Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Specialist

Position Location: Gaza

Background: Creative Associates International is a fast-growing, social impact company that specializes in the areas of education, economic growth, democratic transitions, and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Chevy Chase, Maryland, this global development organization has a field presence is more than 25 countries and a strong client portfolio of that includes the U.S. Agency for International Development and the State Department. Since its founding in 1977 by four enterprising women, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike. 

Project Summary

Creative Associates seeks a Monitoring Evaluation and Learning Specialist (MEL) for the USAID-funded West Bank, and Gaza (WBG) Basic Education Activity, which will strengthen education services for Palestinian children of KG 1 through Grade 6 and enable them to thrive and reach their full developmental potential. Under the Basic Education Activity, USAID seeks to work with the private sector, non-formal, non-governmental, community-based, and civil society partners to strengthen early childhood and primary educational opportunities through high quality early childhood education services and supplemental support structures to strengthen foundational pre-primary and primary education for children in the West Bank, Gaza, and East Jerusalem. Specific areas of focus include strengthening foundational skills in literacy, numeracy, social emotional learning (SEL)/soft skills, building teacher and student resilience capabilities and assets. The MEL Specialist will provide technical support in all monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities of BEA across Gaza of its implementation. Candidates must be authorized to work in Gaza 

Reporting & Supervision

The MEL Specialist will report to the Gaza Lead and work in close coordination with the Senior Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager in Ramallah. 

Primary Responsibilities:

Program Monitoring and Evaluation

• Support the development of Annual Work Plan(s), ensuring alignment with the project’s expected deliverables and results.
• Support MEL Manager in reviewing and updating the BEA AMELP, ensuring measurable indicators and targets are clearly defined for outputs, outcomes, and impacts. Collaborate with BEA program staff to develop monitoring plans for activities, compile them, and incorporate into the final AMELP.
• Support MEL Manager in designing and implementing effective Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) systems, including procedures for the following: data quality assurance, data compilation, processing, and performance data analysis.
• Liaise with the technical team to ensure regular and consistent documentation, timely submission of reports and deliverables, and compliance with USAID rules and regulations
• Coordinate with Partners to ensure timely submission of all MEL reports, plans, and data within the agreed schedule.
• Ensure Partners’ data (i.e.: attendance sheets, etc.) complies with USAID rules and regulations.
• Lead the development of relevant tools and templates that will be used for data collection and uploading them to the MEDAL system.
• Support the MEL Manager to track progress towards indicators and targets, ensuring alignment with project objectives.
• Ensure regular and consistent documentation and that reporting deliverables are met timely and in compliance with USAID rules and regulations.

Data Collection, Validation, Reporting, and Management

• Lead in the implementation of routine monitoring and evaluation data collection and reporting activities.
• Oversee the collection, storage, and analysis of accurate, high-quality, and reliable data ensure performance indicators and output, outcome, and impact data are prepared and collected properly in targeted geographic and thematic areas.
• Support the MEL Manager in reviewing and refining program tools that will be used for data collection.
• Conduct project site visits to collect quantitative and qualitative data, including site visits for secondary verification of data results.
• Ensure high-quality and streamlined data entry in Creative corporate web-based MEL platform MEDAL (Monitoring and Evaluation Database for Adaptive Learning); populate MEDAL, build global dashboards, suggest changes and improvements to data structuring and collection.
• Review data analysis and dashboards to ensure the accuracy of information provided.
• Ensure proper management of data through the M&E Information system, ensuring timely availability of data for planning and reporting.

Other

• Perform other tasks assigned by the Sr. MEL Manager or the Gaza Lead.

• Abide by all Creative and USAID regulations related to research and MEL.
• Adhere to child protection and gender-sensitivity policies and practices.

جميع الحقوق محفوظة لموقع جوبس.

Required Skills & Qualifications:

• BA required in International Development, Monitoring and Evaluation, and statistics, and other relevant Social Sciences and/or equivalent combination of education and work experience is required.
• Must have 5 years of general work experience, and 3 years of specific experience in relevant position in international development programming and implementing MEL systems for USAID funded projects in Education is required.
• Experience conducting data collection required, including using qualitative and quantitative techniques using methods that are suitable for changing and complex environments.
• Excellent computer skills, particularly with NVivo, Microsoft Excel, SPSS, STATA, R, and other statistical package, knowledge of mapping tools such as ArcGIS preferred.
• Demonstrated experience in MEL report writing.
• Experience with USAID CLA approaches
• Excellent interpersonal skills and teamwork.
• Good level of spoken and written English is required.

Please submit your CV and Cover Letter indicating the position title in the subject line to: [email protected] The deadline for receiving the applications is Wednesday 04 December 2024 by 4:00 pm (Ramallah Time).

Only finalists will be contacted.  No phone calls, please.

Creative Associates International Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer: Disability/Veteran.