The Technical Advisor, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL), will provide technical guidance and implementation support to the anticipated MCC Lesotho Horticulture, Training, Gender, and Social Development (HTGSD) Activity. Lead a team of personnel to provide technical expertise in MERL, including formative research and evaluations to inform activity adjustments. Lead development of approaches to monitor program results and be responsible for the quality and accuracy of technical results and reporting. Availability of the position is contingent upon successful award to FHI 360 and approval of key personnel.

Accountabilities:

• Lead the design and implementation of the activity’s M&E portfolio, including 1) the development of the Activity M&E Plan; 2) development and monitoring of indicators; 3) implementation of ongoing monitoring studies; 4) oversight of data collection and analysis; 5) synthesis of data and study outcome reports; and 6) quality assurance and auditing of data.
• Lead the design and implementation of the project’s research activities, which may include operations research, performance evaluations, impact evaluations, and rapid/special studies.
• Oversee the dissemination of information on successful and promising approaches, lessons learned, and other activity results to local, national, and regional-level intergovernmental bodies, donors, partners and other stakeholders.
• Support other technical staff to apply M&E findings to adjust activities to ensure their impact and contribution to activity goals.
• Build capacity of staff and partners in M&E, data collection and management, and research and learning methods.
• Ensure research implementation adheres to FHI 360 and local policies and standards and remains technically and ethically sound.
• Contribute to work plans, quarterly and annual reports, financial reports, and other reports and papers summarizing project results and evidence.
• Manage project resources efficiently, including budgets, equipment, and personnel, to ensure that project objectives are met within the allocated resources.
• Prepare regular reports and documentation of project activities, progress, and outcomes for internal and external stakeholders.

Applied Knowledge & Skills:

• Ensures appropriate and timely technical support for field projects.
• Ensures the quality of implemented technical activities and systems at all levels. Conducts routine coordination with employees and consultants, on-site and in the field.
• Strong knowledge and skills in a specific technical area/function and general understanding of concepts and principles of related technical areas/functions.
• Solid knowledge of standards for the technical area/field, operational processes and procedures, work, and task flow.
• Has the ability to manage projects, set realistic priorities, and plan for the successful implementation of activities.
• Proficient writing and verbal communication skills.
• Relevant computer software skills (including, at a minimum, the standard applications in MS Office).
• Ability to manage their own work to job and performance standards.
• Must be able to read, write and speak fluent English; fluency in Sesotho strongly preferred.

Problem Solving & Impact:

• Demonstrates the ability to assess needs within agreed upon duties and considers course of action best to meet those needs.
• Effectively applies knowledge of technical area to solve a range of problems. Demonstrates the ability to develop solutions to problems that cannot be solved using existing methods or approaches.
• Faulty decisions/ recommendations /failures to complete assignments will normally result in serious delays to assigned projects resulting in considerable expenditure of additional time, resources, and funds.
• Decisions and actions impact primarily workflow, project processes and timeframes. Problems encountered are varied, requiring review of practices and precedents to resolve. Problem solving involves evaluating and resolving discrepancies with data, analyses, processes, etc. within prescribed guidelines.
• Policies or guidelines exist for most problems; others must be referred to by a supervisor or more senior professional.

Supervision Given/Received:

• Supervise junior technical staff.
• Coordinates own workflow and sets individual priorities.
• Works under general guidelines for completion and accuracy as determined by the supervisor.
• Accomplishes results through lower-level staff managers or through experienced staff who exercise independence in their assignments.
• May manage a centralized functional area of activity. Serves as mentor to more inexperienced technical staff. Reports to Project Director.

Education:

• Master’s Degree or its International Equivalent in demography, sociology, epidemiology, biostatistics, psychology, or a related field.
• 8+ years of practical experience working in M&E and research related to large scale projects, preferably in community development or agriculture.
• Demonstrated understanding of social and behavioral theory.
• Strong experience in use of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies.
• Strong experience in developing, implementing, and disseminating a learning agenda.
• Excellent knowledge of data collection protocols for quality data collection and verification.
• Exceptional ability to analyze multiple sources of data to identify data trends and provide recommendations on project implementation.
• Demonstrated experience and familiarity with behavioral surveillance surveys, research methodologies, qualitative and quantitative research methods, data analysis, sampling methods, and establishment of M&E systems in developing country contexts.
• Proven experience in Southern Africa, specifically Lesotho, preferred.
• Experience working in a non-governmental organization (NGO).
• Project Management (PM) Certification preferred.

Typical Physical Demands:

• Typical office environment.
• Ability to spend long hours looking at a computer screen and doing repetitive work on a keyboard.
• Ability to sit and stand for extended periods of time. Ability to lift 5 lbs.

Technology to be Used:

• Personal Computer, Microsoft Office 365 (i.e., Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Skype/TEAMS, e- mail), office telephone, cell phone and printer/copier.

Travel Requirements:

• 10% – 25%

This job posting summarizes the main duties of the job. It neither prescribes nor restricts the exact tasks that may be assigned to carry out these duties. This document should not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment. Management reserves the right to review and revise this document at any time.

FHI 360 is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer whereby we do not engage in practices that discriminate against any person employed or seeking employment based on race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national or ethnic origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Our values and commitments to safeguarding: FHI 360 is committed to preventing any type of abuse, exploitation and harassment in our work environments and programs, including sexual abuse, exploitation and harassment. FHI 360 takes steps to safeguard the welfare of everyone who engages with our organization and programs and requires that all personnel, including staff members and volunteers, share this commitment and sign our code of conduct. All offers of employment will be subject to appropriate screening checks, including reference, criminal record and terrorism finance checks. FHI 360 also participates in the Inter-Agency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme (MDS), facilitated by the Steering Committee for Humanitarian Response. In line with the MDS, we will request information from job applicants’ previous employers about any substantiated findings of sexual abuse, exploitation and/or harassment during the applicant’s tenure with previous employers. By applying, job applicants confirm their understanding of these recruitment procedures and consent to these screening checks.

FHI 360 will consider for employment all qualified applicants, including those with criminal histories, in a manner consistent with the requirements of applicable state and local laws.

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