Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Senior Manager - DASHED Program

Project Summary:

Land O’Lakes Venture37 is recruiting for a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Senior Manager in anticipation of an upcoming (USAID)-funded Feed the Future Demand and Supply for Safe, Healthy Diets (DASHED) program that aims to increase consumption of healthy diets produced through sustainable food systems by women and children under 5 across three countries. DASHED will achieve this goal by strengthening both consumer demand for safe, nutritious foods that are part of a healthy diet and the capacity for post-farmgate local food systems actors to meet that demand.

Position Summary:

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Senior Manager will lead the development and implementation of a monitoring, evaluation and learning system for the overall DASHED Program across the three target countries and for associate awards and buy-ins as they materialize. Specifically, the MEL Senior Manager will lead the design and periodic update of the MEL plan, data collection tools, and processes across the target countries; train staff and partners on the MEL system; coordinate all data collection efforts; ensure data quality; process and analyze the data for donor reporting, lead adaptive management and learning; and manage and provide oversight support to external evaluators/consultants. The position will be based in either Arden Hills, MN, Washington, DC or remote.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of the MEL system and update as necessary throughout the life of the program.
• Train all global staff and key partners in their role in project monitoring, evaluation, and learning.
• Manage a tablet-based data collection platform, including training country-level MEL Managers and other staff as needed and ensuring timely data entry and cleaning.
• Select and manage appropriate consultants for evaluations and research, as required, including developing scopes of work, reviewing survey design, conducting quality control of the work, and reviewing final reports.
• Lead regular learning and adaptative management events both internally and externally.
• Provide regular updates on project progress against key metrics to the Program Director for inclusion in donor reports, work planning and learning events.
• Assist program staff to use project data to report and disseminate evidence of project work to the wider community, USAID, Venture37, Host Government, and other external stakeholders.
• Demonstrate the highest degree of integrity throughout all activities and raise any concerns with implementation quality immediately with the Program Director.

Required Skills and Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s Degree in economics, statistics, or related field.
• 5-7 years of experience designing and implementing MEL systems for development projects, with at least 1 year of experience with agriculture projects.
• Experience leading MEL implementation on projects funded by USAID, USDA, and other donor-agencies.
• Experience managing MEL staff in diverse locations.
• Excellent quantitative and qualitative research, analysis and evaluation skills.
• Proficiency in statistical software (e.g. Stata, SPSS).
• Computer literacy and competency in use of Microsoft Office software.
• Ability to work well independently and function effectively as a member of a geographically dispersed team.
• Ability to take on diverse tasks, establish priorities, and manage many priorities simultaneously.
• Highly developed conceptual, analytical and innovative problem-solving ability.
• Strong interpersonal, writing, and oral presentation skills in English.

Preferred Skills and Experience:

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in economics, statistics or other relevant area.

The position described above is contingent upon activity award.

Only short-listed candidates will be contacted. No phone calls will be accepted.

Land O’Lakes never requests money or payment from candidates for any position type. Please report any such requests to Land O’Lakes.

Land O’Lakes Venture37 is an equal opportunity employer and an organization striving to help global communities thrive through agriculture. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability or veteran status, among other factors. Our culture values a diversity of voices. So bring us your unique experiences, your workstyle, and your dreams — they’ll only make us stronger.