ThaiNGO

Job Description

Position: Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Specialist

Supervisor: MERL Director

Supervisees: MERL Managers

Location: Bangkok, Thailand

Pact Overview
At the heart of Pact is the promise of a better tomorrow. A nonprofit international development organization founded in 1971, Pact works on the ground in nearly 40 countries to improve the lives of those who are challenged by poverty and marginalization. We serve these communities because we envision a world where everyone owns their future. To do this, we build systemic solutions in partnership with local organizations, businesses, and governments that create sustainable and resilient communities where those we serve are heard, capable, and vibrant.

Position Summary

Together with the MERL Director, the MERL Specialist provides guidance and management for successful monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning of a new USAID Burma program being managed from Thailand. This individual supervises two MERL Managers and ensures functional integration of all MERL activities as well as active collaboration with partners and subgrantees. S/he co-leads the monitoring of data collection, collation, storage, analysis, and reporting ensuring that data is audit worthy and incorporated into program reports for submission to USAID. To this end, s/he provides MERL capacity-building and/or mentoring to staff and partners. S/he also conducts and disseminates analyses and learning products to support learning and adaptive management of the program. The MERL Specialist will be based in Thailand.

Specific Duties:

The specific duties to be carried out by the successful candidate are listed below:

Design & Monitoring:

• Contribute to the design and implementation of the project’s MERL system in coordination with MEL Director, MEL staff across the consortium, and Pact’s HQ Learning, Evidence and Impact (LEAP) Team to develop key performance indicators, targets, tools, and appropriate MERL responsibilities across the project.

• Co-lead the development and dissemination of relevant M&E tools and formats, and the provision of M&E specific technical training to staff, partners, and subgrantees.

• Work closely with MERL Director and Managers to support partners in establishing their internal MERL systems, M&E plans, and data quality management, to oversee partners’ compliance with MEL system.

• With MEL Managers, design and conduct trainings to support capacity for MEL among partners in qualitative and quantitative monitoring and evaluation techniques through comprehensive staff training, mentoring, and/or coaching, as well as co-facilitating MERL working group and community of practice across the program.

• Together with MERL Managers, conduct Routine Data Quality Assessments (RDQA) and implement corrective actions to improve data quality and accountability of staff and partners

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of a comprehensive project database, ensure accurate and timely storage of electronic files.

  • As part of this, responsible for calculation and reporting of Pact’s Global Indicators through Pact’s DHIS2 database, and other project data management system.

Evaluation & Research:

• Support the MEL Director in managing assessments, and internal/external evaluations or any special studies.

• Conduct and/or contribute to qualitative data collection with communities and stakeholders for evaluative and learning purposes.

Learning & Reporting:

• Responsible for the data analysis, writing, and review of the results and learning sections of program reports in collaboration with program staff, before submission to donor and ensure consortium partners’ compliance with internal data quality requirements and timely submissions for reporting.

• Contribute to project learning agenda and implement a system designed to identify lessons learned and disseminate timely information.

• Commitment to applied learning and adaptation based on data: co-lead the program team on routine reviews and interpretation of data for learning and adaptation; package and disseminate timely findings in a meaningful way and make suggestions for adaptation, according to USAID CLA approach and the program’s learning agenda.

Supervision & other:

        - Supervise two MERL Managers.
        - Other tasks as assigned.

Qualifications, Skills, Knowledge:

• Demonstrated relevant technical skills in analyzing quantitative and qualitative data, with good English oral and written communication skills.

• Extensive knowledge and experience in reporting procedures, best practices, guidelines, and tools for monitoring, evaluation, and learning.

• Experience in coordinating and facilitating consensus-building and learning processes (e.g., Pause & Reflect, working groups) among various stakeholders.

• Experience in designing and delivering MERL capacity-building trainings for participants with various levels of MERL expertise.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, i.e., Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc., and the ability to use various commercially available statistical software programs.

• Awareness of cross-border issues and bilateral relations between Thailand and Myanmar.

• Experience in handling sensitive and confidential information.

• Experience in complexity-aware and/or adaptive MERL methods is a plus.

• Experience in managing MERL contractor/consultant(s) is a plus.

Requirements:

• Thai national only

• University degree in any of the following or related fields: social science, international development, public health, evaluation, statistics, or economics.

• At least 4 years of progressively responsible experience in designing, managing, and implementing results-based MERL activities.

• Supervisory and/or mentoring experience.

• Strong command of spoken and written English. Myanmar language ability is a great plus.

• Strong interpersonal and intercultural communication skills.

• Ability and willingness to travel to border areas.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates are invited to submit a cover letter and CV to Pact Thailand Human Resources Unit via thailandrecruitment@pactworld.org

Deadline: September 21, 2022

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. Pact will review the application on a rolling basis and may contact shortlisted candidates prior to the deadline.

Pact is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, or other non-merit factors.

Contact: thailandrecruitment@pactworld.org