Background:

Creative Associates International is a dynamic and fast-growing professional services firm that specializes in international development in the areas of education, democratic transitions and stabilization in post-conflict environments. Based in Washington, DC, the firm has a field presence in 30 plus countries worldwide with a strong and diverse portfolio that includes global contracts with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and other clients including the U.S. Department of State and the U.S. Department of Defense. The firm has earned a solid reputation among its clients and missions worldwide and is well-regarded by competitors and partners alike.

Project Summary:

The USAID/Somalia Bar Ama Baro program works to increase access to quality education for a targeted number of out-of-school children and youth (ages 8-15) in specific regions of Somalia. The Program will work to increase student enrollment in alternative education program sites, improve their safety, monitor acquisition of literacy, numeracy, and socio-emotional skills among the learners who enroll in them, and enhance the Federal Government of Somalia’s capacity to regulate them.

Position Summary:

Creative Associates International, Inc. (Creative) is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL) Director for the USAID-funded education program in Somalia. S/he will be responsible for leading the design and implementation of the activity monitoring and evaluation framework and information system to track delivery against targets and outcomes. The MERL Director is based in Mogadishu, Somalia and reports to the Chief of Party.

Primary Responsibilities:

• Lead analysis of data collected for assessment of progress and areas of improvement;
• Guide reporting processes amongst technical staff and consolidates program reports, promote learning and knowledge sharing of best practices and lessons learnt;
• Support all the technical staff in MERL functions and will manage any MERL-related staff in the program;
• Ensure MERL activities are in line with the USAID Evaluation Policy and USAID Education Strategy, especially related to ‘counting’ towards USAID’s global education goals;
• Ensure periodic reports (oral and written) are made to USAID and coordinate closely with the external Contractor;
• Lead the design and execution of research and learning activities;
• Ensure capacity building of local organizations and local project staff in execution of MERL activities; and
• Oversee all communication/written products in close collaboration with project’s communications team.

Qualifications:

Education:

• A Master’s Degree in education, research methods or other relevant social science from an accredited university is required.

Skills and Experience:

• At least seven (7) years of experience designing and implementing MERL activities for integrated reading and access education programs in developing countries;
• Expertise in qualitative and quantitative research, including relevant statistical software;
• Strong writing and organizational skills for monitoring and reporting on program and program outcomes and impacts;
• Demonstrated experience in setting up and managing M&E systems that track performance as per the performance results of this project;
• Demonstrated analytical skills to measure the outcomes of the project’s activities and support project supervision; and
• Demonstrated experience working in complex environments, working across different cultures, and managing diverse teams to deliver impacts within agreed timelines.

Language:

• Professional level of oral and written fluency in English.
• Proficiency in Somali is highly desired.

Other:

• Somali passport holder to facilitate work-related travel throughout program area of implementation, is preferred.