Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officer At Freedom House

Position Summary:

Freedom House is seeking two Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officers to assist and advise program staff—both in D.C. and in the field— with monitoring and evaluation (M&E) related aspects of proposal development, project start up, reporting throughout implementation, and end-of-project reviews. These officers will work primarily with the International Programs Division and focus on ensuring that Freedom House’s international programs have strong monitoring and evaluation components and that key officers are trained to carry our monitoring and evaluation. The MEL Officers will work with Freedom House’s staff and local civil society partners who are implementing more than 40 programs in 35 countries around the world.

We are specifically interested in someone who has strong training in and experience using qualitative methods, a talent for training others in the logic of measurement and inquiry, and who can operationalize complex concepts (e.g. increased tolerance for marginalized groups) in simple data collection and analysis designs that can be carried out by untrained activists. We are most interested in finding someone who can think creatively about data, who loves teaching others how to collect, analyze, and use data, and who has a passion for improving democracy and human rights programmatic interventions internationally.

We encourage applicants who have the skills required to meet the following responsibilities. We welcome applicants who can demonstrate those skillsets, even if they do not fully meet the educational and experience backgrounds described.

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Creation, Maintenance, and Implementation of M&E systems –
  • Design and update M&E/MEL plans and narratives for proposals
  • Operationalize M&E/MEL systems.
  • Design and adapt data collection tools, processes and methodologies to meet best practices and standards, including in high-risk environments and/or with vulnerable populations.
  • Assist in the standardization of M&E/MEL reporting procedures.
  • Support program staff in facilitating project design sessions to develop theories of change, logframes, logic models, and identify expected results and benchmarks to track during project implementation.
• Analysis and Reporting –
  • Conduct data quality spot checks.
  • Regularly analyze data results and trends for internal and external reporting.
  • Assist program staff in meeting reporting requirements, including advising program staff on reporting their impact, indicator tracking, data visualization, end-of-project reviews, and other products for both internal and external use.
  • Respond to data requests from Freedom House staff, donors, executives, and others in a timely manner.
  • Provide reporting support and compile data needed for both grant closeout and business development.
  • Work with program staff on closeout of projects to ensure that lessons learned and success stories are captured in the database.
• Training and Support for Freedom House International Program Staff and Partners –
  • Train and advise program staff in the use and implementation of M&E tools and processes, including the efficient use of Excel and other M&E programs.
  • Assist program staff in briefing sub-grantees and partners on evaluation processes.
  • Maintain a MEL community of practice within Freedom House’s international programs division.
• Work on Freedom House wide Learning Products –
  • Support the EL team with creating handbooks, templates, tools, and assessments for core Freedom House activities.
  • Support internal communities of practice for Freedom House staff to share best practices periodically on core Freedom House themes.

JOB QUALIFICATIONS

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, research methods, international affairs, international developments, or a related field.
• Master’s degree in related field or its equivalent preferred.

Experience

• Three to five years of directly related experience in developing, implementing, and managing M&E activities of international development programs or other relevant data analysis experience.
• Familiar with human rights and/or democracy-related issues in Latin America, Africa, Europe and Eurasia, or Asia.
• Experience working with US government grants, cooperative agreements and similar funding mechanisms is preferred.

Skills and Competencies

• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Strong ability to communicate effectively in English and proficiency in either Spanish, French, Russian or another foreign language, both verbally and in writing. One of the two open position will require Spanish proficiency.
• Demonstrated skills in both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods, and with data visualization.
• Familiarity with responding to donor and funding agencies’ reporting requirements.
• Capable of being the primary M&E technical expert for multiple projects.
• Familiarity with evaluation and the use of participatory research methods.
• Experience supporting staff to achieve results, including ability to coach and mentor team members, and provide leadership to collaborative teams, with formal training or teaching experience preferred.
• Interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to interact effectively and diplomatically with individuals at all levels of the organization, as well as externally both domestically and internationally.
• Strong ability to plan, organize, prioritize work, and multi-task to meet tight deadlines while working independently.

Attributes and Characteristics

• Exhibit strong and sustained commitment to Freedom House’s mission.
• Demonstrate sound skills in ethical discernment, confidentiality, analysis, and action.
• Exhibit professional conduct at all times, adaptability to change, and ethical conduct.
• Exhibit high work standards, adherence to procedures, attention to detail, and responsibility for assigned tasks.
• Assess own strengths and weaknesses, pursue training and development opportunities, and strive to continuously build knowledge and skills.
• Work as an effective team member and successfully balance individual and team responsibilities.
• Diverse backgrounds, particularly related to the diversity of countries we do programming work in, are a welcome asset.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

• General working office environment
• Work during US East Coast time zone business hours
• Some long hours including evenings and weekends to complete tasks or attend events
• Travel within Washington, D.C.; occasional travel outside of the U.S. may be required to facilitate workshops and meetings (less than 10% of time)

PHYSICAL CONDITIONS:

• Using a computer and associated software for full workdays.
• Communicating verbally in in-person and virtual meetings

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Applicants are required to complete our online application form and to submit a resume and a cover letter that outlines interests and qualifications for this position.

• Diversity makes our work stronger. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all background to apply.
• Freedom House provides a strong benefits package, including a 403(b)-retirement account, commuter benefits, flexible hours, floating holidays, high employer contributions to medical, dental, and vision premiums, basic and voluntary life and AD&D insurance, short- and long-term disability, flexible spending account, and more.
• Staff members are currently working remotely or partially remotely due to Covid-19, and Freedom House is continuing to evaluate when and under what circumstances staff will return to the office. This position will start completely or partially remote and may require mandatory relocation to Washington DC once circumstances allow (no earlier than July 1, 2022).
• Candidates must possess long-term authorization to work in the United States. Freedom House will not sponsor work visas.

Disclaimer : This job description is only a summary of the typical functions of the job. It is not an exhaustive or comprehensive list of all possible job responsibilities, tasks, and duties. The responsibilities, tasks, and duties of the jobholder may differ from those outlined in the job description and other duties, as assigned, may be part of the job. Freedom House may add, change, or remove essential and other duties at any time.

Salaries are commensurate with experience and based on pay grades that prioritize equity across the organization. The pay grade for this role starts at $55,000.