Monitoring And Evaluation Specialist

The Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist is responsible for monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities for the USAID-funded Lebanon Promoting Active Citizen Engagement (PACE) program managed by Management Systems International (MSI). The M&E Specialist bears primary responsibility for managing performance monitoring activities, data collection on output, outcome, and impact indicators, ongoing maintenance of the program’s M&E systems, and training/coaching staff in their use. He/she plays a key role in ensuring all program activities and grants are properly monitored and evaluated, contributing to a continual learning process gained from implementation experience and working in close coordination with the program team, including the Chief of Party, Deputy Chief of Party, Civil Society and Media Program Specialists, and Grants Manager. The M&E Specialist reports directly to the Chief of Party. Specific Duties and Responsibilities The principal responsibilities of this position include, but are not limited, to the following tasks: Be fully aware of and contribute to the development of program work plans, timelines, and tracking mechanisms Contribute to the design, oversight and quality control of surveys and focus groups Closely coordinate with technical and grants staff to ensure that M&E procedures and adequate indicators are included in grant design, deliverables, and timelines Work with program staff to ensure that site visits to grantees and partners include collection of necessary data, and plan future visits with this priority in mind Maintain a database and appropriate documentation of M&E data collected, disaggregated per program requirements, organized as necessary to meet reporting requirements throughout the life of the program Contribute substantially to program reporting to MSI’s home office, the USAID Mission, and USAID’s Performance Monitoring Program in Lebanon Perform necessary analysis of data gathered to accurately demonstrate program impact and accomplishments, as well as identify lessons learned Provide ad-hoc training and coaching to grantees Assist in identifying and generating success stories, briefing documents and other materials Play significant role in designing and implementing baseline surveys, polling, follow-up surveys, KAP studies, and other M&E tools Inform leadership of any identified deficiencies or possible improvements in M&E systems Carry out other duties as assigned Professional skills: Experience with local and/or international NGOs/civil society organizations or donor organizations Demonstrated ability to conceptualize, develop, and manage M&E systems and activities in partnership with civil society organizations Experience assessing M&Ecapacities and proposing capacity-building strategies for current or potential grantees Excellent organizational skills Experience in designing and overseeing surveys, focus groups and other methods of data collection Experience in providing training or on-site coaching to local partners Strong teamwork skills, creativity, and initiative Computer literacy with a variety of software programs (word processing, internet/email applications, etc) Fluency in Arabic and English (written and verbal) Ability and willingness to conduct site visits throughout the country on a regular basis   Program Summary: Promoting Active Citizen Engagement (PACE), a three-year program funded by USAID/Lebanon, seeks to strengthen civil society capacity to act as a catalyst for change through civic advocacy and participation. Through grants and technical assistance, the program partners with Lebanese civil society organizations across the country to support civic engagement, media activities, social entrepreneurship, and capacity building. Applications will be accepted until August 3, 2012 but will be reviewed as they are received. Interested applicants are therefore encouraged to submit an application as soon as possible. SHORTLISTED CANDIDATES WILL BE CALLED IN FOR INTERVIEWS FOLLOWING POSITIVE REVIEWS OF THEIR CV ON A FIRST SUBMITTED BASIS. IMPORTANT: IN ADDITION TO A CV AND A COVER LETTER, APPLICANTS ARE REQUESTED TO FILL AND SUBMIT A SIGNED BIODATA SHEET WHICH CAN BE FOUND ON: http://transition.usaid.gov/forms/AID1420-17.doc