Monitoring, Evaluation, Results and Learning (MERL) Director, Feed the Future Sylhet Agricultural Development Project

Abt Global

Dhaka or Sylhet, Bangladesh

The Opportunity:

Abt Global is seeking a Monitoring, Evaluation, Results, and Learning (MERL) Director to lead the MERL components of an anticipated $25M - $50M USAID Feed the Future Sylhet Agricultural Development Project. The MERL Director will ensure the effective collection, analysis, and use of data to monitor project performance, guide adaptive management, and demonstrate project impacts. This position requires expertise in developing and implementing M&E systems, data management, and using learning approaches to improve project outcomes.

The MERL Director will ensure that data-driven insights inform project implementation and that the project meets USAID’s rigorous reporting requirements. The position will foster a culture of collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA), ensuring the project continually evolves based on data and lessons learned.

Core Responsibilities:

MERL System Design and Management:

Lead the development and implementation of the project’s Monitoring, Evaluation, Results, and Learning plan, ensuring alignment with USAID’s objectives and Feed the Future indicators.
Develop tools and processes for data collection, verification, and analysis across all project components, including baseline assessments, midline reviews, and endline evaluations.
Ensure timely and accurate data reporting for USAID, including through USAID’s Development Information Solution (DIS) and Development Data Library (DDL) platforms.
Oversee the design and implementation of internal evaluations and research activities to assess the project’s impact on agricultural productivity, climate resilience, and nutrition-sensitive interventions.

Data Collection and Analysis:

Supervise the collection, verification, and analysis of quantitative and qualitative data, ensuring it meets USAID’s data quality standards (DQA).
Work closely with project staff and implementing partners to ensure accurate and timely data collection from the field, including the use of mobile data collection technologies.
Develop data visualization tools, such as charts and tables, to facilitate data interpretation and communication of project results to USAID, partners, and stakeholders.

Learning and Adaptation:

Lead the project’s Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) initiatives, ensuring that project teams continuously learn from data and adapt their strategies and approaches to maximize impact.
Facilitate “Pause and Reflect” sessions to review progress, capture learning, and recommend adjustments to project implementation strategies.
Promote a culture of data-driven decision-making, ensuring that M&E data is used to improve performance and inform future interventions.

Capacity Building:

Build the capacity of project staff, implementing partners, and local stakeholders in M&E best practices, data collection methods, and the use of M&E tools and systems.
Provide ongoing mentorship and support to project teams to enhance their understanding of M&E systems and ensure high-quality data collection and reporting.

Compliance and Reporting:

Ensure that all M&E activities comply with USAID rules, regulations, and standards for monitoring, evaluation, and learning.
Oversee the timely submission of high-quality performance reports to USAID, including quarterly, annual, and final reports, highlighting key achievements and lessons learned.
Ensure gender and social inclusion considerations are integrated into all M&E processes, capturing data that reflects the impact of the project on marginalized groups.

What We Value:

Master’s degree in social sciences, statistics, economics, public health, agricultural development, or a related field. Specialized training or certification in monitoring, evaluation, and learning is highly desirable.
At least 10 years of professional experience designing, managing, and implementing complex M&E systems for international development projects, preferably with USAID-funded projects.
Demonstrated experience managing large M&E databases, conducting data analysis, and developing performance reports.
Familiarity with USAID’s M&E frameworks, Feed the Future indicators, and reporting requirements is essential.
Familiarity with USAID’s Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) framework and experience implementing iterative learning processes in development projects.
Expertise in gender and social inclusion monitoring and the ability to integrate these considerations into M&E activities.
Experience in mobile data collection and management systems (such as Power BI, SQL databases, etc.) is preferred.
Proven ability to design and implement data collection tools, including surveys and participatory research methods.
Strong technical skills in quantitative and qualitative data analysis, including proficiency in statistical software (e.g., SPSS, Stata, R) and database management.
Experience in using M&E data to inform program design, adaptive management, and learning initiatives.
Strong facilitation and training skills, with the ability to build the capacity of local teams and partners in M&E practices.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English; fluency in Bangla preferred.
Experience with Feed the Future programming and agricultural productivity challenges in Bangladesh, particularly in Sylhet.