COMPASS PROGRAM BANGLADESH
VACANCY ANNOUNCEMENT

'Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager'

A. BACKGROUND:

USAID Bangladesh and United States Forest Service International Program (USFS/IP) recently entered into an inter-agency partnership, with funding from USAID Bangladesh, in which USFS/IP will implement the 'Community Partnerships to Strengthen Sustainable Development' (Compass) program. Compass will address natural resource management challenges in Bangladesh through establishing a youth conservation corps, strengthening community capacity and promoting public participation, providing direct technical support to Bangladesh Forest Department, and strengthening the capacity of academic and research institutions in natural resource management and resilience. USAID intends to fund Compass for five years, subject to the availability of funding. The Compass Program is seeking a qualified and experienced professional to be full-time 'Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager' based in Dhaka, Bangladesh. The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager (MELM) will be a core member of the Compass team and will provide expert leadership and guidance to all monitoring, evaluation, and learning components of the program.

The US Forest Service mission is to sustain the health, diversity, and productivity of the nation's forests and grasslands to meet the needs of present and future generations. Through the combination of direct land management, working collaboratively with states, tribes, and private landowners, and providing technical capacity building and education efforts the Agency is involved in the management of 80% of the forested land in the United States.

As a division of the Office of the Chief of U.S. Forest Service, the U.S. Forest Service Office of International Programs (USFS/IP) works in over 90 countries, to promote sustainable forest management and biodiversity conservation internationally. By linking the skills of the field-based staff of the U.S. Forest Service with partners overseas, the agency can address the world’s most critical forestry issues and concerns. USFS/IP collaborates with local and international non-governmental organizations, universities, and host country governments. We also collaborate with other U.S. government agencies, including the U.S. Agency for International Development and the U.S. Department of State. Internationally, programs focus on building institutional relationships between our agency and our in-country partners, enabling continuous collaboration over the long-term.

In collaboration with USAID Bangladesh, USFS/IP has been working in Bangladesh since 2009 and has developed longstanding partnerships in Bangladesh by providing need-based capacity building technical assistance in support of national-level capacity for forest management and monitoring. The Compass program will build on this work and expand to new thematic areas and geographic regions.

B. GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE POSITION

Position Description

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager (MELM) will lead the development of a comprehensive monitoring, evaluation and learning framework and ensure appropriate implementation of all aspects of the monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) performance plan throughout life of program/project. The MELM will be responsible for ensuring high-quality, relevant, and timely data is captured through this MEL plan to be used for programmatic decision-making to continuously improve the quality of interventions and outcomes of Compass program. The MELM will coordinate closely with all relevant partners and stakeholders including the USAID, USFS/IP, and partner agencies to devise standard monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and ensure strict adherence to the relevant frameworks of performance management, evaluation plan and performance indicators. The MELM is responsible for developing the overall MEL framework program database and information systems and provide capacity development support to Compass team members in the appropriate application of the tools and guidelines. The MELM will also ensure the adherence of small-grants, sub-grants, and subcontract projects and activities with the overall Compass program MEL framework and generate technical and analytical reports to meet donor and program needs. 

The ‘Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager’ will support the program with duties and responsibilities including, but not be limited to, the following:  

• Design and develop a monitoring, evaluation and learning framework and information system including establishing appropriate logic model, results framework, performance indicator, data flow process, with database system against project indicators, including data collection on cross cutting issues such as gender, youth, social inclusion, employability, longitudinal studies, etc;
• Coordinate with USAID, USFS/IP and relevant stakeholders to review, finalize and ensure approval of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning plan with full stakeholder involvement;
• Develop the necessary guidelines, appropriate templates, and tools for analysis and provide capacity building support for program/field teams on the use of MEL related tools. Develop a standard data sources and data assessment mechanisms and lead the periodic data quality checks and data-based evaluations as agreed on the MEL framework including baseline, mid-line and end-line studies;
• Develop a standard online data management system and manage the M&E evidence files (hard and soft copy) and corresponding log book, in order to organize and maintain effective data flow to track program targets, outcomes, and impacts, including clearly defined objectives, indicators, learning mechanisms, and the implementation of appropriate MEL procedures;
• Work with small-grants, sub-grants and subcontracts to develop MEL plans and ensure they are in line with overall compass program monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework. Track and evaluate grantee and subcontract milestones and log supporting evidence in Compass MEL system;
• Generate periodic reports e.g. quarterly, bi-yearly and yearly MEL narrative reports, results tables, and graphics for technical review and ensure that appropriate reports are produced on time and in a technically valid, high-quality manner. Support the program communications with data to be highlighted in success stories and social media postings;
• Work closely with USAID, Compass team members, and program implementation staff to develop activity and field level data collection tools;
• Develop a database for project beneficiaries;
• Provide training to program staff as well as the sub-grantee or small grantee organizations on the MEL framework, performance indicators, and data collection methods. Follow up to ensure that technical staff submit required data for all performance indicators in a technically correct manner that accurately reflects field realities and meets quality standards;
• Produce case studies to better understand the contextual realities and document key lessons-learned, successful approaches, and challenges. Contribute to the development of annual program reports, and other need-based donor and government reporting as appropriate;
• Generate and present detailed  MEL report to the program leadership as required;
• Carry out any other responsibilities as assigned by the office.

C. QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS POSITION

To be considered for the position, a candidate must meet the minimum qualifications listed below:

Education
A Bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, with higher degree desired, in Development Studies, Statistics, Business Operations, Communications or related discipline.

Experience

At least 7 years of work experience in relevant positions, at least 3-5 years in a supervisory or managerial role. Prior experience of working with USAID or USG programs/projects is highly preferred. Demonstrated experience in providing expert leadership and guidance across all aspects of designing monitoring, evaluation and learning frameworks and delivering effective implementation of relevant tools and guidelines in a multi-site programs/projects of non-government or donor agencies are required.

Skills/Competencies

• Demonstrated knowledge of standard processes and provisions relating to design, development and implementation of monitoring, evaluation and learning related operational mechanisms of non-government sector as well as donor funded programs;
• The incumbent must have strong knowledge and vast familiarity with the standard tools, guidelines, approaches and relevant requisites of USAID-funded programs along with the concrete track-record of designing MEL frameworks and operationalizing appropriate tools and guidelines that are USG compliant;
• Demonstrated experience working with large teams on USAID-funded programs in the development and implementation of MEL plans;
• Demonstrated track-record of operationalizing periodic data collection, data quality checks, and managing a large database using online and offline mechanisms across the multi-site offices;
• Proven experience of documenting the lesson learned, communicating the success stories with internal and external audiences as appropriate;
• Proven skills and ability to design, develop, and manage the monitoring, evaluation and learning component of a complex multi-layer development program/project while ensuring strict adherence to mutually agreed upon guidelines and provisions;
• Strong leadership skills and able to work independently with minimum supervision or guidance;
• Excellent technical skills and quantitative skills for tracking and analyzing the performances of the program/project using appropriate MEL tools are required;
• Able to cultivate strategic relationships and alliances with other relevant projects and represent the project at MEL-related working groups and in public and professional circles through meetings, conferences, and presentations;
• Must have excellent inter-personal skills, proven teamwork capacity with demonstrated track-record of working with diverse team and habit of practicing result-oriented approach in solving critical MEL related issues with diplomatic and delicate manner;
• Interest in learning new tools, ability to make evidence-based operational decisions;
• Proven ability to provide on-job capacity building trainings to other team members;
• High proficiency in relevant computer applications e.g. MS-Word, MS-Excel, MS-PowerPoint, Statistical Analysis tools e.g. SPSS, data visualization software and basic internet skills are required. Skills in social media and graphic design software are desired.

Language Ability

The incumbent must be proficient in spoken and written English at Level IV (fluent) and must likewise be fully fluent in spoken and written Bangla. English language skill will be tested.

D. BENEFITS AND ALLOWANCES:

The benefits and allowances for this position would be in line with Compass provisions and guidelines, commensurate with the experience, qualification and previous track-record of the successful applicant. 

E. INSTRUCTION FOR APPLICATION SUBMISSION:

Interested applicants are requested to properly fill in the application form available at this link:  https://forms.gle/fuYgRKwbix3PWZMp7. Applicant must have an active Gmail account to complete the application. In the application form, the interested applicants must provide accurate information to all required fields and attach the following documents listed below:

• A Cover Letter illustrating applicant's qualifications to meet the requirements for this position. Please use the following naming convention for your file: FirstName_LastName_CoverLetter. The cover letter must be attached either in MS word or in PDF file format.

• A Curriculum Vitae (CV) with full contact details, specific description of educational background, career experiences, and achievements. Please use the following naming convention for your file: FirstName_LastName_CV. The CV must be attached either in MS word or in PDF file format.

Please note that the interested applicants must submit the applications on or before 11.59 PM 20 October, 2019.

The successful applicant will be hired through a local hiring mechanism or through an international contracting mechanism to be employed on the Compass program, as per organizational policy. Applicant will not be hired by, nor an employee of, the US Forest Service. Only shortlisted candidates will be called for further assessment. The applicants who are not shortlisted will not be notified. All qualified candidates will be considered regardless of age, race, color, sex, creed, national origin, lawful political affiliation, non-disqualifying handicap, marital status, sexual orientation, affiliation with an employee organization, or other non-merit factor.