Local recruitment: MERL Manager - USAID Global Fragile Waters

FHI 360

USA 🇺🇸

Home-based/Remote

FHI 360 staff working in the United States are required to be fully vaccinated for COVID-19, regardless of the type of project or client they serve, or of their employment status (full/part-time, remote, telework, or in-office), unless an accommodation applies. FHI 360 complies with federal, state, and local laws with regard to accommodations related to this policy. Full vaccination is currently defined as two weeks after the second dose in a two-dose series, such as the Pfizer-BioNTech or Moderna vaccine, or two weeks after a single-dose vaccine, such as Johnson & Johnson’s Janssen vaccine. Booster doses are not required at this time.

FHI 360 is currently seeking a highly qualified candidate for the position of Manager of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) for the anticipated multiyear USAID Fragile Waters project. This position is subject to project award and funding.

The USAID Fragile Waters activity aims to enhance water security in fragile contexts, with a focus on supporting locally-led approaches. Water security encompasses water, sanitation and hygiene (WASH), as well as water resources used for everything from ecosystems to livelihoods and industry (e.g. irrigation, hydropower). To achieve this goal, Fragile Waters has four primary objectives: 1) conduct rapid analyses to inform water security programming in fragile contexts; 2) support capacity strengthening for local organizations to implement water security programming in fragile contexts; 3) provide direct assistance to support evolving water security needs in fragile contexts; and 4) advance learning for water security programming in fragile contexts.

The Manager of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) works closely with the Chief of Party and Technical Director to ensure high quality assessments, monitoring and evaluation, and research and learning are accomplished through the project. The MERL Manager is responsible for the project’s MERL strategy and implementation and will provide technical leadership and oversight of MERL activities to ensure quality, timeliness, and efficiency. S/he will oversee the program’s MERL capacity building interactions with all partners.

Responsibilities include:

-Design and develop the project’s MERL systems including establishing a learning agenda, refining indicators, setting targets for all indicators, planning of all necessary data collection and analysis.

-Oversee and directly contribute to the development and implementation of MERL tools and systems to improve ability to collect, interpret and aggregate data that track tangible, measurable progress toward project results and the attainment of project objectives.

-Support data analysis and use data to promote evidence-based programming and provide timely feedback in relation to project targets, work plan activities and objectives, and address gaps in programming.

-Develop and adapt MERL tools to meet program needs, which may include observation tools survey instruments.

-Liaise with the USAID on the design of MERL tools and on modifications to MERL system.

-Oversee one or more MERL officers and provide training to staff, primary stakeholders, and implementing partners on MERL components in project design; such as monitoring plan, assessments, reviews, surveys and evaluations.

-Oversee the application of Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) principles to inform program adaptive management, for innovative and effective programming.

-Design program learning plan; engage staff, government, partners, USAID, and other key stakeholders in identifying project learning opportunities.

-Oversee the publication and dissemination of information on successful and promising approaches, lessons learned and other program results to program partners, donors, government counterparts, and other key stakeholders.

-Provide high quality and timely submission of all required project reports, including documentation of success stories, analysis of data for indicator calculation, summary of learning agenda findings.

Qualifications:

-Master’s degree or its international equivalent in monitoring and evaluation, business, social science, management, international development, or a related field.

-Minimum of 8 years of professional work experience, assuming increasing responsibilities and management functions in monitoring, evaluation, research and learning.

-Experience managing and executing MERL activities for donor-funded programs, including experience leading MERL teams in large international development programs and prior experience conducting quantitative and qualitative research in field-based positions.

-Demonstrated ability to use MERL findings to inform adjustments to program in order to maximize project effectiveness.

-Demonstrated understanding of CLA and USAID evaluation policy and reporting guidelines.

-Experience coordinating with governments, ministries and/or local NGOs, as well as local communities, for design and implementation of surveys and other data collection techniques, including those that address capacity weaknesses, preferred.

-Experience with all necessary computer, database, statistical software, and analytical skills, particularly in issues related to monitoring and evaluation.

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

FHI 360 fosters the strength and health of its workforce through a competitive benefits package, professional development and policies and programs that support a healthy work/life balance. Join our global workforce to make a positive difference for others — and yourself.


POSITION TYPE

ORGANIZATION TYPE

EXPERIENCE-LEVEL

DEGREE REQUIRED

LANGUAGE REQUIRED

You ad could be here!