Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist (EG)

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What will you do?

• The Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist (EG) will support the Director of Performance Management by collecting primary performance data on CDCS outcome indicators, compiling contextual data, validating and analyzing performance data, and developing monitoring tools. The role also involves providing technical support for data quality assessments, training, and mentoring A/CORs and implementing partners' (IPs) MEL staff on performance reporting systems, and creating data visualizations to facilitate effective learning for both the Mission and IPs. They will serve as the primary point of contact (POC) for the Economic Growth Technical Office (EG), acting as a thought partner for their respective technical office. In this role, the Senior MEL Specialist will proactively integrate USAID's learning cycle processes into a comprehensive project management approach, fostering collaboration, learning, and adaptation (CLA) to achieve improved development results

Responsibilities

• Develop and continuously review the Performance Indicator Reference Sheets (PIRS) for EG indicators.
• Collect primary performance data on selected health CDCS outcome indicators that implementing partners may not have the capacity to collect.
• Identify and compile relevant contextual data to enhance the EG’s understanding of its contributions to wider national and agency development priorities.
• Validate and analyze periodic performance data of EG indicators reported by USAID/Uganda implementing partners in a timely manner.
• Develop relevant, high-quality, inclusive, and cost-effective monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) tools and processes for EG and its implementing partners.
• Provide technical support to implement data quality assessments for selected implementing partners.
• Collaborate with the Data Analyst to develop the capacity of newly onboarded implementing partners to use the agency-wide performance reporting system, Development Information Solutions (DIS).
• Work with the Senior Capacity Building Specialist to build the capacity of Agreement and Contracting Officers’ Representatives (A/CORs) and IP MEL Specialists in effectively performing their designated MEL functions.
• Collaborate with the Senior GIS and Visualization Specialist to create data visualizations using DIS, Feed the Future (FtF), and other EG-relevant data sources to facilitate learning for the Mission and its implementing partners.
• Provide technical direction to project teams to ensure the technical quality of MEL processes and deliverables.
• Support organizational initiatives to standardize quality across the board.
• Contribute to the development and delivery of MEL training and participate in Bixal’s MEL Community of Practice.
•  Act as an initial point of contact and escalation for project issues, including responding to clients, resolving issues, and problem-solving under the guidance of the Director of Performance Management.
• Supervise junior team members, offering feedback and support to MEL Officers/Data Analysts.
• Support business development processes, including drafting proposal responses, updating corporate capability statements, and facilitating discussions with partners.
• Assist various teams in recruiting and hiring consultants or subject matter experts, which includes screening candidates, writing terms of reference, and handling purchase orders or billing.
• Contribute to business development and thought leadership through content creation, industry presentations, and identifying growth opportunities in the federal sector for OD and talent management.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in related field, plus 10 years of related experience; or Master’s Degree, plus 5 years of related experience.
• Fluency in written and spoken English.
• Strong understanding of USAID development programming.
• Knowledge of development partners and the Uganda government development landscape, including key stakeholders and potential USAID partners within respective health focus areas.
• Extensive knowledge of USAID project management processes and the overall program cycle, including monitoring, evaluation, and learning practices and policy.
• Ability to work independently with excellent time management skills.
• Ingenuity, with the ability to generate ideas for various activities, propose new courses of action, and suggest appropriate, mitigated risks.
• Strong relationship-building skills, with the ability to understand and respond to project management needs and develop trust.
• Strong synthesis skills, with the ability to gather information from multiple sources, connect the dots, and form a coherent picture of project progress and external circumstances, while telling a compelling story with evidence.
• Proactive, with the ability to take on new tasks with minimal direction, chart a course of action, and advise clients, colleagues, and supervisors on potential opportunities and challenges.
• Collaborative, with the ability to work effectively with colleagues and partners across sectors and outside traditional areas of expertise to catalyze activity toward shared objectives.

Nice to have

• Additional fluency in any of Uganda’s local languages preferred.