Sr. Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Officer

JOB DESCRIPTION

Position: Sr. Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Officer   

Reports to: Nepal Country Director (NCD)

Coordinates with: Program, Communications, Operations 

Supervises: Sr. Assistant- MERL, Assistant- MERL   

Location: Nepal Country Office, Lalitpur, with at least 25% field visits.

Grade & Band: 5, 1-5.

A) Background: 

dZi Foundation is a US-based non-profit organization working with rural communities in Nepal to achieve prosperity by eliminating barriers to basic needs, fostering opportunities for sustainable livelihoods, and building their capacity to catalyze transformational change. dZi adopts a new five-year strategic objective (2024- 2029) guided by past learning, adaptation to the emerging policy and development contexts, and an improved focus on partnership, local ownership, and sustainability beyond external investment to realize the journey to shared prosperity.

B) Job Purpose and Responsibilities:

Sr. MERL (Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning) Officer will support the MERL needs of the dZi Foundation/ Nepal. The Sr. MERL Officer will provide a bridge role between senior and field-based mid-level MERL staff in terms of supporting the designing, rolling out, and capacity building of the MERL system and staff. S/He will also take the lead in providing oversight for data collection, including training staff and partners, ensuring data quality, and drafting reports.

C) Responsibilities:

• Work closely with the Program Team, MERL team, and Country Director in the development and implementation of the MERL framework, detailed implementation plan, performance indicators, and targets embedded in the work plan. 
• Work closely with Field-Based Program Staff to monitor program progress and achievements. Identify key issues, lessons learned, and best practices to document and publish. 
• Under the direct supervision of CD and MERL Director, lead and manage the MERL team. This includes developing work plans, performing staff evaluations, and ensuring their efficiency and productivity. 
• Coordinate closely with partners and stakeholders for data planning, identification of data sources, and collection of data for monitoring purposes and result dissemination. 
• Work closely with field staff, NGO partners, and community members to share results and best practices and coach stakeholders regarding methods to improve project implementation and effectiveness. 
• Monitoring and following up on progress on various proposals, meetings, reports, research papers, etc., with concerned authorities. 
• Foster dZi values and organizational culture of equity, empowerment, and opportunities for all stakeholders. 
• Promote the use of data to inform decision-making and link evidence-based approaches to achieve results. 
• Develop and maintain effective information database(s) on projects, providing resources and necessary support for program inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impact data.

D) Required Qualifications: 

Education:  

• At least a master’s and/or bachelor's degree in development studies, Economics, Education, Public Administration, Sociology, or a relevant field; training or certification in Monitoring and Evaluation, Research, and Reporting a plus.

Work Experiences:  

• Progressive professional experience of more than 3 years for a master's and/or more than 5 years for a bachelor’s in a relevant role within national and international development organizations.
• Preference will be given to the candidates demonstrating progressive professional experience, including work experience at and with local organizations in Nepal, with proven experience as a support or a lead role in designing, rolling out, and adapting MERL plans, designing, and delivering the capacity building plans of the counterparts.

Skill and Abilities:  

• Excellent analytical skills and the ability to summarize disparate information, clearly and concisely. 
• Excellent data collection methodology skills. Experience in using data visualization tools like Power Bi, Tableau, GIS, and data collection platforms like Kobo toolbox, ODK, ONA, and similar will be highly desirable.
• Ability to create organizational work plans based on mission, vision, and goals. 
• Ability to lead and coordinate multiple project areas without a direct supervisor. 
• Strong organizational skills to balance competing priorities. 
• Ability to work independently to meet deadlines efficiently. 
• Strong and empathetic interpersonal skills to work in harmony with diverse team members.
• Excellent English and Nepali oral and written communication skills to deal effectively with mid and high-level partners and local communities. 
• Excellent computer skills, well-versed with Microsoft Office packages, especially MS Excel and any other applications used for MERL. Hands-on experience in operating

Physical Requirement:

• Extensive hours sitting in front of a computer. 
• Committed to spending at least 25%, or more if required, time in the travel to the working areas with limited supervision, guidance, and conditions.

Application Process:

• Interested candidates are requested to submit their applications (cover letter, updated CV, and expected salary) through Google form, https://forms.gle/TEiw7fUEPzWvKUWX7. 
• Please email vacancy.np@dzi.org if you have issues with the form with the title "Application for Sr. MERL Officer."
• Applications must be submitted before/by April 28, 2024.
• Only short-listed candidates will be contacted for further processing. 
• Salary and benefits commensurate with experience and as per policy.
• Telephone inquiries will not be entertained.  
• dZi Foundation/ Nepal reserves all the rights to reject any or all applications without assigning any reasons.

Equal Employment Opportunity:

dZi Foundation/Nepal promotes workforce diversity for an inclusive work environment. Candidates from gender, socio-cultural, and geographically remote backgrounds are encouraged to apply.