Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist, El Salvador

Overview

Counterpart International helps people build better lives and more durable futures, community by community.  We equip individuals, organizations and communities-our counterparts- to become solution creators in their own families, communities, regions and countries.  We work with them in some of the world’s most challenging places to tackle social, economic, environmental, health and governance issues that threaten their lives and undermine their futures.

El Salvador’s Rights and Dignity Project is an eight-year program funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Counterpart International (Counterpart) in partnership with local and international organizations. Counterpart is currently seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist.

This is a full-time position based in San Salvador, El Salvador.

Responsibilities

The MEL Specialist will be responsible for all aspects of program level monitoring, evaluation, and learning and related reporting, research, and communications. He/she will be responsible for the project’s MEL plan and related reporting as well as the learning agenda. In addition, the MEL Specialist will lead the implementation of regular learning activities and all MEL reporting and communications. The successful candidate will be a leader who will provide local staff and partners with the evidence, capacity, tools, technical assistance, and/or services required to design, implement, monitor, and/or evaluate program interventions as well as implement learning activities. Reporting to the International Director and working closely with the leadership team, this candidate will have experience working on USAID-funded activities, broad knowledge of Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA), participatory MEL approaches, and possess strong analytical writing skills. The position will involve supervising a MEL Coordinator.

• Develop, implement, and oversee the program’s performance management and reporting system, including preparing and reporting against 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.
• Support external evaluators in the implementation of independent studies, assessment and evaluations of the project.
• Ensure the collection of quality quantitative and qualitative data is fed into the MEL Plan and corresponding documents through sound data collection methodology, data cross-referencing, data tabulation/analysis, and by conducting periodic data quality assessments.
• Ensure data integrity throughout the process of data collection, storage, entry, verification, cleaning, analysis and reporting.
• Coordinate closely with the project’s Grants and Technical Teams to contribute to the design, monitoring, evaluation, and learning in sub-grants.
• Provide partners and sub-grantees with training and technical assistance in fostering MEL capacities and learning.
• Conduct regular visits to project sites to provide continued technical assistance and ensure proper monitoring of project activities.
• Collect, analyze, and synthesize data for reports to USAID and Counterpart HQ.
• Work closely with the ID and HQ staff to review program performance and propose adjustments to reflect best practices and learning.
• Enter relevant information into USAID platforms as required.
• Assist in projecting and monitoring budget execution as related to MEL activities.
• Oversee the identification of knowledge gaps and opportunities for improving knowledge and practice.
• Produce high-quality, accessible written analysis to inform priorities, stakeholders, and donors.
• Work with MEL staff, program management and HQ support teams on otherwise building the culture of adaptive management, evidence and learning in El Salvador 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 trainings 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.
• Share resources, learning and innovations externally through collaboration, conferences.
• Other MEL-related tasks as assigned.

Qualifications

• Degree in international development, statistics, or other relevant social science; Masters preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience working in international development programs.
• Experience managing MEL/CLA functions for international development programs, including designing and implementing MEL Plans and results frameworks (for the Project and for sub-grantees); developing , PIRS, PITTs, and work plans; developing and implementing learning agendas and activities; and monitoring on-going programs for USAID or other large donor organizations.
• Experienced in training and capacity-building and fostering a collaborative relationship with MEL and other program staff.
• Experienced in training and capacity-building and fostering a collaborative relationship with project partners and sub-grantees.
• Experience facilitating meetings, workshops, (remote) trainings, and consultations.
• Ability to produce different 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, and advanced data analysis and visualization packages. Additional software and technical skills (databases, SPSS, mobile technology, GIS, and statistical packages) preferred.
• Experience using statistical and qualitative analysis software packages, as well as spreadsheet, graphics, and presentation software.
• Experience linking research and program findings into relevant measurements for program design and implementation.
• Experience in the design, research, and production of  program-level reports that assess the progress of broad programmatic interventions toward strategic objectives.
• 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 minorities and marginalized groups.
• Strong communication skills and ability to work with a geographically dispersed team and within a virtual working environment.
• Knowledge of, and experience applying varied CLA methodologies is strongly preferred.
• Experience working on USAID-funded programs, and strong knowledge of policies and procedures is strongly preferred.
• Experience working effectively with government officials, non-governmental partners, and USAID and/or other donors.
• Advanced oral and written communication skills in English.

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

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