Overview
Established in 1946, with headquarters in Crystal City, Virginia, AIR is an independent, nonpartisan, not-for-profit organization that conducts behavioral and social science research on important social issues and delivers technical assistance and capacity building services domestically and internationally in health, social development, education, and workforce to a growing roster of clients and partners. Our mission is to generate and use rigorous evidence that contributes to a better, more equitable world.
AIR’s International Development Division (IDD) strives to improve the quality of life in developing countries by using rigorous research and evaluation to enhance education and social development. We work across a wide range of topics including workforce development, agriculture/food/nutrition, early childhood development, education, refugees and migration, social protection, water/sanitation/infrastructure, and women's empowerment in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Europe, Central and Latin America as well as the Middle East. The IDD generates policy-relevant evidence through rigorous monitoring, evaluations, and research; helps improve program design through continuous learning and adaptation; and works with local organizations and governments to build sustainable solutions based on evidence.
IDD is actively seeking a Capacity Strengthening Specialist for an anticipated five-year United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) and Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Activity in Honduras. The program will holistically support USAID/Honduras in monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) and collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) in alignment with USAID’s Evaluation Policy and the Journey to Self-Reliance (J2SR). Specifically, this activity seeks to: (1) design, implement, and disseminate findings from evaluations, assessments, surveys, and monitoring analyses; (2) facilitate intentional CLA use among USAID internal and external stakeholders; (3) provide technical assistance to measurable increase MEL capacity among USAID staff and implementing partners, local organizations, government counterparts, private sector and academia.
Responsibilities
The Capacity Strengthening Specialist will oversee the design and delivery of MEL and CLA capacity building activities for USAID staff, implementing partners, local organizations, government counterparts, private sector, and academia. S/he will be responsible for assessing MEL capacity and developing tailored capacity building plans to assist groups and individuals in strengthening their technical skillset and improving organizational processes that promote evidence-based decision making. Capacity building activities will be holistic and cover USAID policies and procedures, evaluation and research methodologies, context and performance monitoring, knowledge management, CLA, data quality assurance, and digital technologies (i.e. GIS, Kobo Toolbox, ODK, etc.). S/he will be responsible for developing resource guides and training materials that can be used by USAID and implementing partners to provide on going support to local actors.
The will be full-time, ex-patriot position and be based in Tegucigalpa, Honduras with regular travel throughout the country.
Qualifications
- At minimum 10 years’ professional experience in developing and implementing MEL and CLA systems for international development clients with specific experience with USAID
- Deep understanding of USAID policies and procedures
- Technical expertise in the evaluation methodologies and approaches (both performance and impact evaluations), context and performance monitoring, CLA principles, knowledge management, and digital technologies (i.e. GIS, Kobo, ODK, etc.)
- Experience building USAID Mission, implementing partners, staff, and local organization’s capacity in MEL and CLA skills
- Experience assessing capacity and developing training plans and resource materials for ongoing capacity building
- Experience building and maintaining working relations with stakeholders, and demonstrated ability to efficiently and effectively interface (and represent IMPAQ) with donor agency counterparts, government officials, partner organizations, and other stakeholders
- Excellent teamwork, interpersonal, communication, presentation and facilitation skills
- A Master’s degree in international development/affairs, development studies, economics, knowledge management, or related fields
- Deep familiarity with Honduran culture, society, and development context or that of other similar countries in
- Fluency and excellent written and verbal communication skills in Spanish and English is required
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, gender, gender identity/expression, sexual orientation, national origin, protected veteran status, or disability.
AIR adheres to strict child safeguarding principles. All selected candidates will be expected to adhere to these standards and principles and will therefore undergo rigorous reference and background checks.