MEL Specialist

Position description

AIR Mexico is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist to lead performance monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning activities and support the knowledge management needs of our international labor and workforce portfolio. The candidate is expected to collaborate with the labor and workforce portfolio MEL team, project staff, HQ and other stakeholders in the design and implementation of project MEL plans, develop resources, provide technical guidance and training on methodologies and data collection tools, strengthen monitoring systems, and advance organizational learning.

Min 8 years’ professional experience in a MEL position responsible for performance measurement, evaluation, learning, and knowledge management. Experience in: indicator development, reporting, database management, data quality assurance, M&E capacity building, and developing MEL and performance monitoring plans for international development clients (US government funding: USAID, INL, USDOL, USDOS, etc). Strong experience developing and executing learning agendas, facilitating learning workshops, and supporting MEL for adaptive management.

The responsibilities for the position include:

• In coordination with MEL and program teams, lead the design of project MEL systems including facilitating theories of change, developing logic models, developing Performance Management Plans (PMPs), designing indicators, and setting targets considering donor preferences and requirements
• Design and operationalize project learning agendas and related activities ensuring alignment with the portfolio’s overall Learning Agenda
• Operationalize project MEL systems, including designing and developing data collection tools, managing an M&E workplan, assigning roles and responsibilities across the project team, adhering to proper data storage protocols in Toladata, conducting data analysis, and leading on M&E reporting activities
• Guide, coach, and train other MEL staff in MEL activities throughout the project lifecycle and support their collaboration with program staff to implement data collection, analysis, and reporting activities
• Design, develop, and ensure the quality of assessments, analytical reports, and evaluations, including project needs assessments
• Regularly review data collection and perform data quality assessments and adjust as needed
• Facilitate learning activities including pause-and-reflect meetings, after-action reviews, and encourage the use of data produced through M&E systems for learning and adaptation
• Analyze performance and monitoring data to extrapolate relevant information and provide written and oral briefings to project teams, portfolio leadership, or donors to inform management and adapt interventions as requested
• Support completion of donor reports, including compiling the relevant indicator data, producing visualizations and contributing towards narrative reporting, primarily in English.
• Work with staff to develop action plans that address donor-led evaluation report recommendations
• Other duties, as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor or Master’s degree in international development, statistics, demographics, public policy, economics, or related field. Master’s and/or a MEL certificate or concentration preferred.
• At minimum 8 years’ professional experience in a MEL position responsible for performance measurement, evaluation, learning, and knowledge management.
• Experience should include indicator development, target setting, reporting, database management, data quality assurance, M&E capacity building, leading learning activities, and developing MEL and performance monitoring plans for international development clients (US government funding: USAID, INL, USDOL, USDOS, etc)
• Experience designing and managing project data management systems. Experience with Toladata or similar technology platforms preferred.
• Experience building and maintaining working relations with stakeholders and demonstrated ability to efficiently and effectively interface (and represent AIR) with donor agency counterparts, government officials, partner organizations, and other stakeholders.
• Experience providing mentorship and support to MEL staff.
• Prior experience using methods and tools to ensure results include gender, disability, and conflict sensitive measures.
• Fluency in Spanish and English is required.

SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE:

• Past success in designing, implementing, and efficiently operating project MEL systems from project initiation to closeout stages.
• Deep knowledge and experience facilitating theories of change, working with logical frameworks, and designing learning agendas.
• Strong facilitation skills, including experience facilitating learning activities, MEL related workshops, MEL design workshops, and supporting adaptation practices.
• Strong qualitative research skills, including qualitative sampling, data collection instruments, facilitating focus groups and interviews, and qualitative analysis with NVivo or similar programs.
• Strong descriptive quantitative research skills, including sampling, cleaning and merging data, developing surveys, training enumerators, conducting descriptive analysis, and managing data quality. Experience with Kobo Toolbox or similar platforms, preferred. Advanced Excel skills or skills in a statistical analysis package (SPSS, Stata, etc.).
• Strong interest in evaluations, performance monitoring, data collection, donor assistance impact, and related issues.
• Familiarity with complexity-aware and participatory MEL approaches and methodologies, highly preferred but not required.
• Ability to handle multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated ability to communicate effectively in cross-cultural settings
• Ability to work well independently with limited supervision.
• Flexible, team-oriented attitude and strong organizational skills with exceptional “customer service” skills and mindset.
• Comfortable operating in a matrix work environment.
• Deep familiarity with Mexican and Latin American (Central America) culture, society, and development context or that of other similar countries in the region.

Application instructions

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