United States of America: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist - TNARC Program - 19034

Background:

WWF is anticipating being awarded a 5-year $45 million Leader with Associate (LWA) award that focuses in “Targeting Natural Resource Corruption”. WWF is the lead in a consortium with the U4 Anti-Corruption Research Centre, TRAFFIC and the Terrorism Transnational Crime and Corruption Center (TraCCC). The program will have global reach and combines a strong research element to generate new knowledge about what does or does not “work” in relation to effectively combating corruption in the area of renewable natural resources with an action oriented approach to implementing projects to test the hypotheses generated under the project.

This is an exciting project and is the first of its kind for WWF to implement. It will support one of the key pillars of the Governance Practice globally as well as enable numerous WWF offices to develop more effective governance and anti-corruption approaches to their work. The project will be high profile and require a significant amount of coordination and outreach with other partners – including the UN, bilateral donors, international NGOs and local civil society organizations.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist

Description: The MEL Coordinator will formulate the overall monitoring, evaluation and learning agenda for TNRC, and will be responsible for tracking progress and ensuring auditable documentation for all results claimed. S/he leads the development, rollout and implementation of performance monitoring and evaluation systems. S/he also contributes substantially to developing and implementing communications strategies for effective research uptake. In consultation with Consortium members, s/he makes recommendations for program improvements based on analyses of program results (positive or negative) and assesses the ongoing and net impacts of project contributions. S/he provides feedback to the Chief of Party and others on sustainability of programs as currently implemented, cost effectiveness versus impact, ongoing relevance, and provides lessons for application to TNRC.

• Design and oversee the implementation of MEL systems to ensure timely collection, management, and dissemination of data for reporting progress towards the program's objectives.
• Play a key role in collecting and analyzing evidence and learning from the program; designing and managing the program's overall learning agenda; overseeing or implementing selected research activities in close collaboration with the Chief of Party, Corruption Research Coordinator and Conservation Research Coordinator; and communicating research findings for effective knowledge uptake in USAID programming.
• Ensure the alignment of MEL components that are built into the design of each activity, including the development of theories of change, logical frameworks, results chains, complexity aware monitoring and robust MEL plans that are linked to the theory of change.
• Draw on consortium partners' expertise in conducting assessments and creating tailored tools and methods for measuring outcomes in key areas of work.
• Provide MEL guidance, oversight, and trainings to staff, including indicator development, data collection techniques and methodologies, measurement tools and analysis, and reporting protocols; developing and promoting the use of training materials, reference materials, and written guidance to all project staff and sub-grantees.
• Work with knowledge management and communications staff to develop and tell success stories and communicate research findings.
• Ensure programs are ready for Data Quality Assessments by providing relevant training to associate award implementers.
• Help implement an evidence-based adaptive management approach by developing strategies to identify and support needed program adjustments as needed.

• Facilitate Annual Pause and Reflect Sessions to inform development of annual work plans and program reports based on performance data and learning across awards

• Master's degree in conservation or a social science (public policy, sociology, anthropology, political science, economics, international relations).

• At least 5 years of relevant Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) experience.

• Strong analytical, quantitative and qualitative research skills.

• Understanding of USAID approaches to MEL frameworks including indicator development, learning questions, complexity aware monitoring and how MEL can support adaptive management approaches.

• Good understanding of biodiversity and renewable natural resource issues – ideally with prior experience in MEL approaches in this area.

• Ideally an understanding of how to measure outcomes and impacts related to “governance” approaches and in particular issues related to measuring corruption.

• Understanding of research communications and research uptake strategies is a strong plus.

• Strong written and oral communication skills.

• Strong proposal writing and coordination skills.

Location and Start

• The candidate would ideally be based in Washington DC/the USA. Other locations may be considered.
• We anticipate a project start date in early October.

To Apply:

• Submit cover letter and resume through ourCareers Page, Requisition #19034**
• Due to the high volume of applications we are not able to respond to inquiries via phone

As an EOE/AA employer, WWF will not discriminate in its employment practices due to an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, disability, or protected Veteran status.

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