MEL Lead, USAID Data Ecosystems for Development in Education (DECODE)

Who we areBixal is a mission-driven, woman-owned small business determined to improve people's lives through human-centered strategies and transformative technologies, with a firm belief that everyone has the right to an effective government.   We deliver on this belief by partnering with leading Federal agencies to design, develop, and deliver powerful customer experiences through holistic digital product solutions and strategic communications initiatives––bringing a high standard and unique creative energy to our clients––and our wonderfully diverse culture is what makes it all possible.   Bixal unites different people with different perspectives from all over the world! We provide our team with an open and empowered environment where collaboration thrives and solutions flourish. 
LocationThis role will be located in the Washington, DC metropolitan area.
What will you do?Bixal seeks a MEL Lead candidate for the upcoming USAID Data Ecosystems for Development in Education (DECODE) Project, under USAID’s Bureau for Development, Democracy, and Innovation (DDI) Center for Education. This is an exciting opportunity to strengthen USAID’s education sector reporting and decision-making through improved access to, use, and integration of data and evidence at all levels (local/national, regional, global). The project will improve data quality and management, develop products to incorporate secondary evidence, and amplify learning from secondary data.The MEL Lead will be responsible for the improvement of data quality and management at all levels. They will provide technical leadership to strengthen monitoring, tracking and reporting systems for tracking education progress at USAID/Washington, at Missions, and at local partner organizations. The MEL Lead will also support efforts to strengthen the capacity of USAID Implementing Partners in monitoring and reporting.
Important noteThis is a full-time proposal position contingent on contract award.

Responsibilities:

• Provide technical leadership to support the development and implementation of innovative data management techniques.
• Lead the design and implementation of monitoring system(s) to strengthen tracking and reporting on progress towards USAID/USG education goals and priorities.
• Maintain and manage data in the Center’s Education Activity Roster and from the Performance Plan and Report (PPR) process.
• Improve the quality of data as defined by USAID’s data quality standards.
• Strengthen indicators, indicator measurement approaches, and tools such as the Workforce Outcomes Reporting Questionnaire (WORQ) and the Early Grade Reading Assessment (EGRA).
• Strengthen the collection, analysis, and reporting of cost data.
• Support reporting, and use of data for decision-making.
• Conduct and report Data Quality Assessments (DQA).
• Provide technical assistance and capacity strengthening to Implementing Partners to develop indicators, use standard indicators, and report to USAID.
• Incorporate USAID principles and guiding practices for data management, data quality, and secondary data development.

Qualifications:

• Master’s degree in relevant field (i.e., data analytics, statistics, public administration, economics, international development)
• Minimum 10 years of experience in performance monitoring, data management, analysis and reporting on international development programs, preferably in the education sector.
• At least 5 years of experience in the design and implementation of performance tracking systems or monitoring processes of large, complex development activities in the education sector.
• Proficiency with both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis methodologies and monitoring best practices. 
• Experience designing and/or facilitating trainings in monitoring, data management and analysis.
• Demonstrated experience working on USAID-funded programs in the education sector.
• Strong familiarity with the education data ecosystem.
• Demonstrated knowledge of USAID’s data quality standards.
• Excellent interpersonal, and organizational skills.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English. 

Nice to Haves:

• Previous experience as a MEL Lead on a USAID-funded program.
• 2+ experience working in a developing country. 

Perks & benefitsCompetitive base salaryFlex hoursWork from home flexibility401K with matching incentiveParental LeaveMedical/dental/vision benefitsFlex Spending AccountCompany provided short-term disabilityCompany provided life insuranceCommuter benefitsGenerous PTO11 Paid holidaysProfessional development opportunitiesNew business referral bonus
Bixal is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. It ensures equal employment opportunity without discriminatio