Position Title: Senior Manager, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL)

Location: Washington, DC (international travel required) 

Reports To: Director of Strategic Impact and Campaigns

Application Deadline: September 1, 2022

EarthRights International, a non-governmental, non-profit organization that combines the power of law and the power of people in defense of human rights and the environment, seeks an experienced Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) specialist to manage an organization-wide MEL system. This position will oversee the implementation, expansion and proper use of the MEL system to monitor progress against annual work plans and the organizational strategic plan.

The Senior Manager will be responsible for implementing and strengthening an organizational MEL system that includes leading the annual planning, data collection and learning processes and evaluation to inform program design and goal-setting within the framework of the organizational strategic plan. The Senior Manager will also be responsible for developing ways to tell EarthRights’ “impact story” that captures the organization’s positive impact on human rights and the environment over its 25+ year-history.

Monitoring and evaluating our systems and making programming decisions based on this information is critically important for the overall effectiveness of the organization. Our programming decisions are increasingly driven by information collected through monitoring processes. These efforts are supported by an overall organizational MEL system that applies across the thematic teams and regional offices and enables increased collaboration and co-planning.  

Roles and Responsibilities

Program Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning 

• • Develop and administer a global MEL system to collect organizational MEL data and information, incorporating impact evaluation and results based management.
  • Develop a global and accessible MEL manual and database and lead the training and support of all staff in utilizing the organizational MEL system in program implementation, collecting information on the impact of their programs and meeting the objectives of annual plans and regional strategies.

• Lead the annual planning across all global teams and lead relevant MEL staff in implementing work plans that meet the objectives of program and organizational strategies.

• • Develop global indicators that measure the impact of programs to produce results and promote accountability and transparency. 
  • Collaborate closely with the Director of Strategy and Campaigns to assess progress against the organizational strategic plan and identify course corrections as necessary. 
  • Report all MEL findings to the Senior Leadership Team and Board of Directors.
  • Promote learning across the organization to ensure program and strategy implementation reflect changing external contexts and share learning outcomes across the organization and with donors.
  • Support all units to integrate the seven operational goals for the five-year strategic plan, integrating MEL into organizational culture. Support the development and monitoring of organizational gender justice goals.

• Advise program staff to effectively incorporate social inclusion and gender mainstreaming into their plans and strategies through participatory feedback loops (surveys, focus group, etc).

• Collaborate with the Communications and Development teams to develop a process for quantitatively and qualitatively capturing EarthRights’ “impact story” over its 25+ year history. 

• Stay abreast of evolving best practices in the MEL field, including the use of new monitoring and data technologies. Incorporate new practices and technologies into the organization as appropriate.
• Supervise and manage MEL staff and consultants as appropriate.  

Development

• Support  the Development Team by contributing  results frameworks to proposals and reports. Assist in  proposal and report writing and developing funding request budgets and reports when needed.
• Ensure programmatic and operational compliance with approved grants. 
• Oversee data collection, analysis, and synthesis for all grants, ensuring all funder requirements and commitments are met.
• Develop outcome-oriented analytics to demonstrate impact in different sectors for organization learning and informing donors.
• Provide guidance on developing sustainable funding opportunities and collaborative engagement across all units to build organization wide strategies. 
• Establish internal mechanisms and identify organization qualification requirements for government funding sources, including monitoring and evaluation. 
• Ensure proper systems and protocols are in place for MEL requirements of the government fundraising, including tracking and record keeping.

Qualifications and Experience

• 7 - 10 years of experience in the fields of monitoring and evaluation, statistics or data science. Advanced degree or training preferred.  
• Familiarity with the landscape, priorities, and methodologies of private foundations.

• Experience with fundraising, organizational and program budgets.
• Experience managing, supporting and developing staff in different regions.
• Experience implementing Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, particularly relating to advocacy and legal programming. 
• Experience working with diverse program teams to identify, craft, and capture measurable outcomes in the non-profit sector. 
• Experience managing program-based MEL systems and analyzing program data to strengthen organizational knowledge management. 

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Peerless written and oral communications skills.
• Project management and budgeting skills, preferably in a growing organization. 
• Excellent interpersonal and team-building skills, including in cross-cultural settings and across language and time differences.
• Knowledge of gender justice principles and gender mainstreaming tools.
• Ability to maintain high standards of ethics, integrity, and professionalism, and confidentiality.
• Anticipatory and strategic thinker.
• Excellent time management skills, and attention to detail.
• Computer skills: Windows operating, MS Office (Word, Excel, Powerpoint, Access), MEL software. Web-based data storage. Power BI. 
• Familiarity and experience with social justice, human rights, climate change, the environment and/or international justice.
• Spanish or Thai language skills are desirable. 

Work Authorization

• United States (Required)

Benefits

• Employer-sponsored medical insurance (dependent coverage available)
• 100% employer-paid dental and vision insurance coverage (dependent coverage available)
• 14 weeks paid maternity/paternity leave for eligible employees
• 15 days of vacation & 12 sick days per year
• 12 paid federal holidays; office closed from December 24 – January 1
• Flexible Spending Plan (FSA)
• Generous employer non-elective retirement contribution
• Employee wellness benefits 

How to Apply

Please visit our website to apply.