Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist

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About Us:Bixal is a consulting company based in Fairfax, VA, working alongside governments and organizations to help them deliver better services and experiences to the communities they serve. Using evidence-based knowledge and technology, Bixal empowers clients to deliver on their missions more effectively by fostering a culture of learning and continuous improvement.

Who is Bixal?

Bixal is a mission-driven, woman-owned small business determined to improve people’s lives through human-centered strategies and transformative technologies, with a firm belief that everyone has the right to an effective government.

We deliver on this belief by partnering with leading Federal agencies to design, develop, and deliver powerful customer experiences through holistic digital product solutions and strategic communications initiatives. We bring a high standard and unique creative energy to our clients, and our wonderfully diverse culture makes it all possible.

Bixal unites different people with different perspectives from all over the world! We provide our team with an open and empowered environment where collaboration thrives and solutions flourish.

What Will You Do?

Bixal seeks a qualified Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist for the recently awarded five-year USAID Laos MEL Support Services Contract. The project will provide expert technical assistance for design, Monitoring & Evaluation, and Learning, Collaboration Learning and Adapting, and Knowledge Management at strategy and activity levels in areas such as health, education, economic development, clean energy, improved governance, rule of law, and persons with disabilities. The USAID Laos Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Support Activity aims to support USAID/Laos, implementing partners (IPs), and stakeholders to improve evidence-based decision-making through better data use, strategic collaboration, and adaptive management.

The project’s two main objectives are as follows: • Task 1: Technical Assistance in the Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation of USAID Laos Strategies, and Activities • Task 2: CLA, KM, and Advisory Services at the Strategy and Activity Level The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist will work with technical teams to provide guidance, technical leadership, and technical oversight in collaboration with the Contract Manager, CLA Specialist, and USAID. The MEL Specialist will also provide support for teams supporting MEL activities for USAID and their implementing partners. Through collaboration with Laos MEL Support and Bixal technical experts, the MEL Specialist will also design and facilitate training and other capacity-strengthening activities and contribute to learning events and assessments or USAID/Laos staff and implementers. As part of these activities, the MEL Specialist will also support the development of tools, processes, materials, and products related to MEL for future use by the Mission.

Where Will You Work?

This role is based in Vientiane Laos. To be considered for this role, you must currently reside in Laos, and have current Laotian work eligibility.

What Are Your Main Responsibilities?

• Support the USAID Laos MEL Support activity to deliver high quality monitoring and evaluation services as required by USAID.
• Represent USAID Laos MEL Support to USAID technical officers and implementing partners.
• Provide technical and managerial oversight on all types of M&E deliverables (such as data quality assessments, third party monitoring, synthesis and aggregation of data, performance and impact evaluation design and implementation, MEL training for implementing partners or USAID, etc.)
• Develop and facilitate innovative, interactive trainings, workshops, learning sessions, and other events.
• Provide hands-on capacity strengthening to implementing partners and USAID as requested.
• Develop tools to better support sound MEL practices for the Mission and implementing partners
• Support USAID Laos MEL Support’s learning, knowledge management, and other cross-functional work across different service areas.
• Assist with trouble shooting and problem-solving when the need arises, including delivering services to the client when required.
• Perform other technical duties as required.

What Qualifications Do You Need?

• Master’s degree or higher in a relevant field.
• At least five years of relevant experience in monitoring, evaluation and learning or a related area in international development, preferably for USAID.
• Experience on or leading evaluations performing data collection, creating data collection tools, utilizing evaluation methodologies, data analysis, and report writing
• Experience in conveying complex MEL technical
• Strong blended skills in quantitative and qualitative data analysis
• Excellent facilitation skills and experience designing events
• Experience in one or more relevant technical sectors, including health, democracy and governance, education, civil society strengthening, etc.
• Experience with CDCS development and portfolio reviews preferred
• Ability to work both independently and collaboratively under tight deadlines
• Liase and collaborate frequently with Bixal HO technical support
• Fluency in English, Lao preferred
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Experience working in Southeast Asia required, experience in Lao PDR preferred
• Demonstrated skills using Microsoft Office software, Google Suite, online collaboration tools, and web-based communication tools