Based in Kathmandu Nepal, the mid-level CLA Specialist will provide fast, flexible, and demand-driven CLA services fully integrated into the broader MEL efforts. They will work closely with USAID staff and local partners on a range of activities, including systems thinking, learning agenda design and implementation, stakeholder coordination, knowledge management, and integrated support to evaluations, data analytics, strategic communication on MEL outputs. Nepali citizenship required.  

Note: This position is contingent upon donor award.

Responsibilities:

• Work with the CLA Advisor to implement CLA and associated MEL activities;

• Contribute to the improvement of CLA within USAID/Nepal to ensure interventions are coordinated, grounded in evidence, and adjusted as necessary to remain relevant and effective throughout implementation;

• Support the Mission in developing a formal CLA Plan, project reviews/learning engagements, CLA capacity building for field office staff, and regular reporting requirements;

• Support organization and facilitation of semi-annual project reviews with implementing partners (IPs), Mission learning workshop, evaluation follow-ups, and other learning events;

• Provide guidance and assistance on mid-term and final performance evaluations, impact evaluations, whole-of-project evaluations, etc. to support evidence utilization;

• Produce and/or contribute timely inputs toward quality reports and deliverables for final evaluations, assessments, and research reports; MEL training materials; information dissemination; and a capacity building plan;

• Strengthen coordination, collaboration, and synergies with the Mission and with other key stakeholders regarding performance management, program interventions, MEL, and lessons learned; 

• Contribute to the development of strategic communications that highlight evidence and learnings from USAID/Nepal’s development portfolio; and, 

• Help develop the capacity of local MEL firms in Nepal for sustainable local CLA and MEL engagement.

Qualifications:

• Nepali citizenship required;

• Bachelor rsquo;s degree or higher in international development, research methods, political science, public policy, social science, communication, evaluation, or a related field;

• At least five (5) years of work experience with a Bachelor’s degree or three (3) years of experience with a Master’s degree in managing learning or MEL related activities; 

• At least three years’ experience in one or more of the following sectors: economic development, energy, water resource management, environment, democracy, human rights, governance, population and family health, education, youth, gender, geographic information systems (GIS), management information systems (MIS), etc;

• Ability to synthesize and present complex concepts to a non-technical audience;

• Clear oral and written communication skills in English;

• Excellent project management skills and team management skills;

• Excellent facilitation and interpersonal skills and ability to work with people from different cultures

• Strong and demonstrated commitment to international development and capacity development; and,

• Prior experience with USAID activities and policies related to evaluation, performance management, and CLA frameworks.

• Bachelor degree or higher in international development, research methods, political science, public policy, social science, communication, evaluation, or a related field.