Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Manager

Job Description

Job Overview/Summary: As part of IRC’s Strategy 100, IRC’s Resettlement, Asylum, and Integration Programs Department will continue and expand on its commitment to delivering impactful programs and services, focusing on raising program quality through giving clients greater influence over program design and delivery, better using research and other evidence, powering decisions with data, and more agile and impactful, outcomes-focused program design. The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Manager will support the design of evaluable, data-driven, client informed programs and lead development, implementation, and monitoring of strategies to strengthen monitoring, evaluation, and learning across the project cycle.

Major Responsibilities:

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning leadership, capacity building, and culture change

· Collaboration with program and office leadership, and the Research, Analysis, and Learning team, in assessing MEL capacity and practices.

· Working with office leadership and program staff to develop and implement a strategy, aligned with IRC standards, to build upon and sustain MEL capacity and practices, ensuring use of the IRC’s Outcomes and Evidence Framework, a GEDI informed approach to program design and M&E planning; and establishment of program routines that support M&E planning, data analysis and use, and learning.

· Supervising interns and volunteers with DMEL related job responsibilities.

Provision of hand-on MEL technical assistance throughout the project cycle

· Supporting program staff in the design of evaluable programs and projects that are outcome-focused, client responsive, and informed by learning, research evidence, and data--including data from client needs assessments and intersectional context analysis. Reviewing, and when needed coordinating development of, program and project theories of change.

· Supporting program staff in the development of M&E plans (including logframes), and where relevant, research plans, that meet organizational standards and facilitate learning and client-responsive, GEDI-informed, data-driven service delivery.

· Supporting program staff in the GEDI informed design and implementation of data collection tools, including tools to capture client feedback.

· Supporting program staff in developing and implementing strategies to close client feedback loop (i.e reporting back action taken based on feedback).

· Supporting donor reporting as needed.

· Supporting teams in setting up projects in ETO and other relevant databases.

· Data quality assurance—including ensuring quality of core indicator data, conducting data quality audits when needed.

· Leading MEL for strategic projects.

· Supporting program staff with data analysis and action planning and capture of lessons learned.

· Facilitating or supporting program staff with M&E planning with partners

· Coordinating multi-project/sector M&E initiatives to advance office and organizational priorities. Examples include:

o Implementation of standardized knowledge management procedures to make lessons learned available to IRC colleagues to inform program/project design and M&E.

o Development and implementation of cross-cutting tools and processes to collect, analyze, and use client feedback data.

o Leading intersectional assessment of client needs and preferences and context, and supporting program staff in developing action plans based on findings.

Coordinating internal reporting and monitoring progress of the office’s Strategic Action Plan

· Monitoring & reporting progress of the SAP implementation plan

· Coordinating office response to QSR and annual stats data requests and ensuring the RAI Project Tracking Tool [JC1] is updated.

Provide thought leadership to advance monitoring, evaluation, and learning at the global level:

· Piloting and inputting recommendations, learning, and knowledge into global MEL related tools and processes.

· Active participation in RAI’s MEL working group and community of practice

Key Working Relationships:

This position is based in Boise and reports to the Executive Director. The MEL Manager will work closely with other MEL managers across RAI as well as with the Research, Analysis and Learning Team; the Program, Quality and Innovation Team; the Resettlement team; MEL staff in program offices; and other program staff and partners. The position will supervise MEL interns and volunteers.

Job Requirements****:

Education: A University degree in a relevant discipline (preferably in Social Sciences, Data Science, or a related field) –a technical degree together with additional relevant work experience may substitute for education

Work Experience: At least 5 years developing and implementing M&E plans; coordinating and/or conducting project evaluations, conducting qualitative and both descriptive and inferential quantitative data analysis. Experience conducting evaluations of programs for refugee or displaced populations preferred.

Skills and Competencies:

· Leadership experience with M&E planning, system set-up, maintenance, and oversight from inception to close-out.

· A strong understanding of routines that promote data quality and data-driven decision making.

· Experience with data management systems. For U.S staff, experience with Social Solutions’ ETO platform is highly desired.

· A strong understanding of client feedback systems and demonstrated dedication to applying a GEDI lens to monitoring, evaluation, and learning.

· Demonstrated experience with MEL capacity building/training.

· A strong understanding of principles and processes involved in collection of data from linguistically diverse, RIM populations.

· Proven experience with donor reporting and data visualization.

· Strong understanding of the relationship between program design and M&E and technical skills need to support program staff in designing evaluable projects and using data and evidence to inform project design.

· Advanced M&E technical knowledge, including knowledge of basic M&E concepts and tools, as well as some or all of the following: design of evaluable projects, data analysis, statistics, electronic data collection, sampling, evaluation and research methodologies, and Power Bi.

· Project management skills.

· Advanced knowledge of Microsoft Office Word, PowerPoint and Excel.

· Strong attention to detail (excellent proofreading and editing skills).

· Ability to work flexibly both independently and as part of a team.

· Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written, with fluency in English.

· Ability to handle multiple priorities and deadlines.

· Strong critical thinking capabilities with an ability to rapidly assess situational needs, develop problem solving strategies, and implement sustainable solutions.

Language Skills: English language fluency. Fluency in additional languages (Arabic, Dari, Pashtu, Spanish, French, German) preferred.

Certificates or Licenses: N/A

Working Environment: Standard office work environment, along with some field work, including local travel to employers, client homes and other community-based partners. Virtual work with clients also to be expected depending on local ordinances and regulations related to COVID-19 spread.

COVID-19 Vaccination Requirement****: In accordance with IRC’s duty to provide and maintain a workplace that is free of known hazards and our commitment to safeguard the health of our employees, clients, and communities, IRC requires candidates who are selected for interview to furnish proof of vaccination against COVID-19 in order to be considered for this position.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusivity****: IRC is committed to building a diverse organization and a climate of inclusivity. We strongly encourage applications from candidates who can demonstrate that they can contribute to this goal.

Equal Opportunity Employer****: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, sex, gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

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