Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Accountability Officer

Background

Founded in 1975, Chemonics International Inc. (Chemonics), is a US-based international development consulting company, operating in over 75 countries worldwide. Chemonics holds the five-year, $44.9 million USAID-funded Urban Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) project in Ethiopia.The purpose of this Activity is to support accelerated access to safe, adequate, inclusive, and resilient WASH services targeting urban and peri-urban areas. The Activity works to achieve this through four complementary objectives: 1) Enable and professionalize WASH service providers; 2) Foster markets for pro-poor and inclusive WASH services; 3) Strengthen WASH planning, budgeting, and service delivery oversight; and 4) Strengthen accountability among urban WASH sector actors.

Purpose of the role:

Chemonics International Inc. is actively seeking a MELA Officer for the USAID Urban WASH Activity in Ethiopia. This essential role encompasses the thorough day to day management of monitoring, evaluation, learning, and accountability aspects. The Officer will be instrumental in integrating USAID's Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) activities, offering technical support, and fostering project outcomes through strategic, evidence-based decision-making. Reporting to the MELA Director, the Officer's responsibilities extend to capacity building, ensuring compliance with USAID protocols, and significantly enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency of the Activity's interventions, particularly those executed under the grant under contract modality.

Key Responsibilities:

Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning and Accountability (MELA)

• Under the supervision of the MELA Director, manage the MELA framework, and operational plans in alignment with USAID's expectations and Chemonics' standards.
• Prepare MELA reports and documentation for USAID and other stakeholders, including designing and implementing MEL plans for Grants Under Contract and Direct Implementation Activities.
• Strengthen the expertise of utilities, partners, and project staff in MELA best practices. This will be achieved through support for grant under contract interventions and the organization of strategically planned learning events designed to build capacity and facilitate knowledge sharing.
• Ensure accountability through transparent reporting and responsiveness to feedback from beneficiaries and stakeholders.
• Manage MELA-related databases and information systems; ensure accessibility and security of data.

Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA)

• Under the guidance of the MELA Director, support the development of a CLA system, strategies, and tools for the Urban WASH Activity.
• Implement and monitor a CLA system for Urban WASH
• Ensure CLA activities and events are well-planned, budgeted, and executed across all office levels.
• Regularly organize CLA activities, such as internal and external pause and reflect sessions, in partnership with technical and regional teams.
• Organize reports and provide insights for USAID and other stakeholders reports that reflect lessons and adaptations from CLA activities.
• Other duties as assigned.

Location of assignment: This position will be based in the projects Addis Ababa office, with some travel to the projects regional offices.

Project: USAID Urban WASH Activity

Organization: Chemonics International Inc.

Reports To: MELA Director

Qualifications:

• A bachelors degree in international development, economics, statistics, public health, or a related field, specially having WASH experience is preferable.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in MELA roles within international development projects, preferably with USAID-funded projects; having a leadership role experience is preferable.
• Demonstrated expertise in quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methods.
• Strong understanding of CLA practices and their application in program management.
• Proven experience with USAID-funded projects and familiarity with USAID's CLA framework.
• Proficiency in data management software and statistical analysis tools such as STATA, SPSS, SharePoint, Visio, etc.
• Excellent communication and facilitation skills; ability to present complex data in a clear and actionable manner.
• Fluency in English required; proficiency in Amharic or other local languages is an advantage.
• Local staff only.
• USAID Development Information System (DIS) practical experience is preferred.