Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning (MERL) Director

The International Rescue Committee (IRC) responds to the world’s worst humanitarian crises and helps people to survive and rebuild their lives. The IRC has been working in Bangladesh for over 5 years implementing direct programming in the areas of WASH, education, livelihoods, reproductive health, gender-based violence, and child and youth protection and development. With an annual operating budget of over $ 1 billion (2021), IRC successfully runs a global portfolio of both humanitarian as well as development interventions and has significant experience implementing large-scale programs requiring substantial and sustained collaboration with multiple actors.

Scope of work

The IRC seeks a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Director for the five-year, $50 million USAID-funded HICRA. This project will encompass a set of innovative interventions, with an overall goal of addressing the social and economic and environmental challenges in the southeastern districts of Cox’s Bazar and Bandarbun. The challenges are most acute in the communities directly responsible for hosting the refugee camps. The overall development assistance is expected to be delivered in the following sectors: WASH, nutrition, economic growth (inclusive finance, private sector engagement, microfinance etc.), natural resource management, and agriculture.

The MERL Director will be responsible for developing and implementing the project’s MERL strategy, in accordance with IRC, USAID, and international best practices. S/he will work closely with the Chief of Party (COP) and technical staff to ensure relevant data is collected, analyzed, and used to inform adaptive management and design decisions, and to provide project updates against impact targets and objectives.

Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the project, and selection of final applicant is subject to USAID approval.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage a MERL system across all project components which leverages qualitative and quantitative data collection and assessment methods and draws from a variety of data sources to measure progress and evaluate impact.

• Foster an environment of learning and adaptive management across the project staff in accordance with USAID’s Collaboration, Learning, and Adaptation method.

• Communicate information obtained through M&E activities to program staff, and external stakeholders, including USAID and relevant government departments, to develop lessons learned and best practices which inform strategic decision making.

• Liase with IRC’s Economic Recovery & Development (ERD) teams for the development and rollout of rigorous project evaluations

• Utilize relevant ICT4D MEL tools to improve data collection, analysis, and reporting.

• Organize regular learning activities (including after action reviews, quarterly reflection events, and data quality assessments) to ensure activities are meeting their impact targets and accurate, complete, and timely data is being collected to inform implementation approaches.

• Conduct regular visits to project sites, as possible, to provide technical assistance and ensure proper monitoring of project activities.

• Produce M&E monthly, quarterly, semi-annual, and annual reports for the COP and donors.

Requirements

• Minimum of 8-10 years of leadership experience in M&E for similar projects, preferably for USAID.

• Master’s degree in education, international development, or related field.

• Significant experience carrying out M&E activities & research/learning in conflict or crisis situations, preferably in Asia and/or Bangladesh

• Strong familiarity with ICT4D MEL tools and programs for mobile data collection, analysis, and reporting, including PowerBI.

• Strong communication skills, both oral and written.

• Strong supervisory experience, particularly in remote operating environments.

• Fluency in English required; additional/Bengali language abilities preferred.

**Local applicants and women strongly encouraged to apply*

The IRC and IRC workers must adhere to the values and principles outlined in IRC Way – Standards for Professional Conduct. These are Integrity, Service, Equality and Accountability. In accordance with these values, the IRC operates and enforces policies on Beneficiary Protection from Exploitation and Abuse, Child Safeguarding, Anti Workplace Harassment, Fiscal Integrity, and Anti-Retaliation.