PURPOSE OF THE ROLE
The Measurement, Evaluation, Research & Learning (MERL) Manager will develop, manage and support Youth Opportunity Program data, evaluation, research, and learning efforts in close collaboration with the project team and corporate partner. The MERL Manager also will support IYF’s broader measurement, evaluation, research, and learning function, and the implementation of IYF’s learning agenda.

CORE JOB RESPONSIBILITIES
Project-level Measurement, Evaluation, Research & Learning

• Design, oversee and provide strategic technical support to the implementation of overarching project-level MERL plan and supporting systems, working closely with, program staff, local MERL staff, external consultants, and governmental and non-governmental implementing partners (as relevant). Provide strategic input to annual workplans and MERL-related budgets.
• Lead project performance measurement and related analysis for quarterly performance and learning reports for internal and external stakeholders. Provide summaries, papers, presentations, and other project products for various audiences as needed.
• Design, oversee, lead, and provide technical support to internal or external project learning strategies and related learning and evaluation activities, aligning with IYF’s institutional Learning Agenda and working closely with the project team or consultants (as relevant, depending on the activity); lead the design and implementation of activities to disseminate information for relevant stakeholders, including internal and external audiences.
• Provide MERL technical training, capacity support, and coaching to program staff and implementing partners remotely and through site visits as needed.
• Support project staff to use STORM for project and organizational reporting as relevant; lead STORM trainings for project and country MERL staff to ensure project and participant-level data is effectively managed in STORM.

Institutional Measurement, Evaluation & Learning

• Provide strategic input and serve as a technical resource for the organization in MERL-related activities such as development and implementation of institutional learning agenda, MERL policy, and strategy-level performance measurement.
• Promote innovative and strategic approaches for achieving quality data collection, analysis and learning across the institution. Promote and facilitate sharing of IYF good practices related to MERL, knowledge management and capacity strengthening.
• Contribute to the strategic planning, design, standardization and integration of IYF’s MERL-related data collection tools, indicators, oversight and online data storage solution STORM, including monitoring and supporting achievement of organizational MERL outcomes as part of IYF’s strategic plan.
• Support business development opportunities, providing technical assistance on the development of performance measurement frameworks, theories of change, logical frameworks, performance monitoring plans, and evaluation and learning plans. Contribute to MERL-related budget decisions during proposal development.
• Contribute to training provided to the IYF staff on the accurate use of STORM for programmatic and MERL purposes. Provide ongoing support, training and coaching through virtual and in-person means to ensure the integrity, quality and security of STORM MERL data.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

REQUIRED SKILLS/EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor’s degree required, Master’s degree in social sciences, education, economics, M&E, International Development, Public Administration or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of work experience in related field, including 3-5+ years designing and implementing measurement, evaluation, research and learning activities using quantitative, qualitative and mixed methodologies.
• Strong technical knowledge of principles of performance measurement, monitoring and evaluation, data management and data analysis required.
• Experience delivering M&E training to internal and external groups.
• Demonstrated experience with data quality assessments, audits and external evaluation.
• Experience conducting assessments and using qualitative and quantitative tools (focus group discussions, surveys, interviews). Strong analytical skills and ability to synthesize information to inform planning and strategy.
• Experience designing, implementing and managing a range of evaluation types, preferably including formative, summative, and impact evaluations. Outstanding research skills and attention to detail. Reliability and thoroughness required.
• Strong program management, presentation, and team-building skills, as well as an analytical ability to identify and establish priorities and attend to all details in a professional manner. Advanced critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Highly developed interpersonal, listening, and communication skills appropriate for collaborating efficiently and effectively in a multicultural environment. High degree of respect and compassion for cultural conditions and practices. Ability to work successfully within a variety of cross-cultural settings and make judgments in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to incorporate Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and other data protection rules and regulations about personally identifiable information into MERL processes.
• Excellent knowledge of and experience using Excel and one or more statistical software packages (e.g., SPSS, STATA, R). Strong facility with data information systems and databases (e.g., Salesforce). Demonstrated experience in data management and analysis.
• Experience leveraging Information & Communications Technology, and experience identifying and using appropriate online or mobile platforms to collect, store, analyze and present data.
• Understanding and knowledge of the youth sector. Experience with programs that support youth employment or social services (e.g. education, health) preferred.
• Commitment to youth development and a values-driven work environment.
• Strong oral and written English communication skills; proficiency in a second language preferred (especially French, Portuguese, Kiswahili, Spanish, Arabic).
• Available for up to 25% travel, as needed.