Measurement, Evaluation, Research and Learning Lead

Who We Are

International Justice Mission (IJM) is the global leader in protecting vulnerable people from violence around the world.

International Justice Mission (IJM) has implemented a collaborative approach to combating violence against those vulnerable for the last 23 years in 20 field offices around the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, collecting international best practices in tackling human trafficking. The capacity building model of criminal justice system transformation implemented by IJM includes individual support for survivors, support for government initiatives and jointly proposing policy changes to strengthen criminal justice systems (CJS) to respond effectively to human trafficking.

The Need

For 25 years, IJM has pioneered the work to protect vulnerable people from violence. 9 out of 9 times in the last decade, IJM’s Justice System Strengthening Projects have reduced slavery and violence between 50 and 85% for very large populations of people in poverty. As we grow to expand our impact to protect 500 million people from violence by 2030, we are seeking a Measurement, Evaluation, Research and Learning Lead (MERL).

Position Overview:

Context & Job Brief:

International Justice Mission (IJM) has implemented a collaborative approach to combating violence against those vulnerable for the last 30 years in 31 program offices around the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe, North and South America, collecting international best practices in tackling human trafficking. The capacity building model of criminal justice system transformation implemented by IJM includes individual support for survivors, support for government initiatives and jointly proposing policy changes to strengthen criminal justice systems (CJS) to respond effectively to human trafficking.

IJM wants to identify a Measurement, Evaluation, Research and Learning Lead (MERL) to support development of a strong MERL framework for the European Anti-Trafficking Program, support ongoing M&E processes across multiple projects and lay the groundwork for the baseline study on the prevalence of human trafficking in Europe.

The position will also work with field office (FO) teams, government and NGO partners in developing their capacity on M&E and will contribute to the continuous improvement of indicators, definitions, standardized tools, methods and guidelines for implementation and data quality assurance. The position will also lead on the evaluation of the European Anti-Trafficking Program (EATP) and provide routine updates to EATP leadership European leaders.

Roles and Responsibilities:

Development & Implementation of MERL plan

• Conduct data collection with relevant program staff and partner’s staff by sharing forms or templates with partners, data collection and data saving.
• Conduct data verifications and cleaning through working together with the data collection team from staff and partners.
• Analyze data and produce high-quality reports that highlight key findings, trends, and recommendations for program improvement. Communicate results through data visualizations and reports.
• Ensure that evaluation findings and lessons learned are utilized to inform adaptive management and decision-making.
• Collect and document case study, lessons learned, champion the scaling up best practices and conduct beneficiary tracking.
• Evaluate indicators to identify potential trends through data analysis and reviews of existing external metrics, literature, and stakeholder views.
• Conduct field visits for data validation and to monitor the quality and completeness of data sets and implementation; coordinate data collection at project sites to monitor program development and ensure timely compilation and reporting of data.
• After monitoring visit, compile monitoring findings and prepare reports to share with respective project/program focal and line Manager.
• Provide guidance and information/data to support the preparation and submission of donor reports.
• Initiate and coordinate studies and evaluations by external consultants related to project baseline/end line and evaluations by supporting the hiring process, overseeing quality and disseminating/sharing results.
• Develop the overall framework for project M&E systems in collaboration with project staff, including requirements, reporting; develop and monitor project implementation plans to systematically document performance.
• Maintain existing indicator tracking tools; develop additional databases and tracking tools as needed to demonstrate the effectiveness of project interventions. Generate indicator reports for tracking progress against key indicators as needed.

Networking & Partnership:

• Establish, develop and maintain relationships with FO teams and partner NGOs.
• Foster coordination and collaboration with relevant stakeholders, including government authorities, UN agencies, NGOs, and implementing partners, to enhance MERL practices. Participate in MERL-related coordination mechanisms, working groups, and networks.
• Conduct quarterly programme performance reviews and learning sessions with programme staff and other stakeholders and monitor implementation of actions.
• Generate organizational learning from monitoring and evaluation activities, document lessons learnt/case studies and share learning with potential audiences and users -both internal and external to promote and replicate best practices.
• Promote a culture of learning and knowledge sharing. Ensure the documentation and dissemination of lessons learned, good practices, and innovative approaches.
• Package programme information in various ways for use in external engagement and fund raising. Communicate technical findings to relevant European policy makers and funders.
• Secure acceptance of global metrics among academia, industry experts, and other influential audiences

Training and Development:

• Train or coordinate training of relevant staff on all aspects of the indicators and their implementation, including use of tools, sampling methods, data management, and appropriate data analysis/interpretation.
• Contribute to training on MERL and other topics, as needed to ensure alignment with standardized indicators project.
• Directly support staff and partners for any capacity on using M&E tools for data collection.
• Review and help maintain data integrity and consistency in multiple systems by programme teams and partner NGOs.

Policies and Procedures:

• Develop and update/maintain all processes, standards, guidance, and tools necessary to collect, analyze, and interpret standardized indicators in European offices.
• Provide technical input on standardized indicator data security, documentation, management, and disposal practices, in line with relevant policies and guidelines.
• Review broader MERL and other policies and standards to ensure alignment with standardized indicators.
• Guide staffs in developing evidence-based strategic policy documents that informs their workplans.

Education & Experience:

• Master’s degree in International Development, Evaluation, Anthropology, Social Sciences, Public Policy, Data Science, Applied Statistics or Analytics;
• Extensive experience and expertise in program design and a strong understanding of MERL methods;
• At least 3 years of specialist or senior level support development programs in Europe preferably on advocacy, accountability, justice and governance programs;
• Professional certificate in MERL is an advantage;
• Membership of a professional society on MERL in Europe/US is an advantage;
• Experience with data analysis and data mining is an advantage.

Technical Competencies:

• Analytical and critical thinking skills (ability and experience to work with missing data)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills (including both strong scientific writing skills and for lay audiences)
• Expertise in monitoring and evaluation of global or organizational datasets
• Expertise in the design, development, testing, validation, and use of indicators and data collection tools
• Expertise in statistical analysis software (such as Stata, SPSS, SAS, R, or NVivo) and associated descriptive, prescriptive, and predictive analytics techniques
• Expertise in all areas of quantitative and qualitative methodologies (including sampling, implementation guidance and oversight, data collection and analysis ethical approvals and procedures, as well as quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques)
• Expertise in staff training and management and change management around MERL/data-related initiatives
• Expertise in the data visualization and the design, creation, and promotion of data products (e.g., dashboards, technical reports, data briefs, and presentations)

Non-Technical Competencies:

• Team player and team oriented across multi-disciplinary teams
• Demonstrates servant leadership and the values of IJM
• High levels of self-motivation and personal initiative
• History of building effective intra-organizational alliances
• Creative and energetic problem solver
• Extremely high levels of honesty and integrity
• Ability to work well under stress and deadline pressures with a sustained positive attitude
• Attention to detail; organized and disciplined with priorities
• Passionate to combat human trafficking, rescue victims and hold offenders accountable
• Exceptional collaborator with diverse teams from various backgrounds – including technical and non-technical staff
• Exceptional negotiation, problem-solving, and stakeholder management skills

Requirements:

• Full-time
• Ability to travel within Romania and Europe

Supervisory:

• This position reports directly to Program Manager.

This position is based in Bucharest, Romania and is available to be hybrid (onsite Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays) and remote Monday and Wednesday.

This position requires the right to work in Romania.

Other Duties:

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties, or responsibilities for the position. Please submit a cover letter indicating why you are interested in the position along with a current CV to romania@ijm.org Renumeration will be competitive and commensurate with experience. Applications will be received on a rolling basis and until the position is filled. It is anticipated that initial short lists will be developed within two weeks of publishing this notice. The advertisement will remain open until the position is filled.

Application Process:

Please submit Resume/CV, Cover Letter, in one document to romania@ijm.org

What does IJM have to offer?

• Comprehensive Medical Service Plan
• 24 days paid leave
• Daily, quarterly, and annual community spiritual formation
• Robust staff care resources

IJM holds strict safeguarding principles and a zero tolerance to violations of the Safeguarding Policy, Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy, and Code of Conduct. Parallel to technical competence, recruitment, selection, and hiring decisions will give due emphasis to assessing the candidates value congruence and thorough background, police clearance, and reference check processes.