Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Director- Mali

Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Director LOCATION: Bamako, Mali DEPARTMENT: Human Rights, Education, and Empowerment REPORTS TO: Chief of Party, Mali Cross Sectoral Youth POSITION SUMMARY: Winrock International is recruiting applicants for the position of a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, and Research Director for the anticipated U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) Mali Cross Sectoral Youth activity. The purpose of this activity is to enable vulnerable and marginalized 15–29-year-old Mailan youth to become educated, healthy, and productive citizens while building their resilience to recurrent crises. The position is contingent upon receipt of donor funding. Under the leadership of the Chief of Party, the MERL Director will design, lead, and regularly update the project’s Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (AMELP), in line with USAID directives. S/he will be responsible for the development and day-to-day supervision of a MERL system to track project performance indicators compared to targets to measure progress toward project objectives and expected results. The MERL Director will ensure quality routine data collection, data entry, data analysis, and timely reporting, in line with the AMELP. They will oversee routine data quality assurance exercises and participate as needed in MERL with the focus on improving monitoring systems, data quality, and data use at project sites. The MERL Director will also oversee all research conducted throughout the project, liaising with project staff, partners and government stakeholders to ensure quality and adherence with the project learning agenda. Coordinating closely with project staff, partners, and other key stakeholders, the MERL Director oversees the analysis, interpretation, and tracking of all program data, as well as documents and disseminates lessons learned, best practices, and other project deliverables. This Director will work regularly with the assigned Winrock International Analytics, Gender, Inclusion, Learning & Evaluation (AGILE) Project Support Technical Lead (based in the US). The Director will ensure that the AMELP and MEL activities are conducted in line with Winrock International and USAID policies. It is anticipated that this Director will oversee at least one direct report. RESPONSIBILITIES: Provide technical leadership in the development and updating of the project’s AMELP and research and learning agendas. Lead day-to-day implementation of all MERL related activities under the project AMELP. Service as recruiting manager for other MERL staff, consultants and temporary field staff for MERL related activities. Lead the design of quantitative and qualitative tools and implementation of robust context-appropriate systems for data collection, quality assurance, analysis, and reporting on activity outputs/outcomes and program quality. Work with Winrock International Analytics, Gender, Inclusion, Learning & Evaluation (AGILE) team’s Project Support MEL Lead and Computer Systems Lead to customize the Winrock Management Information System for this project, including designing data collection tools in mobile data collection platforms, designing calculation instructions, testing user interfaces, and proactively working to troubleshoot issues. Oversee and coordinate staff, partners, and key stakeholders to conduct data collection, entry, verification, analysis, and reporting on actual achievements against set targets, highlighting emerging patterns and offering clear reports on findings and conclusions. Operationalize a project learning agenda by leading its implementation as per the MEL plan. Ensure data quality, integrity, and security standards and procedures are in place and are aligned with country national monitoring and evaluation guidelines, protocols, information, and reporting systems. Engage with partners and local stakeholders to monitor the progress and success of activities. Design a reporting system that ensures data flow and utilization and provides insights on activity performance and areas, contributing towards strategic decision-making and project planning with project leadership. Work closely with project leadership, including partners and local stakeholders, to develop, implement, and monitor the implementation of a robust learning agenda for continuous learning, collaboration, and adaptation to further the project’s learning agenda. Contribute to the development and sharing of information and knowledge products with all relevant stakeholders in a timely manner. Contribute to annual workplan preparation in the design of MERL activities. Design and lead regular trainings on the project AMELP and Winrock MIS for project stakeholders. Lead the planning for any time-bound surveys or project evaluations. Ensure the meaningful integration of youth voices and perspectives across MERL and CLA initiatives. Direct management of MEL staff, partner staff with MEL responsibilities and consultants. Qualifications: Bachelor's degree in monitoring and evaluation, education, demography, social science, mathematics, economics, or relevant discipline Significant study in international development and/or program monitoring and evaluation Experience At least 8 years of experience in the design and implementation of MERL in development projects implemented by national/international NGOs. Experience in one or more project focus areas (education in emergencies, positive youth development, vocational training and entrepreneurship) and/or working in Mali. Demonstrated experience serving in senior MEL roles on USAID-funded projects. Demonstrated experience designing tools for data collection, analysis, and production of reports. Demonstrated experience in analyzing data using statistical software. Strong quantitative and analytical skills and ability to articulate technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences. Must have demonstrated mentoring and facilitation skills and the ability to network and communicate with a wide range of stakeholders. Advanced cross-cultural sensitivity, including experience working and communicating with professional and support staff in a multicultural, multi-linguistic environment; ability to promote an atmosphere of trust and mutual respect. Other: Ability to travel throughout Mali (in compliance with Covid-19 safety and security restrictions). Advanced skills in Microsoft Office, including proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams, and SharePoint Excellent interpersonal, communication, and negotiation skills. Excellent oral and written communication skills in French; professional proficiency in English desired. 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