Scope of Work

USAID Sustainable Food Entrepreneurship

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Director

Antananarivo / Fort Dauphin, Madagascar (TBD)

1.    Background

DAI seeks a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Director for an upcoming USAID-funded opportunity in Madagascar entitled Sustainable Food Entrepreneurship. This new activity will focus within the Feed the Future Zone of Influence (ZOI), specifically within the ZOI in Anosy, Androy, and Toliara, and will layer with other donors and USAID projects, particularly Harena, USDA Food for Progress, Harena, Riake, and Rano WASH. The activity will have two components:

1.     Increasing sustainable production of diverse and nutritious foods: addressing the low productivity and vulnerability of local food crops, livestock, and fisheries, increasing food security and strengthening value chains by focusing on a diversified, climate-sensitive approach; and

2.    Strengthening resilient market systems: strengthening the private sector and entrepreneurship to create opportunities and build resilience of Madagascar’s food systems, and encouraging, facilitating, and mobilizing private sector investment and financial services to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs).

2.    Position Purpose

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Director manages all aspects of the monitoring and reporting system, including development of the Activity indicators. S/he manages, analyzes information, and reports to the Chief of Party (COP) on progress toward achievement of key results as agreed in the annual work plans. The MEL Director is responsible for promoting collaboration and effective knowledge exchange among local partners and external stakeholders. This position ensures that the activity produces and disseminates high quality knowledge, tools, and lessons learned through routine monitoring and evaluation and implementation experience.

3.    KEy Duties & Responsibilities

Quality Reporting, Monitoring, Evaluation, Assessment & Research Planning:

·       Develop and refine M&E Frameworks. Ensure that project components have results-based annual work plans with indicators, baselines, and targets, established at outcome, output and intervention levels.

·       Establish and coordinate effective mechanisms of monitoring the project implementation including development of evaluation tools (including baseline assessments) and processes.

·       Ensure optimal use of evaluation by providing guidance and support in preparation of timely management response to all mandatory evaluation.

·       Oversee maintaining of the database and work with relevant specialists as needed, including DAI TAMIS team (if deemed appropriate). 

·       Oversee development of high-quality, dynamic data visualizations and reports, integrating a range of formats for use in planning and reporting.

·       Provide technical support/advice to ensure timely and accurate measurement of changes in the country or region, including monitoring of socio-economic trends, to facilitate planning and assess the impact of policies.

·       Update and maintain project Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plans capturing qualitative and quantitative aspects, according to the annual work plans and established quality standards.

·       Coordinate and contribute to the development of methods and protocols for systematic data collection and analysis of the Activity achievements against performance indicators.

·       Address challenges in data and information management that impact quality.

·       Oversee support to the project team in collection, verification, and update of data; monitor data accuracy, entry, and cleaning; and oversee maintaining accurate and up-to-date metadata.

·       Ensure high quality and accuracy of project results presented in donor reports and communications materials.

·       Coordinate proper data maintenance.

·       Provide technical support during development of new interventions by defining outcomes, outputs, and indicators.

·       Ensure that evaluations, assessments, and other M&E products are designed and implemented in accordance with established DAI’s quality standards, and the results are disseminated in a timely manner to stakeholders in order to improve performance and contribute to wider learning.

·       Support design and implementation of innovative solutions to data gathering and monitoring.

·       Ensure mainstreaming of gender equality in all aspects of M&E and reporting, promotion of a safe and enabling environment free of any kind of discrimination and abusive behavior, and gender-responsive communications based on corporate principles.

Knowledge Management and Capacity Building:

·       Identify and formulate evaluation and audit findings, lessons learned from evaluations and studies to be integrated into broader DAI knowledge management.

·       Promote the shared responsibility of M&E function among all staff members and partners through communication, training, learning and development activities.

·       Coordinate with grants/partnerships team to support grant/partnership awards’ implementation and assessment in terms of appropriate M&E data collection and assessment of grant awards’ impact.

·       Design and provide training for the project staff, local partners and grantees on M&E. 

·       Support project and partners with effective use of tools and methodologies for planning, monitoring, reporting, and measuring outcomes and progress towards key performance indicators. Coordinate and contribute to project staff and stakeholders’ capacity building based on best practices in DAI rules and guidelines on project cycle, project strategic objectives and interlinkages.

·       Collaborate and coordinate with other donor-funded projects, government agencies, NGOs, and other organizations on monitoring and evaluation issues; keep abreast of latest development and professional norms, standards, tools, and methodologies.

·       Coordinate producing data for activity updates, newsletters, and performance reports, if needed.

·       Coordinate with technical teams to provide data for success stories.

Staff Supervision:

·       Lead the MEL team to ensure the MEL system accurately captures project and donor needs.

·       Train, supervise, and mentor MEL staff.

·       Plan, assign, and direct work; appraise performance, address, and resolve problems.

Communications (in coordination with the communication team):

·       Represent project in a professional manner to relevant stakeholders.

·       Foster ongoing positive cooperation with the stakeholders and project staff.

·       Ensures that the correct project branding and marking are utilized during the performance of the technical tasks.

Reporting:

·       Coordinate and contribute to preparation of project quarterly and annual reports.

·       Ensure progress towards key performance indicators is reported in a timely manner.

·       Oversee implementation of the indicators through the review of reports, correspondence, and site visits.

·       Serve as the point of contact for all official communication dealing with M&E management.

·       Performs other functions as requested by management.

4.     minmum Qualifications

·       Master’s degree in monitoring and evaluation, international development, business administration, or a related field required.

·       At least 8 years of professional experience with MEL systems.

·       At least 5 years of experience in MEL plan development, management, and implementation for international development programs.

·       At least 4 years of experience with USAID data reporting.

·       Demonstrated understanding and interpretation of environmental, economic and social indicators.

·       Experience with capacity building for local partners to implement, report and comply with MEL systems.

·       Demonstrated ability to plan and carry out baseline and periodic programmatic assessments to track performance and make necessary adjustments to enhance program performance and reorient MEL systems.

·       Demonstrated ability to lead multidisciplinary team of professionals on large and complex international development programs.

·       Experience managing and mentoring a multicultural team of MEL staff.

·       Experience building and maintaining relationships with local partners, including grantees.

·       Demonstrated ability to ability to obtain, organize, and draft clear and concise reports; analyze and evaluate data and reports; and provide accurate assessments.

·       Strong computer skills and knowledge of relevant statistical packages.

·       High level of attention to detail and time management skills.

·       Strong written and oral communication skills, as well as excellent interpersonal skills.

·       Professional-level oral and written fluency in English and French required; professional-level oral and written fluency in Malagasy also highly preferred.

Equal Employment Opportunity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran.

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting discrimination in all forms, nurturing respect for our interpersonal relationships, 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, ethnicities, 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.

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

DAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.