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

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Responsibilities:

• Develop and continuously review the Performance Indicator Reference Sheets (PIRS) for EYCD indicators.
• Collect primary performance data on selected Education, Youth, and Child Development (EYCD) CDCS outcome indicators that the implementing partners may not have the capacity to collect data on.
• Identify and compile relevant contextual data to facilitate EYCD’s understanding of its contribution to wider national and agency development priorities.
• Validate and analyze performance data on EYCD 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 EYCD and its implementing partners.
• Provide technical support to A/CORs and IP MEL staff for conducting data quality assessments on selected implementing partners.
• Collaborate with the Data Analyst to build the capacity of newly onboarded implementing partners to utilize the agency-wide performance reporting system, the Development Information Solutions (DIS).
• Work with the Senior Capacity Building Specialist to develop the capacity of Agreement and Contracting Officers' Representatives (A/CORs) and IP MEL Specialists to effectively carry out their MEL responsibilities.
• Work with the Senior GIS and Visualization Specialist to develop data visualizations using DIS and other relevant data sources like OVC-MIS, UNICEF Child-related datasets, to facilitate learning for the Mission and implementing partners.
• Provide technical direction to project teams to ensure the technical quality of MEL processes and deliverables.
• Support technical initiatives aimed at systematizing quality across the organization.
• Assist in the development and delivery of MEL training and contribute to Bixal's MEL Community of Practice.
• Serve as the 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-level team members, including providing MEL Officers/Data Analysts with feedback and support.
• Support the business development process, including drafting proposal responses, updating corporate capability statements, and organizing discussions with partners.
• Assist teams with recruiting and hiring consultants or subject matter experts for various tasks, including screening candidates, writing terms of reference, and processing purchase orders/billing.
• Contribute to business development and thought leadership through content creation, industry presentations, and identifying growth opportunities in federal sector OD and talent management.
• Perform other duties as required.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's Degree plus 10 years of related experience; or Master’s Degree, plus 5 years of related experience.
• Spoken and written fluency in English.
• Understanding of USAID development programming.
• Familiarity with development partners and the Uganda government development landscape, including key stakeholders and potential USAID partners in relevant health focus areas.
• Extensive knowledge of USAID project management processes and the overall program cycle, including monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) practices and policies.
• Ability to work independently, with strong time management skills. Ingenuity 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.
• Synthesis skills, with the ability to gather information from diverse sources and connect the dots to form a coherent picture of project progress and external circumstances. Ability to tell a compelling story with evidence.
• Proactive approach, with the ability to take on new tasks with little direction, chart a course of action, and advise clients, colleagues, and supervisors on potential opportunities and challenges.
• Collaborative mindset, with the ability to work with colleagues and partners across sectors and beyond traditional functional expertise to catalyze activity toward shared objectives.

Nice to Have:

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