Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist

Do you want to influence the success of international maize and wheat research?

We are looking for an experienced monitoring, evaluation and learning (ME&L) specialist that will oversee and evolve our ME&L approaches.

Working with an international community of agricultural researchers and project managers in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, the successful candidate will bring along relevant expertise and in-depth experiences in impact pathway analysis, theory of change and conceiving, implementing and rationalizing M&E approaches in agricultural research for development. The position supports both institutional and programmatic needs  (www.maize.org ;  www.wheat.org)

The International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, known by its Spanish acronym, CIMMYT®, is a not-for-profit research and training organization with partners in over 100 countries. Please refer to our website for more information:  www.cimmyt.org

The position will be based at CIMMYT´s Main Campus (located 45 km. northeast of Mexico City, Mexico), but will interact with other CIMMYT offices around the world on a regular basis.

Specific duties of this position include:

• In collaboration with research teams, programs and project managers periodically review and revise impact pathways, theories of change, Intermediate Development Outcomes, up-scaling and out-scaling strategies and action plans to enhance uptake and impact of our work.

• Work with research teams to analyze opportunities/challenges associated with movement of research outputs along the impact pathway; follow the actors who take up our products/outputs and aim at understanding what’s working - what isn’t and why.

• Provide strategic oversight, guidance and quality control of ME&L, including the use of quantifiable outcomes and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs), and of processes for measuring progress against outcomes/impact pathways at various levels.

• Oversee the quality of information in CIMMYT’s Research Management System (RMS) and define and oversee the extraction of institutional, programmatic and project specific indicators for reporting and evaluation purposes.

• Ensure the further evolution of appropriate ME&L approaches to increase results focus and accountability of maize and wheat research, including; working with IT specialists to further develop web-based systems and tools.

• Manage external reviews, their follow-up and foster institutionalization and internalization of learning processes.

• Contribute to training of project leaders, managers, scientists and partners on monitoring, evaluation and learning methodologies. Provide guidelines to staff and partners on ME&L metrics and categories to effectively monitor current and future research.

We are seeking candidates with the following academic qualifications, skills and attitudes:• Relevant university degree (MSc/MBA or PhD) from a well-recognized university.

• Substantive (>5-8 years) experience in conceptualizing M&E in research and development.

• Excellent analytical and conceptual skills with experience in impact pathways analysis and applying theories of change.

• Knowledge and practical experience using diverse approaches and methodologies for ME&L, especially in relation to outcome monitoring

• Formal training in project M&E.

• Familiarity and experience working with institutional learning processes.

• Enjoys working in multicultural environments and with diverse (upstream/farm level) projects.

We will offer an initial contract for two years, which may be renewable subject to continued need and funding for the position and performance of the staff member. Our internationally competitive salary and benefits include housing allowance, car, comprehensive health and life insurance, assistance for children’s education, paid vacation, annual airfare, contribution to a retirement plan, and generous assistance with relocation shipment.

CIMMYT is an equal opportunity employer. It fosters a multicultural work environment that values gender equality, teamwork, and respect for diversity. Women are encouraged to apply

To apply for this position, please email cover letter and CV no later than Friday, 23 August, 2013 to Human Resources, CIMMYT (Email: irsrecruitment@cgiar.org / Please indicate Position Reference number: 12318 in the header of your email). For further information on the selection process, please contact Guillermo Flores, Staffing Specialist, at  g.flores@cgiar.org

Please note that only short-listed candidates will be contacted.