What are the responsibilities and job description for the MEL Specialist position at DT Institute?
The Building Inclusive Peace in Sudan (BIPS) program is a three-year project funded by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency (SIDA). It is designed to follow a people-to-people approach by creating a safe space for diverse communities to build mutual understanding, trust, empathy, and resilient social ties by addressing divisions rooted in group differences such as ethnicity, religion, status, gender, and/or political affiliation in Sudan. Upon the outbreak of the massive conflict in Sudan in 2023, the project continues to operate in active conflict regions in Sudan, particularly zones witnessing mass atrocities and human rights violations.
Position Summary:
The BIPS Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist is responsible for overall MEL responsibilities in their assigned portfolio. This is a long-term, full-time position. The responsibilities include writing MEL plans for each grant, ensuring the collection and quality of output and outcome data, training grantees on MEL fundamentals, and implementing mixed methods human research methods. The MEL Specialist may be responsible for reviewing monthly monitoring reports, verifying and analyzing data, and filling out the overall BIPS MEL Plan. The MEL Specialist may contribute to annual and ad-hoc BIPS reports.
Primary Responsibilities:
The Consultant will be responsible for, as needed up to the assigned LOE, the following tasks:
Education & Minimum Qualifications:
Preferred Qualifications:
DT Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or national origin. DT Institute prohibits discriminating against employees and job applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant.
Position Summary:
The BIPS Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist is responsible for overall MEL responsibilities in their assigned portfolio. This is a long-term, full-time position. The responsibilities include writing MEL plans for each grant, ensuring the collection and quality of output and outcome data, training grantees on MEL fundamentals, and implementing mixed methods human research methods. The MEL Specialist may be responsible for reviewing monthly monitoring reports, verifying and analyzing data, and filling out the overall BIPS MEL Plan. The MEL Specialist may contribute to annual and ad-hoc BIPS reports.
Primary Responsibilities:
The Consultant will be responsible for, as needed up to the assigned LOE, the following tasks:
- Support the program’s MEL efforts including design of activity MEL plans, the collection and analysis of data, and reporting results.
- In collaboration with the MEL Manager and program staff, develop individual MEL plans for each activity inclusive of:
- Output and Outcome Objectives
- Output and Outcome Indicators
- Means of Verification
- Targets
- Responsible Parties
- Timelines
- Work closely with Program Development Officers (PDOs) to ensure that MEL plans are executed in a timely manner and on a regular basis. Collect, analyze, and systematize feedback on individual activities or clusters of activities.
- Train BIPS program staff in basic MEL skills, as needed.
- Support any evaluations requested by SIDA, in collaboration with the MEL Manager and program staff.
- Prepare reports that capture activities and results, including impact, to the degree this information is available.
- Ensure all MEL products maintain a level of quality consistent with DT Institute and SIDA expectations. This includes conducting data verification and quality checks as necessary.
- Assist the PDOs in the submission of the final evaluation report for activities.
- Review grantee data collection tools, such as pre and post-tests, as needed to ensure quality.
- Support project assessment, including pulse updates and any involved mixed methods research.
- Provide recommendations to program teams on how to improve or build-on completed activities.
- Collaborate with the BIPS MEL and Communications Specialist on communications products such as monthly reports, snapshots, and/or targeted presentations and reports, as needed.
- Travel as needed, depending on country circumstances and security.
Education & Minimum Qualifications:
- Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as Social Sciences, International Development, Statistics, or a related discipline is required.
- At least 5 years of relevant work experience, including 3 years of MEL professional experience.
- Prior experience working on international development programs, particularly locally driven development interventions in active conflict regions in MENA and East Africa.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs.
- Experience developing and using basic MEL tools, including but not limited to MEL plans and surveys, and managing key informant interviews and focus groups.
- Strong analytical skills and experience with both qualitative and quantitative research methods.
- Experience in working with vulnerable and conflict-traumatized groups.
- Proactive attitude, strong prioritization skills, and ability to work cross-culturally.
- Previous experience working in a fast-paced environment.
- Fluency in written and oral English.
- Advanced professional proficiency in Arabic; the ability to read, listen, and orally speak in Arabic is required.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Effective written and oral communication as well as interpersonal skills.
- Demonstrated problem solving, analytical skills, and good judgement.
- Basic understanding of local and national context relevant to the program.
- A master’s degree in a relevant field.
DT Institute is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, veteran status, gender identity, or national origin. DT Institute prohibits discriminating against employees and job applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose the compensation of the employee or applicant or another employee or applicant.
