Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist Full-time staff position, Jakarta, Indonesia Posted: 9 Oct 2024 Closing: 8 Nov 2024 The successful applicant will be hired through a contractor (METI Inc.) to work with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Office of International Programs on international natural resource projects. Management and Engineering Technologies International, Inc. (METI), in support of the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) Office of International Programs (IP), may require the services of a full-time Project Management Lead to help administer a U.S. government (USG)-funded program based in Jakarta, Indonesia. Background The United States Forest Service (USFS) is the principal domestic technical agency for forestry and natural resource management in the United States and the largest natural resource research institution in the world. Its 35,000-person workforce possesses a wide range of natural resource management skills, including expertise in forest and rangeland management, protected area management, wildlife management, research and practical applications related to ecological resilience, recreation and tourism development, ecosystem services valuation, and ecosystem restoration, among others. The agency's multiple-use mandate requires that it balance conservation with social and economic interests, necessitating a pragmatic approach to natural resource management. Further, the Forest Service works extensively with resource management agencies at both the federal and state level and with communities, tribes, and civil society to coordinate management, seek input, and resolve conflict - the agency is well-versed in the shared management of resources that do not adhere to political and administrative boundaries (i.e., ecosystems and their primary constituents - water, wildlife, soils, and services). USFS International Programs (USFS-IP) partners with USAID Indonesia to enhance sustainable forest management by providing technical and implementing support to contribute to USAID Indonesia's Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) 2020-2025. Advancing Landscape and Ecosystem Management (ALAM) is a 5-year interagency program funded by USAID Indonesia and implemented by USFS-IP. The program will provide an efficient mechanism through which USFS can offer unique technical expertise and capabilities from its experience in managing America's forests and grasslands for more than 100 years. In collaboration with USAID Indonesia, USFS will develop technical cooperation with relevant Government of Indonesia (GoI) counterparts to support Indonesia's Forestry and Other Land Use (FOLU) Net Sink 2030 plan. Furthermore, the program will provide a platform for the United States Government (USG) to support GoI to continue to build upon proven strategies in sustainable forest management, ecosystem conservation, carbon sequestration, adaptation to natural hazards, disaster risk reduction, and women and youth engagement. The program will offer monitoring, evaluation, and learning support. This includes designing and carrying out performance and impact evaluations, as well as other studies, research, data analyses, and assessments. It will also involve developing collaborative, learning, and adaptive initiatives to strengthen the implementation of USAID Indonesia's CDCS and enhance USAID's organizational effectiveness. Position Description Reporting and working closely with USFS-IP Program Manager based in Washington, DC, Management and Engineering Technologies International Inc. (METI) office, and ALAM Project Lead based in Indonesia, the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist will lead the development of a comprehensive monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework and ensure appropriate implementation of all aspects of the monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) performance plan throughout the life of program/project. The MEL Specialist will be responsible for ensuring high-quality, relevant, and timely data is captured through this MEL plan to be used for programmatic decision-making to continuously improve the quality of interventions and outcomes of the program. The MEL Specialist will coordinate closely with all relevant partners and stakeholders including USAID, USFS-IP, and partner agencies to devise standard monitoring and evaluation mechanisms and ensure strict adherence to the relevant frameworks of performance management, evaluation plan, and performance indicators. The MEL Specialist is responsible for developing the overall MEL framework program database and information systems and providing capacity development support to USFS-IP team members in the appropriate application of the tools and guidelines. The MEL Specialist will also ensure the adherence of small-grants, sub-grants, and subcontract projects and activities with the overall program MEL framework and generate technical and analytical reports to meet donor and program needs. [HW1] [JG2] The MEL Specialist would support the program in capacities such as, but not limited to, the following: Design and develop a monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework and information system including establishing appropriate logic model, results framework, performance indicator, data flow process, with database system against project indicators, including data collection on cross-cutting issues such as gender, youth, social inclusion, longitudinal studies, etc. Coordinate with USAID, USFS-IP and relevant stakeholders to review, finalize and ensure approval of the MEL plan with full stakeholder involvement. Develop the necessary guidelines, appropriate templates, and tools for analysis and provide capacity building support for program/field teams on the use of MEL-related tools. Develop standard data sources and data assessment mechanisms and lead the periodic data quality checks and data-based evaluations as agreed on the MEL framework including baseline, mid-line and end-line studies. Develop a standard online data management system and manage the M&E evidence files (hard and soft copy) and corresponding logbook, to organize and maintain effective data flow to track program targets, outcomes, and impacts, including clearly defined objectives, indicators, learning mechanisms, and the implementation of appropriate MEL procedures. Work with small-grants, sub-grants and subcontracts to develop MEL plans and ensure they are in line with overall program monitoring, evaluation, and learning framework. Track and evaluate grantee and subcontract milestones and log supporting evidence; Generate periodic reports e.g. quarterly, bi-yearly and yearly MEL narrative reports, results tables, and graphics for technical review and ensure that appropriate reports are produced on time and in a technically valid, high-quality manner. Work closely with USAID, USFS team members, and program implementation staff to develop activity and field-level data collection tools. Develop a database for the project's beneficiaries. Provide training to program staff as well as the sub-grantee or small grantee organizations on the MEL framework, performance indicators, and data collection methods. Follow up to ensure that technical staff submit required data for all performance indicators in a technically correct manner that accurately reflects field realities and meets quality standards. Produce case studies to better understand the contextual realities and document key lessons learned, successful approaches, and challenging situations. Contribute to the development of annual program reports, and other need-based donor and government reporting as appropriate. Provide the project leadership with a quarterly detailed report. Carry out other relevant responsibilities as assigned by the program. Qualifications The MEL Specialist should have the following skills and experience: A mid-senior level professional with a minimum of five years of experience in relevant positions Minimum of bachelor's degree, with a higher degree desired, in MEL project management, development studies, business operations and communications, or related discipline Demonstrated understanding of Indonesia's forestry and climate change context, preferably has experience working with the GoI ministry in charge of the forestry and climate change topics. Demonstrated knowledge of standard processes and provisions relating to design, development and implementation of monitoring, evaluation and learning related operational mechanisms of non-government sector as well as donor-funded programs. Incumbent must have strong knowledge and vast familiarity with the standard tools, guidelines, approaches and relevant requisites of USAID-funded programs along with a concrete track record of designing MEL frameworks and operationalizing appropriate tools and guidelines that are USG compliant i.e. Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, Plan (AMELP), Theory of Change (TOC), Results Frameworks (RF), Gender sensitive indicators Ability to work effectively with limited day-to-day supervision and across different time zones. Ability to work in a dynamic environment with GoI and USG agencies, international donors, NGOs, community groups, and other stakeholders. Demonstrated experience working with large teams on USAID-funded programs in the development and implementation of MEL plans. Demonstrated track record of operationalizing periodic data collection, data quality checks, and managing a large database using online and offline mechanisms. Proven experience in documenting the lesson learned, communicating the success stories with internal and external audiences as appropriate. Proven skills and ability to design, develop, and manage the monitoring, evaluation and learning component of a complex multi-layer development program/project while ensuring strict adherence to mutually agreed-upon guidelines and provisions. Excellent technical skills and quantitative skills for tracking and analyzing the performances of the program/project using appropriate MEL tools are required. Able to cultivate strategic relationships and alliances with other relevant projects and represent the project at MEL-related working groups and in public and professional circles through meetings, conferences, and presentations. Proven ability to provide on-the-job capacity-building training to other team members. Excellent interpersonal, organizational, written, and oral communication skills. Required computer proficiencies: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Internet; and, Language skills: Professional proficiency in spoken and written English and Indonesian Salary: Relevant to the technical skill level of the position but may be adjusted to account for additional experience and skills. Level of Effort: 12 months, with the possibility of extension. If the USFS were to secure the services of an individual with these skills, the successful applicant would be hired through Management and Engineering Technologies Inc (METI). Instruction for Application Submission Interested applicants are requested to properly fill in the application form available at the following URL: https://jobs.localjobnetwork.com/j/81270567 Please include a cover letter and a curriculum vitae (CV) with full contact details, specific description of educational background, career experiences, and achievements. J-18808-Ljbffr
