The Senior Director of Evaluation will be a seasoned evaluator responsible for the development and roll-out of monitoring and evaluation policies, systems and tools for Save the Children US Programs (USP) and strengthening the quality of USP's monitoring and evaluation function through the development of comprehensive evaluation and research designs. This position is responsible for the overall monitoring and evaluation of all domestic thematic areas: early childhood (including Head Start programs), literacy, psycho-social, community preparedness and community engagement and will be the lead in all areas of evaluation including: research design and analyses; documenting impact and program operations; and the design and implementation of performance monitoring plans and evaluations. S/he will provide expert advice and guidance on issues related to monitoring, evaluation and research including: providing technical assistance to the domestic Program Leadership Team's evidence generation and learning related to core programs and place-based strategy; providing support to proposal development teams by identifying areas for rigorous monitoring & evaluation that will help to fill gaps in knowledge, helping to develop results/logical frameworks and preliminary monitoring & evaluation plans; providing oversight and management of contracted third party evaluators; providing technical assistance to mid-term and final evaluations, operational research, impact evaluations and reviewing statements of work. In collaboration with USP staff, s/he will contribute to technical forums related to program monitoring, evaluation and research, both internal and external to Save the Children. S/he will have a track record of success in research and evaluation, as well as established national networks and thought leadership recognition. S/he will have experience coaching and leading teams, preferably in a nonprofit or academic environment. Finally, s/he will be deeply committed to Save the Children's core values and principles, including commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Technical Guidance and Capacity Strengthening (70%)
- Lead the development of evaluation and research designs including formative and summative research, quantitative and qualitative research, database management and statistical analysis for our core programs and community-wide initiatives;
- Oversee the development of evaluation sections for new proposals and the reporting of evaluation progress/results;
- Lead a team of staff and third-party evaluators to analyze the data collected from different programs through identified systems and other sources and provide timely feedback to program teams; and develop documentation and reports on findings, results and learnings;
- Lead or co-lead technical assistance to put in place evaluation and research plans that will provide data necessary for improved program and project quality and impact;
- Lead the development of and roll-out of strategies for strengthening monitoring, evaluation and learning capacities;
- Identify tools and resources for promoting best practices in evaluation, research and monitoring both within and outside USP, and/or contribute to the development of new tools and resources where gaps exist;
- Provide day to day oversight and management of USP evaluation staff and external third party evaluation contractors;
Evaluation Communication Efforts (15%)
- Support the communications team with their data base and analytical needs by providing data and reports;
- Lead the development of publications, briefs, white papers, presentations, and reports to stakeholders including donors;
- Take a lead role in continuing to improve the quality and visibility of reported results including assistance in data analysis and dissemination efforts;
Contribute to Save the Children's external profile as a thought leader (15%)
- Represent SCUS in internal and external MEAL networks;
- Conduct external presentations in on Save the Children's evidence generation and impact for children;
- Contribute to the incorporation of lessons learned into organizational planning, monitoring, evaluation and reporting;
- Build linkages across Save the Children and other agencies and networks on issues pertaining to evaluation and research
- A Bachelor Degree required. Master's in a relevant social science field preferred.
- Minimum 10-15 years of relevant experience with progressive responsibilities in program and or project monitoring and evaluation.
- Extensive experience in mixed-methods evaluation and have content expertise in youth or community development, place-based initiatives, community health initiatives, early childhood education, literacy, and/or health and human services systems.
- Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills required, including but not limited to study design, survey instrument design and use, sampling, data analysis plans, data cleaning, statistical analysis and presenting, reporting and communicating results;
- Experience working with multiple program models and in diverse contexts on monitoring and evaluation issues;
- Demonstrated communication, networking and teamwork skills;
- Ability to travel 25 -35% of the time
- Knowledge of and experience with a range of both qualitative and quantitative monitoring and evaluation tools and techniques;
- Strong training skills, including a demonstrated ability to facilitate workshops and build capacity;
- Demonstrated experience in design, monitoring and evaluation of educational, community engagement and psychosocial activities and programming;
- Strong analytical ability, especially related to problem solving and systems thinking Solid background in sampling, data collection techniques, programming database systems (Excel and Access) and statistical analyses (STATA);
- Excellent interpersonal and cross-cultural skills, with a demonstrated ability to work successfully with colleagues at different levels within an organization and community partners;
- Fluent oral and written English skills required. Bilingual Spanish/English language skills would be a plus.
Save the Children provides an attractive benefits package including competitive salaries, a matching retirement plan, health and welfare benefits, life insurance, an employee assistance program, generous time off and much more. We provide equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, ancestry, sexual orientation, national origin, age, handicap, disability, marital status, or status as a veteran. Save the Children complies with all applicable laws.
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor’s legal duty to furnish information.