Ethiopia: Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Director (local nationals)

Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Director

Position Location: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Background:

Creative Associates International is a dynamic, fast-growing global development firm that specializes in education, economic growth, democratic institutions and stabilization. Based in Washington, D.C., Creative has a field presence in more than 25 countries with a strong client portfolio that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department, among others. Since its founding in 1977, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

Project Summary:

The five-year READ II project, funded by USAID, will boost the quality of literacy instruction and student support, reaching out to children at risk of failure and dropout caused by cognitive, emotional and physical effects of hunger, violence, and displacement. READ II seeks to better equip teachers with effective early grade reading instruction techniques and materials in seven mother-tongue languages and English, while simultaneously building a culture of reading in the school, home and community.

Position Summary:

The Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Director will ensure that performance monitoring, action research, and evaluations are consistent with program outcomes and track progress of activities in achieving goals and outcomes. It will also manage and coordinate field monitoring and expert assessments, and any other personnel responsible for monitoring performance, monitoring and collecting data and reports. The Director shall ensure that the methodologies proposed by the contractor to measure the impact of the program on access, retention, reading and learning outcomes, school safety, community involvement, gender, including disabilities, and conflict-sensitive measures, are consistently and systematically monitored and reported.

Reporting & Supervision:

The Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Director will report to the Chief of Party and supervise a team of M&E specialists.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Develop and update the READ II PMEP, including review of its results framework, potential indicators, relevant and applicable baseline data collection strategies and methodologies, and the financial and human resources needed to successfully implement the M & E strategy;
• Develop tools for data collection and protocols;
• Develop an advanced data management system, with the support of the M&E team;
• Analyze ongoing quantitative / qualitative data at different points in the program leading to the specific program / contract results;
• Work with national education partners on the development of EMIS mandated by the project mandate;
• Conduct field visits, as necessary, to develop monitoring / performance management plans with READ II technical teams;
• Supervise technical assistance and training to provincial and district levels of education to support increased use of education data for decision-making;
• Regularly review READ II work plans to ensure the timely achievement of results related to USAID M & E;
• Elaborate annual READ II plans related to the M & E component as well as budgets for relevant activities;
• Supervise and help build the capacity of project M & E staff at the provincial level to carry out READ II activities;
• Ensure regular communication of M & E activities to all key stakeholders and contribute to the quarterly, annual report and project reporting to USAID, with the support of the Communication Officer;
• Collaborate with the technical team to monitor the progress of the program in terms of the compliance requirements of USAID results and indicators;
• Work closely with technical staff and institutional partners to explain M & E processes and understand how these processes relate to the project's technical work, and to promote M & E-related training as needed;
• Manage M & E resources and ensure that M & E information and resources are up-to-date, available to staff and widely disseminated;
• Other related duties as assigned.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree is required. An advanced (master's / doctoral) degree in education or research is preferred.
• Training in qualitative and quantitative analysis.
• At least eight years of work experience is needed, specifically to improve evidence-based initial reading programming for rural, ethnolinguistic, and underserved populations.
• Proven success and experience in monitoring results and indicators of access and quality of education, learning outcomes and community involvement.
• Must have five years of experience in developing and implementing reading materials for evidence-based initial classes, training programs, classroom monitoring protocols and tests / assessments including EGRA.
• Previous experience in USAID-funded programs, and a strong knowledge of USAID reporting requirements is an advantage.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and teamwork. Effective communication skills, able to make formal and informal presentations both orally and in writing and produce professional and analytical reports and program documents.
• Previous experience working with USAID desired.

Please send your resume/CV to EthiopiaRecruit@CreativeDC.com with "ME&L Director" in the subject line.