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World University Service of Canada (WUSC - EUMC) · 2 hours ago

Senior Regional Manager, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning ( MERL)

United States

Full-time

Remote

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

10+ years exp

World University Service of Canada (WUSC) is a Canadian global development organization working to catalyze positive education and economic outcomes for young people. They are seeking a Senior Regional Manager to provide technical and strategic leadership for a Phase II initiative in Africa focused on helping refugee, displaced, and host community youth secure dignified work and access education opportunities.

EducationNon ProfitSocial

Responsibilities

Design and manage the program’s overall MERL standards and framework, ensuring data collection and reporting capabilities are robust and aligned with program goals and donor requirements

Establish and oversee quality standards, ensuring adherence to the necessary level of MERL standards across the entire project portfolio

Manage and mitigate the risk associated with challenges in maintaining quality MERL standards across a diverse set of partners

Develop annual operating forecasts of MERL budgets, and the annual research, evaluation and learning agenda in close collaboration with the Project Director and team leads

Oversee a team of five, including a Learning Manager, Research Manager and 3 MERL Officers, providing coaching and support to successfully deliver the initiative’s ambitious MERL agenda

Provide coaching and support to the Technical Assistance Mechanism, Higher Education Inclusion, and RLO Opportunity Fund units to ensure that M&E practices are embedded in the teams’ daily work

In close collaboration with the WUSC global MERL Manager, develop and oversee a strategic approach to learning and knowledge sharing within the project. This includes creating and implementing a project learning agenda aligned with WUSC’s institutional learning agenda and contributing learning results to the institutional knowledge hub

Lead the development of a learning agenda to synthesize lessons learned and facilitate their incorporation into program design and implementation

Oversee the process of assessments and thematic papers, research, analysis, interpretation and reporting of various data across all projects in the region to ensure the highest standards of intellectual honesty, research ethics, and academic convention

Support network connections to promote knowledge exchange and strategic collaboration across geographies and partners, ensuring data and learning are leveraged for scaled impact

Ensure learning and evidence are utilized to enhance the capacity of donor staff and partners to develop, test, and scale innovative programming

Establish and manage working relationships and strategic engagement with external evaluation and research consultants and other partners, including relevant government bodies, researchers and other MERL stakeholders

In close collaboration with the core pillar leads, develop and implement a tailored MERL training strategy for RLOs to effectively address gaps and improve their data collection and reporting capabilities

Support RLOs in meeting project expectations and ensure they can maintain accountability and quality standards in their data and reporting

Track progress towards the ultimate program goals of enabling 1 million RDP youth to secure dignified work and 35,000 RDP youth to access education through technical assistance

Provide evidence and data to inform the adaptation or redesign of interventions to address systemic barriers to education and economic opportunities for RDP youth

Promote and maintain an organizational culture that advances gender equality, reduces power abuse and inequalities, and fosters trust, respect and safety

Create a working environment is free from sexual exploitation, abuse and harassment (SEAH)

Ensure high standards of prevention and response measures for SEAH are in place consistent with the WUSC's safeguarding policies and WUSC's Code of Conduct

Qualification

MERL system designTechnical assistanceQuantitative researchQualitative researchFluency in EnglishData managementAnalytical skillsFluency in FrenchPlanning skillsCommunication skillsProblem-solving skills

Required

At minimum, a Bachelor's degree in a related field (International Development, Public Policy, International Relations)

Extensive experience (over ten years) designing, implementing, and managing complex MERL systems for large-scale, multi-country programs, preferably in the African context

Demonstrated ability to provide technical assistance and capacity building in MERL to diverse partners, including community-based organizations and higher education institutions

Expertise in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies, data management, and the use of evidence for systemic change and policy influence

Strong analytical and communication skills, with experience synthesizing complex data into clear learning products and reports

Demonstrated commitment to social inclusion and knowledge of the specific constraints and realities of challenges faced by refugee and displaced groups

Adherence to gender equality and social inclusion principles; proven knowledge of and commitment to the concept of gender equality and intersectionality within programming

Strong planning, organization and problem-solving skills with ability to work hands-on, independently, and within team in a fast-paced work environment

Commitment to WUSC's mission of building a better world for all young people, particularly displaced and refugee youth

Complete fluency in English is required