Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Director

The Global Development and Innovation division of the Purdue Applied Research Institute (PARI GDI), a nonprofit subsidiary of Purdue University, is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) director for an anticipated USAID-funded activity in Malawi, Youth Prosperity through Agricultural Pathways in Higher Education. The expected results include increasing access to agriculture higher education, improving the quality, governance, and relevance of agriculture training institutions’ systems, and increasing economic growth opportunities for graduates to contribute to the formal economy.

Employment is contingent upon the successful award of the project to PARI GDI, as well as USAID approval of the finalist.

The MEL Director will supervise the M&E team and oversee all project research and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) activities, including design and implementation. The MEL Director will work collaboratively with other team members to understand the project information needs and ensure data is correctly collected, analyzed, disseminated, and used by relevant stakeholders. As a member of the project’s senior management team, the MEL Director will facilitate the project’s Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation (CLA) process.

Primary Responsibilities

• Lead the process of developing the Activity’s MEL plans, including key performance indicators, in consultation with USAID and other relevant stakeholders.
• Lead the process of developing the Activity’s learning agenda in consultation with USAID and other relevant stakeholders.
• Design, develop, and oversee the implementation of high-quality quantitative and qualitative M&E tools, processes, and systems.
• Promote evidence-based programming, provide timely feedback in relation to project targets, work plan activities and objectives, and address gaps in programming.
• Revise, redesign, and monitor the effectiveness of Data Collection tools and procedures.
• Coordinate with all project teams to ensure quality data is collected in a timely manner to meet USAID reporting deadlines;
• Assure the quality of M&E and research reports and ensure they meet the requirements of USAID and other stakeholders’ expectations;
• Communicate with relevant USAID and other donor projects on M&E actions and training activities, and support the integration of the project’s M&E with the Mission’s teams;
• Work with senior management and the M&E team to revise and adapt programming based on MEL findings;
• Contribute to strengthening the M&E capacity of partner HEIs;

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in agriculture, education, international development, or related field from an accredited university.
• Experience in leading MEL activities, preferably in USAID-funded projects.
• Experience utilizing Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation (CLA) approaches to improve project performance and achieve impact.
• Knowledge of USAID policies, procedures, guidelines, reporting, and compliance requirements
• Demonstrated expertise in both quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• Excellent report writing, analytical, and communication skills, including oral presentation skills.
• Strong communication skills in English; fluency in Chichewa or other local languages of Malawi is strongly preferred.
• Strong computer proficiency in word processing, databases, spreadsheets
• Experience in agriculture education in Malawi or other Sub-Saharan countries is strongly preferred.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates are kindly invited to send their applications directly to PARI GDI at pari-gdi@purdue.edu

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Should you wish to apply for this post you are kindly advised to submit your application as soon as possible. Please note that employment is contingent upon the successful award of the project to PARI GDI, as well as USAID approval of the finalist.