field office in Lima, Peru. We maintain a full-time staff presence in Benin, Ethiopia, Germany, Great Britain, Peru, and Uganda.