About the Position

NORC at the University of Chicago (NORC) is seeking a Senior MEL Specialist for the USAID-funded Ethiopia Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning – Collaboration, Learning, and Adapting (MEL-CLA) Platform. The MEL-CLA project team will assist USAID/Ethiopia and its partners in generating empirical data on project implementation and fostering learning and knowledge management to improve evidence-based project design and development programming in support of the Country Development and Cooperation Strategy (CDCS). Founded in 1941, NORC is an established social research organization pursuing high-quality social science research that serves the public interest.  

This is a full-time position with NORC at competitive rates for a 5 year period, based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and local travel will be required. Please note that the position is contingent upon award and funding. Women are strongly encouraged to apply.

Responsibilities:

• Working closely with the CLA Team to implement, plan, and sequence MEL activities under his/her technical direction set out in the Annual Work Plan.
• Designing and/or co-creating with the USAID Mission evaluation/assessment methodologies, detailed Statements of Work (SOWs), data collection tools, and performance monitoring plans.
• Assisting in recruitment for evaluations and assessments and providing administrative and logistic support for the evaluation teams.
• Providing MEL strategy, feedback, and technical assistance to evaluation project teams, including technical reviews of draft evaluation reports, evaluation methodology, data collection tools, and other deliverables. 
• Contributing to the production of reports, MEL trainings and webinars, and other deliverables and analyzing and summarizing performance monitoring data.
• Assisting with data analysis and presentation of data findings, especially from evaluation reports and assessments.
• Supporting the planning, budgeting, and logistics for MEL activities (evaluations, assessment, performance monitoring, and data management and use) and capacity-building trainings.
• Supporting the review of USAID/Ethiopia implementing partner Activity MEL Plans.
• Assisting with strengthening the MEL capacity of local implementing partners, professionals, and organizations through coaching, mentoring, webinars, etc.  

Job Requirements

Required Qualifications:

• A Master’s Degree in research methods, social science, development, or a related field.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and native Amharic.
• At least five (5) years of supervisory experience and at least 8 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation and performance management of international development projects, preferably in developing countries; project management; data analysis and assessment; designing evaluation/assessment methodologies and SOWs; indicator development, and instrument development for mixed methods research.
• Experience conducting trainings and capacity development activities, as well as facilitating learning events.
• Previous experience working with USAID and familiarity with USAID policies related to evaluation, performance management, and CLA.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and native Amharic.
• Experience working in Ethiopia and/or East Africa.
• Knowledge of international best practices on project design, implementation, evaluation, and learning, as well as excellent interpersonal, writing, and presentation skills.
• Capacity to manage activities in a multi-cultural environment and providing consulting services in helping clients analyze problems, devise solutions, and adopt solutions.
• Appropriate interpersonal skills to satisfy the requirements of the position.

Preferred Qualifications:

• A minimum of 5 years of relevant technical experience in economic growth and development, democracy and governance, or health/water and sanitation.
• Strong data analysis skills including statistical analysis software such as Tableau, SPSS, STATA, etc.
• Ph.D. in social science, economics, political science, public policy or a related field.

How to Apply

Interested candidates should email a CV and cover letter to ethiopia-mel-cla@norc.org

 Please put the following in the email subject line: “Ethiopia MEL-CLA Senior MEL Specialist Application – Last Name, First Name.”

Please submit questions to this email and use the subject line: “Ethiopia MEL-CLA-Questions.”

Applications without the proper subject line or a Cover Letter will not be considered.

* Applicants in Ethiopia are preferred for this position and are strongly encouraged to apply.*