Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Director/Директор (-ка) з моніторингу, оцінки, досліджень і навчання (MERL)

Global Communities works at the intersection of humanitarian assistance, sustainable development and financial inclusion to save lives, advance equity and secure strong futures. We support communities at the forefront of their own development in more than 35 countries, partnering with local leaders, governments, civil society and the private sector to achieve a shared vision of a more just, prosperous and equitable global community. 

Global Communities is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Director to join the Humanitarian Assistance team in Kyiv, Ukraine. The MERL Director oversees routine monitoring, evaluation, research, information management, communication, reporting, learning and the feedback and complaints mechanism (FBM) departments for the Global Communities Ukraine country program. The position is responsible for designing and managing a monitoring and reporting system including finalizing program indicators and full implementation of each project’s Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan (AMELP) to inform USAID, USAID/Bureau of Humanitarian Assistance (BHA), and other donors as well as the Chief of Party, Program Director (PD), and the technical staff of project status and progress toward achievement of key results as agreed in annual work plans. 

Research, Monitoring and Evaluation Technical Support to Country Portfolio 

• Provide technical and management support to strategic country level awards to ensure high quality MERL systems, activities and deliverables which meet donor and Global Communities requirements.
• Lead the design, adaptation, and establishment of MERL systems for existing and newly established awards including the development of MERL plans and related products, tools, forms, and mechanisms for data collection and reporting.
• Provide leadership and oversight for awards in the design and implementation stages and timely completion of award or proposal-based needs assessment, baseline activities, additional research or special studies and mid-term and/or final evaluation; including but not limited to supporting developing terms of reference, identification of external consultants, methodology, inception report and tool(s) review and final award deliverables.
• Manage Monitoring contracts and donor contracted Third Party Monitoring initiatives, ensuring deliverables are met in accordance with the TOR of these contracts.
• Coordinate closely with local partners to provide technical support and guidance to MERL systems, ensure accurate and efficient data flows from partners for reporting, share learning, and lead coordination for Global Communities’ awards around major MERL activities and evaluations, including providing training(s).
• Implement capacity strengthening and training of Global Communities’ and partner MERL staff, as well as other staff as appropriate, including identification of areas for growth which may include the identification of resources and/or professional development opportunities internally and externally.

Management and Coordination

• Manage a team of technical MERL, FBM and communications staff with approximately five direct reports.
• Provide mentorship and support to direct staff to build capacity, through daily communication and regular mentoring and guidance ensuring that they do the same for their direct reports.
• Develop and Manage MERL budgets and expenditures, ensuring that department activities are being implemented on-budget and on-schedule.
• Coordinate with programs, security, finance, logistics, and other relevant departments to ensure all MERL activities are implemented efficiently, safely and without adding risk to beneficiaries or staff. Incorporate MERL activities into regular work planning, participate in or delegate staff to participate in program review sessions to ensure MERL activities align with and support the pace of implementation.
• Represent Global Communities externally for NGO Forum M&E meetings, with local partner organizations and with TPM organizations as required.

Learning

• Design and implement the Global Communities, Ukraine Learning Strategy including systematic tracking and dissemination of lessons learned.
• Lead the development and integration of learning and adaptive management principles, processes, and activities (building from USAID’s CLA Framework) to strengthen the utilization of data and knowledge into program implementation within awards and across the country office. This includes contributing to a culture of continuous learning and improvement and supporting team members in this area.
• Analyze the MERL processes in Ukraine and design strategically placed support to strengthen program-based learning, data utilization and sharing that is regularly accessible to country leadership as well as external stakeholders to enhance the visibility of programs, technical learning, and program improvement.
• Lead regular MERL coordination meetings, information sharing and learning between teams and partners.

Technical Support of New Program Development

• Support country level and HQ proposal teams by contributing to, development and/or reviewing of relevant core components of proposals with a focus on components related to MERL.
• Lead and/or coordinate, as needed, country level MERL inputs and/or design workshops for the development of theories of changes and/or results framework, PMP, or other proposal MERL related requirements in collaboration with the proposal team, country leadership and/or the MERL HQ focal point(s).

Communication and Reporting

• Consistent with the GC communication strategy, review and coordinate dissemination of all communication material for the Ukraine program.
• Accountable for quality control in content developed for newsletters, success stories, infographics, and audio-visual materials to inform and educate stakeholders.
• Ensure the timely release of communication materials including event press releases and maintenance of all web-based communication portals.
• Organize and manage trainings for GC staff, grantees, and subcontractors to ensure their communications materials adhere to donor requirements.
• Develop and roll out a system for evidence and learning through briefs, case studies, and success stories, including working with members of the partners team.
• Ensure the development of timely inputs for monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual progress reports and any other required reports.

Complaints and Feedback Mechanism

• Develop a Complaints and Feedback mechanism strategy and oversee its roll out.
• Work directly with program managers and staff to systematically review existing complaints and feedback mechanism systems, identify areas for improvement and oversee the improvement.
• Provide technical guidance and support to ensure feedback is appropriately received, documented and followed-up on in line with GC polices and standards.
• Support and manage the Ukraine FBM staff, including development of a training and capacity building plan and regular field trips to provide technical support and guidance.

POSITION SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Promote a culture of excellence, inclusion, learning, support, diversity, and innovation.
• Ability and willingness to travel in Ukraine for up to 25% of the time.
• Visit project locations and partner activities for appropriate oversight and representation.
• Direct supervision of in-country staff.
• Will be required to attend meetings outside of normal business hours, i.e., evenings and weekends.
• All other job-related duties as assigned by supervisor.

• Experience designing M&E systems, indicators, and monitoring plans. Strong data collection and data management skills, including survey design, development of qualitative inquiries, use of digital data collection platforms, and storage and quality control of both quantitative and qualitative datasets.
• Experience working with national staff and building local capacity.
• Demonstrated understanding of and adherence to humanitarian principles.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, coordination skills, analytic skills, interpersonal skills, team management skills
• Strong Excel skills required. Comfort using visualization and data modeling software such as Power BI or Tableau required.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
• Reliability and ability to work independently and in a team environment.
• Strong written and oral communications skills in English required, Ukrainian and/or Russian preferred.
• Experience managing teams in conflict zones.
• A passion for the mission and values of Global Communities

• Undergraduate degree in a related discipline and a minimum of eight years of related work experience or a minimum of 12 years of related work experience.
• A minimum of eight years of international humanitarian experience, including at least four years specifically focused on MERL.
• Experience in humanitarian emergency response and early recovery programming.
• Equivalent combination of education and experience
• Proficient in USAID rules and regulations; prior experience working on USAID and USAID BHA funded programs and other donors such as UN, preferred. A strong understanding of USAID/BHA, GASI (Gender, Age, & Social Inclusion), and SAP (Safe & Accountable Programming) desirable.
• Demonstrated knowledge of USAID MEL guidance and policy in the context of the program cycle, as well as USAID policies and processes around Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation (CLA).
• Demonstrated ability to coordinate with multiple stakeholders for data collection, data verification, reporting and dissemination.

The salary for this position is $102,000-187,300. Salary is based on several factors including qualifications, experience, and internal equity.  

As an organization working to advance public health, Global Communities has an obligation to model best practices and to do all we can to protect each other, our partners and the communities where we work.  To ensure the continuity and effectiveness of our business operations, Global Communities is adopting a policy to safeguard the health of our visitors, employees, families, and the larger global community from COVID-19.  Effective January 3, 2022, all U.S.-based Global Communities employees are required to provide proof of having received full dosage of COVID-19 vaccine that is FDA approved, approved for emergency use authorization, or have an approved medical or religious exemption on file with Global Communities, as a condition of employment.

To submit your application for a vacancy, please follow the link below

https://internationalcareers-globalcommunities.icims.com/jobs/2293/monitoring%2c-evaluation%2c-research-and-learning-%28merl%29-director%2c-ukraine/job

Interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. Position is open until filled.

Global Communities holds strict safeguarding principles and has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. In the process of recruitment, selection, and appointment, Global Communities will conduct robust reference and background screening checks, including international vetting as a signature of the Global Misconduct Disclosure Scheme to ensure children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded, and abuse is prevented.  The incumbent is required to carry out their duties in accordance with Global Communities Safeguarding policy and the Standards of Conduct.

Global Communities is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  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.