USAID Fish Right Project Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist

Overview:

The five-year Fish Right Project is funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist is responsible for the implementation of all aspects monitoring, evaluation, and learning within the Fish Right Project. This will include supervising MEL support staff at the Manila and field offices – as well as supporting MEL staff within partner organization. The position reports to the Fish Right Senior Fisheries Advisor.

SUPERVISES:

• MEL assistants
• Field data collection specialists

Responsibilities:

Monitoring and indicator reporting:

• Develop a MEL Plan for the Project. This will include selecting appropriate output, outcome, and impact indicators and developing targets that are linked to right sizing fisheries, behavior change strategies, and other aspects of the project’s theory of change.
• Develop protocols for baseline data collection and oversee the data collection – this may involve leading data collection teams as well as overseeing local contracts.
• Set up data collection and data quality control processes for project indicators. This will include developing surveys and assessments, MEL databases, and reporting processes for local and international implementing partners.
• Act as the Quality Assurance Quality Control (QAQC) point person of the project. This will include conducting periodic data quality assessments for selected indicators.
• Oversee geo-referencing of all monitoring data and inclusion into a database and mapping of such data for reporting to USAID.
• Stay abreast of all changes in indicators, procedures and formats for USAID standard indicators.
• Produce accurate and timely quarterly indicator reports by IR. This includes information required for quarterly programmatic reports to USAID.
• Provide the Fish Right Senior Management team with updates regarding the status of meeting indicator targets. This will include alerting the team in case there are issues in reaching certain targets.
• Ensure partner indicator reports are accurate, on target, and submitted on schedule.
• Collaborate with the communications team to develop dissemination plans for reporting and sharing findings with target audiences.

Learning and theory of change:

• Lead theory of change development sessions that follow the USAID Biodiversity team results chain methodology.
• Facilitate learning sessions as part of periodic partner meetings including evaluation of indicator data and implication for meeting performance targets and determining any adjustments that may be needed to improve project performance.
• Work with the entire project team and implementing partners to document project experience, lessons learned and impact of project interventions of status of fish stocks and quality of life of targeted beneficiaries in coastal fishing communities.

Evaluation:

• Design and lead periodic self-assessments.
• Develop information packets for external evaluators.
• Act as a primary point of contact for external evaluators.
• Develop adaptive management recommendations based on self-assessment and evaluation findings.

Budget and administration:

• Prepare annual budgets for the MEL component of the Fish Right Project.
• Oversee MEL implementation in Fish Right field sites
• Promptly report to the Fish Senior Fisheries Advisor if there are deficiencies/problems with the monitoring and evaluation system and assist in implementing recommendations for corrective action.

Qualifications:

Skills:

This position requires skills in the following areas:
• Critical thinking
• Database management
• GIS mapping
• Team building and interpersonal communications
• Multi-tasking that involves leading the tracking of multidisciplinary output and impact indicators, evaluation, and learning
• Problem-solving
• Leadership
• Excellent verbal and written English

Experience:

• A minimum of five to seven years’ progressively responsible, professional experience in MEL
• Experience leading qualitative and quantitative research, including supervising data collectors and local subcontracts
• Demonstrated experience in development of USAID funded MEL activities including: developing MEL plans, selecting indicators, developing targets, conducting surveys and assessment, evaluating research techniques and methodologies, developing Data Quality Assessments, as well as other MEL technical activities.
• Knowledge of and hands-on experience in USAID’s program cycle and evaluation policy.
• Excellent facilitation and presentation skills.
• Fluency and excellent written and oral communication skills in English.
• Demonstrated ability to manage high-level relationships with partner organizations and implementing partners.
• Willing and able to travel throughout the Philippines.
• Demonstrated experience in the use of MEL software applications, databases, spreadsheets, and/or word processing required including Microsoft Excel and Word. Experience in using the Miradi software preferred.

Education:

• BSc degree Marine Biology, Fisheries, Marine Ecology, or equivalent
• formal training in MEL is preferred

TO APPLY:

To apply please email all of the following to jcritcher@uri.edu
• Cover letter
• Resume or CV
• Three professional references with contact details

To the attention of:

Jennifer Critcher, Assistant Director
Coastal Resources Center, Graduate School of Oceanography
University of Rhode Island
220 South Ferry Road
Narragansett, RI 02882
This search is open until filled. First consideration given to applications received by April 25th. Second consideration given to applications received by May 9th. Applications received subsequent to May 9thmight not be given full consideration.

Job Email id: jcritcher(at)uri.edu