Regional DMEL Lead I - Asia

Position Summary

NDI seeks a specialist to support its Asia team in the operationalization of Design, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (DMEL) plans and activities that will ensure compliance with donor requirements and NDI’s institutional agenda, facilitate quality performance outcomes, and contribute to evidence-based programmatic learning within the region and across NDI. The Lead I specialist will work closely with the Asia-Pacific team’s DMEL Lead III. The position will be based out of NDI’s headquarters in Washington, DC and is available immediately.

Essential Accountabilities/Responsibilities

• Provide general support and guidance in the coordination and execution of regional DMEL activities and processes. Work with regional management and Asia DMEL Lead III to prioritize team M&E resources.
• Support the execution of DMEL activities in accordance with DMEL protocols and in consultation with regional leadership throughout the program life cycle: design, start-up, management, and evaluation, ensuring the application of best practices in all stages of the process.
• Support the establishment of monitoring and evaluation plans, ensuring the integration of baseline assessments and sound performance monitoring and evaluation systems and protocols.
• Participate in and support operationalizing the monitoring and evaluation of program performance against established plans and indicators through data collection and analysis methodologies, instruments, and protocols.
• Ensure timely data imputation and maintenance in NDI’s institutional database in accordance with required data protocols and conduct periodic data audits to benchmark and ensure the ongoing integrity and completeness of database content.
• Guide the analysis, visualization, and interpretation of program performance data to support its use in decision-making, donor reporting, and collaborative learning and adaptation. Execute a regular sequence of analysis and review processes are in place to support data-driven learning, adaptation, and interventions for necessary course corrections.
• Assist in the preparation of program performance/impact evaluations and reports, ensuring the use of high-quality evidence and analysis. Support preparations for learning discussions and reflections to identify evaluation recommendations and program management improvements.
• Work with regional leadership and the Asia DMEL Lead III to coordinate necessary training and resources for country and program teams to build regional DMEL knowledge and capacity as well as data collection and management competencies.
• Develop and foster effective working relationships with team leadership, other team members and, as required across other teams and partners, and facilitate collaborative and inclusive processes to identify regional DMEL activities and priorities and ensure alignment with broader institutional strategies and approaches. Participate in external meetings and events, as needed, to support/gain knowledge of DMEL activities/requirements.
• Collaborate with the Global DMEL team to share regional-specific perspectives and learning, as well as to access/secure specialized/advanced DMEL resources, institutional protocols, and technical guidance for the region to support and strengthen program management, ensure compliance, and support evidence-based learning.

Peripheral Accountabilities/Responsibilities (Non-essential)

• Support onboarding and general DMEL training as required for regional staff relating to DMEL.
• Seek and actively engage in professional development opportunities to enhance knowledge and competence in DMEL, technical proficiencies, program management and donor requirements, and maintain a general working knowledge of relevant trends and issues occurring external to NDI.
• Perform other duties as required.

Parameters

• Incumbent operates under general direction, working in accordance with established procedures and objectives.
• Incumbent regularly interacts with staff at all levels within NDI.
• Incumbent interacts with NDI partners, funders/donors, and other stakeholders.

Required Qualifications

Education

Bachelor’s degree, in international development, social science, evaluation, or other relevant discipline, or equivalent experience. Relevant Master’s degree is a plus. Additional years of relevant work experience may be substituted for educational requirement on a one-for-one basis

Experience

• Three (3) years relevant DMEL work experience in international development and/or democracy, human rights, and/or governance-related (DRG) program management.
• Prior relevant programmatic and international field work, particularly creating and maintaining monitoring and evaluation systems in-country, is highly desired.
• Demonstrating experience performing monitoring and evaluation activities and processes

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Basic knowledge and competence in program/project management, preferably related to international development work, and in one or more of NDI’s disciplines: e.g., political campaigns, elections, community organizing, technology/innovations, etc.
• Familiarity with USAID and/or other monitoring, evaluation, and learning requirements to support program life cycles, ensure compliance, promote accountabilities, and support progress reporting.
• Basic knowledge and proficiency with database management, preferably with experience with MS Excel, MS Access, or other monitoring and evaluation platforms.
• Basic analytical skills and in the establishment/execution of processes, approaches, tools and methodologies that facilitate DMEL activities and organizational learning.
• Demonstrated knowledge and understanding of monitoring and evaluation frameworks, including routine data collection, data quality assurance, and promoting data for decision making and interventions/learning.
• Judgment and problem-solving skills for identifying problems, drawing conclusions, determining options for resolution, and recommending next steps.
• Strong 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—with NDI partners, funders and other stakeholders.
• Strong communications skills, both oral and written, with the ability to effectively deliver information through various vehicles to a wide range of audiences with accuracy and attention-to-detail, while ensuring technical/complex information is provided in an understandable and meaningful manner.
• Basic knowledge and proficiency with programs for data collection, analysis, and visualization.
• A strong attention-to-detail, with propensity to complete work accurately and with a focus on quality.
• Initiative and demonstrated proficiency in the ability to organize, multi-task, prioritize, and effectively adapt to changing priorities/needs.
• Technical proficiency in Microsoft Office to include Word, Excel, and PowerPoint; knowledge of Google Suite tools is preferred.
• Capacity to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team, as well as to provide guidance to others.
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally, including to locations that may be remote and difficult to reach.
• Ability to apply discretion and maintain confidential information.
• Fluency in a foreign language and/or specialized/technical knowledge specific to the needs of the regional team is highly desired.

Certifications/Licenses

• None required.

ADA Notation:

The physical demands and work environment that have been described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. NDI encourages applicants with disabilities to apply.

Comments:

While there may be flexibility for remote/hybrid work environments and to comply with tax and legal obligations, successful candidates must be residents of MD, DC, or VA or relocate prior to the start of employment at NDI.

This is a union position to be represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 2.

Candidates must be legally eligible to work in the U.S. NDI does not provide sponsorship.

NDI is an equal opportunity employer (EOE). As such, NDI makes employment decisions and provides equal employment opportunity without regard to an applicant’s or employee’s race, religion, color, sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation, or gender identity), national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal, state and local laws. If you need reasonable accommodation in the application or hiring process, please notify NDI’s Human Resources department.

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