Welcome page Returning Candidate? Log back in! Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Specialist Job Location Africa-Benin Job ID 13191 Job Location Africa Category Technical Assistance Overview

Join AIR as a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Specialist with our International Development Division (IDD) and make a difference, improving the quality of life for individuals and communities in low and middle income countries. AIR’s IDD work spans the globe with projects in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Central and Latin America, and the Middle East.

 

Our IDD team is committed and engaged because we drive positive change in the following areas:

Agriculture, food, and nutritionEarly childhood development and educationRefugees and migrationSocial protectionWater, sanitation, and infrastructureWomen's empowerment Workforce development

Use your experience, knowledge, and education to help us deliver on our mission: to contribute to a better, more equitable world.

 

AIR is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Specialist to work on a USDA-funded Food for Education project in Benin. This is a five-year project aiming to achieve two main objectives: 1) improved literacy of school-aged children; and 2) increased nutrition, health and dietary practices of beneficiaries in northern Benin. This position will be based in Parakou, Benin. Benin citizens are encourage to apply.

 

About AIR:

 

Established in 1946, with headquarters in Arlington, Virginia, AIR is a nonpartisan, not-for-profit institution that conducts behavioral and social science research and delivers technical assistance to solve some of the most urgent challenges in the U.S. and around the world. We advance evidence in the areas of education, health, the workforce, human services, and international development to create a better, more equitable world.

 

 

AIR’s commitment to diversity goes beyond legal compliance to its full integration in our strategy, operations, and work environment. At AIR, we define diversity broadly, considering everyone’s unique life and community experiences. We believe that embracing diverse perspectives, abilities/disabilities, racial/ethnic and cultural backgrounds, styles, ages, genders, gender identities and expressions, education backgrounds, and life stories drives innovation and employee engagement. Learn more about AIR's Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Strategy and hear from our staff by clicking here.

Responsibilities

The MERL Specialist is field based and will closely support AIR HQ in designing, developing, and rolling-out of the literacy interventions in collaboration with implementing partners and other in-country stakeholders. The MERL Specialist will work closely with the Literacy Lead and will be responsible for leading the design, implementation and technical quality of all monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning efforts on the Activity. MERL Specialist’s primary responsibilities will be to provide oversight for the program’s planning, evaluation, knowledge management and monitoring. The MERL Specialist is responsible for the operation of the project M&E system at central level, reviews and consolidates data from all the sites where program is being implemented, elaborates reports to the donor, and develops and harmonize systems and data tools. The full list of responsibilities include but are not limited to:

Collaborate with AIR personnel, the prime organization, and the external evaluator to support the design of the activity’s research activities; lead efforts to identify key research questions and support the design of studies that provide evidence on best practices and lessons learned, provide evidence to make programmatic decisions and/or adaptations, contribute to the larger body of evidence related to improvement in children’s learning outcomes.Oversee the compilation and dissemination of information from monitoring and evaluation (M&E) data and stakeholder feedback on successful and promising approaches, lessons learned and other program results to local, national and regional-level intergovernmental bodies, donors, partners, and other stakeholders. Promote forums which facilitate collaboration, learning and action because of this information among these actors.Define and implement the key project performance indicators as well as monitoring them throughout the duration of the project.Lead quantitative and qualitative data collection, transcription, analysis, and report writing.Coordinate M&E activities with local and international partners, including annual surveys, case studies, and/or stakeholder workshops to refine approaches.Lead ongoing adaptation of Activity design and interventions using M&E data and stakeholder feedback.Oversee operational and formative research design, implementation, and data use.Represent AIR in meetings with the prime organization, government stakeholders, and local implementing partners to align monitoring and evaluation activities and to utilize adaptive management strategies to maximize impact of project activities.Participate in the development of project monitoring tools, data collection procedures, and train project staff on use of tools for data collection.Participate in tools for data quality assessments (DQA) and conducting periodic Data Quality Assessment, field monitoring activities and provide feedback to the program team.Carry out other duties assigned by the Supervisors. Qualifications

Education, Knowledge, and Experience:

At minimum a Master’s Degree in international development, quantitative research, statistics or other area clearly relevant to data analysis and impact analysis.At least 4 years’ experience in international monitoring, evaluation, knowledge management, and research efforts.Proven track record of work monitoring and evaluation, data quality assessments, data validation, data audits, data collection, with particular focus on supervising and monitoring data collection activities.Demonstrated ability to create and maintain effective working relations with host country government personnel, stakeholders, NGO partners, and international donor agencies.Demonstrated expertise in qualitative data collection, in-depth knowledge about qualitative sampling, and experienced in using interviews, focus groups, and interactive tools to generate qualitative information and analysis.Experience with USDA is preferred but not required.

 Skills:

Excellent organizational and administrative skills and ability to multitask under tight time constraints/deadlines.Fluency in French. Working proficiency in English is preferred but not required.

 

Disclosures:

 

 All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of age, race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.

 

AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo reference and background checks.

 

AIR maintains a drug-free work environment.

 

Fraudulent Job Scams Warning & Disclaimer:

 

AIR is aware of individuals falsely presenting themselves as AIR representatives. Fraudulent job scams seek to extract sensitive information or money from victims. To protect yourself, please be aware that AIR recruitment will only email you from an “@air.org” domain. Please take extra caution while examining the email address, for example jdoe@air.org is correct and jdoe@aircareers.org is not a legitimate AIR email address. If you are unsure of the legitimacy of a communication you have received, please reach out to recruitment@air.org.

 

If you see a job scam, or lose money to one, report it to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) at ReportFraud.ftc.gov. You can also report it to your state attorney general. Find out more about how to avoid scams at ftc.gov/scams.

 

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American Institutes for Research is an equal employment opportunity/affirmative action employer committed to excellence through diversity. Minorities, women, individuals with disabilities and veterans are encouraged to apply.

American Institutes for Research’s commitment to Diversity goes beyond legal compliance to its full integration in our strategy, operations and work environment. Diversity is valued and Inclusion is reflected in all efforts to recruit, develop, and engage the diverse staff needed to accomplish our mission.

ACCESSIBILITY NOTICE: If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process due to a physical or mental disability, please send an email to Taliba Boone at tboone@air.org or call 202.403.5000.