Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist (Eastern Europe)

ORGANIZATION & VALUES

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 our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The CIDR mechanism operates as a buy-in for USAID E&E countries (including the Western Balkans, Black Sea region, and Caucasus region) in assisting critical infrastructure entities to incorporate cybersecurity best practices into organizational operations, planning, and procurement; prioritize cybersecurity investment needs; select appropriate mandatory or voluntary standards and corresponding security controls; and establish the basis for region-wide cybersecurity information sharing. Through a regional approach targeting improved policies and legislation, information sharing, workforce development, and capacity-building, the program targets sectors such as energy (electric, natural gas, oil, district heating), water (transmission, distribution), transport, healthcare, finance, and telecommunications.

DAI seeks a MEL Specialist who will provide technical assistance in: general program monitoring evaluation, and learning; including creating and maintaining a Web-based management information system; refining CIDR performance; collecting and maintaining quality control of indicator data; updating CIDR’s Activity MEL Plan (AMELP) and country/buy-in level MEL plans; producing MEL components of quarterly and annual reports; and supporting CIDR to learn from and make decisions based on monitoring and evaluation data. Under the leadership of the Program Director and Deputy Program Director, the MEL Specialist will provide full-time support through the following tasks:

• Lead CIDR in establishing performance measures, collecting, analyzing, and reporting performance monitoring data, planning and managing evaluations, and assisting CIDR to manage and use the performance information for decision-making and resource allocation.
• Work with CIDR and implementing partners to facilitate methods for timely and accurate collection of monitoring data for CIDR overall and for each buy-in.
• Work with the technical implementation team to identify learning questions and conduct learning events among CIDR and USAID.
• Provide input into the design, implementation, and dissemination of all activity assessments outlined in the AMELP.
• Engage with USAID clients, in collaboration with the CIDR buy-in management teams, to understand their MEL needs;
• Verify close-out reports and supporting close out documentation, and reviewing other MEL-related deliverables;
• Manage data for analysis of outcomes across portfolio; and
• Collaborate with USAID clients and implementing partners to define appropriate methods for MEL data collection and verification, as these vary by activity resources and context.
• Coordinate the regular review of progress towards achieving Assistance Objectives/Development Objectives through quarterly and annual program reviews using the CIDR MEL Plan, portfolio reviews or other process.
• Prepare responses and products for ad hoc data requests from the E&E Bureau.
• Support the Program Director and Deputy Program Director to prepare and integrate data in the quarterly report.
• Conduct data verification and data quality assurance activities to contribute to accuracy of MEL data and reporting documents and for Data Quality Assessment readiness.
• Analyze MEL data to assess outcomes and contribute to project reports and learning pieces.
• Seek ways to streamline the process and increase efficiency in gathering and using performance information.
• Plan collaborative learning and adaptation activities – such as team-wide pause and reflect sessions- to support the identification, analysis, and synthesis of lessons learned from CIDR.
• Support learning events and brown bags, as scheduled.
• Provide MEL surge support, as needed, across the CIDR portfolio of activities
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Program Director.

REPORTING: The MEL Specialist will report to the Program Director.

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

• Master’s degree in an international development related discipline and/or equivalent amount of experience. Experience conducting with MEL for USAID projects strongly preferred.
• Five to eight years of prior work experience conducting MEL and research activities.
• Strong data collection and data management skills, including survey design, development of qualitative inquiries, use of digital data collection platforms, and storage and quality control of both quantitative and qualitative datasets.
• Demonstrated experience in quantitative and qualitative data analysis
• Strong Excel skills required.
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders for data collection, data verification, data maintenance, reporting and dissemination.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Reliability and ability to work independently and in a team environment.

Preferred

• Experience developing and/or using Activity MEL plans.
• Experience using knowledge management software or database
• Understanding of/experience in the geographic region of focus for CIDR.
• Experience in a development setting is preferred.
• Demonstrated knowledge of USAID ADS MEL guidance and policy in the context of the program cycle, as well as USAID policies and processes around Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation (CLA).
• Experience with cybersecurity or critical infrastructure sector is highly desirable. Knowledge of relational data models is preferred, but not required.
• Strong written and oral communications skills in English; Russian or another second language relevant to the Eastern Europe region preferred.

Please note that applicants from Eastern European countries are strongly encouraged to apply.

DAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. DAI does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, veteran status, or other non-merit factor.