Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Specialist

Pact, Inc. seeks a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Specialist for the USAID/Mali-funded Basiki ni Tagne Kunafoni Activity. This two-year, information integrity project aims to enhance publicly available content that provides timely, relevant, and accurate information to Malian citizens through data-driven approaches that promote media literacy, mitigate harm from inaccurate information, and optimize the reach of quality information.  

The MERL Specialist will support the MERL Manager in the coordination of monitoring and reporting by Activity partners and subgrantees and will assist the MERL Manager in monitoring sub-grantees to ensure compliance with the Activity’s monitoring, evaluation, and learning plans.  

The MERL Specialist will further support the MERL Manager to bring Activity learning into the larger learning agenda through pause and reflect sessions and will be responsible. The successful candidate will support indicator development, monitoring, and reporting as mandated by the Annual Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (AMELP).  

This role is in Bamako, Mali and will report to the MERL Manager.  

MEL 

• Work closely with MERL Manager to ensure adherence with project MEL Framework. 
• Support indicator development, monitoring, and reporting as mandated by the AMELP. 
• Support the monitoring and evaluation of the effectiveness of project interventions, including online and offline campaigns. 
• Support the development of research and learning partnerships with Malian organizations. 
• Support the MERL Manager in the creation of thought leadership pieces based on the project outputs and outcomes. 
• Support or coordinate the drafting of periodic program progress reports.  

Grants  

• Work with the project team to ensure that implementation of sub-grants’ monitoring, evaluation and learning plans follows the Activity’s overall MEL Framework and AMELP. 
• Ensure that all required MEL documentation is maintained in SharePoint for subawards and that regular program/MEL reports are provided to program leadership, Washington, DC teams and/or to the funder, as required. 
• With a focus on MEL, contribute to the full cycle of subaward management activities, including planning, facilitation, selection, pre-award assessments, negotiation, submission, orientation, review of monthly reports (including cost share), monitoring / compliance visits, and closeout. 
• Support closeout of sub-awards by ensuring completeness of required program reports and documentation.  
• Comply 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. 

• Bachelor’s degree and 5+ years or Master's plus 3 years' relevant experience or equivalent combination of education and experience. 
• Experience with MEL report writing and editing. 
• Experience in media, communication, and/or information integrity research or program evaluation. 
• Demonstrated flexibility, adaptability, and the ability to perform and collaborate in complex and politically sensitive project environments. 
• Experience successfully working with international development projects in a role supporting the management of grantees’ MEL plans. 
• Detail oriented with the ability to prioritize and perform multiple tasks. 
• Self-starter and independent worker who can also work well as a team member. 
• Proficient with Microsoft Office programs, including Word and Excel. 
• Excellent verbal and written cross-cultural communication skills. 
• Professional level of fluency in English and French (written and verbal). 
• Malian national with eligibility to work in Mali without sponsorship 

• Knowledge of key evaluation methods such as Outcome Mapping (OM) and Most Significant Change (MSC) 
• Professional working ability in Bambara 
• Knowledge of political social and economic context of Mali 
• Conversant with information technology, use of popular social media platforms and media services, and experience in analyzing the veracity of media disseminated to the public. 
• Familiarity with social, online, and traditional media MEL tools 
• Ability to travel up to 10% of the time annually