MEL Specialists – Laos

Company Profile

SoCha (a portmanteau of Social and Change) is an independent Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) firm that provides bespoke solutions to social challenges. Since our inception in 2010, we have grown into a fully-fledged ME&L services firm that specializes in advancing innovative methodologies and changing the way donors find solutions to social problems.

Background

SoCha LLC is preparing a response to provide Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning services to the USAID/Laos Mission under an anticipated MEL platform activity. The anticipated objectives of the MEL Platform will be to assist the Mission with strategy and activity level performance monitoring, evaluation, and learning, including conducting data gathering and verification, data visualization (including Geographic Information Systems), data quality assessments, impact and performance evaluations, assessments, organizational learning, and collaboration among USAID’s technical offices and implementing partners.

SoCha is seeking a full-time, qualified individuals to fill the role of MEL Specialist. The MEL Specialist(s) will be full-time and based in Vientiane. This role is for a proposal position and is contingent on award and funding.

**Local candidates are strongly encouraged to apply**

Scope of Work

Illustrative Functions of the Position

The MEL Specialists will work to:

• Provide MEL support to USAID and its implementing partners;
• Optimize evaluation statements of work;
• Select evaluation methodologies;
• Oversee evaluations in any sector where USAID works;
• Provide dedicated capacity building assistance in MEL operations and quality assurance;
• Conduct MEL trainings;
• Lead data quality assessments;
• Support Mission portfolio reviews and other Mission learning events;
• Oversee the advancement of learning agendas and evidence that improves USAID’s programs;
• Contribute data and insight from evaluations at learning events; and
• Provide other MEL technical support as needed.

We are actively seeking MEL Specialists with experience in one (1) or more of the following areas:

• Performance Monitoring
  • Developing performance monitoring plans.
  • Designing and optimizing quantitative and qualitative indicators for international development projects.
• Evaluations
  • Designing or conducting performance or impact evaluations.
  • Mixing qualitative and quantitative methods.
  • Applying evaluation results to inform future programming.
• Data Management
  • Collecting and analyzing performance and financial data.
  • Developing GIS maps.
  • Data visualization.
• Capacity Building in MEL
  • Training monitoring and evaluation (M&E) professionals.
  • Coaching and mentoring local organizations in M&E methodologies.
  • Working with country evaluation associations to professionalize MEL.
• Collaboration, Learning, and Adapting(CLA)
  • Coordinating with stakeholders.
  • Hosting learning events for international development partners.
  • Building institutional capacity and memory.
  • Incentivizing learning and sharing.
  • Facilitating learning events.

Qualifications and Experience

• Experience working in international development or cross-cutting sectors (education, gender, health, youth, governance etc.)
• For Senior-level: an advanced degree and 7+ years experience in one or more of the areas outlined above (performance monitoring, evaluation, data management, capacity building, and/or learning).
• For mid-level: a university qualification in a related subject and between 3-7 years of MEL experience.
• Strong interpersonal and oral presentation skills.
• Professional proficiency in spoken and written English is required.
• Previous experience working for international donor projects in Laos strongly preferred.
• Previous experience working for USAID-funded projects preferred.

Location

Vientiane, Laos with travel in the country at times.