Kyrgyzstan: Monitoring Evaluation Accountability and Learning (MEAL) Specialist

Position Summary

Search for Common Ground (Search) is currently seeking an experienced MEAL Specialist to propose for an upcoming five-year USAID-funded project looking at Deepening Linkages in Civic Participation in the Kyrgyz Republic. The position is contingent upon contract award. The project is a national multi-stakeholder program which aims to enable horizontal and vertical networks of individuals and organizations to advocate for and bring about change across issues that resonate with local communities and increase government responsiveness and accountability in the Kyrgyz Republic. The MEAL Specialist will be responsible for implementing iterative learning and adaptive management to ensure the project is a true learning initiative.

The MEAL Specialist will be responsible for designing, leading,and overseeing all program M&E activities, including implementing the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Plan, data collection, documentation, analysis, reporting and tracking of results and progress. This position requires strong programmatic experience, with experience in leading MEL activities and applying adaptive management principles on USAID or other donor projects.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design of the program M&E system, clearly identifying the users and the utility of the data/information;
• Refine M&E indicators and adapt M&E tools to meet program needs, which may include pre- and post- tests, focus group interview protocols, community survey tools, and baseline, mid-term, and end-line survey instruments;
• Lead evaluation activities including drafting terms of references, facilitating the development of quantitative and qualitative tools, conducting data collection, leading data analysis and presentation of final reports, and facilitating reflections on key learning.
• Lead in the development of Plan and budget for quality MEL activities.
• Manage and safeguard data collection, and supervise M&E activities of staff and sub-contractors;
• Liaise with the USAID on the design of M&E tools and on modifications to M&E system;
• Supervise the collection of accurate quantitative and qualitative data and maintain quality of project’s database.
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data, and lead in the identifying of issues and concerns nd advise program management on needed program revisions
• Lead annual program reviews progress and document good practices and lessons learned.
• Organize quarterly reflection and learning workshops to ensure program quality, evidence based decision making and speaking to results
• Support program re-design and adaptation in a functional way through non-traditional M&E approaches.
• Develop institutional learning documents generated out of the project achievements, methodological approaches and processes and lessons learned from the project implementation. Contribute to written performance reports for funder and other program deliverables.
• Work with grantees to ensure accurate information flow including guidance/support on grantee data collection, measurement and reporting.
• Develop inhouse M&E expertize through capacity building of staff

Qualifications

You meet the following qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or its international equivalent in social science, management, international development, monitoring and evaluation, or a related field; Master’s degree or its international equivalent preferred;
• Minimum of six (6) years of related work experience; four (4) years in Kyrgyz Republic/Central Asia preferred;
• Experience in managing and coordinating projects and a working knowledge of project management complexities is preferred;
• Experience managing and executing monitoring and evaluation activities for for multi‐million-dollar contract or grant, preferably for USAID, including experience monitoring and evaluating policy reform and/or capacity development activities; Knowledge of innovative iterative learning methodologies, such as developmental evaluation, will be a strong asset;
• Demonstrated abilities in qualitative and quantitative M&E methodologies appropriate to complex change processes and capacity development, and in knowledge management and organizational learning;
• Prior experience assessing civil society strengthening, rule of law, and government accountability programs will be preferred;
• Proven ability to engage staff and partners to learn from past experience, develop collective goals, address challenges collaboratively, and solve problems.
• Experience coordinating with governments, ministries and/or local NGOs, as well as local communities, for design and implementation of surveys and other data collection techniques, including those that address capacity weaknesses, preferred;
• Proven interpersonal and communication skills and the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams;
• Fluent Russian and Kyrgyz and strong English language communication skills (written and verbal) are required
• Ability to effectively use statistical analysis software such as STATA and SPSS.
• Dynamic professional with creative problem-solving skills and negotiation skills.
• Willing to work in challenging conditions with frequent travel to project sites
• Proven experiences of conflict sensitivity (especially Do No Harm) and research and evaluation ethics in a highly sensitive environment.

This position will close on 19 April, 2019

To apply

To apply, interested candidates should send the following items to our employment portal here:

• current resume
• cover letter