Job Title:  Evaluation and Learning Specialist
Status:      Full-Time
Division:   Programs
Location:  Alexandria, VA

Islamic Relief USA (IRUSA) is seeking an Evaluation and Learning Specialist to work in the Programs Department at IRUSA headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia. The Evaluation and Learning Specialist will contribute in implementing the evaluation and learning activities within IRUSA’s overall programs. S/he will lead and/or participate in the conduct of internal program reviews, impact evaluations, country performance analysis, regional portfolio reviews, mapping and learning studies, as well as evaluation of IRUSA’s strategies, policies and projects in intervention countries. The Evaluation and Learning Specialist is expected to conduct in depth analysis of programs and make recommendations for future program planning implementation, as well as create learning materials to be shared publicly. The candidate must show the commitment to IRUSA’s faith inspired values and principles as well as a commitment to the vision and mission of the organization. The position reports to the Manager, Programs Quality and Learning.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

Results Measurement & Learning Generation

  • Conduct evaluation studies to assess the impact and effectiveness of IRUSA’s programs and strategies, lending learning materials.
  • Provide input into the design, implementation and dissemination of evaluations, special studies and assessments.
  • Prepare country, sector and other syntheses of evaluation findings and share with Programs Management and IRUSA Executives. 
  • Provide administrative support for evaluation activities conducted by external consultants, and perform the role of liaison with the external evaluation team/consultant.
  • Build required tools for program evaluations as well as Theory of changes, Results Framework for IRUSA selected Programs including identification of appropriate indicators, measurement methods and critical assumptions and contribute to the development of IRUSA Program Strategy. 
  • Undertake field visits per agreed evaluation plan (in the US and internationally) to evaluate project processes and outcomes with appropriate documentation of the findings including the key achievements, challenges and recommendations.
  • Share Monitoring and Evaluations (M&E) field visits information within the program department and with other departments within the organization.
  • Contribute to implementation of the MEAL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning) plans set for IRUSA-funded projects in coordination with the relevant team members.
  • Provide technical guidance whenever necessary with a focus on project baseline studies, mid-term and final evaluations, as required.
  • Participate in the implementation of selected project baselines, mid-term reviews and project close out reviews and support the field team (in the US and internationally) in reporting on key project achievements, results, lessons and recommendations.
  • Coordinate joint MEAL missions with program teams and with IRW’s Programs Quality and regional offices. This includes engaging with IRW on joint field monitoring missions and conducting joint evaluations of IRUSA funded grants.
  • Contribute to the implementation of project accountability and learning initiatives with IRW’s program quality (PQ) and regional teams.
  • Participate in periodic review meetings with IR partners and peers (in the US and internationally).
  • Contribute to assess risks, review compliance, and gather information for due diligence for the assigned projects in the US and internationally when required. 

Capacity Building

  • Contribute in the development of tailor-made training workshops on design, results measurement, evaluation and learning systems to IRUSA Programs’ staff.
  • Contribute to appropriate, high quality orientation and training of Programs staff, field staff and partners on project MEAL system and tools, as required.
  • Participate in field-level project review meetings to support and validate the data collected and suggest for improvement.

Information Systems, Knowledge Platforms & Dissemination

  • Support the use of information and communication technologies (ICT) for project MEAL, as required.
  • Support the implementation of data quality controls to ensure the integrity of project data.
  • Contribute to the design / maintenance of IRUSA’s Grants Management System (GMS) and ensure that it includes all features needed to capture, analyze and report on programs’ results.
  • Coordinate the automation and inputting of qualitative and quantitative data collected in the field.
  • Support the implementation of reporting systems including but not limited to reports to the Board of Directors, reports to IRUSA executives, reports from program managers to the Director of Programs and external reports
  • Contribute to institutional learning processes, track programs’ best practices related to M&E and disseminate them to internal stakeholders.
  • Produce documentation (synthesis, flyers, news articles, blogs, videos) on projects’ success, failures, lessons and innovative solutions.
  • Organize and lead knowledge sharing events (workshops, webinars, and roundtable) to disseminate key learning to internal and external stakeholders.

Pilot Innovation & Expansion

  • Support identification of innovation in programming and contribute to development of pilot MEAL concepts
  • Participate in learning from pilots and support with the relevant analysis.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications and Competencies:

  • Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, data mining, economics, statistics, or related field. Master’s degree preferred.
  • At least 4 years of work experience in conducting and managing evaluations and assessments in humanitarian and/or development context internationally and/or in the US.
  • Working experience in at least one of the following areas: food security, sustainable livelihoods, climate change adaptation, humanitarian response is highly desirable.
  • Experience with evaluations using mixed method approaches.
  • Excellent knowledge of monitoring, evaluation and learning methodologies, as well as various evaluation designs.
  • Ability to gather data using qualitative and quantitative approaches such as interviews, group processes, participant observation, surveys, electronic data files, or other methods.
  • Skilled in working with stakeholders to develop feasible recommendations.
  • Demonstrated ability to produce high quality M&E reports and other program documents.
  • Excellent social, interpersonal and intercultural skills and demonstrated ability to interact with culturally diverse staff and program participants.
  • Ability to manage a variety of activities in a fast moving environment and meet deadlines with attention to detail and quality.
  • Demonstrated ability to work effectively in developing countries.
  • Fluent in English and preferably in one other foreign language.
  • Ability to travel internationally and domestically (up to 40% travel).
  • Must be eligible to work in the United States.

 

At Islamic Relief USA we are committed to safeguarding and protecting all individuals we come into contact with through our work. IRUSA representatives must adhere to its organizational values: Sincerity, Excellence, Compassion, Social Justice, and Custodianship. In accordance with these values, IRUSA operates and enforces policies on Safeguarding, Code of Ethics, and Anti-Harassment and Discrimination.

 

This position has been filled.