Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) and Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Director Full Time

SCOPE OF WORK

USAID/SOMALIA PEOPLE-CENTERED GOVERNANCE (PCG) ACTIVITY

Position

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) and Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Director (Grade 13)

Maximum Level of Effort

Full-time LTTA

Base of Operations

Mogadishu, Somalia

position reports to

Chief of Party

1. Project Background:

The USAID People-Centered Governance (PCG) Activity is supporting local governments in southern Somalia to improve their effectiveness and legitimacy. To accomplish this objective, the project implements activities aligned with two mutually interrelated and reinforcing immediate results, IR1) that District Councils (DCs) are fairer and more inclusive and IR2) that DCs improve their performance. PCG will engage at the Federal, State and local levels and will eventually work in several districts within the three (i.e. Hirshabelle, Jubaland, and Southwest) federal member states (FMS) of Somalia.

1. Role’s Purpose:

The Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) and Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Director holds the primary responsibility for the co-design and implementation of the project’s MEL plan and data collection system to measure overall project performance against established goals and objectives and carry out or oversee all project assessments. S/he will ensure a seamless integration of MEL and CLA, incorporating learning and adaptation into the project through Pause & Reflect sessions and other CLA activities. Additionally, s/he will collaborate with the Communications Specialist to promote success stories and share project experience. S/he will ensure that project leadership has timely data on program progress that will help with management decision making and performance improvement. Furthermore, the MEL/CLA Director will oversee the preparation of regular project reports and deliverables for USAID. S/he will emphasize best practices and approaches for all project counterparts and define program indicators and sources of data, tracking delivery against program targets, utilizing existing evidence, and identifying solutions to promote data-based decision making among program and technical staff. Moreover, the MEL/CLA Director is involved in preparing project performance monitoring plans and making contributions to other project documents. The MEL/CLA Director will also play a crucial role in fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptive management within the project team. S/he will actively engage with project stakeholders, including partners, beneficiaries, and other relevant actors, to ensure that feedback, lessons learned, and best practices are incorporated into project activities and strategies.

1. Key Duties and Responsibilities:

• Co-design, develop, and institutionalize monitoring and evaluation systems and approaches including the development of processes and tools for carrying out assessments and collecting data, and indicators/targets, that provide useful data for decision making, reporting, communications, and organizational learning.
• Draft the initial MEL Plan within 90 days of the project award and continue to maintain and adapt the MEL Plan through the life of the project. The MEL Plan must set forth PCG’s specific performance goals and establish a dynamic monitoring and reporting system.
• Collaborate with Consilient Research and other partners in developing and implementing baseline, midline, and endline evaluations to assess the project’s progress and impact.
• Collaborate with Horn Africa Consultants Firm (HACOF) and other partners in designing and implementing rapid research on citizens’ interaction with and trust in government, customary, and religious actors on issues of land governance and other emerging matters including the development of scopes and oversight of subcontractors.
• Support the COP in establishing a culture of collaborating, learning, and adapting at the start of the project—fostering learning, innovation, and performance information feedback loops.
• Work closely with the Gender and Youth Specialist on gender disaggregation and other gender specific data as part of the MEL process.
• Prepare for and participate in Data Quality Assessments (DQAs) carried out by USAID and ensure that PCG’s monitoring, and evaluation systems meet all requirements.
• Lead collaboration with USAID-assigned external evaluators and provide documentation/verification of data as requested.
• Collaborate with external consultants and experts on specific MEL and CLA assignments and ensure their work aligns with project objectives.
• Create and maintain Performance Indicator Reference Sheets and a Performance Indicator Tracking Table based on the mandatory standard USAID indicators required to be reported on for PCG.
• Work closely with PCG’s technical staff to track data, analyze results, and share lessons learned to inform project management and increase effectiveness of project activities.
• Work with project staff and USAID to hold twice-annual Pause & Reflect sessions, allowing the team to consider what’s working and what isn’t, and offering time for the project to pivot and adjust to changing contexts and new information throughout implementation.
• Design focus group discussions (FGDs) and report findings to the DCOP, COP, Construction Manager, and relevant stakeholders to guide future activities and evaluate project achievements.
• Institute regular use of performance monitoring data among objective leads and technical staff.
• Establish and maintain a comprehensive database for storing and organizing MEL and CLA data, making it easily accessible to project staff and stakeholders.
• Mentor and coach project staff on MEL and CLA concepts, methodologies, and tools, building their capacity to contribute effectively to project success. Additionally, organize and provide MEL & CLA training for staff as necessary.
• Use data to document achievements, success stories, and best practices while coordinating and collaborating systematically and consistently with the Communications Specialist.
• Identify key messages and disseminate knowledge and learning products through diverse communication channels.
• Provide training and capacity building on CLA and adaptive management methods and tools and best practices to USAID, IP staff, and other stakeholders. Support them to integrate and institutionalize CLA best practices as requested.
• Participate in project meetings, workshops, and conferences to present MEL and CLA findings and contribute to project planning and decision-making.
• Travel as required to the Nairobi office, as well as any field visits to train staff, collect data and lead MEL/CLA efforts in the field.
• Support the Chief of Party in responding to USAID requests related to MEL and CLA and preparing reports as required.
• Provide regular updates and reports on MEL and CLA activities to the Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, and other project stakeholders.
• Stay updated with the latest trends and developments in MEL and CLA practices and thus integrate innovative approaches into the project’s monitoring and evaluation processes. Other tasks as assigned by the Chief of Party.

1. Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in organizational, communications, social sciences, or a related field. Master’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Project management, International Development, or a related field, preferred, but not required.
• Minimum ten (10) years of experience managing performance monitoring plans, evaluation, collaboration and learning, preferably with knowledge of USAID’s CLA approach.
• Prior experience leading, designing, managing, and/or commissioning performance evaluations and other types of research, preferably within Somalia.
• Prior supervisory experience of MEL and CLA professionals working on USAID projects.
• Practical experience with applying USAID CLA Framework, tools, and approaches.
• Demonstrated expertise and an in-depth understanding of qualitative and quantitative research design, data collection, and data analysis.
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with a range of external and internal stakeholders.
• Ability to communicate findings to a range of external and internal stakeholders and apply MEL results from learning and planning. Proficiency in statistical software.
• Understanding of USAID regulations and policies, including but not limited to the Automated Directives System 201, Evaluation Policy, and the Journey to Self-Reliance.
• Strong track record of working on projects of similar scope, complexity, and size, preferably within Somalia.
• Fluency in English is required, and Somali language skills are preferred.

1. Skills

• Strong understanding of USAID policies and procedures, especially related to USAID’s CLA approach.
• Ability to communicate/collaborate effectively across cultures, including with team members based in other countries.
• Strong understanding of standard Microsoft Office programs and statistical software.
• An energetic, forward-thinking and creative individual with high ethical standards and appropriate professional image.
• An extremely well-organized and self-directed individual with sound technical skills, analytical ability, good judgment, and strong operational focus.
• Strong leadership and supervisory skills
• Detail and solutions oriented.

1. Reporting

The MEL/CLA Director will report to the Chief of Party.

About DAI

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work. DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

Tagged as: DAI Global, Somalia