Research Associate, Monitoring & Evaluation, FANTA III Project in Washington, D.C

FHI 360 is a nonprofit human development organization dedicated to improving lives in lasting ways by advancing integrated, locally driven solutions. Our staff includes experts in Health, Education, Nutrition, Environment, Economic Development, Civil Society, Gender, Youth, Research and Technology– creating a unique mix of capabilities to address today's interrelated development challenges. FHI 360 serves more than 60 countries, all 50 U.S. states and all U.S. territories. We seek qualified candidates for the position of Research Associate, Monitoring & Evaluation, FANTA III Project in Washington, D.C.

Position Description:

Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance III Project (FANTA) improves nutrition and food security policy, strategy and programming, and provides technical support to USAID and its partners, including host country governments, international organizations and NGO implementing partners. Focus areas for technical assistance include maternal and child health and nutrition, HIV and other infectious diseases, community-based nutrition programs and interventions, food security and livelihood strengthening, and emergency and reconstruction. FANTA develops and adapts approaches to support the design and quality implementation of field programs, while building on field experience to improve and expand the evidence base, methods, and global standards for nutrition and food security programming. The project, funded by USAID, is a five-year cooperative agreement. The duration of this project will be 02/08/2012 to 02/07/2017.

The Research Associate, Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) works closely with the FANTA Advisor for Research and Monitoring & Evaluation, the FANTA M&E and survey methods teams, and with the Deputy Director – Global Leadership, to provide support in M&E to the USAID Office of Food for Peace (FFP) and the Title II implementing partners (IPs), and other USAID Offices, as requested, by advising and providing technical assistance (TA) in M&E theory and practice, performance monitoring, survey design, and data analysis; by developing and delivering M&E trainings; and by contributing to the preparation of written guides and tools.

The Research Associate, M&E will:

● Contribute to the development of methods and preparation of reference materials and tools to support strengthened performance monitoring among Title II IPs, including workshop materials, technical notes and guides

● Lead FANTA’s work to support FFP to develop M&E guidance and reference materials for emergency Title II programs, if requested.

● Review and provide feedback to the Title II IPs on their program design, results framework, IPTT, M&E plans, work plans, baseline, mid-term and final evaluation plans and reports

● Contribute to the design, development and implementation of M&E workshops in the field

● Contribute to the development of an M&E policy manual for the Office of Food for Peace, as requested

● Prepare and deliver training sessions for FFP Country Backstop Officers (CBOs) and Title II IP headquarter staff on selected M&E topics, as requested

● Contribute to the development and/or pilot testing of guidance for carrying out Title II mid-term evaluations

● Stay abreast of FFP M&E policies, requirements and issues that are of significance to the Title II IPs and provide support to the IPs in meeting those regulations

● Provide M&E technical assistance to the Title II IPs, responding to ad hoc requests for technical assistance to IPs on M&E issues and participate in capacity building activities (trainings, discussions, research, development of tools and guides)

● When requested by FFP or by USAID Missions, provide TA in the design and implementation of quantitative surveys, formative research and final evaluations of Title II IP programs

● Develop field-friendly, practical and concise M&E technical reference materials and other guidance documents, such as technical notes, fact sheets, etc. for the Title II IPs. Possible subject areas may include: Nuts and Bolts of M&E, Results Frameworks Guidance, Using Annual Monitoring Data to Improve Program Performance, and Guidance for Mid-Term Evaluations.

● Work with other members of the M&E Cluster, the Delivery Science and QI Cluster and the Global Leadership Team to identify priority areas for technical assistance, research and development, related to M&E for Title II IPs

● Support other FANTA III staff in M&E for emergency, food security, nutrition, and maternal child health programs

● Contribute to project work planning, budgeting, and reporting.

● Carry out other job-related tasks as assigned by the Senior Advisor for Research and Monitoring and Evaluation and the Deputy Director for Global Leadership

Minimal Requirements:

● Masters or Ph.D. in one of the following or related fields: Agricultural Economics, International Economics, Nutrition, Public Health, Evaluation Research or Social Science required. 7 years of relevant experience required with Masters or 3 years of relevant experience required with Ph.D.

● Minimum of 3 years experience working in the field of monitoring and evaluation, required

● Experience working with USAID and PVO programs, including USAID’s Title II Food Security Programs, highly desirable

● Experience with M&E policy setting at a central/donor level, desirable

● Knowledge of USAID monitoring and evaluation systems and procedures required

● Strong analytical, written and verbal skills; proven ability to write well for technical and USAID audiences in English, required. Strong oral presentation skills

● French, Spanish, or Portuguese language ability desirable

● Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail, required

● Ability to establish priorities and meet deadlines and to initiate and implement activities with minimal oversight and supervision, required

● Strong interpersonal, communication, problem-solving, and team-work skills, required

● Familiarity with one or more food security technical areas such as nutrition or agriculture, highly desirable

● Qualitative and/or quantitative research skills, desirable

● Must be able to travel internationally up to 30% of the time

How to apply:

Interested candidates may register online through FHI 360's Career Center at www.fhi360.org/careercenter or through the Employment section at www.fhi360.org. Please submit CV/resume and cover letter including salary requirements. Please specify source in your application.

AA/EOE/M/F/V/D

Position Number: 3314