Results for Development (R4D) is a leading non-profit global development partner. We collaborate with change agents around the world — government officials, civil society leaders and social innovators — to create strong systems that support healthy, educated people. We help our partners move from knowing their goal to knowing how to reach it. We combine global expertise in health, education and nutrition with analytic rigor, practical support for decision-making and implementation and access to peer problem-solving networks. Together with our partners, we build self-sustaining systems that serve everyone and deliver lasting results. Then we share what we learn so others can achieve results for development, too.
We have a unique and vibrant culture at R4D. Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of our work environment and help advance our mission. Diversity—of ideas, identities, perspectives and backgrounds—is vital to who we are and what we do. We seek people who embrace these values and will help reinforce them. Our work culture is collaborative, creative and entrepreneurial. We operate based on trust and respect. Teams across the organization frequently collaborate on programmatic work and support each other in continuously building a better R4D.
Evaluation and Adaptive Learning
The Evaluation and Adaptive Learning (EAL) practice conducts targeted research using methods such as formative research and rapid experimentation to answer questions relevant to donor and practitioner strategies. By using proven evaluation methods for adaptive management purposes, we work with partners to design, experiment with, and evaluate solutions to accelerate their impact.
Opportunity
R4D is seeking a Senior Program Officer- Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) to lead work developing and implementing innovative MEL approaches for the EAL practice at R4D.
The Senior Program Officer (SPO) will provide technical direction supporting the application of adaptive learning practices and innovative evaluation methods. This includes rapid experimentation and timely feedback loops to test, adapt, and improve on solutions. This individual must have experience in designing and implementing program evaluation activities; in leading processes to review and analyze evidence to inform priorities for action; and in facilitating collaboration among multiple partners including consortium partners, USAID representatives, government stakeholders, and local implementing partners. The position will include significant work in francophone West Africa, so French and English fluency is required.
The role is currently remote due to the COVID-19 pandemic and will report to the Technical Director of the Evaluation and Adaptive Learning team.
Responsibilities
- Lead and manage Evaluation and Adaptive Learning team projects
- Provide technical guidance on program evaluation design and adaptive learning activities
- Support activity teams in the formulation of theories of change (ToC) and implementation of learning agendas, and manage associated learning partnerships and processes, ensuring timely accomplishment of activities.
- Facilitate relationship building, collaboration, and learning with consortium partners (especially those directly contributing to MEL actions), USAID representatives, government stakeholders, and local implementing partners, ensuring appropriate, coordinated, and joint planning.
- Manage learning events and processes, working with technical team members to ensure ongoing adaptations to programmatic activities and ToCs as new evidence is generated.
- Promote peer-to-peer learning, knowledge sharing and application, activity-based capacity strengthening, and evidence and data utilization in support of adaptive learning
- Provide technical guidance to activity teams in the design and implementation of research activities to support iterative learning and adaptive processes, and capacity building.
Qualifications
- Advanced degree in relevant subject areas including health, economics, international development, or a related field +7 years of experience. Relevant experience includes program evaluation; health systems strengthening; organizational learning and development; capacity strengthening; indicator development/reporting and evidence to policy action.
- Demonstrated understanding and application of MEL and adaptive learning practices—both “traditional” project monitoring methods (logic frames, key performance indicator tracking, etc.) and newer methods emerging for MEL of complex systems change (outcome harvesting, contribution analysis, process tracing, etc.).
- Familiarity with USAID M&E and CLA processes desirable.
- Demonstrated ability to work across teams, with government stakeholders, USAID and partner organizations. Building teams and fostering collaboration in order to achieve goals, meet milestones, and produce high quality donor deliverables.
- Experience facilitating learning and knowledge sharing processes, establishing and managing dynamic feedback systems to capture experiential learning and unintended consequences, and fostering collaboration across different areas and stakeholders.
- Experience effectively communicating research and evaluation findings to stakeholders and facilitating the use of learning products for improved policy and practice.
- Excellent oral and verbal communication skills in English and French, including the ability to present complicated and detailed data to activitiy and project leads.
- Demonstrated experience in thought leadership on how to build the capacity of staff and country stakeholders to understand how data can be used for decision making.
- High level of organization, attention to detail, professionalism, and reliability.
- Ability to prioritize and manage work in a fast-paced environment across multiple projects and work streams with competing time/resource demands.
- Strong knowledge of quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, and results synthesis, evaluation and presentation of data analysis for various audiences (e.g., policymakers, program managers, field staff, community stakeholders.)
- Ability and willingness to travel internationally as needed.