Sr. Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Officer, USAID/DRC Enseignement Technique pour Opportunités Inclusives, Lucratives et Équitables (ETOILE) Activity 

Pact seeks a Sr. Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Officer for the anticipated USAID-funded DRC Enseignement Technique pour Opportunités Inclusives, Lucratives et Équitables (ETOILE) Activity, which aims to enhance inclusive workforce development to improve livelihoods for Congolese youth, particularly those from marginalized and underrepresented backgrounds, to improve social mobility, economic livelihoods, and access to sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services. This is anticipated to be a five-year activity (2023-2028). This position is contingent upon award.   

The Sr. MERL Officer provides strategic guidance, vision, and management for successful monitoring and evaluation of the program. This individual also supervises MERL staff and ensures the strategic and functional integration of all MERL activities as well as active collaboration with sub-awardees and USAID/DRC ETOILE Activity. The Officer oversees all MERL activities, provides technical direction and support, ensures the accurate reporting of results for program activities and ensures the program aligns with Pact’s quality standards for MERL in close coordination with Pact’s Learning, Evidence and Impact (LEAP) Team. 

The specific duties to be carried out by the successful candidate are listed below: 

• Contribute to the design and implementation of the project’s MERL system in coordination with the Deputy Chief of Party and Pact DC’s Learning, Evidence and Impact (LEAP) Team to design the MERL plan, develop key performance indicators, targets, data collection tools, manuals, and appropriate MERL requirements across the project.  
• Manage internal or external assessments (baseline, midline, endling) and support the implementation of research studies as well as learning agendas with Pact’s LEAP Team.  
• Coordinate any external evaluation processes, including but not limited to drafting evaluation terms of reference (ToR), selection of consultant and/or consulting firm, consultant management, and evaluation success in alignment with award.  
• Develop and disseminate relevant MERL tools, forms and lead the provision of MERL specific technical training  
• Oversee data collection, collation, storage, security, analysis, and reporting, ensuring that data is of high quality and data quality audit worthy 
• Ensure appropriate training and supportive supervision of all partners in monitoring and evaluation procedures, data collection tools, and data management practices in alignment with the MERL Plan  
• Work closely with partners to establish their internal MERL systems, MERL plans, and data quality management 
• Conduct Routine Data Quality Assessments (RDQA) and implement corrective actions to improve data quality and accountability of staff and partners, as required 
• Develop and maintain accurate information in a project database, as well as accurate and timely electronic files.  
• Calculation and reporting of Pact’s Annual Global Indicators through imPact, Pact’s instance of DHIS2, and calculation and reporting of aggregate project data into imPact (specifications and frequency contingent on award) 
• Responsible for the data analysis, writing, and review of the results and learning sections of program reports in collaboration with program staff, before submission to donor and ensure consortium partners’ compliance with internal data quality requirements and timely submissions for reporting. 
• Commitment to USAIDs collaborative learning adapting (CLA) strategy and adaptative management based on data: Lead the program team on routine reviews and interpretation of data for learning and adaptation; package and disseminate timely findings in a meaningful way, and make suggestions for adaption  
• Possibility of managing MERL team members (contingent on award) 
• Employee complies with all company policies and procedures, including completing all compliance training topics by the deadline to satisfy each and receiving the corresponding acknowledgment statement that the training has been completed. 
• All other duties as assigned 

• Master’s degree and 6+ years relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience in any of the following or related fields: social science, international development, public health, evaluation, statistics, or economics.  
• 7-10 years of progressively responsible experience in designing, managing, and implementing results-based MERL activities  
• Demonstrated supervisory skills, and ability to work well on a team.   
• Progressively responsible experience in research and learning and/or monitoring and evaluation of peacebuilding activities, program beneficiaries, and program staff.  
• Excellent organizational as well as English and French oral and written communication skills  
• Demonstrated relevant technical skills in analyzing and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data and packaging the findings.  
• Experience in participatory research approaches  
• Extensive expertise in research ethics and Do No Harm requirements in sensitive research environments  
• Experience in utilizing gender and social inclusion sensitive indicators and measures  
• Extensive knowledge and experience in reporting procedures, best practices, guidelines, and tools for monitoring, evaluation and learning, including impact evaluation.  
• Demonstrated supervisory skills, and ability to work well on a team. 
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office programs, i.e., Excel, Word, PowerPoint, etc., and the ability to use various commercially available statistical software programs.   

• Congolese nationals are strongly encouraged to apply.  
• Working knowledge of DHIS2