Monitoring Evaluation Research and Learning (MERL) Senior Manager
iDE, Madagascar

iDE is an international NGO with 40 years of experience in designing and delivering market-based solutions to poverty. iDE is headquartered in Denver, Colorado USA and operates in 11 countries around the world.

iDE is seeking applications from qualified candidates for a Monitoring Evaluation Research and Learning Senior Manager (MREL SM) for an anticipated four and half year USAID-funded Madagascar Urban Sanitation Activity (MUSA) programme. This project aims to support the Government of Madagascar (GoM) to lead the sector and improve access to and use of sanitation products services in selected urban and peri-urban areas by strengthening the enabling environment for sanitation, improving the supply of and demand for sanitation products and services and improving key behaviors that contribute to the activity objectives. iDE is also pursuing other development project or program opportunities in Madagascar, notably in the WASH and Agriculture sector (Other Projects/Programs).

iDE believes inclusive markets are the most powerful tool for creating prosperity, building resilience, and ultimately ending poverty. By listening to every stakeholderproducers, suppliers, retailers and customerswe can overcome critical bottlenecks and develop lasting solutions. At iDE, we continually challenge assumptions, make effective data- and evidence-driven decisions, and enable agile delivery of strategies and resources toward improved outcomes for our interventions. We also work to transform beliefs and practices that perpetuate inequality and use the knowledge we acquire to design social and behavior change programming that promotes the creation of resilient market ecosystems, which benefit all people.

The MERL Sr. Manager’s ultimate responsibility is to ensure that all project and program performance monitoring, data, evidence, and evaluation needs are met with the highest quality and integrity. This includes ongoing performance monitoring and data dashboards for management as well as periodic evaluations and results reporting for donors and investors. The MERL Sr. Manager is responsible for ensuring quality for the design, roll-out and smooth operation of iDE Madagascar monitoring systems, as well as the tactical planning and implementation of periodic evaluations and leading the further development and strengthening of reporting systems.

The MERL Sr. Manager is responsible for the successful measurement of the MUSA project through project completion to achieve its goals/targets in cost-effective, and innovative market-driven ways. The MERL Sr. Manager informs many decisions about the project - helping to track how we are progressing, but also when we need to pivot. The MERL Sr. Manager is responsible for coordinating with the project partners to ensure that they are providing necessary project-related data and inputs, and that they are included in key decisions related to the evidence that is generated.

The MERL Sr. Manager position is based at the iDE office in Antananarivo, Madagascar and will report directly to the Chief of Party. The MERL Sr. Manager will also have a secondary reporting line, and will receive technical support from, iDE’s Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, Research amp; Learning Systems. As the program progresses, the MERL Sr. Manager will be responsible for assembling and managing a growing team of MERL Officers as well as the MIS/IT Manager.

• Lead all activities in monitoring, evaluation and program learning, ensuring measurable outcomes.
• Design, implement, and oversee the project’s MERL plan (consistent with USAID policies and frameworks), including development of indicators and data collection instruments, setting targets, monitoring progress, ensuring timely data collection, monitoring quality and completeness of data sets, and preparing reports to document project performance against output and outcome indicators.
• Support the design and implementation of systems that enable effective data capture and information sharing to inform decisions for the MUSA consortium of iDE and its implementation partners.
• Develop and oversee a Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) plan, outlining activities around stakeholder engagement, identifying and addressing knowledge gaps, fostering adaptive management, and sharing and applying new learning.
• Manage and coordinate iDE and partners’ MERL team/representatives.
• Facilitate coordination and collaboration across Mamp;E, technical, and finance teams.
• Build the capacity of various stakeholders in the collection, utilization, and dissemination of data.

DESIGN amp; PLANNING

• Develop the activity MEL plan with support from Global MERL
• Lead the development of impact evaluation of project interventions, and design surveys or other instruments which will produce data for management deci

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