MERL Associate
Be a part of Plan: Plan International USA is part of the Plan International Federation, a global organization that works side by side with communities in over 50 developing countries to end the cycle of poverty for children, young people, and their families. Plan works at the community level to develop customized solutions and ensure long-term sustainability. Our solutions are designed up-front to be owned by communities for generations to come and range from clean water and health care programs to education projects and child protection initiatives.
Summary Scope of Work:
Plan International USA (USNO) is currently in the process of hiring two Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Associates. Along with the qualifications listed below, we are looking for candidates with language fluency in Spanish or French, and either proven skills in knowledge management, CLA and research, or expertise in MERL digital technology and data use. Both Associates will provide technical support for Plan International USA (USNO) monitoring, evaluation, research and learning initiatives throughout the world. The position will be responsible for providing technical assistance to in-country project implementation teams and collaborating with USNO technical staff to support high impact programming with rigorous M&E strategies, digital capabilities as well as research and robust learning agendas.
RESPONSABILITIES:
Technical Support (80%)
- Assist and provide guidance and technical support to the Plan Country Office M&E teams
- Assist the Country M&E team to develop data collection tools, plans and timelines, monitor data quality, participate in start-up and close-out, oversee baseline, midline and endline assessments, conduct MERL trainings, and participate in project meetings.
- Under the guidance of the MERL Advisors provide technical support for research and evaluation activities, including designing tools, planning and managing field work, managing consultants developing tools, analyzing data, and writing reports
- Assisting country project teams to develop and carry out learning plans, produce high quality technical reports and disseminate items both externally and internally
- Promote and support the dissemination of best practices among the project teams
Business Development (10%)
- Assist in designing and writing M&E components for select USG, Corporate and Foundations, and donor-funded proposals, including data tables with baselines and targets, results frameworks and log frames, narratives and theories of change.
Support for Unit (10%)
- Contribute to USNO annual work planning
- Participate in the development and roll out of USNO M&E tools and guidelines
- Contribute to timely, accurate and appropriate reporting of project performance during portfolio reviews, and reporting results to the donor, including quarterly and annual reports
Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:
- Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant discipline such as social science, public administration, public health, and international studies
- Technical knowledge of at least one of Plan USA’s practice areas: education, child protection, health, youth economic empowerment, gender, and humanitarian assistance.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to present materials at meetings and conferences, and to write project documents (including research and evaluation design plans, logic models, data collection and data analysis plans, and final reports) and proposals with minimal revisions from the supervisor.
- Good quantitative and/or qualitative skills
- Experience using Excel and SPSS, Atlas.ti, dedoose, or other qualitative/quantitative software
- A team player accustomed to a collaborative working environment, and developing communities of learning among host country partners and counterparts
- Excellent interpersonal, writing, and oral presentation skills
- Strong change management, results oriented and decision-making skills
- Ability to work and stay positive in a complex environment with multiple tasks, short deadlines and intense pressure to perform
- Excellent English language skills, both oral and written, required
- Fluency in Spanish or French required. Fluency in both languages a big plus
- Ability to travel internationally
Preferred Qualifications:
- Experience in digital data reporting, including mobile data collection and reporting, dashboards, data visualization, and other digital technologies related to MERL.
- Experience in participating in research activities, such as creating interview guides and surveys, developing data analysis plans, managing field team data collection, entering, coding and analyzing data and assisting in report writing.
- knowledge management experience such as developing learning plans, writing technical briefs and blogs and creating podcasts. Familiarity with USAID’s CLA guidelines
- Experience living in a country where Plan implements projects
- Familiarity with USAID ADS Chapter 203 on Assessing and Learning
Candidates residing outside the United States, particularly in Latin America and West Africa, and working remotely are welcome to apply
Plan is a child-centered community development organization working with communities in over 50 countries to end the cycle of poverty for children and their families. We invite our staff to embrace Plan’s mission, working in partnership with management, peers, donors, and other supporters in an effort to make lasting change for children and families around the world.
We aspire to five core values that help us define our culture and to inform our business decisions: Accountability, Passion, Integrity, Respect, and Excellence - AsPIRE. Plan expects all staff to exhibit and embrace these values in every part of their work lives.
We are committed to adhering to Plan’s Child Protection Standards and protecting the wellbeing of children in any situation that may arise. The protection of children is everyone’s responsibility.
Plan offers opportunities for growth and development through internal and external training opportunities. We value the ideas and opinions of staff at any level and provide forums in which those can be shared with others.
Plan is an equal opportunity employer and follows all laws associated with the EEOC.