MEL specialist

What You'll Be Doing

Cadmus was awarded the USAID Digital Forward Activity, which provides tools and technical assistance to USAID Missions and Washington Operating Units to ensure digital initiatives are incorporated into USAID programs and activities. Digital Forward advance digital initiatives that enhance digital security and economic prosperity in partner countries, while safeguarding individual rights, freedom of expression, and democratic norms and practices.

The Regional Inclusive Digital Ecosystem, or RIDE, is an activity from USAID's Regional Development Mission for Asia (RDMA) under Digital Forward. A five-year program, RIDE will leverage the dynamism of Southeast Asia's digital economy to promote a more inclusive, safe, reliable, and open digital ecosystem. RIDE will focus on strengthening the policy environment, supporting innovations that safeguard consumers, and promoting equity and inclusion in the digital ecosystem.

The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist will play a pivotal role in ensuring effective implementation of Digital Forward by supporting MEL across several of the project's buy-in activities. The majority of the role's time (approximately 75%) will be spent on the Regional Inclusive Digital Ecosystem (RIDE) Activity, managing the monitoring and evaluation framework, conducting assessments, and providing strategic guidance for project adaptation and learning.

The MEL Specialist will collaborate closely with project teams to measure and report progress, identify areas for improvement, and contribute to evidence-based decision-making, driving the project towards achieving its objectives and maximizing impact. It is anticipated that approximately 25% of the MEL Specialist's time will be dedicated to other Digital Forward activities.

The duty station for this position is Bangkok, Thailand with limited travel throughout Southeast Asia and other countries in the Asia Pacific upon request.

Please submit a CV and, preferably, a cover letter to [Confidential Information] with the position title in the subject line. This position will remain open until filled.

This position reports to the RIDE Project Director jointly with the Deputy Director of Digital Forward. This will be a contracted position for the length of one year, with the option to extend annually, up to a total of four years.

Who We Are

At Nathan, a Cadmus company, we recognize that solving the world's most challenging problems can't be accomplished alone or with cookie-cutter solutions. That's why we look for team players and problem solvers who are driven to use their unique perspectives and intellectual curiosity to help deliver breakthrough solutions that achieve transformative goals. On the Nathan team, you'll collaborate with leading experts to help our clients across the globe.

Nathan's mission is to deploy industry-leading expertise to help our clients achieve extraordinary results that strengthen society and the natural world. We offer competitive compensation, outstanding health care and retirement benefits, a vibrant and collaborative work environment, and opportunities for professional growth. We are committed to advancing diversity and fostering a culture of equity in the workplace and across society, and we strive to maintain an inclusive environment where all employees feel connected, respected, and valued.

Nathan, a Cadmus Company, is a leading provider of analytic and economic consultancy services worldwide. In the past decade, we have implemented more than 120 projects in more than 50 countries leveraging our global presence in Washington DC, London, and India. From improved transparency and deeper stakeholder engagement to more effective policies and more resilient businesses, we deliver results that impact economic growth, human development, and poverty reduction. We are passionate about applying our deep analytical expertise and advanced proprietary tools to generate economic solutions tailored to our clients unique challenges. Nathan focuses on a range of economic development subject matter areas including Trade & Logistics; Economic Policy & Governance; Private Sector Development; Women's Economic Empowerment; and Financial Solutions.

Join Nathan, a Cadmus Company. Let's solve the world's most challenging problems together.

Responsibilities:

• Monitoring & Evaluation System Design: Assist in formulating the overall M&E project strategy and a robust framework in collaboration with the Project Director and/or Buy-in Manager
• Facilitate the development and implementation of suitable indicators, targets, data collection tools, documentation systems, and management information systems aligned with key stakeholders reporting requirements for process, output, and outcome indicators
• Ensure alignment of M&E data collection and reporting systems with Digital Forward and USAID policies and indicators, establishing efficient systems for data gathering, reporting, and analysis
• Collaborate with relevant stakeholders and staff to develop the program's MEL Plan, obtain USAID approval, and create data collection tools
• Coordinate and oversee all monitoring and evaluation tasks, reports, and deliverables
• Data Analysis, Management and Reporting: Conduct descriptive statistical analysis of programmatic datasets to prepare for M&E reporting
• Supervise data collection processes, ensuring data quality, documenting best practices, and leveraging data to inform design and decision-making
• Serve as the lead writer for monthly, quarterly, and annual M&E reports based on project performance monitoring plans, contributing to programmatic progress reports at various intervals.
• Ensure project compliance with all institutional reporting requirements
• Learning, Documentation and Sharing Lessons Learned: Collaborate with the Project Director to implement systems using data to guide decision-making across all levels
• Regularly review and update the M&E plan in conjunction with the Project Director and/or Buy-in Manager
• Work with local partners to ensure timely, relevant, and appropriate data collection for an effective M&E system, addressing strengths, weaknesses, and gaps in existing programs and services, and meeting donor reporting commitments
• Data Management and Quality Assurance: Develop and implement internal control systems to ensure the quality of all partner and project data, including facilitating routine data quality assessments and supporting corrective actions to enhance data quality
• Other Responsibilities: Undertake additional tasks assigned by the Project Director and/or Buy-in Manager consistent with this Scope of Work and the project's general requirements

Qualifications:

• At least seven (7) years of professional experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning roles, preferably in international development projects or with donor-funded programs
• A bachelor's degree in Statistics, Economics, Political Science, International Development, or related topics
• Must have experience with collecting, analyzing, and reporting key reporting data, including Performance Plan and Report (PPR), context indicators, and other key annual foreign assistance programming and budgeting reporting requirements
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks, including the development of indicators, data collection tools, and data management systems
• Proficiency in quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques, including statistical analysis software and data visualization tools
• Strong analytical skills and the ability to interpret complex data sets to inform programmatic decision-making and learning
• Experience in conducting evaluations, assessments, and impact studies using a variety of methodologies
• Commitment to upholding ethical standards and promoting inclusivity and diversity in monitoring and evaluation practices
• Demonstrated superior performance in a deadline-driven environment.
• Strong organizational skills and excellent communication, interpersonal, and teamwork skills
• Excellent proficiency in MS Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint)
• Legally authorized to work in Thailand without the need for sponsorship

Full professional fluency in both Thai and English, including excellent writing capabilities in English.

Preferred Qualifications

• An advanced degree in Statistics, Economics, Political Science, International Development, or related topics
• Experience in research methodologies, research partnerships, and translating evidence.
• Experience implementing regional donor-funded programs
• Background in digital economy and digital innovation initiatives
• Experience conducting business in different countries, especially throughout ASEAN

Compensation and Benefits

The salary for this position is commensurate with qualifications and experience. The range for this role is $280 - $300 USD per day.

Additional Information:

We value the critical role safety and health protocols contribute to all team members success and work together to align and comply with all federal, state, and local safety and health mandates related to COVID to ensure a safe and valuable work environment.

Cadmus is an Equal Opportunity, Affirmative Action Employer and prohibits unlawful discrimination. Cadmus is committed to providing a respectful workplace where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants and employees without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation (including gender identity and/or expression), national origin, military and veteran status, physical and mental disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Learn more about Cadmus by visiting our website at: http://www.cadmusgroup.com