Habitat for Humanity International (HFHI) seeks to work across the U.S. network to build a strong outcomes evidence base, demonstrating through rigorous impact measurement and research the power of improved housing conditions and strong communities to create lasting change for those we serve. Moreover, Habitat seeks to invest in understanding and sharing evidence-based practices across its network. Through its investments in measurement and research, Habitat will be equipped with powerful data to better advocate and improve housing conditions for the communities we serve. The MEAL Specialist is a critical position on the newly-formed U.S. Research and Measurement Team.
Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) emphasizes the use of evidence for decision making and continuous improvement throughout the program cycle. It focuses on measuring and demonstrating impact; being accountable to ourselves, donors, partners, and especially beneficiaries; and ensures and increases program quality.
The MEAL Specialist provides technical assistance to HFHI staff on MEAL-related matters throughout the project life cycle from designing logic models to program evaluation for U.S. programs.
In FY20, the MEAL Specialist will provide technical assistance as needed and lead the definition of processes, procedures, and standards for how and when HFHI teams engage with the U.S. Research and Measurement Team for technical assistance in collaboration with diverse stakeholders including the Global Research and MEAL Director, U.S. Office Leadership, and the Global Compliance and Donor Reporting Team.
More broadly, and over time, the role will also transition to support outcomes measurement in the U.S., including defining the approach to providing broader technical support for MEAL to U.S. affiliates.
- Develop processes, procedures, and standards for MEAL in the U.S., including how HFHI teams engage with U.S. Research and Measurement Team for technical assistance, in collaboration with broader Global Research and MEAL team
- Develop MEAL training materials and resources aligned with Global MEAL approach and deliver trainings to U.S. staff
- Provide technical support on developing logic models, logical frameworks, baseline assessments, and other MEAL processes
- Support the integration of Accountability to Beneficiaries/People Centered Development in U.S. programming
- Provide technical assistance on program evaluation design, planning, implementation, analysis, and dissemination in the U.S., including supporting proposal development
- Develop and distribute regular reports on ongoing and upcoming U.S. program evaluations and After Action Reviews including summaries of status, findings, lessons learned, and future recommendations
- Help ensure affiliate leaders and beneficiaries have high-quality experiences with Habitat program evaluations and meaningfully support evaluation development and analysis
- Respond promptly and thoughtfully to questions for internal customers and external evaluation partners
- Monitor trends and developments in the monitoring and evaluation field to determine practices for HFHI to adopt
- Other duties as assigned to support the broader team
- 5+ years of relevant field experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning required; U.S. program experience strongly preferred
- Strong understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methodologies required
- Experience with process evaluations, participatory action research, and/or other types of implementation research preferred
- Strong knowledge of U.S. housing and community development programs required
- Experience with designing and facilitating capacity building and training strongly preferred
- Ability to learn new software solutions and strong computer aptitude - proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, familiar with outcomes measurement solutions, online survey tools.
- Ability to interface with and provide excellent service to all levels of the organization (senior leaders, middle management, program subject matter experts, and administrative staff globally)
- Meets staff and key stakeholders where they are and helps them continuously build their program evaluation knowledge
- Demonstrated focus on accountability to beneficiaries
- Identifies deeply with and lives the Habitat for Humanity mission and values
- Strong communicator with solid oral and written communication skills as well as strong presentation skills
- Good interpersonal and organizational skills with ability to juggle multiple tasks, set priorities, effectively manage time, and meet deadlines
- Quality and detail oriented