Senior MEL Specialist

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. 
Location Preference is for someone based in the Washington, DC metro area, but remote work within the US is possible. You must be legally authorized to work in the US. Bixal does not provide visa sponsorship. 
What Will You Do? The Senior Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Specialist will support Bixal's growing MEL practice, providing technical and financial oversight toa portfolio of projects, collaborating with other international and US-focused practices, and contributing to the development of new business. This is a full-time position. Major tasks are described below, and other responsibilities may be assigned as needed. 
Responsibilities

Project Oversight and Management: 70%

• Lead a portfolio of projects in the international sector focused on MEL, and complete people plans and monthly health checks using Bixal systems. 
• Provide technical direction to project teams that ensures technical quality of MEL project processes and deliverables. 
• Serve as an initial point of escalation for project issues, including responding to clients, resolving issues, and solving problems,under the guidance of a MEL Director; use good judgment to determine when escalation to a Director/Sr. Director is merited. 
• Supervise junior-level team members, including MEL Specialists and Program Managers, with feedback and support from MEL Directors.  

Corporate Initiatives: 15%

• Support MEL Directors and the Senior Practice Director in the continued adaptation and implementation of Bixal’s MEL strategy and vision. 
• Support technical initiatives to systematize quality across the organization and support the roll-out of standard approaches. 
• Represent the company to donors, partners, and collaborators to advance the interests of the company. 
• Support the development and delivery of MEL trainings and contribute to Bixal’s MEL Community of Practice. 

Business Development: 15%

• Support capture research, organization of contextual data, and strategic planning for new business opportunities to expand Bixal’s presence within the international MEL sector. 
• Collaborate with Bixal’s business development team on recruitment efforts, including review of job descriptions, assessment of applicant CVs, and leading technical interviews.. 
• Lead proposal solutioning, technical writing and content creation, with support from MEL Directors and relevant subject matter experts within Bixal. 
• Review teaming agreements prepared by Bixal’s business development team and ensure scope of work is clear, accurate, and specific. 

Qualifications

• Masters Degree.
• 8 years progressive experience in similar roles.  
• Proven skills in MEL to support international development projects. 
• Demonstrated experience with innovative MEL approaches, such as complexity aware monitoring, participatory approaches, or developmental evaluation.  
• Experience managing a diverse and dispersed team, including consultants and local partners based outside of the US. 
• Demonstrated experience writing deliverables for clients.
• Business development experience including drafting proposal sections, supporting teaming and recruitment, as well as collating cost data required for budgeting.  
• Passion for using cutting edge technology for MEL. 
• An understanding of USAID operations, as well as their program cycle and the CLA framework.
• Contract and budget management experience. 
• Ability to travel at least 15%. 

Nice to Haves

• Language proficiency in French or Spanish strongly preferred. 
• Sectoral expertise in international development, such as Agriculture and Food Security; Democracy, Human Rights and Governance; Economic Growth and Trade; Education; Environment; Gender Equality and Women's Empowerment; Global Health; Technology for Development; Nutrition; and/or Water and Sanitation. 
• Knowledge of other USG, non-profit, or foundation clients is helpful. 

Perks &a