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, Creative has earned a solid reputation among its clients and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.  

Project Summary:  
Creative seeks a Monitoring, Evaluation, & Learning (MEL) Director for an anticipated USAID-funded education activity in Tanzania. The MEL Director will be the primary subject matter expert for MEL and will be responsible for developing systems to track and aggregate data across all activities, managing the reporting to USAID, and coordinating the sharing and dissemination of information and best practices to project stakeholders.  The MEL Director will also be responsible for designing, developing and implementing an effective system to monitor progress, impacts and successes of project activities and performance at all levels. S/he gathers, analyzes, and processes complex information related to all aspects of project activity implementation. S/he will conduct impact assessments, baseline studies, surveys and need assessments to identify necessary changes and future project opportunities. The MEL Director will ensure that the project complies with USAID performance reporting requirement and will also lead Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) activities. The MEL Director will work closely with the COP and Education Techincal Director on adaptive management and applying lessons learned to implementation. 

Reporting & Supervision 

The MEL Director reports to the Chief of Party and works closely with the Senior Director of Monitoring Evaluation and Learning based in the Washington, D.C. office. 

• Develop and update the Project MEL Plan, including review of its theory of change, results framework, indicators, relevant and applicable baseline data collection strategies and methodologies, and the financial and human resources needed to successfully implement the MEL strategy. 

• Design and lead CLA efforts, strategy and tools and work closely with the COP and Technical Director on leveraging learnings and evidence to guide implementation decisions.   

• Organize and implement learning events and processes, including ‘pause and reflect’ events and resulting adaptive management analysis, decision-making, program/ approach adjustments, training and follow-through. 

• Establish and maintain relationships and continuous engagement with USAID, other donors, peer organizations, research and other institutions. Ensure appropriate and continued coordination and joint planning with USAID and other donor activities; 

• Regularly engage project stakeholders in gathering and documenting information and lessons emerging from program implementation and ensure quality communications to external stakeholders. 

• Work across the program to promote a culture of learning, adaptation and inclusion. 

• Encourage the participation of education stakeholders in M&E tools and approaches and ensuring a beneficiary feedback mechanism; 

• Develop tools for data collection and protocols (quantitative and qualitative) for performance monitoring as well as baseline, midline and endline and other assessments as needed. 

• Ensure data is collected, stored, analyzed and visualized in the Creative web-based platform, MEDAL. 

• Analyze ongoing quantitative / qualitative data at different points in the program leading to the specific program / contract results;   

• Conduct field visits, as necessary, to develop monitoring / performance management plans with and train technical teams and partners;   

• Regularly review work plans to ensure the timely achievement of results related to USAID MEL.  

• Elaborate annual plans related to the MEL component as well as budgets for relevant activities. 

• Ensure regular communication of MEL activities to all key stakeholders and contribute to the quarterly, annual report and project reporting to USAID. 

• 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 MEL processes and understand how these processes relate to the project's technical work, and to promote MEL-related training as needed. 

• Manage MEL resources and ensure that M&E information and resources are up-to-date, available to staff and widely disseminated.   

• Other related duties as assigned.   

• Master’s degree in international development, education, statistics, social sciences, or other related field required. 

• Minimum of eight years’ experience working on monitoring and evaluation with international development programs, including four years implementing MEL systems for USG-funded projects in education programming, civic engagement, social protection, workforce development, health, education and/or inclusion.  

• Demonstrated experience required in conducting primary data collection, especially with target populations. 

• Demonstrated experience required in building organizational capacity in monitoring and evaluation for partners. 

• Experience in designing and leading CLA activities, including push and reflect sessions, developing and implementing learning agendas, and supporting consortiums in collective learning and sharing exercises.  

• Strong quantitative and qualitative skills and demonstrated capacity and experience in data analysis, data collection; statistical analysis; and reporting; including experience with computer-based statistical packages and databases (Epi Info, ACCESS, SPSS, NVivo, MAXQDA, etc.) required. 

• Experience with CAM approaches and methodologies. 

• Experience conducting field research required; including using qualitative and quantitative techniques. 

• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail. 

• Ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines and to initiate and implement activities with minimal oversight and supervision, required. 

• 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. 

• Experience working with an international development organization and knowledge of reporting procedures, best practices, guidelines and tools for monitoring and evaluation, especially impact evaluation and a strong knowledge of USAID reporting requirements is an advantage. 

• Experience working on USAID funded activities preferred. 

• Willingness to travel to target communities required. 

• Experience working in Tanzania or the region highly preferred.  

• Fluency in Kiswahili and English.   
• Local nationals are encouraged to apply.