Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Director – USAID Countering Gender Based Violence Activity – DRC

About Corus: Corus International is the parent of a family of world-class organizations working to deliver the holistic, lasting solutions needed to end extreme poverty once and for all. We are a global leader in international development, with 150 years of combined experience across our brands. Our nonprofit and for-profit subsidiaries include IMA World Health and its fundraising brand Corus World Health, Lutheran World Relief, CGA Technologies, Ground Up Investing, and Farmers Market Brands. Our more than 500 employees around the globe are experts in their fields and dedicated to helping the world’s most vulnerable people break the cycle of poverty and lead healthy lives. Further details about the organization can be found at: https://corusinternational.org

Founded in 1960, IMA World Health is a leading public health organization that delivers solutions to health-related problems across the developing world. We work with local partners and governments to strengthen existing health systems, prevent and treat diseases, improve maternal and child health, promote nutrition and WASH, respond to sexual and gender-based violence, and contribute to global health security.

About The Job: IMA World Health is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Director with significant experience in gender-focused programming specifically GBV prevention, mitigation and response programs to lead the MEL of an anticipated USAID-funded Counter Gender Based Violence Activity in Ituri and North Kivu provinces. The 5-year project will focus on improving the well-being of survivors of Gender Based Violence and other marginalized people affected by armed conflicts in North Kivu and Ituri.

In coordination with the Chief of Party, the MEL Director will design the project’s MEL Plan and Performance Measurement Plan. S/he will be responsible for designing and leading the development and day-to-day supervision of an MEL system to track data of the project performance framework targets and indicators to measure progress toward project objectives and expected results. The MEL Director will ensure quality routine data collection, data entry, data analysis, and timely reporting, under the project Performance Measurement Plan, inclusive of subcontractor data collection. The MEL Director will oversee routine data quality assurance exercises and participate as needed in MEL supervisory visits with USAID, the Ministry staff, with the focus on improving monitoring systems, data quality and data use at project sites. Coordinating closely with project staff, partners, and other key stakeholders, the MEL Director oversees the data and project analysis, interpretation, and tracking of all project data as well as documents and disseminates lessons learned, best practices, and other project deliverables.

The position will be based in Goma, DRC and will report Chief of Party with dotted line to MEL organizational leadership. The MEL Director will be expected to visit project sites periodically. Actual hiring is contingent upon signed agreement and USAID approval. DRC nationals are highly encouraged to apply.

Key Responsibilities:

• Provide day-to-day implementation of all MEL related activities under the project.
• Design and contribute to development of gender responsive quantitative and qualitative tools and implementation of robust context-appropriate systems for data collection, quality assurance, analysis and reporting on activity outputs/outcomes and program quality.
• Oversee team that conducts data collection, entry, verification, analysis, and reporting on actual achievements against set targets, highlighting emerging patterns and offers clear reports on findings and conclusions. Ensures high quality data is reported.
• Operationalize a project collaborative learning and adaptive (CLA) approach by leading its implementation as per the MEL plan.
• Provide support for the recruitment of consultants and temporary field staff for MEL-related activities.
• Ensure high quality data quality, integrity and security standards and procedures are in place and are aligned with country national monitoring and evaluation guidelines, protocols, information, and reporting systems.
• Conduct analysis and contribute to preparation of required, periodic project reporting by capturing performance results and ensuring that lessons learned are integrated into project implementation to continuously improve quality of interventions and outcomes.
• Monitor implementation of learning agenda for identification of best practices and lessons learned and for adaptive and knowledge management.
• Provide data use training, mentoring, and coaching to project and subcontractor staff.
• Engage with private sector partners and local stakeholders to monitor the progress and success of activities.
• Design a reporting system that ensures regular data flow and utilization and provides insights on activity performance and areas, contributing towards strategic decision-making and project planning with project leadership.
• Work closely with project leadership, GBV lead including partners and local stakeholders, to develop and implement a robust learning agenda for continuous learning, collaboration, and adaptation to further the project’s learning agenda.
• Participate in relevant MEL technical working groups and coordinating bodies; work with relevant USAID, ministry departments and project staff on project-linked MEL as appropriate.
• Contribute to development and sharing of information and knowledge products with all relevant stakeholders in a timely manner.
• Contribute to annual workplan preparation in the design of MEL activities.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in statistics, monitoring and evaluation, demography, social science, mathematics, economics, or relevant discipline. Significant study in the agricultural market field, international development and/or program monitoring and evaluation preferred.
• At least eight years of experience in the design and implementation of MEL of international donor/USAID funded health projects, with substantial knowledge and experience related to issues of gender-based violence highly preferred.
• Knowledge of USAID framework of addressing GBV in fragile context and familiarity with USAID policy and strategies to address gender equality issues,
• In-depth understanding of and expertise in USAID GBV indicators, performance monitoring plans and reporting.
• Demonstrated experience in designing tools and strategies for data collection, analysis, and production of high-quality reports and sensitive data related to GBV
• Demonstrated experience in analyzing data using statistical software.
• Experience working with USAID funded projects in MEL capacity.
• Strong quantitative and analytical skills and ability to articulate technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Deep knowledge of the political, social, and economic context of DRC required, with experience working in DRC preferred.
• Exceptional communication skills, including both written and oral presentation skills; proven ability to develop and communicate a common vision among diverse partners.
• English and French fluency with professional proficiency in writing required; knowledge of Swahili is an asset.
• Experience working fragile contexts and/or in Eastern Congo preferred.
• Ability to travel to project sites as needed within DRC.