The MEL Officer will be responsible for coordinating project M&E and learning activities, including managing survey tools, and putting in place data quality assurance processes to ensure the timeliness and validity of data entry and analysis at the field level. The MEL Officer will take a lead in facilitation of Program Management Information System (PMIS) and guide partners team in regular updating of progress against key deliverables. The MEL officer will also facilitate training of staff on data collection tools and managing means of verification records against each deliverable. The MEL officer will provide assistance to MEL Director as and when required and support in data analysis and documentation of learnings and best practices. The MEL officer will support quarterly monitoring and review processes and in drafting progress reports. To ensure consistent feedback loops, the MEL officer will facilitate Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) discussions at internal and external Pause-and-Reflect sessions. Following are the scope of work:
 
 Monitoring and Evaluation:

• Coordinate data collection process for baseline, mid-term and endline assessment of SLMC and update progress against baseline in monitoring systems on regular basis.
• Support MEL Director in review and development of research/study methodologies for assessments and studies proposed in the project on forestry, biodiversity, landscape, carbon valuation and ecosystem value chain, etc.
• Support in annual revisions of project’s MEL Plan considering recommendations from the internal data quality assessment (iDQA) and ensure alignment with the revised Winrock MIS system and funder requirements.
• Supervise timely and accurate reporting of quantitative and qualitative data by partners and other stakeholders.
• Co-lead management processes guiding the MEL team on timely data analysis and reporting, including providing performance data for monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
• Act as primary MEL point of contact with technical team members of SLMC team such as Training coordinator, Objective leads,  GESI lead, etc., and ensure that progress gets recorded on the system.
• Backstop MEL Director when s/he is on leave.

Data Management / Management Information Systems (MIS):

• Support MEL Director to create and implement Winrock MIS for data management and reporting.
• In collaboration with MEL Director, provide input to the Winrock MIS System on enhancements to data collection forms, calculation methods, user access/rights, form testing in Kobo Tools, and training of local staff on data entry in the new system.
• In collaboration with MEL Director, oversee data quality checks (including field visits, spot checks to assess data accuracy and backup documentation) and data management to promote evidence-based programming.
• Support the MEL Director in ensuring that program performance data are analyzed and used for decision making, learning, and planning of strategy; particularly with regards to intervention designs, delivery and results reporting.
• Support MEL Director to ensure that all indicator data and associated disaggregates are submitted timely to USAID (and associated reporting systems) to meet donor requirements and include narratives that document data sources and deviations, assumptions, and other potential data issues.
• Support in ensuring compliance with USAID policies and federal regulations under SLMC program.
• Facilitate capacity building of partners to collect relevant indicator data within their respective organization in accordance with the MEL plan.
• Contribute to frequent (monthly/quarterly) updating of the centralized database system
• Collaborate with the Data collector/MIS Officer in ensuring proper systems are in place for tracking the Activity’s results in a professional and timely manner.
• Support MEL Director in designing and delivery training workshops focusing on M&E processes and systems.
• Other duties as assigned by MEL Director as and when required.

Learning:

• Develop repository through collection and documentation of learnings of SLMC.
• Develop a ‘Learning Culture’ through organization of feedback and learning sessions with technical teams to communicate and interpret results of monitoring for adaptive management.
• Collaborate with MEL Director to co-lead project learning activities and recommend adaptations to SLMC’s implementation strategy based on MEL findings.
• Ensure regular feedback is provided to the intervention team through an iterative and dynamic learning approach that seeks to fill key knowledge gaps, inform review of interventions and as needed, refine the Activity’s Theory of Change throughout the implementation process.

• Experience with mobile data collection and data management such as Open Data Kit (ODK), Kobo, and/or PowerBI is essential.
• Computer literate in word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation software (Microsoft), as well as statistical analysis applications (e.g., SPSS).
• Knowledge of the major evaluation methodologies (e.g., qualitative, quantitative, mixed method, and impact) and data collection and analysis methodologies.
• Fluency in English and local language(s).

BACKGROUND:
SLMC is accepting applications for the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer for the United States Agency for International Development (USAID)/India funded Strengthening Landscape Management and Conservation (SLMC) opportunity.

The project will work in concert with the Government of India (GoI) to enhance the management of ecological landscapes for biodiversity conservation, human well-being, and climate benefits, contributing to reduced greenhouse gas emissions, improved carbon sequestration, and enhanced environmental benefits for the country.

Through this activity, USAID/India and the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) will strengthen management practices in targeted landscapes by: (1) improving the management of protected areas and their corridors for wildlife conservation and other ecological benefits; (2) improving inclusive livelihoods from ecosystem services and (3) strengthening the conditions for institutionalizing landscape conservation.

This position will be based in Delhi, India.