Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning (MEL) / Collaboration, Learning and Adapting (CLA) Director

POSITION TITLE: Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning (MEL) / Collaboration, Learning and Adapting (CLA) ( Director LOCATION: Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic REPORTS TO: Chief of Party POSITION SUMMARY: Based in Santo Domingo, with regular trips to the areas of intervention, the MEL/CLA Director will lead the development, implementation, and adaptation of the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Plan for a 5-year project to reduce waste in municipalities leading to cleaner oceans in the Dominican Republic. The MEL/CLA Director will work in close collaboration with program staff, partners, and the donor and ensure that its collaborative MEL and CLA processes adequately reflect ongoing learning, knowledge sharing, and adaptive management. The Ocean Plastics Solid-Waste Management Activity in Dominican Republic is an anticipated $15M USAID-funded project that will work on the Northern Coast of the Dominican Republic to enable communities and economies to thrive and to build resilience to climate and economic shocks through strengthened capacity and governance to implement solid waste management practices at the municipal and national levels, community adoption of sustainable waste management practices, and circular economy models for plastic in collaboration with the private sector. The position is contingent upon receipt of donor funding. Essential Responsibilities: Provide technical leadership for MEL and CLA to the project team to ensure Winrock and USAID MEL requirements are met on timely basis. Develop, implement, and regularly update the MEL Plan in line with USAID’s guidance and standard indicators, and based on learning from implementation of the Activity. Guide data collection, management of the data, and display of the results – based on both quantitative and qualitative inputs. This includes data analysis, reporting, and dissemination, building capacity of technical staff in these areas, and ensuring compliance with USAID requirements. Oversee all project monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning processes for the Activity, ensuring appropriate MEL standards are followed in how data is collected, documented, analyzed, stored, and reported. Design monitoring and evaluation tools and processes, including baseline assessments, where necessary, ongoing monitoring, and internal and external assessments. Ensure timely collection, verification, and analysis of data on all program indicators and their timely delivery for quarterly and other required reports to USAID and other agencies, as appropriate. Monitor project progress toward project results in close collaboration with program team, and recommend actions emanating from regular project monitoring. Supervise timely and accurate reporting of quantitative and qualitative data by program implementing partners, in cooperation with program staff. Work with the technical team to develop and implement the project’s CLA strategy, including leading design of any data collection tools for case studies, assessments, etc. Facilitate annual pause and reflect sessions to capture learning, introduce improvements, and achieve meaningful results. Validate data from program partners, grantees, and staff, including through field monitoring visits. Conduct spot-check verifications and data quality analysis. Set up and monitor feedback mechanisms for communities benefiting from the project through project partners or direct communication with Winrock; promote best practices and elevate concerns and complaints adequately. Lead project reporting through close cooperation with senior management to consolidate accurate and descriptive reporting of program results, including activities, outputs, and results of implementing partners. Analyze gender, equity, and social inclusion results of the project. Participate in Winrock International’s Community of Practice on MEL topics and Leverage Winrock’s Home Office support to ensure best practices are used on the project. Other duties as assigned. Education Master’s level degree preferred in data-intensive disciplines such as statistics, geography, water resources, public health, public policy, economics, social sciences or a related field, and/or specialized training/certification in monitoring & evaluation Qualifications: At least eight years’ experience in the monitoring and evaluation of international development projects preferably with USAID and preferably environment, water resources management, biodiversity, climate change, agriculture, or related sectors. Experience managing large databases and 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 of staff, partners, and local grantees/organizations in MEL. Experience with mobile data collection strongly preferred. Familiarity with USAID monitoring and evaluation requirements strongly preferred. Proven record of designing and implementing data collection tools including surveys. Strong experience in performance measurement, indicator selection, data collection and analysis, database management. Ability to write clearly, accurately and concisely. Strong computer skills in word processing, spreadsheet, and databases. Experience with USAID or international NGOs desired. Ability to travel up to 50% to field sites as necessary across the Northern Coast of Dominican Republic. Fluency in Spanish required, proficiency in English strongly preferred. Winrock is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunity for all people and value diversity and inclusiveness. Winrock recruits, employs, trains, promotes and compensates 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 have a clear mission: Empower the disadvantaged, increase economic opportunity and sustain natural resources through unwavering dedication to accountability, equity, innovation, integrity and transformation. Winrock knows that its success comes from the hard work and steadfast dedication of its diverse workforce. Winrock remains committed to maintaining diversity, inclusion and equity across the entire organization