Evaluation and Learning Specialist

IDEA•Alexandria, VA

1d•$65,000 - $70,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Evaluation and Learning Specialist contributes to implementing evaluation and learning activities across IDEA’s Programs. The role conducts and contributes to internal program reviews, mapping, and evaluations, and supports external evaluations and learning studies. International travel is required to support program evaluation and improvement. The candidate must demonstrate commitment to IDEA’s mission and values. The specialist also supports program staff and partners through capacity building and technical guidance on project design, MEAL systems, results measurement, evaluation, and learning. The position contributes to institutional learning by creating knowledge products and leading dissemination events, supports learning from pilots, promotes digital tools and data quality, and helps maintain IDEA’s Grants Management System and Program Database. The role requires up to 30% international and domestic travel.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in social sciences, data mining, economics, statistics, or a related field.
At least 4 years of work experience conducting and managing evaluations and assessments in an international and/or U.S. humanitarian or development context.
Ability to travel internationally and domestically, up to 30%.
Experience with evaluations using mixed-method approaches.
Excellent knowledge of monitoring, evaluation, and learning methodologies and evaluation designs.
Ability to select and apply appropriate qualitative and quantitative data collection methods for evaluations, assessments, and learning studies.
Demonstrated ability to produce high-quality evaluation reports and other program documents.
Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural communication skills and ability to work effectively with culturally diverse staff, teams, partners, and program participants.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in international development contexts.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities in an agile, evolving environment.
Proven ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment with strong attention to detail.
Fluency in English.
Must be eligible to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree.
Work experience in at least one of these areas: food security, sustainable livelihoods, or humanitarian response.
Proficiency in additional languages relevant to the organization’s countries of operation.

Responsibilities

Conduct internal evaluation studies to assess the impact and effectiveness of IDEA’s programs and interventions, generating evidence and learning materials.
Provide input into the design, implementation, and dissemination of evaluations, special studies, and assessments.
Provide technical and administrative support for evaluations conducted by external consultants and serve as liaison with the external evaluation team or consultant.
Build tools for program evaluations, including Theories of Change and Results Frameworks for selected IDEA programs.
Conduct field visits, primarily internationally and as needed in the United States, to assess project implementation and outcomes and document achievements, challenges, findings, and recommendations.
Support capacity building for IDEA program staff and partners on project design, MEAL systems, results measurement, evaluation, and learning, as needed.
Provide technical guidance to program staff and field teams on applying MEAL tools and systems, including through project review meetings, as needed.
Contribute to institutional learning by producing knowledge products and leading events to disseminate learning internally and externally.
Participate in learning from pilots and support relevant analysis.
Promote adoption of digital tools and quality control measures to safeguard data integrity.
Support the design, maintenance, and reporting setup of IDEA’s Grants Management System (GMS) and Program Database.
Perform other duties as assigned.