Please Note: Solidarity Center staff enjoy a hybrid telework/in-person schedule. We also have a mandatory vaccine policy and safety protocols in all our facilities. All candidates applying for this role will be expected to adhere to these policies and to work in the Washington, D.C. office a minimum of three days per week unless an ADA or health-related exemption is approved.
Location: Washington, DC
Application Deadline: When filled
Summary
The Solidarity Center seeks a Senior Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist to join its growing MEL function in its Program Quality, Learning and Compliance (PQLC) department to: serve as the HQ-based lead for programs funded primarily by the Department of Labor; collaborate with field staff on the design and monitoring of labor rights programs; review and monitor performance to conduct trend and impact analysis within and across programs; develop resources and provide technical guidance and training; contribute to the organization’s MEL community of practice; and advance evidence-based learning. International travel is anticipated for this position.
This position is ideal for a highly analytical thinker with strong interpersonal skills who interact with a diverse range of stakeholders. In addition, the Solidarity Center looks for individuals who have a passion for social justice, experience with labor unions, and/or a background in human rights and democracy programs.
Responsibilities
Organizational Lead
- Serve as headquarters expert on MEL requirements and their operationalization for awards from the Department of Labor (DOL), as well as for other assigned programs
- Champion and support program teams in implementing leading MEL practices and using performance data for adaptive management and learning
- Collaborate with in-country project-specific MEL staff to build a body of evidence across the portfolio of DOL-funded programs
- Conduct trend analysis and collaborate with other MEL staff who support and lead MEL for other portfolios (e.g., U.S. Agency for International Development, Department of Labor and DOS’ Bureau for Democracy, Human Rights and Labor) to identify impact and contribute to organizational evidence-based learning and external messaging for target audiences
Project Design, Performance Monitoring and Evaluation
- Provide technical assistance throughout competitive proposal process on assessing problems from a systems approach, articulating the logic of project strategies, designing M&E frameworks, developing sustainability strategies and determining appropriate methodologies and tools to gather data and measure progress and impact
- Contribute to the development of key M&E documents (e.g., M&E capacity statements, performance monitoring plans, sustainability strategies), including the identification and use of appropriate indicators in complex programming environments, and ensure consistency with technical narrative and compliance with funder/announcement requirements
- Participate in interview process for in-country MEL key personnel, as needed
- Contribute to the development and refinement of post-award project documents, including guidance on conducting needs assessments particularly among historically marginalized populations
- Coordinate with and support in-country MEL staff throughout program life cycle on monitoring efforts, baseline and end line assessments, data quality and collection protocols and documentation of results, and promote learning and cross-fertilization of best practices and tools across portfolio
- Review and provide feedback on technical progress reports prior to submission to funder, with an organizational-level view for distilling trends, results and impact
- Support the establishment and enhancement of performance monitoring systems in the field that allow for cross-program data analysis
- Design and conduct training on DOL MEL requirements to ensure compliant data collection and quality standards, documentation and reporting, and advise program teams on using evidence for adaptive management and learning
- Review and provide feedback on scope of work for evaluations, and internal and external evaluation reports, as needed
MEL Resources and Organizational Learning
- In conjunction with MEL colleagues and under the direction of the Senior MEL Advisor, contribute to development of toolkit of MEL resources – creating/refining e.g., standard procedures, templates, quantitative and qualitative data collection tools and quality standards, training manuals and guides – for use throughout project life cycle that can be accessed online
- Support adoption of innovations and ensure approaches and tools are up to date, including data analysis, storage and collection tools
- Collaborate with colleagues to document and share best practices, lessons learned and success stories across programs to capture impact and promote evidence-based learning
- Collaborate and contribute to creation of standard indicators across programs
- Foster organizational learning through participation in Solidarity Center’s MEL Community of Practice, the design and co-facilitation of end-of-program learning events and development of learning products
- Contribute to development of roster of technical experts who can provide as-needed short-term assistance to programs
Community Engagement
- Represent Solidarity Center and participate in MEL working groups, community discussions and such venues as American Evaluation Association
- Engage with counterparts at funders and peer organizations, particularly with democracy, rights and governance groups
Other duties as assigned, including potential reassignment to other donors and projects based on departmental needs.
Qualifications
- Minimum of 10 years of relevant experience preferred in designing, monitoring and evaluating labor/social justice/human rights/civil society programs, developing MEL resources, providing training and guidance throughout program life cycle, and fostering organizational learning
- Previous experience working for the Department of Labor’s Bureau of International Labor Affairs (DOL/ILAB) and/or for an international organization funded by DOL/ILAB preferred
- Master’s degree in social science, social justice, human rights, international relations, or related field
- Fluency in English (verbal and written), with proficiency in Spanish or another second language preferred (verbal and written); excellent writing skills in English to effectively create clear and concise documents, and strong oral communication skills to effectively present information, respond to inquiries and conduct training
- Familiarity with DOL/ILAB’s Management Procedures and Guidelines, Guidance on Results Frameworks, Performance Indicators and Monitoring for Sustainability, OTLA Sustainability Guide and OTLA Resource Toolkit for Common Project Design & Implementation Challenges preferred
- Experience applying principles of complexity aware monitoring and evaluation (CAM-E) and leading evidence-based collaborative learning processes within an organizational setting
- Experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection, management, analysis, triangulation and visualization methods, and ability to promote and guide program staff in using evidence-based data and findings to inform program management
- Overseas experience, including working with vulnerable/historically marginalized populations, preferred
- Commitment to diversity and inclusion, including practical use of gender sensitive M&E tools and assessments
- Demonstrated ability to lead, inspire and motivate staff in the use of new concepts, tools and processes
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact and collaborate with host country-based, HQ and funder staff
- Excellent judgment, problem-solving, critical thinking and analysis skills
- Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize and work on multiple tasks under tight deadlines
- Ability to work independently and in a team environment, and to perform detailed work with a high level of accuracy
- Experience and presence necessary to represent the SC effectively in public fora and in private meetings with funders, partner organizations, and national and international organizations
- Willingness and ability to travel overseas to conduct training or assessments, or participate in program monitoring and evaluation efforts
In compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification document form upon hire.
This is a collective bargaining unit position, generously compensated with a gross annual salary starting at approximately $99,500 USD with a range up to more than $105,000 based on experience. A robust benefits package includes fully paid health insurance, a retirement plan and pension, life insurance, and ample paid time off for holidays, vacation, and medical leave. Pre-tax deduction programs are also available for commuting, dependent care, and health care expenses. In addition, we offer opportunities and funds for professional development.
The Solidarity Center cultivates the values of diversity, equality, and inclusion among its staff and partners. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, or any other status protected under applicable law. Candidates from traditionally underrepresented groups are strongly encouraged to apply. If you are a candidate with a disability and require reasonable accommodations to apply for this position, please contact us at information@solidaritycenter.org.
For Candidates Applying from the AFL-CIO: Solidarity Center works in partnership with the AFL-CIO on recruiting and filling positions. Our policy is to notify the AFL-CIO prior to interviewing any of its current employees.
About us
The Solidarity Center is the largest U.S.-based international worker rights organization helping workers attain safe and healthy workplaces, family-supporting wages, dignity on the job and greater equity at work and in their community. Its programs are based on the fundamental principle that working people can, by exercising their right to freedom of association and forming trade unions and democratic worker rights organizations, collectively improve their jobs and workplaces, call on their governments to uphold laws and protect human rights, and be a force for democracy, social justice and inclusive economic development. Founded in 1997 and allied with the U.S. labor movement, its programs in more than 60 countries focus on human and worker rights awareness, union skills, occupational safety and health, economic literacy, human trafficking, women’s empowerment and bolstering workers in an increasingly informal economy.