Program Director P17

Texas A&M Agrilife Research • College Station, TX

9h • $10,833 • Hybrid

About The Position

About Texas A&M AgriLife Texas A&M AgriLife is comprised of the following Texas A&M University System members: Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service Texas A&M AgriLife Research College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M University Texas A&M Forest Service Texas A&M Veterinary Medical Diagnostic Laboratory As the nation’s largest most comprehensive agriculture program, Texas A&M AgriLife brings together a college and four state agencies focused on agriculture and life sciences within The Texas A&M University System. With over 5,000 employees and a presence in every county across the state, Texas A&M AgriLife is uniquely positioned to improve lives, environments and the Texas economy through education, research, extension and service. Click here to learn more about how you can be a part of AgriLife and make a difference in the world! Position Information Responsibilities: Strategic Evidence & Learning Leadership Lead WSE’s transition from traditional MEL toward a strategic evidence, learning, and analytics function Advise senior leadership on program performance, emerging risks, and strategic decision-making using data-driven insights Develop frameworks linking scholarship outputs to long-term outcomes, including employment, leadership, and self-sufficiency Establish and operationalize a program-wide learning agenda Data Analytics, Systems & Innovation Lead quantitative and qualitative analysis across multi-country student cohorts and institutional partners Conduct longitudinal and cohort-based analyses to assess program effectiveness and impact Design and oversee integrated MEL and analytics systems, dashboards, automated workflows, and reporting tools Introduce innovative approaches, including workflow automation, AI-assisted analysis, and predictive analytics where appropriate Ensure data systems are scalable, secure, and aligned with donor and program requirements Donor Reporting & Evaluation & Learning Lead preparation of analytical reports and performance updates for the U.S. Department of State and other stakeholders Ensure all reporting is technically sound, policy-relevant, and defensible Design and oversee evaluations, research initiatives, and learning activities to support program adaptation and future planning Present findings to senior audiences, including donors, embassies, and partner institutions Contribute to external communications that position WSE as a leader in evidence-based programming Team Leadership & Data Governance Provide technical leadership and mentorship to MEL staff, including strengthening analytical and critical thinking skills Strengthen organizational capacity in data quality assurance, evidence-based decision-making, and data interpretation Establish protocols for data quality, validation, governance, confidentiality, and compliance across program systems Ensure alignment with U.S. Government standards and best practices related to data integrity and reporting Supervise and provide technical leadership and mentorship to the MEL team

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in applicable field or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Ten years of related experience.
• Knowledge of word processing and spreadsheet applications.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong public speaking, organizational, leadership, and supervisory skills.
• Maintains attention to detail and utilizes sound judgment.
• Ability to multitask and work cooperatively with others.

Nice To Haves

• Advanced degree (Master’s or PhD) in Monitoring & Evaluation, Economics, Sociology, Data Science, Statistics, or related field.
• 12–15 years of progressively senior experience in MEL, research, analytics, or evidence generation within international development programs.
• Demonstrated leadership experience managing MEL, analytics, or research functions for large, complex, multi-country programs.
• Proven experience leading strategic analytics, evaluations, learning agendas, or evidence-generation initiatives across geographically dispersed portfolios.
• Extensive experience working with U.S. Government donor frameworks, including the U.S. Department of State and/or USAID.
• Demonstrated field office experience supporting programs in Afghanistan or similarly fragile, conflict-affected, or politically sensitive operating environments.
• Proven experience overseeing complex data ecosystems, longitudinal analyses, and large-scale performance systems.
• Experience in education, women’s empowerment, workforce development, or scholarship programming.
• Experience working across multiple countries or regions required.
• Technical expertise, leadership, and communication.
• Advanced skills in quantitative and qualitative research methodologies.
• Demonstrated expertise designing, managing, and optimizing integrated MEL and analytics systems for complex international programs.
• Ability to operate independently in fast-paced, high-pressure, and highly sensitive international development environments required.
• Strong experience in data analysis, visualization, and interpretation.
• Demonstrated experience designing and managing MEL/data systems.
• Experience integrating digital tools, automation, or AI into data workflows strongly preferred.
• Ability to synthesize complex data into clear, actionable insights for non-technical audiences.
• Strong experience advising senior leadership and influencing strategic decision-making.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Demonstrated ability to present complex findings to high-level stakeholders.
• Proven experience mentoring and building capacity of technical staff.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Evidence & Learning Leadership: Lead WSE’s transition from traditional MEL toward a strategic evidence, learning, and analytics function.
• Advise senior leadership on program performance, emerging risks, and strategic decision-making using data-driven insights.
• Develop frameworks linking scholarship outputs to long-term outcomes, including employment, leadership, and self-sufficiency.
• Establish and operationalize a program-wide learning agenda.
• Data Analytics, Systems & Innovation: Lead quantitative and qualitative analysis across multi-country student cohorts and institutional partners.
• Conduct longitudinal and cohort-based analyses to assess program effectiveness and impact.
• Design and oversee integrated MEL and analytics systems, dashboards, automated workflows, and reporting tools.
• Introduce innovative approaches, including workflow automation, AI-assisted analysis, and predictive analytics where appropriate.
• Ensure data systems are scalable, secure, and aligned with donor and program requirements.
• Donor Reporting & Evaluation & Learning: Lead preparation of analytical reports and performance updates for the U.S. Department of State and other stakeholders.
• Ensure all reporting is technically sound, policy-relevant, and defensible.
• Design and oversee evaluations, research initiatives, and learning activities to support program adaptation and future planning.
• Present findings to senior audiences, including donors, embassies, and partner institutions.
• Contribute to external communications that position WSE as a leader in evidence-based programming.
• Team Leadership & Data Governance: Provide technical leadership and mentorship to MEL staff, including strengthening analytical and critical thinking skills.
• Strengthen organizational capacity in data quality assurance, evidence-based decision-making, and data interpretation.
• Establish protocols for data quality, validation, governance, confidentiality, and compliance across program systems.
• Ensure alignment with U.S. Government standards and best practices related to data integrity and reporting.
• Supervise and provide technical leadership and mentorship to the MEL team.

Benefits

• Health, dental, vision, life and long-term disability insurance with Texas A&M AgriLife contributing to employee health and basic life premiums
• 12-15 days of annual paid holidays
• Up to eight hours of paid sick leave and at least eight hours of paid vacation each month
• Automatic enrollment in the Teacher Retirement System of Texas
• Employee Wellness Initiative for Texas A&M AgriLife

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior