Position Description

EnCompass LLC seeks Capacity Development and Localization Specialist candidates for a five-year United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Platform in Zambia. This role involves collaborating closely with USAID Mission staff, local institutions, and implementing partners to develop and enhance MEL capabilities through targeted training programs, internships, and local engagement initiatives. This role will also collaborate with USAID/Zambia’s localization activities to advance local professionals’ MEL capacities.

The USAID/Zambia MEL Platform will provide USAID/Zambia, implementing partners (IPs), and local country stakeholders with demand-driven performance monitoring and evaluation technical assistance, analytical services, and logistical support services to ultimately improve and ease Mission burden to engage, analyze and communicate the impact of USAID programming in Zambia.

The position will be full-time and be based in Lusaka, Zambia with travel throughout the country. Only citizens or current residents of Zambia will be considered.

Position Duties and Responsibilities

Essential functions:

• Coordinate and provide adaptive program management oversight for the Zambia MEL Platform’s capacity strengthening and localization activities including but not limited to:

• Evaluation Internship Program
• MEL and Organizational Development OD trainings for USAID/Zambia Mission and Partner Staff
• Locally-led MEL Accelerator programs
• GRZ MEL coordination

• Design, implement, and actively promote an internship program for university and individual MEL professionals
• Regularly monitor and evaluate internship outcomes through feedback sessions and follow-up meetings, ensuring placements achieve educational and professional objectives.
• Organize, facilitate, and support training sessions for Mission staff and IPs to enhance their MEL capabilities. Support for additional capacity strengthening programming with local partners such as research firms, university partners, or research institutes may also be required.
• In coordination with the ILA and other team members, identify capacity development needs for local research and MEL firms and professionals; develop programming to respond to identified needs
• Conduct surveys to identify training needs; design and organize quarterly workshops tailored to survey findings and recipient needs.
• Design and facilitate training outcome monitoring systems; ensure outcomes and key action items are documented systematically for learning and future reference
• Working closely with the ILA and USAID Mission Staff, coordinate The Platform’s support to USAID/GRZ MEL coordination and partnerships
• Alongside ILA serve as a key point of contact for local MEL organizations (ZaMEA, Local Firms, CSOs, Etc)
• Engage fully as a member of the EnCompass staff team, including participating in staff meetings and other EnCompass events, and providing administrative support to other team members as needed.
• Provide support to other monitoring, evaluation, and learning tasks as required by the USAID/Zambia MEL Platform team.

Position Requirements

Qualifications

Academic Qualifications

• Minimum of a Bachelor’s degree in International Development, Education, Statistics, Social Sciences or a related field. Master’s degree preferred.

Experience and Skills

• A minimum of six (6) years of demonstrated experience in capacity development, training, or a related field, with specific experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) within the development sector ideal.
• Proven track record of designing and managing internship programs and professional training sessions preferred.
• Background in MEL and CLA activities, including developing learning agendas, conducting evaluations, and implementing effective monitoring systems strongly preferred.
• Deep understanding of localization principles in International Development required. Familiarity with USAID localization policies preferred
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively with diverse teams, including local government entities, NGOs, educational institutions, and community-based organizations required.
• Experience in designing and delivering training materials and sessions tailored to the needs of various audiences required.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with proficiency in English. Ability to produce clear and concise reports and present complex information to a variety of audiences required.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to manage and prioritize multiple tasks while fostering a collaborative and positive team environment required.
• Familiarity with USAID or similar international development organizations' operational frameworks, reporting, and compliance requirements preferred.
• Deep understanding of and sensitivity to cultural differences and nuances within Zambia preferred.
• Proficiency in one or more local Zambian languages preferred.

How to Apply

Please submit CV and cover letter, and complete the application online.

EnCompass LLC is a progressive Equal Opportunity Employer. We promote, celebrate, and support a diverse and inclusive organizational culture and workforce. We are committed to providing all of our employees with an environment free from discrimination and harassment, where all are treated with dignity and respect. We do not tolerate, and explicitly prohibit, discrimination or harassment of any kind, at any time, in all aspects of employment. This includes recruitment, hiring, promotions, disciplinary measures, terminations, compensation, benefits, social and recreational programs, and training. EnCompass also does not tolerate retaliation against individuals who report discrimination or harassment. Our continuing commitment to the principle of Equal Opportunity Employment for all means all employment decisions are based only on the job requirements, the candidate’s qualifications, and the needs of EnCompass as a business—not on race, color, ethnicity, national origin, religion, belief, sex (including pregnancy and related medical conditions), gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability status, veteran status, genetic information, HIV status, family/marital/parental status, or any other status protected by the laws and regulations in the jurisdictions where we work.

For US based positions: The employer will make reasonable accommodations in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by individuals assigned to this position. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all duties, responsibilities, and skills required of personnel so classified.

The incumbent must be able to work in a fast-paced environment with demonstrated ability to juggle and prioritize multiple, competing tasks and demands and to seek supervisory assistance as appropriate.

If you require accommodations in line with the Americans with Disabilities Act to complete your application, please call 301-287-8700, provide your contact information and a description of your accessibility issue. We will make a determination on your request for reasonable accommodation on a case-by-case-basis, and we will call you back within approximately 3 business days.

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