Global Indicator Database Lead

Job Function: Washington DC
Department: Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning
Location: Washington, DC

Global Indicator Database Lead

Position Summary
The Global Indicator Database Lead works to build a comprehensive technical infrastructure for NDI's democracy assistance programs across the globe and contributes to evidence-based learning at NDI.

Essential Accountabilities/Responsibilities

• Create and maintain holistic Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) Systems by overseeing the creation of guidelines, protocols, and tools for regional staff to use for performance monitoring plans (PMPs), SMART indicators and relevant M&E budgets during the program design.
• Develop Performance Indicator Reference Sheets (PIRS) and donor-approved indicators at program startup.
• Provide technical assistance to regional DC and field staff in utilizing M&E tools and protocols at program design, startup and program management phases.
• Collaborate with an Indicator Database Working Group as part of a USAID funded consortium for elections and political processes to design and operationalize the agreed-upon consortium protocols for data quality assurance, data entry, management, and retrieval of common performance indicators that align with USAID requirements.
• Ensure the database system meets the needs of the Institute's interests through system improvements, new features, the introduction of system changes, and any additional enhancements provided by the vendor.
• Familiarize diverse institutional stakeholders to the database and lead needs assessments to design data dashboards for regional, functional, and executive teams that contribute to evidence-based learning.
• Troubleshooting the database design, data management and governance, data analysis and visualization, and data retrieval systems. Roll out the design to other teams, including customized data dashboards for diverse stakeholders.
• Ensure all program data collection, management, and retrieval comply with General Data protection Regulations (GDPR) and other ethical standards sanctioned by the Institute.
  • Oversee Global DMEL staff in enforcing data governance permissions, protocols, monitoring database structures and capacity, coordinating support and training externally to the institution, among other duties.
• Design and deliver an Indicator Database Curriculum through collaboration with the Global DMEL staff to integrate the indicator database training into a broader Training of Trainers (TOT) for M&E and around the project cycle.
• Provide technical guidelines to DC and field staff in establishing and using online indicator databases, including guides for structuring project, data entry, retrieval and visualization of routine data.
• Draft SMART indicators, data collection protocols and tools.
• Ensure the quality of data and indicator database by enforcing data governance policies, establishing regular data quality review practices, and implementing structural database reviews.
• Prepare visualization and performance indicators for program reflection, analysis, and decision-making (RAD) and effective reporting.
• Facilitate the annual and periodic analysis and utilization of performance data for various donors and institutional stakeholders through statistical support for quarterly, annual reporting requirements for NDI's donor mechanisms (e.g., USAID, DRL, NED).
• Retrieve and organize indicator data across regions and/or functional areas and disaggregate and analyze indicator data to explore trends. Provide global indicator data for strategic planning, fundraising, and evidence-summits.
• Oversee Global DMEL staff in providing technical assistance to regional teams on data management, data security, and data quality.
• Support Global DMEL research projects as needed.
• Liaise with other Institutional units and external partners as needed.

Peripheral Accountabilities/Responsibilities (Non-essential)

• Perform other duties as required.

Parameters

• Incumbent operates under general direction, plans or coordinates work in accordance with established objectives.
• Incumbent serves as a resource and provides guidance to lower-level staff.
• Incumbent regularly interacts with staff at all levels within NDI.
• Incumbent regularly interacts with NDI partners, funders and other stakeholders, including international development organizations, civic organizations, NDI's network of volunteers, trainers, and experts, political leaders, and other key program contacts.

Required Qualifications

Education

• Master's degree, preferably in social science, data science, international development or related field, or equivalent relevant experience.

Experience

• A minimum of six years of work experience relevant to international development, democracy and governance, education, or similar field
• A minimum of four years of work experience in databases, data management, and data analysis preferably with international development programs, political campaigns, community organizing, or legislative affairs
• At least 3 years of experience in M&E, focusing on monitoring and data quality

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge of data administration and data standardization policies (i.e., backup, restore, delete data, transaction log files, etc.).
• Knowledge of database management systems, query languages (SQL), table relationships, views and reporting for export or in-app analysis.
• Knowledge of sources, characteristics, and uses of the organization's data assets.
• Knowledge of laws, regulations, policies, and ethics as they relate to data management and security
• Knowledge of risk management processes (e.g., methods for assessing and mitigating risk).
• Knowledge of database theory, data mining and data warehousing principles.
• Knowledge of Personally Identifiable Information (PII) data security standards.
• Knowledge of database access application programming interfaces (e.g., Java Database Connectivity [JDBC]), JSON
• Knowledge of how to develop and operationalize SMART indicators for challenging contexts
• Knowledge of set up and maintenance of M&E systems in the field
• Familiarity with donors' MEL requirements, including USAID, National Endowment for Democracy (NED), Department of State (DoS) and non-federal donors
• Excellent analytical and judgment skills for identifying problems, drawing conclusions, determining options for resolution, and recommending next steps.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and cultural sensitivity to interact effectively and diplomatically with individuals at all levels of the organization, as well as externally both domestically and internationally with NDI partners, funders, and other stakeholders, as well as with U.S. and foreign government personnel.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate effectively and project a professional image when giving and taking information in writing, in person, and through various communication media. The ability to present to varying sized audiences in a manner that influences and drives understanding is critical.
• A strong attention-to-detail, with a propensity to complete work accurately and with a focus on quality.
• High action-orientation with a high level of initiative and a superior level of proficiency in the ability to multitask and prioritize; manage time, perform project management, problem-solving, and organizational skills; and flexibility to adapt and respond to shifting priorities.
• Capacity to work effectively both independently and as a member of a team, as well as provide guidance and coordination with and among lower level staff.
• Ability to apply discretion and maintain confidential information
• Ability to travel internationally.
• Advanced proficiency in PowerBI, Tableau or other data visualization software strongly preferred
• Advanced proficiency in STATA, R, SPSS, or similar software preferred
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office to include Word, Excel and PowerPoint; knowledge of Google Suite tools preferred.
• Fluency in a foreign language and/or technical knowledge specific to the needs of the team highly desired.

Certifications/Licenses (desired)

• None required.

Work Environment
This position generally is performed in an office environment and may be suitable for partial telework.Occasional evening and weekend work may be required, as well as attendance at external events.Some international travel is required in this role, approximately up to 25% to NDI field locations. These locations often are in remote locations and may require significant time and varying modes of travel. Designated locations also may at times be considered less secure and with greater risk to NDI employees.

Physical Requirements

• Sitting/mobility—to work at a desk and move around work areas.
• Speaking/hearing—to engage orally in conversation with others and conduct presentations.
• Seeing—to effectively use a computer screen and for reading and interpreting printed materials, memos and other paperwork.
• Reaching/handling—to input information into computer systems and retrieve and work with appropriate paperwork, equipment and supplies.

ADA Notation:
The physical demands and work environment that have been described are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Comments

This is a union position to be represented by the Office and Professional Employees International Union (OPEIU) Local 2.

Candidates must be legally eligible and authorized to work in the U.S. NDI does not provide sponsorship.

As a result of COVID19, this position will start in a remote capacity. However, when the office re-opens, this position will be based in our Washington, DC office and the expectation is that you would be based locally by September 2021 to fulfill this obligation. NDI does not cover relocation costs for this position.

NDI welcomes and supports a diverse, inclusive work environment. As such, our commitment is to promote equal employment opportunities (EEO) for all applicants seeking employment and NDI employees. NDI makes employment decisions based on organizational needs, job requirements and individual qualifications without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, personal appearance, military status, gender identity or expression, genetic information, political affiliation, educational status, unemployment status, place of residence or business, source of income, or reproductive health decision making. Additionally, harassment or discrimination based on these characteristics will not be tolerated at NDI. To perform the essential functions of this position, reasonable accommodations are available to qualified individuals with disabilities and qualified individuals who have limitations due to pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding, or medical-related condition.

To apply for this position, please visit the NDI website at: www.ndi.org/careers.