Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Expert

• IPE Globals Social and Economic Empowerment practice works towards building girl capital, empowering women and nurturing resilient communities by creating inclusive and sustainable solutions
• IPE Global invites applications from eligible candidates for the position of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Expert for designing and coordinating the overall monitoring, evaluation and learning framework for programs across SEE
• S/he will be required to develop necessary tools, lead in survey design and data collection efforts, training of researchers and investigators, oversee database management, conduct advance level data analysis, and prepare technical reports, policy briefs and research papers, etc Based on insights derived from the monitoring data, s/he will also provide feedback and guidance to the program team both on program correction and improving data quality

Role

• MEL Strategy and Implementation
• Lead in the design and implementation of projects overall Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning strategy and framework;
• Review all project components and design appropriate monitoring and evaluation mechanisms; assess all reporting and performance frameworks for all key activities under each component of the project;
• Ensure that ME activities, frameworks, and key indicators are designed in line with the results log frame;
• Lead in survey research design, sampling framework, survey implementation and data collection activities, manage a team of field researchers, investigators, and ensure data quality at the field level
• Oversee, and lead the preparation of high quality monthly analytical reports based on the program monitoring data coming from the field
• Oversee the implementation of Quarterly Concurrent Monitoring of the program including but not limited to training the researchers, field supervision of data collection, ensuring data quality control, data cleaning, database management, data analysis, and preparing Quarterly monitoring report
• Manage large datasets coming from districts, clean field level data, run rigorous analytical tools and statistical tests, conduct advanced level statistical analysis (tests of significance, correlation and regression analysis, propensity score matching, principal component analysis, merging datasets, advance 4-layer crosstabulations, multiple response analysis, methods of sampling, etc) using either SPSS or STATA
• Based on evidence and insights from monitoring data, provide appropriate feedback and learning to the program implementation and monitoring team for possible improvements
• Design research and evaluation studies using appropriate methods for demonstrating the impact of the program and attribution of change to key project activities; write research protocols, help in obtaining IRB (ethical clearance) as necessary
• Help setting up a system of appropriate reporting structure from the grassroots to the donors and coordinate with block and district level staff on data gathering, data quality control, and reporting
• Supervise and conduct project evaluation and prepare strategic documents/ reports, manuscripts for publication in peer reviewed journals and disseminate the learning through appropriate forums
• Management Information System (MIS)
• Help develop a technology-enabled project MIS; review the existing MIS for the availability and correctness of the required key performance indicators; and provide feedback
• Provide technical inputs on the preparation of dashboards, visual representation of data, key performance indicators, and time-series analysis
• External Engagement
• Support in performance-based reporting as per stakeholder requirements

Qualification Experience:

Essential

• Advanced university degree in Economics, Statistics, Demography, Development Studies or other relevant disciplines
• A PhD with a minimum of 10 yearsexperience is required
• At least 7 years of experience in an ME role including large-scale qualitative and quantitative data processing and management; and designing evaluation and research studies
• Strong skills in statistical methods, sampling design and methodology, evaluation methods, causal analysis, and designing research studies,
• An advance level skill in SPSS or STATA is non-negotiable
• Excellent skills in data mining, running complex data query, merging datasets, advance data analysis in SPSS or STATA is necessary (the candidate must be able to take a test over Skype)
• Demonstrated experience of publication in peer reviewed journals as a first, or second author
• Experience in leading and managing large scale data collection, management and analysis in donor funded projects, preferably in health/nutrition/gender-related programmes
• In-depth knowledge and proven expertise in developing ME systems, methods tools, knowledge products using high quality data analytics
• Excellent verbal, interpersonal and written communication skills

Desirable

• Experience of working on large scale public health projects in India
• Good understanding of maternal and child health and nutrition and rural development sectors and programmes