Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist

USAID/Timor-Leste Accountability and Integrity Mechanism (AIM)

Terms of Reference

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist

Position:  Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist

Period of Performance: One year, renewal upon documented above-average to excellent performance.

Base of Operations: Dili, Timor-Leste

Position Reports to: COP, DCOP

Introduction

Dexis is a professional services firm that solves the most pressing social challenges in complex environments, paving the way for a more secure and prosperous world. Dexis embraces diversity, equity, and inclusion and strives to build and maintain a safe environment where we celebrate diverse backgrounds, treat everyone with respect, and value the unique lived experiences each person brings based on their race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, disability, military or veteran status, national origin, age, marital status or family status and related conditions. At Dexis, staff will experience a corporate culture of inclusiveness, fairness, and trust where they are given the means and the mentorship needed to succeed, and their creativity rewarded.

Dexis is presently implementing a three-year contract with a one-year option to implement the USAID/Timor-Leste Accountability and Integrity Mechanism (AIM), a project designed to strengthen Timor-Leste's accountability ecosystem and advance the Government of Timor-Leste’s (GOTL) anti-corruption reforms, including the GOTL’s new Anti-Corruption Law and good governance targets set within Timor-Leste’s Strategic Development Plan (2011 - 2030).  The USAID/Timor-Leste AIM project forms part of USAID’s new generation of democracy support in Timor-Leste and aims to bolster key institutions, to include governmental, parliamentary and civil society actors, to improve the ability  of Timor-Leste’s democratic system to deliver “an inclusive, prosperous, and healthy Timor-Leste” for its young and growing population. Accordingly, Dexis will work with civil society, the government, and parliament of Timor-Leste to strengthen the strategic, institutional, communications, and coordination capacity of key accountability institutions, especially the Anti-Corruption Commission, the Office of the Ombudsman for Human Rights and Justice, and the audit chamber. Stronger institutional independence of these oversight agencies coupled with the development of sound legislative and governmental policy will ensure that citizens are empowered and can hold government accountable, thus leading to more inclusive and sustainable economic development.

Position Description

The Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist will work with and report to the project COP and/or DCOP and manages all aspects of the monitoring and reporting system of the USAID/TL AIM Project, including modifications and further development of the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (MEL Plan).  The Specialist will be principally responsible for implementation of the approved MEL Plan which is a set of guidelines and procedures for monitoring and evaluating the project’s impact using key indicators. Implementation of the MEL Plan will be done in collaboration with project’s technical staff, including the Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party, and key partners and stakeholders. MEL activities will guide program data collection and improve ongoing and future activities in accordance with findings from the collected data to ensure efficient use of program funds for optimal program utility and impact.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

The MEL Specialist is expected to work closely with USAID/TL AIM Project Objective Leads and technical staff, partners and stakeholders, and ensure the completion of the following tasks:

• Oversee the development and implementation of the USAID/TL AIM Project MEL Plan, including leading the development of MEL tools, platforms, and methods that are appropriate to the scope, context, and technical requirements of the project.
• Ensure that each project activity has measurable performance indicators that include the mainstreaming of gender.
• Ensure that programmatic learning and results are fully documented, shared, and used to drive adaptive management processes.
• Ensures that the project produces and disseminates high quality knowledge, tools, and lessons learned through routine monitoring and evaluation and implementation experience.
• Provide MEL technical training, mentoring, and coaching to project staff, partners, and other actors as appropriate.
• Lead the collection, management and analysis of qualitative and quantitative data, ensuring disaggregated data and the use of gender- and inclusion-related indicators to assess how the project is impacting different groups.
• Strengthen availability and use of high-quality data for decision-making at all levels of the project. Integrate data analysis, reflection and interpretation and use with ongoing project activities, including gender and inclusion analysis.
• Oversee all assessments (baseline, midline, endline) and evaluation activities, as well as all pause and reflect sessions.
• Research, compile, write, and submit information, including results and their analysis, for project reports, including the monthly, quarterly and annual reports, and respond to requests for data from USAID and other stakeholders.
• Coordinate the preparation of a Collaborating, Learning and Adapting Plan (CLA Plan), oversee its implementation, and draft and update Performance Indicator Reference Sheets (PIRS)
• Perform data entry into the USAID Development Information System (DIS) and other reporting platforms designated by USAID.
• In coordination with the project DCOP, to revise, update and oversee the implementation of the project’s Gender and Inclusive Development Action Plan (GIDAP) 
• Perform such other functions as may be directed by the COP and/or the DCOP.

Minimum qualifications and experience

• Bachelor’s degree required; an advanced degree preferred.
• At least three years in of experience in international development projects with a proven ability to implement a robust MEL system that is integrated into all aspects of program implementation.
• An established understanding of the theory of change that drives private sector development programs based on partner and systems-level results rather than input and outputs.
• Proven experience leading firm-level monitoring for large private sector development programs; familiarity with USAID's monitoring, evaluation, and learning policies and procedures preferred.
• Proven ability to oversee and manage the collection and reporting of performance indicator data as frequently and in as timely a manner as decision makers need.
• Demonstrated success managing information feedback loops that connect performance monitoring and learning with adapting implementation over the life of the project.
• Familiarity with developing, overseeing, organizing, storing, and analyzing data and data systems.
• Strong analytical capabilities.
• Proven ability to meet deadlines and targets in the context of a dynamic and quickly changing environment of Timor-Leste.
• Fluency in English and Tetum required, functional command of other Timor-Leste official and working languages preferred.

How to apply?

To apply, kindly submit a Cover Letter with the subject, “Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist”, and an updated CV or Resume in English on or before February 7, 2024 to the following email address, [email protected] AND [email protected].  Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.    Position will remain open until a suitable candidate has been identified.