Regional Design, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (DMEL) Lead I

Position Summary

NOTE: NDI Eurasia will be appointing one DMEL specialist. This vacancy is being advertised at three separate levels - 3, 5, or 7 years of experience - With links to all three accessible from the NDI Careers site. NDI Eurasia will select the most appropriate candidate from the applicant pools. Please only apply to one vacancy and to the position which matches your experience.

To support and strengthen the regional team (both HQ and field) in the operationalization of Design, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (DMEL) plans and activities that will ensure compliance with donor requirements and NDI’s institutional agenda, facilitate quality performance outcomes, and contribute to evidence-based programmatic learning within the region and across NDI.

Essential Accountabilities/Responsibilities

• Provide general support and guidance in the coordination and execution of regional DMEL activities and processes. Work with regional management and/or global DMEL to clarify and prioritize required team M&E resources/roles.
• Execute DMEL activities in accordance with DMEL protocols and in consultation with regional leadership throughout the program life cycle: design, start-up, management, and evaluation, ensuring the application of best practices in all stages of the process.
• Participate in sound program design through execution of processes that includes front-end analysis and implementation planning— critical assumption formulation, risk assessment, performance monitoring planning, and budget development—and identification of key performance indicators and measurement strategies, including relevant timelines for data collection and analysis.
• Support the establishment of monitoring and evaluation plans-ensuring the integration of baseline assessments and sound performance monitoring and evaluation systems and protocols- to support effective regional program management and ensure appropriate interventions throughout the program life cycle to allow for course corrections and other actions to keep performance progress on target to meet established donor requirements.
• Participate in and support operationalizing the monitoring and evaluation of program performance against established plans and indicators through data collection and analysis methodologies, instruments, and protocols. Ensure timely data imputation and maintenance in NDI’s institutional database in accordance with all required data protocols and conduct periodic data audits to benchmark and ensure the ongoing integrity and completeness of database content.
• Guide the analysis, visualization, and interpretation of program performance data to support its use in decision-making, donor reporting, and collaborative learning and adaptation. Execute a regular sequence of analysis and review processes are in place to support data-driven learning, adaptation, and interventions for necessary course corrections.
• Contribute to the preparation of program performance/impact evaluations and reports, ensuring the use of high-quality evidence and analysis. Support preparations for learning discussions and reflections to identify evaluation recommendations and program management improvements.
• Work with regional leadership and the Global DMEL team to coordinate necessary training and resources to build regional DMEL knowledge and capacity as well as data collection and management competencies.
• Develop and foster effective working relationships with team leadership, other team members and, as required across other teams and partners, and facilitate collaborative and inclusive processes
• to identify regional DMEL activities and priorities and ensure alignment with broader institutional strategies and approaches. Participate in external meetings and events, as needed, to support/gain knowledge of DMEL activities/requirements.
• Participate in NDI’s DMEL Community of Practice (CoP) to identify common donor trends/challenges, share innovation and best practice, contribute to institutional standard setting data policy and governance, and leverage evidence-based programmatic learning. Collaborate with regional leadership to conduct regional CoP processes/discussions, securing assistance from the Global DMEL team as needed.
• Collaborate and liaise with the Global DMEL team in order to share regional-specific perspectives and learning, as well as to access/secure specialized/advanced DMEL resources, institutional protocols, and technical guidance for the region to support and strengthen program management, ensure compliance, and support evidence-based learning.
• Provide general guidance on the interpretation and application of regional and field office DMEL policies and requirements.

Peripheral Accountabilities/Responsibilities (Non-essential)

• Support onboarding and general DMEL training as required for regional staff relating to DMEL.
• Seek and actively engage in professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge and competence in DMEL, technical proficiencies, program management and donor requirements, and maintain a general working knowledge of relevant trends and issues occurring external to NDI.
• Perform other duties as required.

Parameters

• Incumbent operates under general direction, working in accordance with established procedures and objectives.
• Incumbent regularly interacts with staff all levels within NDI.
• Incumbent interacts with NDI partners, funders/donors, and other stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree, in international development, social science, evaluation, or other relevant discipline, or equivalent experience. Relevant Master’s degree is a plus. Additional years of relevant work experience may be substituted for educational requirement on a one-for-one basis

Experience

• Three (3) years relevant DMEL work experience in international development and/or democracy, human rights, and/or governance-related (DRG) program management.
• Prior relevant programmatic and international field work, particularly creating and maintaining monitoring and evaluation systems in-country, is highly desired.
• Demonstrating experience performing monitoring and evaluation activities and processes

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Basic knowledge and competence in program/project management, preferably related to international development work, and in one or more of NDI’s disciplines: e.g., political campaigns, elections, community organizing, technology/innovations, etc.
• Familiarity with USAID and/or other monitoring, evaluation, and learning requirements to support program life cycles, ensure compliance, promote accountabilities, and support progress reporting.
• Basic knowledge and proficiency with database management, preferably with experience with MS Excel, MS Access, or other monitoring and evaluation platforms.
• Basic analytical skills and in the establishment/execution of processes, approaches, tools and methodologies that facilitate DMEL activities and organizational learning.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, including routine data collection, data quality assurance, and promoting data for decision making and interventions/learning.
• Judgment and problem-solving skills for identifying problems, drawing conclusions, determining options for resolution, and recommending next steps.
• Strong interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to interact effectively and diplomatically with individuals at all levels of the organization, as well as externally—both domestically and internationally—with NDI partners, funders and other stakeholders.
• Strong communications skills, both oral and written, with the ability to effectively deliver information through various vehicles to a wide range of audiences with accuracy and attention-to-detail, while ensuring technical/complex information is provided in an understandable and meaningful manner.
• Basic knowledge and proficiency with programs for data collection, analysis, and visualization.
• A strong attention-to-detail, with propensity to complete work accurately and with a focus on quality.
• Initiative and demonstrated proficiency in the ability to organize, multi-task, prioritize, and effectively adapt to changing priorities/needs.
• Technical proficiency in Microsoft Office to include WORD, Excel, and PowerPoint; knowledge of Google Suite tools is preferred.
• Capacity to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team, as well as to provide guidance to others.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally, including to locations that may be remote and difficult to reach.
• Ability to apply discretion and maintain confidential information.
• Fluency in a foreign language and/or specialized/technical knowledge specific to the needs of the regional team is highly desired.

Certifications/Licenses

• None required.

Work Environment

This position generally is performed in an office environment and may be suitable for partial telework.

Occasional evening and weekend work may be required, as well as attendance at external events.

Some international travel is required for this role, approximately 5%, to NDI field locations in order to facilitate/leverage DMEL work at the country level. These locations often are in remote locations and may require significant time and varying modes of travel. Designated locations may at times be considered less secure and with greater risk to NDI employees.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting/mobility—to work at a desk and move around work areas.
• Speaking/hearing—to engage orally in conversation with others and conduct presentations.
• Seeing—to effectively use computer screen and for reading and interpreting printed materials, memos and other paperwork.
• Reaching/handling—to input information into computer systems and retrieve and work with appropriate paperwork, equipment and supplies.

ADA Notation:

The physical demands and work environment that have been described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Comments

To comply with tax and legal obligations, all candidates for DC-based positions must reside in Maryland, DC or Virginia. While there may be flexibility for remote/hybrid work environments, candidates must be residents of MD, DC or VA or relocate prior to the start of employment at NDI.

This is a union position to be represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 2.

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. NDI does not provide sponsorship.

NDI is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). As such, NDI makes employment decisions and provides equal employment opportunity without regard to an applicant’s or employee’s race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state and local laws. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please notify NDI’s Human Resources department.

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