Director of MERLA

Chemonics seeks a Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning, and Adapting (MERLA)) for the anticipated New Primary Education Activity based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The MERLA is responsible for ensuring the Government of Ethiopia, the Ethiopian public, and development stakeholders, are aware of the impacts being achieved and the benefits to the Ethiopian community of USAID interventions. The Director will develop, refine, curate, and amplify internal and external communications to maximize impact and visibility while ensuring culturally appropriate messaging. Additionally, the Director will oversee the identification, collection, and analysis of all activity data and knowledge management. The Director will report directly to the Chief of Party and oversee the Communications Officer and MERLA Officers.

Responsibilities Include:

• Provide cross cutting support including iteration, adaptation, and sharing learning on best practices within the education sector to promote scale up, where appropriate.
• Provide strategic and programmatic advice on communication strategies for PEA and partners.
• Lead the development and implementation of the Activity communication strategy/plan and annual workplan for communications asset production, dissemination, and monitoring.
• Manage USAID branding strategy and marking of all communication materials and ensure they comply with the USAID requirements.
• Oversee the design and implementation of the MERLA strategy and monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) plan, including data collection, data systems, and results reporting to meet USAID requirements.
• Lead the development of collaboration, learning, and adaptation (CLA) mechanisms and incorporate these mechanisms throughout implementation to regularly adapt and modify approaches and interventions as needed.
• Develop, with input from technical staff, baseline survey data points and methods for MEL per the Activity’s MEL plan and individual activities or events the Activity implements; ensure the inclusion of youth- and gender-sensitive indicators and results in MEL.
• Provide evidence-based data and information to the technical team to develop progress reports, technical papers, success stories, case studies, etc.; recommend improvements to meet Activity goals.
• Spearhead, guide, and supervise all database, survey, and assessment methodology documents (sampling frame, guides, instructions, surveys, and analysis) for quality assurance and adherence to USAID data quality standards and industry best practices.
• Will work closely with the communications team and technical staff, to review MEL activities and interventions.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief of Party.

Qualifications:

• University degree in communications or related field required. Master’s degree preferred.
• Minimum (12-15) years of experience working with USAID and in in communications, public relations, knowledge management, international development, or another relevant field.
• Experience in designing M&E methodologies and tools and the ability to coach and train other in their use.
• 5+ years of experience in strategic communications, social media, or public relations. Experience leading or supporting communications efforts on USAID or donor-funded projects preferred.
• Experience developing and executing strategic communications plans within the international development arena.
• Excellent writing and presentation skills, with demonstrated ability to prepare succinct and effective executive communications products and social media content.
• English fluency, with excellent presentation skills and strong ability to communicate clearly and concisely in writing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Proficiency in social media platforms (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, etc.)
• Proficiency in Canva, Visio, Adobe, InDesign, or other graphic design software preferred.
• Detail oriented, and ability to prioritize tasks.
• Proficiency in English required.
• Qualified applicants from Ethiopia highly encouraged to apply.