The Innovation, Evidence and Learning (IEL) Lead is responsible for establishing and managing the project’s overall monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning (MEL) system and leading MEL staff to track all data, progress, results and learning from across the programme in a way that informs decision-making and enables adaptive programming. This position will collaborate with the programme team to design operations research to support learning, evaluation, and planning, and oversee the implementation, analysis, dissemination, and use of research products. The IEL Lead shares MEAL data and improvement plan and collaborates with staff and stakeholders on strategies for programme improvements for greater programme effects. The IEL Lead will work closely with technical experts in PEA, GEDSI, climate, service delivery sectors (including health and education) to develop evidence and learning to support and inform programme decisions.

Key Responsibilities:

• Designs and oversees the implementation of M&E, evidence generation and learning activities of the project; leads the design, development, planning, annual revisions, and implementation of the M&E plan and project evaluation activities, including the development and dissemination of tools, materials, reports, papers, and intervention- linked research
• Develops systems for the timely collection, management, analysis, and reporting of valid and reliable data that meet donor reporting requirements
• Works closely with the technical team to co-design monitoring tools, select indicators, and determine field monitoring responsibilities
• Ensures tool compatibility and coordination within the M&E framework, and consistency with national and donor requirements
• Leads the development of the project learning agenda, designs and implements learning activities and research studies
• Ensures the generation of learning and evidence products that contribute to innovative implementation
• Contributes to learning and evidence generation where appropriate
• Focuses on strengthening the the M&E and learning (MEL) system, building capacity of partners and staff, and improving alignment and support to host-country MEL systems
• Undertakes periodic reviews of programme and/or country MEL systems, and participates in planning MEAL system strengthening actions
• Provides ongoing oversight and technical assistance to consortium partners in implementing monitoring and evaluation system, ensuring data and analysis are of high quality. Coordinates knowledge sharing with the technical team
• Provides guidance on information systems for quality assurance, as well as best practices for documentation and reporting
• Ensures submission of datasets and other relevant reports and data to FCDO knowledge management systems
• Provides high quality and timely submission of all required project reports, including documentation of success stories, analysis of data for indicator calculation, summary of qualitative findings, etc.
• Oversees the publication and dissemination of information on successful and promising approaches, lessons learned, and other programme results to ministry counterparts, donors, programme partners, and other key stakeholders

Requirements:

• Master’s degree in governance, evaluation, demography, social science, economics, anthropology, or other relevant discipline
• At least 15 years of experience related to working on governance, health, education or other social sector programmes; at least 10 years’ experience in research, monitoring, evaluating, and reporting preferred

• Proficiency with relevant software (e.g., Excel, ODK/Kobo, PowerBi, Stata, SAS, SPSS, Epi Info, Atlas)
• Demonstrated expertise in rigorous quantitative and qualitative methods, research, management information systems, reporting, data quality analysis and data analysis
• Experience in design and implementation of MEL systems; with UK FCDO-funded projects.
• Expertise in governance, health and/or education research and/or integrating gender equality disability and social inclusion into MEL systems
• Experience in developing MEL systems for “adaptive” programme managment and delivery
• Experience working with PEA, including design, scoping, conducting andor overseeing them
• Experienced in designing MEL approaches to fill evidence gaps.
• Experienced in designing MEL plans that support scaling and adapting interventions in response to changes in external context.
• Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with stakeholder counterparts, partners and FHI 360 HQ counterparts
• Solid report writing, analytical, and communication skills, including oral presentation skills; ability to articulate technical information clearly and effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences
• Solid facilitation skills for training enumerators, counterparts and project and partner staff; additional experience building the capacity of local partners preferred
• Ability to collaborate effectively with programme staff and supervise and develop junior staff
• Experience in the health and education sector in Nepal strongly preferred.
• Proactive in managing multiple tasks, managing and working in the virtual work environment, and flexible, adaptive and open to managing time as needed for and demanded by the project and for working with different teams in different time zones as needed.    
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, communication, coordination and collaboration, team building and management, and problem-solving skills.   
• Excellent oral and written English and Nepali including documentation skills.