Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Expert

Background

SoCha is seeking a qualified MEL Expert to assist our growing number of country offices in producing high-quality MEL products, manage the implementation of USAID MEL activities including evaluations and assessments, and support further business development activities. Working with SoCha affords the right candidate the opportunity to advance their international career by taking on leadership roles in technical quality assurance and business development, managing multiple MEL activities in the field, and gaining in-country experience working directly with USAID missions in Africa and Asia.

This is a full-time corporate headquarters position. The ideal candidate for this role is someone with a passion for MEL, at least five (5) years of MEL experience, and strong technical skills with the readiness to take the next step in their international career supporting USAID missions. The position may be based in Mauritius (preferred) or full-time remote.

Scope of Work

The responsibilities of the MEL Expert include:

• Providing project management support for MEL activities, including both prime and subcontract awards.
• Periodically visiting MEL project sites, including those in non-permissive environments (e.g., the DRC or Niger).
• Providing quality assurance and control of evaluations and assessments for local project teams and consultants working under SoCha’s USAID mission support platform contracts.
• Supporting the implementation of MEL activities, especially evaluations and assessments, by supervising data collection processes, conducting data analyses, and co-authoring reports.
• Developing and facilitating in-person and online training sessions for USAID staff and local project teams on MEL topics in addition to supporting other capacity-building activities for local project teams.
• Supporting proposal development for evaluations and other strategic MEL opportunities.
• Other duties as appropriate.

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

Required:

• Master’s degree in international affairs, international development, monitoring and evaluation, social sciences, or a related field.
• At least five (5) years of proven experience in conducting evaluations and assessments in the international development sector, including at least one experience as an evaluation team leader.
• High degree of proficiency in using qualitative and quantitative research methods for data collection and analysis.
• High degree of proficiency in using at least one qualitative or quantitative data analysis software.
• Familiarity with evaluation and project management processes in the international development sector.
• Strong presentation skills.
• Excellent English writing ability (native or highly fluent).

Beneficial:

• Familiarity with USAID’s MEL-related policies.
• Experience in evaluating USAID activities.
• Experience in managing international development projects, especially in the USAID context.
• Experience in designing and delivering training programs and capacity-building initiatives in-person and online.
• Proficiency in French or Russian.

Location

Mauritius preferred. SoCha will assist with relocation to Mauritius and obtaining a relevant occupational permit, including work rights if needed.