Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Officer

General Summary/Background

The USAID Higher Education Development Support is a five-year initiative (September 2023 – September 2028) supporting the leadership of the Ministry of Higher Education and Training (MOET) in strengthening management and governance of the Vietnamese higher education system through a program of demand-driven technical assistance. HEDS also supports MOET in advancing digital transformation (DX) of the higher education sector and facilitates technical assistance partnerships between U.S. and select Vietnamese Universities (VU) to internationalize selected science and technology-related programs supporting Vietnam’s participation in fourth industrial revolution (1R 4.0) industries including semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), biotechnology, green energy, automation/robotics, and cybersecurity, and supporting the enhancement of teaching of technology-related law at the undergraduate level. Additionally, the Partnership for Higher Education Reform (PHER) activity (2024-2026) supports Vietnam National University in Hanoi, Vietnam National University in Ho Chi Minh City, and University of Danang to actualize their desire to become world-class institutions, This goal of this assistance is to help Vietnam develop a system to produce the human resources and scientific expertise to realize its ambitious socioeconomic development goals.

Principal Duties And Responsibilities

Under the supervision of Chief of Party and in consultation with other HEDS staff, especially Communications officer, the MEL Officer will be responsible for the following:

• Lead the development and periodic revision/refinement of the HEDS activity monitoring, evaluating, and learning plan (AMELP), including developing data collection tools and templates, and conducting data collection and documentation.
• Provide input into structuring project data collection and management systems to ensure that all project staff can accurately and comprehensively report on activities;
• Coordinate MEL, knowledge management (KM) and collaborating, learning and adapting (CLA) efforts of HEDS; compile and communicate project outputs and results.
• Lead monitoring of project implementation progress and provide guidance and solutions for emerging issues on project progress.
• Lead and conduct data collection and analysis including on project progress on targets and deliverables, working closely with the Component Leads and beneficiary universities of the project in Vietnam.
• Assist in compilation of success stories, lessons learned and best practices.
• Develop the project database system including trainee and beneficiary databases, and coordinate with project staff to ensure the flow of reporting data from MOET and the beneficiary universities of the project in Vietnam.
• Design and conduct baseline and end-line surveys with the stakeholders and beneficiaries, as required by certain performance indicators.
• Conduct periodic internal data quality assessment; collect and review evidence for indicator reporting data.
• Coordinate reporting of data by multiple subcontractors across the HEDS and PHER activities: establish reporting standards and procedures for external partners, enter data into proprietary systems and ensure data integrity and quality.
• Coordinate learning events and manage the knowledge sharing resources in the project system.
• Update MELP, data collection forms, and guidelines; provide training for project staff and partners.
• Supervise the communications officer on a day-to-day basis.
• Provide support to regular and ad hoc reporting, portfolio reviews, quarterly and annual progress reports, and others as may be required.
• Other appropriate tasks assigned by COP.
  
  

Qualifications: 

To perform this job successfully, the individual must be able to perform each essential duty and responsibility satisfactorily. The qualifications listed below are representative of the required knowledge, skills, and/or abilities needed to perform the principal duties.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (minimum) in Education, Management, Social Sciences, or a other related field.
• Expertise in MEL, KM and CLA for donor-funded projects, specifically USAID projects, with a focus on adaptive management and using project and activity MEL data to adapt programming.
• Working knowledge of USAID policies and guidelines, particularly related to designing and implementing MEL, CLA and KM activities.
• Experience with planning for and resourcing learning activities and processes appropriately.
• Experience and expertise in facilitating multi-stakeholder collaboration.
• Strong interpersonal, team building and management skills.
• Fluency; excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and Vietnamese.
• Gender integration and/or social inclusion expertise.
• Experience supervising 1-3 staff members and/or 3 or more long-term consultants.
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in higher education institutional capacity development, including in governance and/or implementing education technology and digitalization.
• Knowledge of and experience with Vietnam’s higher education management system and related indicators in Vietnam.
• Strong network with higher education institutions and experts in the field in Vietnam
  
  

Application Instructions

• Only Vietnamese citizens residing in or willing to relocate to Hanoi are eligible for this position.
• Interested candidates are invited to submit their Cover letter and CV to VietnamHEDSRecruitment@chemonics.com with the subject line: “MEL Officer – [Your name].”
• Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. Chemonics prioritizes the protection of your personal data.
• The deadline for applications is 16th December 2024
  
  

Chemonics is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer and does not discriminate in its selection and employment practices. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, disability, protected veteran status, genetic information, age, or other legally protected characteristics.