Abt Associates is a global leader in research, evaluation and program implementation; driving innovation and measurable impact for more than 50 years. What sets us apart is our evidence-based and multi-disciplinary approach to solving tough challenges in health, social and environmental policy and international development.

Job Summary

Abt Associates seeks a qualified Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Director to lead major activities within the USAID Ethiopia FAST project. The MEL Director will work closely with the COP, DCOP, and other staff to assure implementation of all monitoring, evaluation, and learning aspects of the opportunity and will oversee MEL activities with partners across zones of influence (ZOI) or focus regions of this program. The position will be based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia and is contingent upon program award and USAID approval.

Key Roles and Responsibilities:

• Coordinates with national and local stakeholders and partners to create the Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Plan, indicators, and learning agenda.
• Collaborates with the Home Office MEL team to ensure alignment with activity-wide MEL processes and reporting requirements.
• Manages a rigorous approach towards M&E to measure performance on specific goals and objectives, including timely data collection using quantitative, qualitative, and participatory methodologies.
• Designs data collection tools, schedules, and analysis methods in line with the activity-wide work plan management and monitoring system and interactive platform.
• Leads collection of data at regional clusters, liaising with regional teams.
• Ensures data accuracy for reporting indicators across the Activity, and timely reporting on indicators against expected results.
• Drives the Activity’s overall learning agenda to derive lessons learned and best practices from implementation.
• Leads efforts to strengthen a culture of learning at the regional level with local stakeholders.
• Supports the interpretation of MEL findings for activity planning, decision-making, course-correction, and communication of successes.
• Provides MEL guidance and mentorship to Ethiopia FAST staff and partners on data collection methods, procedures, and data extraction from existing government and other stakeholders systems.
• Coordinates the design, customization, testing, and scale-up of digital system for program interventions and monitoring.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in statistics, social science, food and nutrition, agricultural economics, development economics, monitoring and evaluation, development research or a related field.
• 8 to 10 years of experience in data management and analysis for M&E, learning, and adaptive management.
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing MEL systems on complex donor-funded development projects. Experience implementing MEL activities in agriculture and nutrition, food security, and/or economic empowerment for vulnerable populations is desirable.
• Demonstrated expertise in both quantitative and qualitative research methods, and experience conducting statistical analysis.
• Competency in qualitative and quantitative analytical methods, data collection and analysis, and establishing MEL systems.
• Demonstrated ability to lead baseline data collection and analyses.
• Knowledge of and experience with M&E frameworks and reporting systems.
• Expertise in adaptive management, organizational learning/development, systems mapping, development of Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA)-related tools, CLA thought-leadership, and providing inputs on how CLA may lead to improved development outcomes.
• Proficiency in Excel, Word, and other MS Office software; data analysis software, (e.g. SPSS, Stata, Nivo), data visualization software, and in design and use of appropriate information system for food, agriculture, nutrition, economic empowerment and inclusive development.
• Experience managing MEL for USAID programs is desirable.
• Demonstrated experience in working in partnership with multiple host country governments/ government entities, donors, local partners, and other stakeholders.
• Proven record of excellent management, leadership, decision-making, and interpersonal communications skills.
• Fluency in written and spoken English is required
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English are required.
• Oral and written fluency in Amharic language required.

Minimum Qualifications

Bachelor’s Degree + Twelve years of relevant experience, or Master’s Degree + Ten years of relevant experience, or PhD+ Eight years of relevant experience

Abt Associates is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity employer committed to fostering a diverse workforce. Abt Associates provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits. Local candidates strongly encouraged to apply.

Disclaimer: Abt Associates will never ask candidates for money in exchange for an offer of employment.