Nathan is a leading provider of analytic and economic consultancy services worldwide. In the past decade, we have implemented more than 120 projects in more than 50 countries leveraging our global presence in Washington DC, London, and India. From improved transparency and deeper stakeholder engagement to more effective policies and more resilient businesses, we deliver results that impact economic growth, human development, and poverty reduction.

Nathan is implementing the USAID Revenue for Growth Activity (R4G). R4G aims to help Zambia improve domestic revenue mobilization and expand the fiscal space for public spending and investments in service delivery and poverty reduction. R4G engages both government and non-government stakeholders to build capacity in tax policy analysis, improve tax compliance and administration, and strengthen the tax culture in a manner that facilitates private sector growth and accountability relationships between taxpayers and the Government of the Republic of Zambia (GRZ).

MEL Specialist Position Summary

Nathan is seeking a qualified Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist to implement R4G’s MEL plan and provide support in data analysis, management and reporting, as well as to manage R4G’s Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) activities. This position will report directly to the R4G Chief of Party (COP). Key responsibilities of the MEL Specialist are described below.

Key Responsibilities

1. Design and operationalize R4G’s MEL strategy, including the Activity Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan (AMELP), and an effective MEL framework in consultation with the COP, R4G team and USAID.
2. Ensure R4G’s AMELP is consistently and accurately updated, with revisions incorporated into the AMELP at least annually.
3. Facilitate the development and establishment of appropriate indicators, targets, data collection tools, documentation systems and management information systems for reporting to the key stakeholders on progress towards achievement of targets per R4G’s performance indicators.
4. Update and refine R4G’s Risk Register and Lessons Learned Databases on a monthly basis, which will require organizing and facilitating monthly discussions with the R4G team on risks and lessons learned.
5. Maintain lists of all individuals who participated in R4G training and compile in a Master Training Database.
6. Support R4G staff to ensure proper documentation is completed timely and accurately for all project activities.
7. Conduct descriptive statistical analyses using programmatic datasets in preparation for MEL reporting.
8. Serve as lead writer for the MEL component of monthly, quarterly, and annual reports based on indicators outlined in the project performance monitoring plans.
9. Contribute to weekly, monthly, quarterly, annual and final R4G progress reports.
10. Ensure that the project complies with all USAID and Nathan reporting requirements, particularly with regard to MEL and CLA.
11. Work with R4G staff and local partners to ensure the collection of timely, relevant, and appropriate data needed for an effective MEL system to be utilized in the monitoring of strengths, weaknesses and gaps in existing programs and services.
12. Develop and implement internal control systems that ensure the quality of all partner and project data, including facilitating routine data quality assessments, identifying deficiencies and supporting corrective actions to improve data quality.
13. Manage R4G’s CLA activities for all trainings conducted by R4G.
14. Perform other MEL and CLA tasks as instructed by R4G’s COP.

Qualifications & Skills

• Bachelor’s Degree (Master’s preferred) in statistics, mathematics, social sciences, international affairs/development or a related discipline required.
• A minimum of 5 years’ MEL work experience, preferably on international donor-funded development projects.
• Experience managing the design and implementation of MEL activities of donor-funded development projects, preferably related to economic growth.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative research and data skills.
• Experience operationalizing robust management information systems, particularly related to knowledge management and filing systems.
• Experience in program monitoring, baseline, midterm and final evaluations.
• Strong computer skills, particularly MS Excel and MS SharePoint skills, including working knowledge of databases, spreadsheets, and statistical software packages.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Excellent oral and written English communication skills.
• Ability to work in a demanding environment under tight deadlines.