Location: Ramallah, West Bank or Gaza (can be based in either location depending on candidate residency)

Reports to: Chief of Party 

Duration: Preference for a long-term assignment (through September 2028); alternatively, we are considering applications for a short-term assignment of 3-6 months.

Please Note: This position is under a recently awarded program and will start as soon as possible.  

The Senior Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist (SMELS) will be a part of the recently awarded USAID West Bank/Gaza Improve Livelihoods and Enhance Economic Development (ILEED) program. This five-year, $60 million program focuses on promoting resilient livelihoods in Gaza and gives households the tools they need to cope with recurrent crises. The activity builds upon USAID investments and successes to date, with a primary focus on building resilience through livelihoods while maintaining the flexibility and capacity to respond to emergencies, should they arise. A secondary focus is on adapting to climate change through livelihood development.  

The Senior MEL Specialist will lead the design and oversight of the project Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, Collaboration, Learning and Adaption (CLA), Communications and Reporting activities. This position will be responsible for the leadership, oversight and management of all efforts related to performance monitoring, internal evaluation, learning, and oversight of activities associated with the external evaluation managed by USAID. We are looking for passionate, dedicated professionals to help us build the world we envision: one of expanded opportunity, where crises give way to resilience and all people thrive.  

• Develop the project’s MEL plan, developing systems, strategies, and tools for the timely collection, management, analysis, and reporting of valid and reliable data that meet USAID’s reporting requirements.   
• Contribute to project deliverables, including annual workplans, and quarterly and annual reporting, undertake periodic quality reviews of program and/or country M&E systems and lead design of M&E system strengthening actions and oversee the dissemination of information on approaches, lessons learned, etc.   
• Lead the regular review and updating of the CLA Framework and Plan for the project, in close collaboration with the project Technical Leads, the DCOP and COP and USAID representatives. 
• Guide and facilitate collaboration with/across key stakeholders to regularly identify and capture lessons learned from the implementation of program activities.
• Oversee the documentation and communications of learning through various platforms.  
• Design, roll-out and continually improve CLA-related processes and tools to support effective project implementation and collaboration, learning and adaption in relation to the program.  
• Oversee the design and delivery of the project’s communications and reporting deliverables with support from the project’s Communications and reporting specialist.
• Work closely with project leadership to integrate CLA activities into the project workplan, M&E system, and into job descriptions and individual performance goals.  
• Responsible for effective written analysis, reports and oral presentations on the program as requested by the supervisor.  
• Lead a team of MEL/CLA Officers, ICT/DIS Senior Officer, GESI &PESA Officer, Data Analyst, and Communications & Reporting Officer, and provide them with necessary technical support, supervision coaching and guidance to perform their duties.
• Provide technical assistance and training where necessary to assure adequate capacity in information management, data collection/analysis, communication and reporting amongst local NGO partners. 
• Represent Global Communities and overall program interests as necessary and appropriate. 
• Build and maintain strong working relations with key internal and external stakeholders, beneficiaries, prime and subcontractors, suppliers, and partners. Provide effective and timely responses to inquiries and concerns.

                     POSITION SPECIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Up to 50% travel throughout the country and internationally may be required of this position.
• Supervises team of staff.
• Promote a culture of excellence, inclusion, learning, support, diversity, and innovation.

• Knowledge/Experience with USAID rules and regulations preferred.  
• Demonstrated ability to articulate technical information clearly and effectively and adjust indicator selection and targets as part of adaptive programming.  
• Demonstrated ability to create and maintain effective working relationships with USAID, host country government personnel, stakeholders, NGO partners, and international donor agencies.   
• Proven ability to communicate a common vision among diverse partners and the ability to lead multi-disciplinary teams is desired.   
• Evidence of effective communication skills, both oral and written, to fulfill the diverse technical and managerial requirements of the agreement is desired.  

• Undergraduate degree in a related discipline and a minimum of 6 years of related work experience or a minimum of 10 years of related work experience.
• Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a related discipline (statistics, research methods, sociology, public administration, or related field) preferred.
• [Donor Required Qualification] Minimum of seven years of experience in performance measurement, evaluation and research, learning, and knowledge sharing: including indicator selection, target setting, reporting, database management, Data Quality Assessment (DQA), MEL capacity building, facilitating learning events, report writing, Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA), and developing Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plans (MELP).  
• At least three years of MEL or CLA experience in a related field, such as livelihoods or economic development. 
• Proven experience in a MEL or CLA leadership position in similarly sized, international donor-supported programs, preferably with USAID.   
• [Donor Required Qualification] Demonstrated past success in supporting the design, implementation, and efficiently operating activity’s MEL systems from activity initiation to closeout stages at the field level. 
• [Donor Required Qualification] Experience in designing a data capture and reporting system that includes alerts when the activity is not achieving its targets or when participants/subs are not achieving their goals. 
• [Donor Required Qualification] Experience collecting and analyzing qualitative and quantitative data using methods that are suitable for changing and complex environments. 
• [Donor Required Qualification] Experience in managing MEL teams and supporting the MEL capacity building of sub-partners' staff. 
• [Donor Required Qualification] Experience in coordinating MEL efforts with partners. 
• [Donor Required Qualification] Fluency in written and spoken Arabic and English (preferred)
• [Donor Desired Qualification] Experience working in the MENA region. 
• At least 3 years of management/supervisory experience is required.  
• International NGO experience is preferred. 
• A passion for the mission and values of Global Communities. 

Global Communities holds strict safeguarding principles and has a zero-tolerance policy for conduct of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment. In the process of recruitment, selection, and appointment, Global Communities will conduct robust reference and background screening checks, including international vetting as a signature of the Global Misconduct Disclosure Scheme to ensure children and vulnerable adults are safeguarded, and abuse is prevented.  The incumbent is required to carry out their duties in accordance with Global Communities Safeguarding policy and the Standards of Conduct. 

Global Communities is an Equal Opportunity Employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment, without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.