MERL Director, USAID/Bangladesh Multi-Species Wildlife Conservation Activity

Winrock is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, Results, and Learning (MERL) Director to support a dynamic team to implement an anticipated USAID-funded project aimed at improving the protection of key wildlife species and their habitats in Bangladesh. Winrock International works with people around the world to increase economic opportunity, sustain natural resources, and protect the environment. The MERL Director will play a crucial role in implementing an anticipated $10-15M USAID-funded project. This initiative seeks to enhance the protection of key wildlife species and their habitat in Bangladesh by mitigating threats to wildlife and ecosystems, reducing consumer demand for wildlife, improving wildlife management and political commitment, and enhancing safeguards for natural resources and wildlife. The MERL Director will lead the development and oversight of the Monitoring, Evaluation, Results, and Learning (MERL) for the Activity and ensure data quality and collaborative learning and adaptation throughout implementation. The MERL Director is responsible for developing and overseeing all aspects of the activity’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning plans, data management, planning, research, and evidence activities. S/he develops data collection tools, evaluations, and research studies; trains staff and NGO Implementing Partners; monitors progress toward program results; provides up-to-date learning and adaptation; reports on performance information into USAID’s development information system; leads collaborative learning activities (CLA), including leveraging data for annual pause-and-reflect sessions and adaptive management; develops baseline, endline, and other research using international best practices; and supervises project MERL staff. This position is for qualified Bangladeshi nationals. Women are encouraged to apply. This position will be based in Dhaka, Bangladesh and is contingent upon award. The award is anticipated in early 2024. ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES: Develop and implement the project’s monitoring and evaluation plan and design monitoring and evaluation tools and processes, including the baseline assessment framework. Ensure timely collection, verification, and analysis of data on all project indicators, ensuring their timely delivery for quarterly and other required reports to USAID and other agencies, as appropriate. Monitor progress toward project results. Supervise timely and accurate reporting of quantitative and qualitative data by implementing partners, in cooperation with project staff. Validate data from project partners and staff, including through field monitoring visits. Cooperate closely with Winrock's home office to consolidate accurate and descriptive reporting of project results, including activities, outputs, and results of implementing partners. Lead data quality controls and verification procedures. Ensure the collection of data related to gender and social inclusion. Foster a results-oriented and learning culture throughout the project to ensure that MERL data and learning questions are used by the project team to improve performance. Prepare interpretation tools (e.g., tables and charts) for data representation. Design or update data collection instruments, schedules, analysis methods, and applied technologies. Oversee internal research and evaluation efforts of the project, from design stage to sharing findings, and prepare for external evaluations. Develop the capacity of implementing partners to institute appropriate MERL systems within their organizations. Lead Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) approaches throughout implementation. Co-facilitate \"Pause and Reflect\" sessions to capture learning, introduce improvements, and achieve meaningful results. Submit data to USAID’s reporting system (DIS) on a timely basis, and coordinate with Home Office MEL staff to develop and implement a data management plan for submitting selected project datasets to USAID’s Development Data Library (DDL). Participate in Winrock’s M&E Community of Practice. Perform other duties as assigned. QUALIFICATIONS AND BACKGROUND: Education: Master’s level degree required in social science discipline, such as statistics, public policy, economics or a related field, and/or specialized training/certification in monitoring & evaluation. Work Experience: Minimum of 7 years’ experience managing and implementing complex MERL systems for international development projects, preferably with USAID. Experience managing large monitoring and evaluation (M&E) databases, conducting timely data analysis, and developing reports. SQL database experience preferred. Experience in both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. Experience with capacity building in MEL required. Experience with mobile data collection strongly preferred. Familiarity with USAID M&E requirements strongly preferred. Proven record of designing and implementing data collection tools including surveys. Familiarity with emerging trends in MERL in the context of Bangladesh, in particular within the wildlife management sector. Previous experience working in Bangladesh is required. Skills/Knowledge: Strong skills in training design and facilitation. Fluency in written and oral English and Bangla. Strong Team Leader. Proficiency in word processing, database management, statistical analysis, survey, and presentation software. Familiarity with Microsoft Power BI is an advantage. About Us:Winrock is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all people and value diversity and inclusiveness. All employment decisions are based on merit, competence, and business need, regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, physical or mental disability, medical condition, family care status, or any other basis protected by law. At Winrock, we are driven by a clear mission: empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity, and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity, and transformation. Success at Winrock is a product of the hard work and dedication of our diverse workforce. We remain committed to maintaining diversity, inclusion, and equity across the entire organization. Learn more about our projects: https://winrock.org