MERLA Director | Dar es Salaam, Tanzania | 2024

Job Description

Chemonics seeks a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning and Adapting (MERLA) Director for the anticipated USAID-funded Jifunze Uelewe follow on activity in Tanzania. The Activity’s overall objective is to sustainably improve literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional skills for all pre-primary and standard 1 – 4 learners in target regions; strengthen the capacity of local and regional government to sustain improved learning outcomes; and increase community support for safe and inclusive learning environments.

The MERLA Director will be responsible for overseeing all MERLA-related functions of the activity. We are seeking individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world.

Responsibilities include:

• Leads the development and review of the project MEL plan and associated workplans, as reflected in the results framework;
• Provides cross cutting support including iteration, adaptation, and sharing learning on best practices within the education sector
• Collaborates with the relevant communications teams to development and implement the Activity’s communication strategy and annual workplan for communications asset production, dissemination, and monitoring.
• Leads the development of the project’s MEL strategy and monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) plan, and oversee data collection, data systems, and results reporting to meet USAID requirements.
• Spearheads, guides, and supervises all database, survey, and assessment methodology documents (sampling frame, guides, instructions, surveys, and analysis) for quality assurance and adherence to USAID data quality standards and industry best practices
• Leads the development of collaboration, learning, and adaptation (CLA) mechanisms and incorporate these mechanisms throughout implementation to regularly adapt and modify approaches and interventions as needed.
• Develops, with input from technical staff, baseline survey data points and methods for MEL per the Activity’s MEL plan and individual activities.
• Ensures the inclusion of youth- and gender-sensitive indicators and results in MEL.
• Provides evidence-based data and information to the technical team to develop progress reports, technical papers, success stories, case studies, etc.; recommend improvements to meet Activity goals.
• Perform other duties as assigned by the Chief of Party

Qualifications:

• Advanced degree (Master’s level or equivalent) in area of monitoring, evaluation, and learning or another relevant subject matter required;
• Minimum (12-15) years of experience working with USAID and in data systems, knowledge management, international development, or another relevant field.
• Experience in designing, using and implementing M&E methodologies and tools and the ability to train others in their use.
• Excellent presentation skills and strong ability to communicate clearly and concisely in writing.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)
• Detail oriented, and ability to prioritize tasks.
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity.
• Fluency in written and spoken English; fluency in Kiswahili preferred.
• Qualified applicants from Tanzania highly encouraged to apply.