Technical Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP), MEL Platform - USAID Sri Lanka MODEL Activity

Position Description – Technical Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP), MEL Platform - USAID Sri Lanka MODEL Activity

Responsibilities: The Technical Deputy Chief of Party (DCOP), MEL Platform will demonstrate exceptional leadership skills by facilitating and leading high-level workshops, strategic planning sessions, and training events, ensuring active participation and engagement from all stakeholders. S/he will be responsible for providing technical leadership on evaluations, assessments, and special studies for USAID/Sri Lanka and the Maldives, as well as ensuring high-quality performance management and learning support such as through Data Quality Assessments (DQAs), review of activity MEL plans, and other tasks. S/he will mentor and develop team members, fostering a culture of continuous learning and improvement. S/he will provide technical leadership to support the engagement of a broad set of stakeholders to generate, organize, and use evidence for adaptive management and decision-making. The Technical DCOP, MEL Platform also will serve in a capacity building role with USAID Activity Managers, implementing partners (IPs), project staff, and regional/local MEL firms and associations. S/he will work collaboratively with these stakeholders to develop high quality products and processes while training them to lead future work. The Technical DCOP, MEL Platform will also represent the MODEL activity at high-level forums, presenting findings and recommendations to senior officials and key stakeholders, and bolstering interest in the MODEL’s suite of services. Specifically, the Technical DCOP, MEL Platform will:

• Manage and oversee the development and execution of MEL tasks, including creating MEL plans, conducting DQAs, selecting performance indicators, and ensuring high-quality data collection;
• Lead strategic planning and solutioning to support the USAID Mission to become an improved learning organization;
• Lead and facilitate high-level learning workshops and events with senior level staff from USAID, IPs and other relevant stakeholders;
• Strengthen the capacity of USAID/Sri Lanka staff, IPs, and local organizations to design and implement effective MEL and CLA systems and practices, providing coaching, mentoring, technical assistance, and designing and facilitating workshops and other learning events;
• Collaborate with partners to create and execute CLA plans to support USAID's development objectives, ensuring integration of learning and adaptation into program design and implementation;
• Foster and maintain positive relationships with key stakeholders, including USAID/Sri Lanka staff and USAID IPs, to promote USAID as a learning organization in support of its development objectives;
• Ensure the high quality production of final MEL and CLA products;
• Lead the implementation of knowledge management, communication and dissemination strategies;
• Contribute to project reporting requirements which may include, but are not limited to, quarterly reports, bi-weekly updates, evaluation and case studies, and success stories;
• Provide technical support in recruitment and management of MEL and CLA experts and assessment and evaluation team members; and
• Perform other tasks and duties as necessary for the success of the project.

Required Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in applied social sciences, development economics, international development, quantitative research, organizational development, or other related field (may be substituted by a bachelor’s degree with additional years of relevant work experience);
• At least seven years of progressive experience working in MEL and CLA in an international development context, including data collection, analysis, and management; DQAs; tracking performance management and coordinating portfolio reviews; and context monitoring;
• At least three years of demonstrated experience leading and facilitating high-level workshops and seminars for senior level audiences that drive conversations, build consensus, and achieve tangible outcomes (online and in person);
• Ability to perform at a high level and interact diplomatically with a wide range of stakeholders;
• Ability to analyze data using online reporting tools or statistical packages (e.g., SAS, SPSS);
• Excellent verbal communication skills, with ability to articulate complex concepts clearly and concisely, and deliver compelling presentations to senior-level audiences;
• Excellent English language writing, editing, and oral communication skills; and
• Oral and written fluency in Sinhala and/or Tamil.

Desired/Preferred Qualifications:

• Significant experience working with USAID/ USAID-funded programs. 
• Knowledge of political, economic context, history, challenges in Sri Lanka and the Maldives.

To apply, please send an updated resume/CV and cover letter in English through the “Our Jobs”.  Applications will be received and reviewed on a rolling basis. Applicants who fail to meet the application criteria may be disqualified. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. No phone calls, please.

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed above are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Duties, responsibilities, and activities may change at any time with or without notice.

ECODIT provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities. If you are an applicant that requires a reasonable accommodation, please email us at recruiter@ecodit.com. Please reference the position in your email.

ECODIT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, ethnicity, ancestry, color, sex, religion, creed, age, national origin, citizenship status, disability, medical condition, military and veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, and gender expression, familial status, political affiliation, genetic information, or any other legally protected status or characteristics. VEVRAA Federal Contractor.