Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning Specialist, Latin America

Contract type: Fixed term contract
Duration: This is a limited-duration position, with an anticipated term of 5 years
Location: Remote (Activities to be implemented across various countries in Latin America)

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, so candidates are encouraged to apply soon.

ABOUT IWPR:

Founded in 1991 and operating currently in three dozen countries around the world, the Institute for War & Peace Reporting (IWPR) is an independent nonprofit organisation that supports journalists and civil society to help drive change in countries experiencing conflict, crisis, and transition. Our work includes:

• Training and mentoring: IWPR trains and mentors journalists and rights activists to improve their ability to identify and present factual information.
• Providing platforms: IWPR helps local talent establish and strengthen media outlets and civic groups.
• Removing barriers: IWPR works with partners to remove barriers to free expression and citizen engagement
• Strengthening media and civil society: IWPR helps strengthen the ability of media and civil society to speak out.
• Empowering societies: IWPR helps societies find their own solutions.

IWPR’s reporting has exposed violations, led to political and legal reform, and improved people’s lives.

SUMMARY

The Institute for War and Peace Reporting (IWPR) seeks a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) specialist to focus on MEL activities to be implemented across various countries across Latin America.

This is a limited-duration position, with an anticipated term of 4 years.

The MEL Specialist ensures successful project implementation by designing and operationalizing MEL plans and leading reporting to USG donors. Supporting the management team, the MEL Specialist will provide input for evidence-based interventions and data-driven adaptive management. This includes sharing information on project impact and lessons learned with stakeholders, and aligning the MEL efforts with IWPR’s organizational strategy.

The role involves developing program-specific indicators and supporting the adoption of qualitative and quantitative MEL tools. The MEL Specialist will also lead data analysis, conduct participatory evaluations, and provide capacity-building for project staff and partners

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Program MEL Design and Planning:

• Lead the design, implementation, and updating of the program monitoring, evaluation, and learning strategy, including adapting tools and identifying learning milestones (moments, activities, products, approaches) suitable and relevant to diverse program actors (staff, donors, partners, beneficiaries);
• Design and update the program’s Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan;
• Incorporate principles of inclusion, equity, and “do no harm” into the MEL strategy;
• Maintains a secure storage and organization of all program data.

Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting:

• Lead the design and collection of base line, mid-line, and end-line data;
• Works closely with other team members and partners to collect information for monitoring, analyze data, and presents reports and evidence to the program team and Country Director/Chief of Party on strategies for improving project effectiveness;
• Ensure compliance with applicable MEL requirement, deliverables, and reporting;
• Develop qualitative participatory evaluation methodologies and tools for data collection;
• Design and execute program mid and final evaluations, thematic case studies, and other research required to enhance program results and its sustainability.

Learning and Knowledge Sharing:

• Lead on facilitating Pause and Reflect sessions and other learning activities, including MEL Kick-off workshops, Theory of Change workshops and theme-specific sessions, mid and final learning sessions involving project implementers and other stakeholders (including donors or beneficiaries as appropriate), in furtherance of the MEL objectives of projects;
• Present MEL findings in an accessible format to staff, donors, and stakeholders;
• Lead capacity building in MEL practices for project staff, partners, and beneficiaries;
• Contribute to the IWPR organizational MEL by sharing program MEL data, updating the IWPR MEL databases, and engaging in cross-departmental learning and knowledge-sharing sessions.

EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS:

• Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field (social sciences, international development, journalism, etc.) or equivalent professional experience;
• At least 7+ years of experience leading MEL activities in international development programs, preferably in media or governance-related fields;
• Experience in MEL process for USAID and other USG-funded programs, including designing MEL frameworks and performance indicators;
• Proven expertise in participatory approaches and mixed-method evaluations;
• Familiarity with the regional context of South America and the Caribbean, particularly in relation to corruption, media freedom, and civil society engagement;
• Experience working on multi-country projects and with sensitive data collection in complex environments.

SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

• Proven ability to design and implement comprehensive MEL strategies, including theories of change, performance monitoring, and outcome/impact assessments in complex and volatile contexts;
• Strong capacity to develop and use both qualitative and quantitative tools for data collection and analysis, ensuring evidence-based reporting;
• Expertise in participatory approaches such as outcome harvesting and capacity building for diverse stakeholders;
• Demonstrated experience collaborating with a wide range of stakeholders, including media outlets, civil society, donors, and local communities;
• Excellent ability to present MEL findings in clear, actionable formats for diverse audiences, including technical teams, donors, and non-specialists;
• Fluency in English and Spanish; proficiency in additional regional languages (Portuguese or French) is desirable;
• Ability to manage MEL functions for multi-country, multi-year projects with a focus on adaptive management and evidence-based decision-making.