Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Systems

iDE is an international nonprofit dedicated to combating poverty in the developing world not through handouts, but by helping rural households access the tools and knowledge they need to increase their income and improve their health and well-being.

iDE has 40 years of experience and programs in 12 countries in Africa, South Asia, South East Asia, and Central America.

iDE's vision, to catalyze the power of entrepreneurship to allow millions of people to lift themselves out of poverty, is ambitious and bold.

We need a person who is, first and foremost, passionate about this vision.

iDE uses an integrated monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) approach to measure our progress on delivering programs that center client needs and offer clear value for donors and stakeholders.

With an emphasis on not only rigor but inclusive and ethical measurement, we are committed to incorporating participatory approaches in our MERL work and to converting our quantitative and qualitative evidence into actionable learnings.

We generate monitoring and impact data to guide program decisions, aiming to leverage the best systems and tools to deliver the right information to the right people at the right time.

As a key member of iDE's MERL team this position directs the implementation of monitoring and evaluation (MERL) plans / processes for programs across iDE’s portfolio, and in addition develops, maintains and supports appropriate digital solutions for such plans and the MERL operational needs of iDE’s country projects.

These solutions are key to organizing information for strategic and tactical decision-making, as well as external communications and reports.

Reporting to the Global Director of MERL or their designee and as a member of iDE’s Headquarters team, the Director of MERL Systems will lead efforts across these key areas :

• Manage MERL strategy, processes / plan and implementation across a portfolio of country teams ensuring strategic alignment as well as task-based support on project MERL deliverables.
• Lead on developing and implementing MERL systems and standard operating procedures (SoPs) that make our iDE MERL operations more efficient and effective.
• Ownership and enhancement of iDE’s Global Key Performance Indicator (KPI) system, by ensuring the timeliness of performance results and the implementation of enhancements to improve usability and insights for project teams and senior management.
• Support business and fund development efforts through a MERL lens.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

MANAGE MERL STRATEGY, PROCESSES / PLAN AND IMPLEMENTATION - 40%

• Country MERL Strategy
• Collaborate with and advise country leadership teams in this position’s portfolio to ensure the MERL function is prioritized and adequately resourced and that country teams are using MERL-related data in their decision making.
• Lead and advise relevant training and capacity sharing activities for MERL activities for MERL staff around the world.
• Promote the use of digital technology tools and systems to collect and manage MERL data, develop and maintain data models.
• Ensure adequate resourcing is available in project budgets to enable right-sized MERL activities, systems, and in-country personnel.
• Project Level Support
• Develop new MERL plans for programs that meet, or exceed, the standard donor requirements in collaboration with relevant MERL country leads and / or project MERL leads.
• Support on-going MERL activities across project contexts through headquarters and project site assignments; provide technical knowledge and solutions to meet project needs while facilitating sharing of capacity for country office MERL staff.
• Guide teams in their evaluation and research plans to ensure rigor and quality measurement practices.
• Lead on all MERL-related Management Information System (MIS) responsibilities, such as those in our current Salesforce / Taroworks systems or other iDE-supported systems. Examples include :
• Work with project teams to identify user needs and define system requirements to develop a MIS.
• Provide guidance on processes and procedures needed to implement an MIS regardless of what tools are used.
• In close collaboration with country MIS leads and the HQ IT team, provide guidance on the design and build of MISs that make it easy for users with limited bandwidth and technical skill to quickly and accurately record critical data and create reports and dashboards that aim to provide users with timely, accessible and relevant information.
• Assist country MERL staff in creation of new forms, project-level KPIs, and simple jobs for monitoring and reporting to support any country-level resourcing gaps.
• Collaborate with Global MIS leads to train staff and other personnel on the proper MERL-related use of their systems.

LEAD ON DEVELOPING AND IMPLEMENTING MERL SYSTEMS AND STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURES (SoPs) - 20%

• Organizational Level
• Research and develop right-sized system options that can guide country programs and projects on the creation of MERL-related systems that provide for transparent and regular feedback loops that drive program / project performance management throughout iDE, while incorporating the following common needs :
• Varying MERL time and budget allocations.
• Data collection tools that make it easy for users with limited bandwidth and technical skill to quickly and accurately record critical data.
• Cloud apps that ensure data integrity, support business processes and simplify complexities.
• Additional strategies to obtain clean and quality project data.
• Reports and dashboards providing users with timely, accessible and relevant information.
• Mechanisms to train staff in the proper use of systems and processes.
• Engage with users on a regular basis to identify and implement improvements in these systems and processes, and document lessons learned.
• Interface with staff from other iDE teams and / or consultants on behalf of Global MERL staff to improve systems-related tasks managed outside of the MERL team.
• Create and maintain SoP documentation and onboarding materials about these systems and processes that are available to HQ, HQ MERL, and / or Global MERL staff that helps iDE maintain consistency and rigor in its MERL activities, and reduce disruptions from staff or project turnover.
• Nurture a global identity, common mission and morale for Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, & Learning program staff.
• Team Level
• Work with the Global Director of MERL or other relevant iDE functional areas to curate, maintain, and improve team-related SoPs that improve the functioning of the HQ MERL department, and reduce disruptions from staff or project turnover.
• Lead directly on the improvement and execution of team-related MERL operations SoPs, as designated by the Global Director of MERL. Examples include :
• Allocation of HQ MERL team time each month to remain within the billable MERL budget on projects.
• New Project Startup SoP with respect to MERL activities.
• Data and document organization and storage strategy that ensures data security and standardization that protects respondents of iDE MERL activities in line with our team’s efforts around data ethics and iDE policies.

OWNERSHIP AND ENHANCEMENT OF IDE’S GLOBAL KEY PERFORMANCE INDICATOR (KPI) SYSTEM - 25%

• Lead on managing and improving iDE’s Global Key Performance Indicator (KPI) System.
• Lead - in consult with the Global Director of MERL - the exploration of and / or implementation of new global-level KPIs.
• Ensure quality control within iDE’s global KPI system and lead on troubleshooting.
• Field KPI data requests.
• Produce quarterly KPI reports for submission to iDE stakeholders with verified data from the KPI system.
• Lead on building systems - in accordance with learning best practices indicated by the HQ MERL Director of Evidence and Learning and country teams needs - that make more efficient and effective use of KPI data - that can be adapted for country program and project data - in order to create actionable feedback loops.

FUND DEVELOPMENT & NEW BUSINESS EFFORTS - 10%

• Support the Fund Development team and country offices by conducting technical reviews of select proposals to ensure that MERL targets, data collection methods, and level of effort for HQ and country MERL staff is realistic and sufficient to maintain iDE’s integrity in delivery impact as outlined in our proposals.
• Review and ensure that our MERL approach is considering the measurement priorities of the clients, iDE and the donor for the particular project to enable mutual benefit.
• Contribute written technical content to proposals.
• Be the point of contact for the Fund Development and Business Development team on key elements or countries related to the duties of this position, including interacting with donors.
• Identify, and where appropriate, lead on proposals that will fund the improvement of MERL initiatives related to the duties of this position to better serve our end clients.

LEARNING - 5%

Actively engage in professional development activities by attending relevant conferences, online courses and webinars, workshops and seminars, seeking mentorship opportunities, reading curated materials, brown bag sessions, engaging in peer coaching, joining learning collaboratives, participating in communities of practice both internal and external to iDE or any other learning activity that aligns with role and professional growth objectives.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Directly supervise a MERL Coordinator, and future Performance Metrics Manager and / or other future positions as designated by the Global Director of MERL.
• Recruit and manage MERL-related interns as needed and as available.
• Provide soft-management and mentorship to country-office MERL staff so that they may achieve their objectives, professional development goals, and feel fulfilled in their roles at iDE.

Requirements

Qualifications

• Intermediate level of skill in business analysis / database design and particular relational data. They should be able to gather requirements and convert them to technical specifications, with a strong preference for either a Salesforce Admin, Developer, and / or App Builder Certification.
• Prior experience (5+ years) with mobile data collection software and systems, especially ODK, with a particular emphasis on / preference for prior experience with the Kobo and / or TaroWorks platform for project data collection OR demonstrated exceptional aptitude in learning and manipulating related systems;
• Empathy for users operating in very data-limited environments in terms of network access, technology and technical know-how;
• Willing and able to travel extensively in areas with minimal infrastructure or services (will have a lot more fun if this is seen as a perk);
• Introductory to Intermediate level of skill in business analysis / database design able to gather requirements and convert them to technical specs;
• Bachelor's Degree required in a related field, Master’s preferred
• 5-8 years of experience in the MERL field, or closely related role
• Demonstrated ability to work independently and take initiative on multiple projects at any one time.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to communicate effectively across language and culture barriers the position will be much more enjoyable if the candidate enjoys teaching.
• Strong knowledge of issues and opportunities in relevant sector and discipline areas;
• Alignment with iDE’s mission, values and approaches;
• Ability to multitask and pivot to respond to time-sensitive requests and needs when required.
• Experience with system development and support, with increasing levels of responsibility for project management and execution preferred;
• Experience writing clear technical documentation preferred;
• Eye for simple, clean user interfaces and reports (extra points if you have read Edward Tufte);
• Experience with Data Visualization software preferred;
• Overseas work experience preferred;
• Proficiency in one of the following languages preferred : French, Spanish, Portuguese, Khmer, Nepali, Vietnamese, Bengali, Malagasy
• Salesforce.com administrator or developer certifications are a plus, but not required.

Behaviors and Values

• Demonstrates empathy, humility, authenticity, and respect in the workplace
• Willingness to ask questions and seek feedback
• Excellent problem-solving and creative thinking abilities
• Ability to work independently and prioritize effectively
• Desire to work in fast-paced environment and across multiple time zones and languages
• Excellent verbal, intercultural and interpersonal communication skills
• Enthusiastic with a sincere interest in the mission of the organization

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The physical demands described here are representative of those the employee encounters while performing the functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

• Work is performed primarily in an office environment
• Occasional domestic and international travel may be required
• Normally required to see at far and close range, and communicate verbally through listening and speaking
• Frequently required to sit, use hands and fingers to handle and operate objects, devices and controls. Occasionally required to walk, reach with arms, lift and / or move up to 25 pounds
• Regularly operates telephone, computer, software and printer, copy machine, and similar office machines.

Benefits

POSITION TYPE / EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

This is a full-time, exempt position. Variable work hours are required as job duties demand.

TRAVEL

Travel both international and domestic, to areas with minimum physical comforts may be required, up to 20% as appropriate to carry out duties.

A valid passport is required at all times.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate.

Other :

• Equipment used : all office equipment
• Access stairs, elevator
• International Travel
• Variable Work Hours / Shifts

DIVERSITY STATEMENT

iDE takes pride in our talented and diverse workforce. Minorities, women, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.

Hiring, promotion, and compensation of employees are conducted without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, or age.

OTHER DUTIES

Please note this job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job.

Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

LOCATION

Any of the following locations with existing right to work : United States (Arizona, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Washington, Washington D.

C), Ghana, Ethiopia, Mozambique, Zambia, Honduras, United Kingdom

Candidates willing to relocate to one of these locations must do so at their own expense. iDE is unable to provide visa sponsorship or assistance with work authorization for this position at this time.

Please note that the listed salary range is applicable to US-based employees only. Compensation for employees in other countries will be determined based on iDE's compensation structure specific to the individual country where iDE has an established entity.

Director Level - $100,000-$115,000 / Annual

Apply by : September 30th at 11 : 59pm MDT