Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Director, Climate Change Mitigation through Sustainable Land Use

Counterpart International is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Director for the anticipated USAID-funded activity “Climate Change Mitigation through Sustainable Land Use,” which aims to promote sustainable livelihoods and advance natural climate solutions in areas affected by deforestation and land degradation through greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction and mitigation efforts. The MEL director will be responsible for all aspects of program level monitoring, evaluation, and learning and related reporting, research, and communications. The proposed candidate will be responsible for the project’s MEL plan, related reporting and communication, and the research and learning agenda, including leading learning activities such as pause and reflect. The successful candidate will be a leader who will provide staff and partners with the evidence, capacity, tools, technical assistance, and/or services required to design, implement, monitor, evaluate and learn from program interventions. The candidate will have experience working on USAID-funded activities, deep knowledge of Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA), participatory MEL approaches, and possess strong analytical writing skills. The candidate will report to the Chief of Party and work closely with the leadership team.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the program’s performance management and reporting system, including preparing reports on the project’s MEL Plan.
• Implement flexible mechanisms for adaptive management and learning throughout the project cycle.
• Establish and provide training on data collection and management systems to in-country project staff.
• Design, conduct, and manage internal assessments and evaluations to assess program impact.
• Ensure that the collection of quantitative and qualitative data is fed into the MEL Plan and corresponding documents through sound data collection procedures, data cross referencing, data tabulation and analysis.
• Ensure data integrity throughout the process of data collection, storage, entry, verification, cleaning, analysis and reporting. Conduct periodic data quality assessments,
• Collect, analyze, and synthesize data for reports to USAID and Counterpart’s U.S. office.
• Prepare scopes of work, identify consultants as needed, and support them to undertake independent studies, assessments and evaluations of the project.
• Conduct regular visits to project sites to provide continued technical assistance and ensure proper monitoring of project activities.
• Oversee the identification of knowledge gaps and opportunities for improving knowledge and practice.
• Support MEL activities as an integrated aspect of program implementation through adaptive management and learning by working closely with the COP and HQ staff .
• Provide technical assistance to project partners and participants as required.
• Enter relevant data and reports into USAID platforms as required.
• Assist in projecting and monitoring budget execution as related to MEL activities.
• Produce high-quality, accessible written analysis to inform priorities, stakeholders, and donors.
• Work with MEL staff, program management, and U.S. based support teams on building the culture of adaptive management, evidence and learning in Ecuador, and supporting better overall performance of the country team in these areas.
• Support a Learning Agenda and design and implement a learning dissemination strategy and hold regular learning activities to address critical knowledge gaps by prioritizing learning questions and planning and resourcing associated learning activities.
• Report on monthly, quarterly, and annual progress providing information to all relevant stakeholders, including project participants.
• Create and conduct staff training sessions on data collection, MEL processes, and participatory approaches to MEL.
• Manage and support MEL staff performance by establishing annual and monthly workplans, debriefing with team regularly, mentoring and building/strengthening capacity of the MEL team.
• Report on the greenhouse gas mitigation impacts of project activities including those that may be integrated with climate finance activities.
• Share resources, learning, and innovations externally through collaborations and conferences.
• Other MEL-related tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in international development or other relevant social science.
• 8-10 years of experience working in international development programs.
• Experience managing MEL and CLA functions for international development programs, including designing and implementing MEL results frameworks; developing project monitoring and evaluation plans, work plans, and indicators; developing and implementing learning agendas and activities; and monitoring on-going programs for USAID or other large donor organizations.
• Experience training and capacity-building and fostering a collaborative relationship with MEL and other program staff.
• Experience facilitating meetings, workshops, (remote) trainings, and consultations.
• Ability to produce different visual displays, summaries, reports, research briefs, and other data-based products to facilitate user-friendly consumption of information.
• Experience with data analysis and presentation using Excel, Kobo Toolbox, and advanced data analysis and visualization packages. Additional software and technical skills (databases, mobile technology, GIS, and statistical packages) preferred.
• Experience using statistical and qualitative analysis software packages, as well as spreadsheets, graphics, and presentation software.
• Experience conducting research and analysis for technical programming.
• Experience linking research and program findings into program design and implementation.
• Experience with quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Demonstrated ability to work with the Gender Specialists on staff to develop gender-sensitive indicators and program approaches for activities that focus on Indigenous populations and marginalized groups.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work with a geographically dispersed team.
• Experience working effectively with government officials, non-governmental partners, and USAID and/or other donors.
• Oral and written fluency in Spanish and English required.
• Local candidates are strongly encouraged to apply.