MEL & CLA Specialist, USAID/Advancing Digital Democracy

Washington, DC

Employer:

Description

MEL & CLA Specialist, USAID/Advancing Digital Democracy

AboutPalladium:

Palladium is aglobal company working to design, develop and deliver positive impact on thelives and livelihoods of people around the globe; broaden access to health,water, power, and infrastructure; build enduring, sustainable, andtransformative institutions and market systems to address global challenges;and conserve the natural world. We operate in over 90 countries and have aworkforce of 4,000 talented, motivated, and diverse staff of all religions,races, languages, and gender identities.

ThisOpportunity:

The Digital Solutions and TransformationPortfolio within the Data Informatics and Analytical Solutions (DIAS) Communityof Practice is seeking a CLA & Monitoring,Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Specialist to lead MERL and adaptive management activities in anupcoming global project to support USAID's Advancing Digital DemocracyActivity. The project aims to engage a variety of stakeholdersincluding government counterparts, civil society, media, private sector,academia, think tanks, and regional and multilateral organizations in buildinga comprehensive approach to supporting digital democracy that centers ondeepening democratic values and human rights into the digital ecosystem. The DIAS Practice is a dynamic andinnovative group with talented and passionate members, working together tostrengthen and harness digital and data ecosystems to accelerate developmentinvestments and outcomes and create positive impact.

The CLA & MERL Specialist is adata-driven adaptive management leader, with experience infusing MEL approacheson large global development projects to drive program results and learning. The CLA & MERL Specialist will beresponsible for designing and implementing research and incorporating thecollaborating, learning and adapting (CLA) agenda in support of establishing a robust evidencebase to measure outcomes and impact associated with implementation of USAID'sAdvancing Digital Democracy activity, project activities and digitaldevelopment broadly. The Specialist will also serve as a catalyst for howdigital technologies and evidence-based approaches can be used as an enablerfor adaptative change management and propelling democratic outcomes.

Thisis a full-time position based in Washington, DC and is contingent upon award.

You and YourCareer:

If you are aproblem-solver, collaborator, and doer, and you have expertise in MEL, CLA and designingevidenced-based approached of digitally-enabled activities, we are interestedin hearing from you.We are a learning organization and provide growthopportunities from the start. We pride ourselves on giving you the freedom,resources, and guidance to chart a fulfilling career!

Reporting andSupervision:

The CLA&MELspecialist will report to the Project Director.

Primary Duties and Responsibilities:

TheCLA & MERL Specialist will have the following roles and responsibilities:
Develop a monitoring, evaluation, research and learning strategy for the project, in alignment with buy-in client objectives and USAID's broader research and CLA agenda for digital development activities
Advise USAID and buy-in clients on research and measurement activities that establish the evidence base for quantifying outcomes and impact associated with the implementation of digital democracy and rights activities.
Work with USAID and network partners to lead the design of buy-in research activities and oversee network partners to ensure successful implementation of research activities
Design and operationalize a project CLA approach by leading its implementation as per the M&E plan and regularly share the same with the donor as part of progress reporting, leveraging digital technologies as appropriate
Lead and oversee the project's digital democracy and rights research and learning agenda, developing partnerships, and translating evidence into actionable learning and guidance products
Manage the program MEL plan including development of key program indicators, data collection processes, data analysis, reporting and development of key project deliverables such as the Performance Plan and Report
Oversee tracking and implementation of the approved work plan and MEL plan ensuring compliance in project contractual reporting on a quarterly and annual basis through submission of quality quarterly progress, program specific and annual reports
Provide technical assistance on buy-in activities to collect data or conduct research as required

Key Competencies Required:

At least ten (10) years of experience leading MEL and adaptively managing USAID programs
Experience collecting, analyzing, and reporting key reporting data, including Performance Plan and Report (PPR), context indicators, and other key annual foreign assistance programming and budgeting reporting requirements.
Experience designing and implementing research, establishing research partnerships, and translating evidence into program action.
Experience in qualitative, quantitative, and mixed research methods and analysis, using a wide variety of analytical tools
Experience conducting program evaluations
Experience in developing and implementing capacity strengthening approaches that leverage multiple learning approaches and media
Experience leveraging digital technologies and information systems to adaptively manage programs and drive results
The ability to work well under pressure and skilled in change management, crisis management, and problem solving
Excellent written and spoken English and ability to communicate across technical disciplines and non-technical audiences, leveraging a variety of multimedia

Professional Expertise/CompetenciesPreferred:

Professional fluency in additional languages preferred (e.g., French, Spanish, Portuguese)
Experience working in the democracy, human rights and governance sector

Equity, Diversity & Inclusion - Palladium is committed toembedding equity, diversity, and inclusion into everything we do. We welcomeapplications from all sections of society and actively encourage diversity todrive innovation, creativity, success and good practice. We positively welcomeand seek to ensure we achieve diversity in our workforce; and that all jobapplicants and employees receive equal and fair treatment regardless of theirbackground or personal characteristics. These include: (but are not limited to)socio-economic background, age, race, gender identity and expression, religion,ethnicity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality, veteran, marital or Indigenousstatus.

Should you require any adjustments or accommodations to be made due to adisability or you are a neurodivergent individual or for any othercircumstance, please email our team at accessibility@thepalladiumgroup.com and wewill be in touch to discuss.

Safeguarding - We define Safeguarding as "the preventativeaction taken by Palladium to protect our people, clients and the communities wework with from harm". We are committed to ensuring that all children and adultswho come into contact with Palladium are treated with respect and are free fromabuse. All successful candidates will besubject to an enhanced selection process including safeguarding-focusedinterviews and a rigorous due diligence process.

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