Position Overview:
The New Lines Institute for Strategy and Policy is a nonprofit and nonpartisan think tank in Washington D.C., working to enhance U.S. foreign policy based on a deep understanding of the geopolitics of the different regions of the world and their value systems. The Institute’s portfolio of work covers a wide range of topics of interest to U.S. policy makers, the Institute’s primary audience.
The Institute is seeking an experienced Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Director to join its Operations team and lead the Institute’s MEL agenda. This person will play a key role in conceptualizing and planning new initiatives (projects, publications, etc.) as well as reviewing progress and conducting impact evaluations. The MEL Director will also assume ownership over the Institute’s internal reporting function, including monthly, quarterly, and annual reporting to ensure that the Institute’s activities are aligned with its values, mission and goals. Finally, the MEL Director will champion the Institute’s learning and continuous improvement culture, creating activities, resources, processes, and tools, anchored in global practices within the think tank space, that will support individual and institutional learning and growth.
Duties and Responsibilities:
The MEL Director will report directly to the President of the Institute and will have the following duties and responsibilities:
- Work with management and staff across the organization to coordinate project planning processes, develop logical frameworks and results measurement plans (as relevant), monitor and review performance, and document and communicate lessons learned.
- Develop standardized reporting procedures, tools and templates employing the latest relevant MEL global standards and practices.
- Work with staff across the Institute to report on project performance and prepare monthly, quarterly, annual and other ad-hoc reports for internal and external audiences.
- Plan and lead all impact evaluation activities, synthesize evidence to inform decision-making and institutional learning and author evaluation reports.
- Plan and lead the Institute’s regular client/audience satisfaction surveys and prepare and publish relevant reports focusing on organizational improvement.
- Lead the development of the Institute’s Annual Report.
- Maintain responsibility over the Institute’s internal records, policies and procedures, including unit and program plans, reports, and other legal and administrative documents.
- Develop/Curate relevant learning resources, organize learning events, and train, mentor, and support staff across the Institute on the use of MEL tools, models, methodologies and practices.
- Work with the Strategy and Innovation Department to foster connections with organizations and people who can enhance the Institute’s MEL knowledge and expertise and raise its profile as an impact-driven policy think tank.
- Overseeing the development of strategic messaging for cross-institutional initiatives, publications, events, and other types of production.
- Supervise a small team of interns and administrative staff.
- Perform other relevant functions, including administrative tasks, as the Institute’s work expands and as directed by their supervisor.
Qualifications and requirements:
- Master’s Degree in International Development, Public Policy, Public Administration, or another relevant field.
- Post-graduate training and certification in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, including quantitative and qualitative research is an asset.
- 8-10 years of progressively advancing experience in results measurement and general operations within the think tank space (preferred) or with international/ large nonprofit organizations.
- Experience setting up and implementing organization-wide MEL procedures, conducting impact evaluations, and preparing management reports.
- Experience setting up and maintaining organizational records, policies and procedures.
- Exceptional organizational and project management skills with strong ability to establish priorities, multitask, and work within tight timelines.
- Cross-cultural sensitivity and experience working in multi-cultural teams and/ or within different cultural contexts is a must.
- Superior written and verbal communication skills, including report writing and presentation skills.
- Confident with all MS Office applications, particularly MS Excel. Expertise with reporting software and web-based management information systems. Additional data visualization and reporting tools is a plus.
- Fluency in written and spoken English. Conversational level proficiency in other languages is a plus.
- Previous supervisory experience is desirable.
- Genuine interest in and understanding of the think tank space.
This is a full-time salaried position with benefits. Salary will be commensurate with qualifications and experience. The position is based in Washington DC with the possibility of tele-commuting (up to 50% of the time). If interested, please send a cover letter, resume, and relevant work samples to: [email protected] All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States.
The New Lines Institute celebrates and supports diversity in the workplace. The New Lines Institute does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, membership in an employee organization, retaliation, parental status, military service, or other non-merit factor.