Chemonics International seeks interested and qualified individuals for the L Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Director position for the anticipated USAID-funded Global Health Security (GHS) Activity in Guatemala. USAID GHS programs provide targeted technical support to key actors and entities of partner countries, with the objective of strengthening the country’s health system and enhancing human resource capabilities. The goal of this Activity is to build Guatemala’s resilience and self-reliance to effectively prevent, mitigate, and respond to the health and economic impacts of emerging infectious disease pandemics.

The MERL Director will be a key member of the technical leadership team, making significant contributions to thought leadership and providing strategic oversight of the project’s monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning portfolio. This position is responsible for ensuring that the project’s activities effectively contribute to improving learning and data and evidence generation, synthesis, and utilization to strengthen public health policies and practice.

The position is anticipated to be based in in Guatemala City, Guatemala. We are looking for individuals who have a passion for making a difference in the lives of people around the world. Please note that hiring for this position is contingent upon the contract’s future award to Chemonics International.

Responsibilities include:

• Provide leadership and oversight of MERL activities including routine process monitoring, data collection, data analysis, data quality, timeliness, and reporting;
• Ensure MERL systems support the GHS activity in line with USAID’s Collaboration, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) principles and that real-time monitoring and learning is integrated back into strategy and implementation;
• Lead the design and operation of the program’s conflict-sensitive Activity Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plan (AMELP);
• Ensure standardization of MERL systems across the project indicators, data collection, and reporting;
• Oversee the collection of and reporting on program management, output, and outcome indicators;
• Collaborate with the Local Capacity Strengthening Director to strengthen capacity of regional and local organizations to conduct their own MERL activities;
• Ensure the creation and dissemination of program learning, products, and results of collaboration that improve implementation approaches with the broader community through strategic communication;
• Lead Pause and Reflect sessions where MERL processes and procedures will be reviewed;
• Coordinate closely with the Chief of Party and Finance Director to ensure that MERL activities are coordinated and aligned with program goals and budget; and
• Performs other duties and responsibilities as required.

Required Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in evaluation research, statistics, data analytics, project management, public health, international development, or a related discipline required; master’s degree preferred;
• Minimum eight years of experience designing and implementing MERL strategies with a focus on resilience indicators for large or similar donor-funded programs in Central America; experience in Guatemala preferred;
• Proven track record of developing and managing USAID-compliant MERL plans and experience with CLA and adaptive learning approaches;
• Technical expertise in program monitoring and evaluation using mixed methods, preferably with experience in developing monitoring plans and context monitoring plans and indicators;
• Experience in utilizing digital solutions for data collection and analysis preferred;
• Experience working in a leadership role and engaging with a diverse set of stakeholders;
• Excellent communication, presentation, and writing skills in both English and Spanish required;
• Demonstrated leadership, versatility, and integrity; and
• Ability to live and work in Guatemala City, Guatemala, with travel to the Guatemalan departments as required.