STTA Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist at SoCha, LLC

Background

• SoCha, LLC plans to submit a response to upcoming proposal to provide USAID/Nigeria Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Support (MEL Support) Activity
• To provide quality MEL services, we seek qualified MEL professionals across the region at the senior, mid, and assistant levels to include in our extensive consultant database.

Scope of Work
Illustrative Functions of the Position:

• Exact reporting relationships will depend on the program design that SoCha delivers. Positions would frequently report directly to a Chief of Party, Project Director, Senior Technical Advisor, or similar position.

The MEL Specialist will work with USAID/Nigeria’s program and technical offices to:

• Optimize evaluation statements of work;
• Select evaluation methodologies;
• Oversee evaluations in any sector where USAID works;
• Provide MEL support to USAID and its implementing partners;
• Provide dedicated capacity building assistance in MEL operations and quality assurance;
• Conduct MEL trainings;
• Advise USAID and implementing partners on their MEL plans;
• Lead data quality assessments;
• Participate in Mission portfolio reviews;
• Oversee the advancement of learning agendas and evidence that improves USAID’s programs;
• Contribute data and insight from evaluations at learning events; and
• Provide other MEL technical support as needed.

Performance Monitoring, including:

• Developing performance monitoring plans
• Designing and optimizing quantitative and qualitative indicators for international development projects

Evaluations:

• Designing or conducting performance or impact evaluations
• Mixing qualitative and quantitative methods
• Applying evaluation results to inform future programming.

Data Management:

• Collecting and analyzing performance and financial data
• Developing GIS maps
• Data visualization

Capacity Building in MEL:

• Training monitoring and evaluation (M&E) professionals
• Coaching and mentoring local organizations in M&E methodologies
• Working with country evaluation associations to professionalize MEL

Collaboration, Learning, and Adapting:

• Coordinating with stakeholders
• Hosting learning events for international development partners
• Building institutional capacity and memory
• Incentivizing learning and sharing
• Facilitating learning events.

In addition to the categories above, subject matter expertise and research experience in the following sectors is also sought:

• Education;
• Peace and Security;
• Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance;
• Basic Health, Healthy Systems Strengthening, Epidemiology, and Service Provision in Conflict and Disaster-Prone Contexts;
• Economic Growth;
• Nutrition;
• Humanitarian and Disaster Assistance;
• Forestry, Biodiversity, Conservation; and
• Extractives Management

Minimum Qualifications and Experience

• An understanding of International Development sectors (Education; Peace and Security; Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance; Health; Economic Growth; Food Security; Disaster Assistance; and Environment) or cross-cutting themes (gender, OVC, youth, etc.)
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, and the ability to work effectively in a team environment.
• For Senior-level, an Advanced Degree and 7+ years experience with directly related experience in one or more of the areas outlined above (performance monitoring, evaluation, data management, capacity building, and/or learning)
• For mid-level, a university qualification in a related subject and between 3-7 years of directly related experience
• For assistant level, a university qualification with demonstrated experience coordinating research or evaluation tasks, providing management consultation services in the international development industry, or organizing formal training programs.
• A Bachelor's Degree or higher
• Prior experience working with USAID preferred (including on USAID-funded work)
• National citizens of Nigeria with the above skills are encouraged to apply
• Experience with USAID’s program cycle, CLA (collaborating, learning, and adapting) approach, or knowledge management preferred.