MEL Specialist, USAID Localization Support (Nepal)

Position Description

EnCompass LLC is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning (MEL) Specialist resident in Nepal to join our recently awarded five-year Nepal Localization Support activity which provides the USAID Mission with technical assistance to strengthen the Mission’s ability to ensure that local actors are in the lead role for Nepal’s development. The activity provides support for: capacity strengthening for local actors to apply, receive and manage USAID awards; strengthening the Mission’s government to government (G2G) programming; and supporting USAID to improve localization programming.

The MEL Specialist will provide technical and management support to all analytical activities under the contract, including assessments, evaluations, studies, and performance monitoring. This person will also support learning activities, organizational development /change management efforts, and capacity strengthening initiatives. The MEL Specialist will play a management and support role in various efforts including design, data collection, reporting, and dissemination. This person may participate in data collection to ensure quality and consistency. They will design MEL tools, analyze results, manage documentation of learning, and contribute to overall project reporting. The MEL Specialist will develop and maintain learning and evaluation processes, contribute to knowledge management and sharing, support utilization of results, and actively engage in an effective learning environment.

The ideal candidate (Nepali or legal resident) has experience designing and managing MEL project-level systems, understands learning and evaluation processes, is solution-oriented, highly organized, and resourceful, and can effectively engage the client and project team members throughout the various MEL efforts.

The position will be full-time and be based in Kathmandu with possible travel within Nepal. Citizens of Nepal are strongly encouraged to apply.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Essential functions:

Technical:

• Manage technical and operational aspects of evaluation studies and assessments, including proposal development, consultant recruitment, technical quality assurance, and other duties as assigned.

• Provide technical assistance in the design and implementation of performance monitoring systems, including indicator development, data collection methods and tools, monitoring system buildout, and data quality assessments to support project activities in capacity strengthening, G2G programming and organizational development/change management activities.

• Engage with implementing partners, consultants, and country-based staff on design, implementation, and monitoring of project activities and strategies

• Collaborate with GESI/DEIA Advisor to ensure gender equality and inclusive development integration in MEL processes and procedures.

• Manage reporting for learning activities and contribute to overall project reporting including analyzing quantitative and qualitative data and synthesizing analysis results into actionable recommendations for learning and program revisions

• Identify learning evaluation trends and manage development of visually appealing report components and presentation materials

• Convene internal and external meetings to discuss MEL efforts and respond to team and client questions and promote knowledge management/sharing practices

• Collaborate with instructional designers to confirm measurable learning objectives, develop an appropriate evaluation approach for a given activity (including identifying opportunities to measure on-the-job application of critical behaviors) and design associated evaluation tools for data collection

• Prepare high quality reports, technical resources, and other products and deliverables on relevant topics related

• Observe learning events (in-person, virtual, and hybrid) to strengthen learning and evaluative activities

• Effectively communicate MEL timelines and deliverables to team members, client, and other stakeholders in a clear and concise manner

• Stay current on innovative theory and methodologies for MEL and propose integration of new approaches to support effective MEL in project activities related to capacity strengthening, behavior change, G2G programming and organizational development/change management activities as appropriate

• Collaborate with colleagues to implement effective knowledge sharing and knowledge management

Other:

• Participates actively as a project team member

• Other duties as assigned

Position Requirements

Qualifications

Academic Qualifications

• Minimum of a Master’s degree or higher and 4 years , or a Bachelor’s degree and 6 years, or an Associate’s degree and 8 years, or a high school diploma and 10 years of professional experience.
• Degree in Organizational Development, Instructional Design, International Development, Evaluation or other related fields if held.

Experience and Skills

• Minimum of 4 years of experience designing, implementing, and reporting of project MEL systems including developing overall MEL approaches, designing qualitative and quantitative data collection tools, managing/conducting data collection efforts, leading quantitative and qualitative analysis, and preparing high-quality reports;

• Demonstrated experience in monitoring and evaluation, project design, and learning, including experience in applying learning to improve development programs and systems change for adaptive management of development organizations.

• Familiarity with required USAID MEL policies and procedures, USAID CLA guidance and tools.

• Strong planning, organization, strategic thinking, project management, and problem-solving skills

• Proficiency in MS 365 applications required, proficiency with Google Workspace applications strongly preferred

• Experience with Google Forms, Survey Monkey or other data collection platforms

• Exceptional communication (verbal and written) and presentation skills

• Openness to learn and apply gender and inclusive development practices

• Commitment to providing the highest level of service?

• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent, competing tasks and demands and to seek supervisory assistance as appropriate

• An appetite for learning, curiosity, and a willingness to experiment in new ways of working

• Ability to confidently engage with staff at all levels to define needs and expectations, collaborate on projects, and communicate results

• Demonstrated ability to work sensitively in multi-cultural environments and build effective working relations with clients and colleagues

• Ability to thrive in a collaborative and appreciative work environment

• Fluency in Nepali language(s) other than English

• Strong working proficiency in written, and verbal English required

• Ability to travel within Nepal

Preferred Experience and Skills

• Experience working with USAID, the UN System, or international NGOs

• Experience with data management and data visualization

• Experience with quantitative and qualitative data analysis software (e.g., Stata, SPSS, NVivo, Dedoose)

• Experience in evaluation methodologies including internal external evaluations, internal evaluations, and/or learning evaluation

How to Apply

Please submit a CV and cover letter at https://encompassworld.clearcompany.com/careers/jobs/7c21f987-e1bb-a37c-18e6-fef27bd3fdb4/apply?source=3128776-CS-52195 

EnCompass LLC is a progressive Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote, celebrate, and support a diverse and inclusive organizational culture and workforce. We are committed to providing all of our employees with an environment free from discrimination and harassment, where all are treated with dignity and respect. We do not tolerate, and explicitly prohibit, discrimination or harassment of any kind, at any time, in all aspects of employment. This includes recruitment, hiring, promotions, disciplinary measures, terminations, compensation, benefits, social and recreational programs, and training. EnCompass also does not tolerate retaliation against individuals who report discrimination or harassment. Our continuing commitment to the principle of Equal Opportunity Employment for all means all employment decisions are based only on the job requirements, the candidate’s qualifications, and the needs of EnCompass as a business—not on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, belief, sex (including pregnancy and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability status, veteran status, genetic information, HIV status, family/marital/parental status, or any other status protected by the laws and regulations in the jurisdictions where we work.