Organization Overview

The International Development Division focuses on improving the lives and economic well-being of people in lower and middle-income countries. We command technical expertise in health, agriculture, climate change, food security and governance—as well as in international evaluation. Our multi-layered health portfolio includes policy, health promotion and disease prevention, health finance, and health systems management. In partnership with government clients and local experts, our high-quality programs in Africa, Asia, Latin America, and the Middle East are known for impact and innovation.

Job Summary

Abt Associates is currently seeking a qualified Monitoring Evaluation & Learning (MEL) Director for the upcoming USAID Tanzania Horticulture Activity.

Under the supervision of the Chief of Party, the MEL Director will provide leadership and management oversight of research, monitoring and evaluation activities for the project in alignment with the Tanzania Horticulture results framework. This includes leading the collaborative learning and adaptation activities.  The MEL Director will also oversee two other MEL support staff. The position is contingent upon contract award to Abt Associates.

Key Roles and Responsibilities

• Leads collaborative learning and adaptation activities including enabling reflection on ‘what is working’ and ‘what is not.’ Develops a monitoring processes with quick feedback loops that generate iterative learning to adjust activities in real-time and track progress in achieving objectives.
• Guide team efforts to use activity-generated data, context data, and research to inform evidence-based program design and adaptive management.
• Lead efforts to strengthen a culture of learning at local levels with local stakeholders, including during trainings and other stakeholder engagements
• Drive the Activity’s overall learning agenda to derive lessons learned and best practices from routine activities, and contribute to quarterly Activity evaluations
• Support the interpretation and presentation of MEL findings for Activity planning, decision-making, course-correction, and communication of successes
• Leads the development of the Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (AMELP), with inputs from technical and leadership staff. Updates AMELP throughout the life of the activity reflect evolving needs and context shifts.
• Develops processes, procedures, and systems for data collection, analysis, and reporting on activity results and indicators.
• Ensures quality, reliability, validity, and formatting of all MEL tools and products are developed under USAID standards.
• Develops a research plan that outlines needed formative research to inform program implementation and design; identify new research needs, and ways to evaluate the pilot new approaches for activities.
• Supervises the collection of all data needed to report on all defined indicators (impact, output, outcome and program management indicators).
• Conducts regular review and adjustment of data collection processes as needed.
• Supervises implementation of data quality assessment (DQAs) as required or specified in the AMELP.
• Serves as the primary point of contact for research and data analysis needs for the project team.
• Synthesizes monitoring and evaluation findings needed for quarterly and annual reports for USAID.

Preferred Qualifications 

• Master’s degree in statistics, social science, development economics or a related field
• 10 years of experience with Masters degree or 6-8 with PhD in data management and analysis for M&E, learning, and adaptive management
• Demonstrated experience designing and implementing MEL systems in complex donor-funded development projects
• Experience implementing MEL activities on health system strengthening projects and/or projects that integrate health care for vulnerable populations desirable
• Proficiency in Excel, Word, and other MS Office software; data analysis software, e.g. SPSS or Stata
• Experience conducting monitoring, evaluation and research tasks related to Feed the Future activities and technical areas
• Experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative research, with demonstrated experience managing data collection teams
• Excellent organizational and planning skills with demonstrated attention to detail.
• Strong oral and written English skills for writing MEL reports and deliverables for USAID and project stakeholders
• Strong management skills to manage MEL support staff and activities

Minimum Qualifications

• (8+) years of experience and a master degree OR the equivalent combination of education and 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.