CEPPS Design, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist – DMEL

Position Summary

The Global Design, Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning (G-DMEL) Team seeks a CEPPS Design, Evaluation, and Learning (DEL) Specialist to join NDI’s DC based G-DMEL team. The purpose of this position is to serve as a M&E specialist that will assist in the design, evaluation, and learning of CEPPS programming (Consortium for Elections and Political Process Strengthening).

About CEPPS: The CEPPS consortium is comprised of nonprofit, nonpartisan, nongovernmental organizations dedicated to advancing and supporting democratic practices and institutions around the globe. Established in 1995, CEPPS pools the expertise of three premier international organizations dedicated to democratic development: the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute. CEPPS now has a 25-year track record of collaboration and leadership in democracy, human rights and governance support. As mission driven, nonprofit democracy organizations, we differ from many development actors by maintaining long-term relationships with political parties, election management bodies, parliaments, civil society organizations and democracy activists. We operate as a consortium (under a joint venture) to provide USAID and other donors with the capacity to deliver complex democracy, rights and governance (DRG) programming at scale across the entire spectrum of political contexts and geographic regions.

Essential Accountabilities/Responsibilities

Support Consortium Design and Evaluations Practices

• Develop and implement comprehensive evaluation plans for programs that correspond to the CEPPS consortium, NDI, and USAID learning agendas
• Generate evidence for learning and current and future programmatic adoptions
• Serve as a CEPPS Point of Contact/liaison for design, evaluation, and learning as needed
• In collaboration with G-DMEL team and CEPPS, synthesize and package evaluation findings for internal and external dissemination, and design and deliver evaluative learning forums
• Ensure that NDI program teams are adhering to NDI and CEPPS design processes and quality standards
• Assist in the development and implementation of CEPPS design and evaluation practices and processes
• Work collaboratively with the CEPPS NDI database associate along with members of the CEPPS REL team and partner MEL teams to establish and maintain a database of evaluation findings for learning initiatives

Develop Structures and Tools for Joint Program Designs and Evaluations

• Assist in the CEPPS design process of various types of awards
• Work with Regional DMEL Leads to ensure NDI and CEPPS MEL standards are met for program design
• Work with G-DMEL CLA Specialist to ensure the learning and evaluation findings are incorporated in project design
• Assist in standardizing baseline, design tools, and data collection processes and policies for design and evaluation structures
• Work across CEPPS and within NDI to develop and fine tune joint evaluation tools, like SOWs, inception reports, and data collection tools

Support (Joint) Programmatic Design and Evaluations

• Lead, oversee, and/or assist in the implementation of internal baselines and mid-term evaluations, working closely with consortium partners to ensure the evaluations meet donor and consortium requirements.
• Ensure compliance with CEPPS protocols and processes regarding design, learning, and evaluations
• Assist in tool design and data collection and analysis of mixed-method program evaluations
• Review and provide feedback on donor-commissioned evaluations’ terms of reference, evaluation questions and methodologies, and final evaluation reports;
• Work collaboratively with other members of G-DMEL team and Regional DMEL Leads on the use and interpretation of evaluation data
• Work with other staff on the G-DMEL team to ensure the findings of the baseline assessment informs M&E systems and data collections and analysis tools and methods

Peripheral Accountabilities/Responsibilities (Non-essential)

• Act as a back-up for other team members as needed
• Participate in cross-functional initiatives as needed
• Provide general support to the regional and functional teams for technical assistance as needed
• Support and contribute to the wider DRG sector
• Perform other duties as required

Parameters

• Incumbent operates under direction, plans, or coordination of supervisor and work in accordance with established objectives
• Incumbent serves as a resource and provides guidance to staff across the institute if needed
• Incumbent interacts with NDI partners, funders/donors, and other stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

Education

Masters degree in social science research, data science, international affairs, international development, M&E, or related field. Additional years of relevant work experience may be substituted for educational requirements on a one-for-one basis.

Experience

• A minimum 6 years of successful experience as a program evaluator or research analyst, or related position, in the international development sector; preferably in democracy and governance or similar field
• Demonstrated experience in designing and implementing assessments and evaluations; evaluation of democracy, governance, and human rights programming is strongly preferred
• Experience in qualitative and quantitative data collection, analysis, and visualization
• Familiarity with donors’ MEL requirements, including USAID, NED, DoS, and non-federal donors preferred
• Experience in developing Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) plan, Learning Agenda and/or Political Economy Analysis (PEA) strongly desired;
• Experience with qualitative and quantitative data analysis software
• Experience of living or working experience outside the U.S. preferred

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities (KSAs)

• Understanding of innovative evaluation methodologies and approaches, and sampling strategies for complex programming in democracy, governance and human rights sector desired
• Ability to multitask and prioritize; manage time, perform project management, problem-solving, and organizational skills; and flexibility to adapt and respond to shifting priorities
• Ability to analyze problems, collect and verify data, draw evidence-based conclusions, and the ability to think innovatively
• Understanding of data cleaning processes and documentation of data inconsistencies
• Knowledge of M&E and data visualization tools
• Familiarity with developing and operationalizing SMART indicators for challenging contexts
• Training and capacity building skills
• High level of interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to effectively interact with all levels of staff, U.S. and foreign government personnel, members of donor organizations, funders and policy makers
• Excellent written and oral communication skills
• Ability to apply discretion and maintain confidential information
• Capacity to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team
• Ability to effectively present information, respond to questions, and communicate with diverse groups including audiences without a technical background
• Proficiency in use of Google Apps (Gmail, Calendar, Google Drive, G+, etc.)
• Foreign language ability applicable to one of the regions where NDI works, French, Arabic, and/or Spanish preferred
• Ability and willingness to travel to regional locations, which are often remote and difficult to reach

Certifications/Licenses (desired)

None Required.

Work Environment

• This position generally is performed in an office environment and may be suitable for partial telework.
• Occasional evening and weekend work may be required, as well as attendance at external events.
• International travel is typically not required for this role, but there may be occasions when the opportunity may be presented for such travel to support a given program or field activity. This is generally at no greater than 5 percent of an incumbent’s work time in this role.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting/mobility—to work at a desk and move around work areas.
• Speaking/hearing—to engage orally in conversation with others.
• Seeing—to effectively use a computer screen and for reading and interpreting printed materials, memos and other paperwork.
• Reaching/handling—to input information into computer systems and retrieve and work with appropriate paperwork, equipment and supplies and complete filing.

ADA Notation:

The physical demands and work environment that have been described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Comments:

To comply with tax and legal obligations, all candidates for DC-based positions must reside in Maryland, DC or Virginia. While there may be flexibility for remote/hybrid work environments, candidates must be residents of MD, DC or VA or relocate prior to the start of employment at NDI.

This is a union position to be represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 2.

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. NDI does not provide sponsorship.

NDI is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). As such, NDI makes employment decisions and provides equal employment opportunity without regard to an applicant’s or employee’s race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state and local laws. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please notify NDI’s Human Resources department.

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Tagged as: cla plan, DOS, learning agenda, NED, political economy analysis, usaid