Program and MEL Officer

Job Details

Description

Job Summary:

Every employee of IRI is responsible for carrying out the Mission of IRI and demonstrating the Core Values in their day-to-day operations. The Core Values, which are IRI’s foundational building blocks include:

Excellence– We believe in quality results delivered by investing in people. Freedom– We believe in exploration and experimentation to be agile and responsive. Respect- We believe in trust, empathy, and empowering people. Teamwork- We believe in diversity, inclusion, and the power of global collaboration. Transparency– We believe in open communication and clear decision-making. Accountability- We believe in personal responsibility as the foundation of success.

The International Republican Institute (IRI) is currently recruiting a Program and MEL Officer for its Sri Lanka Politics and Governance program. The Program and MEL Officer will also support the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) requirements to implement Sri Lanka’s program strategy. S/he will work under the direct supervision and guidance of the Program Manager (Politics and Governance) to implement programs, monitor, and analyze political and economic developments in Sri Lanka, identify program partners and maintain close relationships with them and funders. This position will be based with the program team in Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Position Requirements:

• Undergraduate degree in law, political science, social science, international relations, or related field. Demonstrated experience and understanding of the political and economic contexts of South Asia and Sri Lanka.
• Five years’ professional experience in democratic governance and politics, working directly with political parties or in the political space within Sri Lanka.
• Three years’ experience in program management, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) efforts, program implementation, and basic accounting necessary to develop and oversee an activity budget.
• Demonstrated experience working with political stakeholders, both governmental and non-governmental agencies.
• Demonstrated understanding of the program theory-based approach to program design, monitoring and evaluation.
• Demonstrated experience with common MEL elements of projects, including but not limited to logical frameworks, performance monitoring plans, and indicator matrices.
• Demonstrated experience with qualitative data collection and analysis required, familiarity with quantitative data analysis preferred. Experience working with US Government (USG) funded projects and familiarity with USG regulations and reporting requirements preferred.
• Ability to work independently and as a member of a team to coordinate and lead the efforts of other professionals to effectively meet program goals.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively direct or participate in complex negotiations with political parties and/or multilateral government agencies, other funders, or relevant audiences.
• Strong written and oral communication and presentation skills in English and Sinhala/Tamil.
• Strong analytical and organizational skills, execution of tasks, and attention to detail.
• Ability to manage multiple activities and to meet deadlines.
• Ability to travel locally as required to oversee and implement program activities.
• Management experience, including the ability to motivate and manage staff.

Primary Functions & Responsibilities:

Program Officer (50%):

• Monitors, analyzes, and reports on political and governance related developments in Sri Lanka.
• Anticipates problems in program implementation, trouble-shoots, and actively takes part in developing a resolution to challenges with creative and immediate solutions.
• Oversees implementation of specific grant(s) and associated grant activities.
• Maintains an understanding of funder and IRI policies and procedures related to grant compliance and oversight.
• Understands assigned grant’s substantive, financial, and compliance requirements.
• Ensures that grants are in compliance with grant agreements and completed on time.
• Drafts reports to ensure high quality weekly, quarterly, semi-annual, final, and other program related reports.
• Develops strong working relationships with political parties, partners, and other relevant stakeholders.
• Represents IRI at external events as required.
• Performs other tasks as assigned.

MEL Officer (50%):

• Supports program team in carrying out effective monitoring and evaluation analysis of ongoing programming. This may include, but is not limited to, planning for data collection, preparing and piloting data collection tools, collecting data, storing and maintaining data, cleaning and analyzing data, and providing MEL capacity building/training support to colleagues as required.
• Supports Program Manager in developing IRI’s MEL techniques and requirements, including the fulfillment of MEL plans, indicator matrices, data harvesting, and storage.
• Under the guidance of the Program Manager, provides training on MEL requirements to program partners.
• Work with field and headquarters team to ensure that M&E data and initiatives accurately capture results toward project objectives.
• Liaise with members of the DC-based Office of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning, as needed, or as requested by ELP, including support for Data Quality Assessments
• Assist IRI Sri Lanka in implementing their learning strategies, including collaboration, learning and adaptation initiatives, after action reviews and reflection sessions, to ensure that data is both reported and used to improve IRI’s program.

Qualifications

Education

Required

Bachelors or better in International Studies.

Bachelors or better in Political Science.

Experience

Required

3 years: Minimum professional experience required in program management, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) efforts, program implementation, and basic accounting necessary to develop and oversee an activity budget.

5 years: Minimum professional experience required in democratic governance and politics, working directly with political parties or in the political space within Sri Lanka.