Back to results: learning and development program manager / nebraska, US

MEL Data Quality Associate

Development Alternatives Incorporated

Posted on: 10 Mar 2024

Job Location: Venango, US

Job Description:

Scope of Work

LTTA Title:

MEL Data Quality Associate

Contract Name:

Feed the Future Market Systems & Partnerships (MSP)

Contract No:

7200AA20C00054

Place of Performance:

Remote / Hybrid

Activity Description: The Feed the Future Market Systems and Partnerships (MSP) Activity aims to advance learning and good practice on market systems development (MSD) and private sector engagement (PSE) within USAID (Washington and Missions), USAID implementing partners, and market actors. MSP will achieve this goal by facilitating transformative private sector partnerships; supporting USAID in the design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of market systems and PSE activities; advancing learning on PSE and MSD; and, building capacity of USAID and implementers to design, implement, monitor, evaluate, and learn from MSD and PSE activities. We are a small team of dynamic, globally-based individuals who are passionate about MSP's mission and impact. Currently, MSP has private sector partnerships in 11 countries around the world with an ever-expanding portfolio including in the areas of agribusiness, care economy services, and more. We have developed 54 products (e.g. guides, trainings, job-aids) that are advancing learning and good practice in the key economic development approaches of MSD and PSE, and reached over 45,000 individuals who are accessing these resources. MSP began in 2020 and runs through June 2026.

Context and General Technical Requirements: The data quality associate will support the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Managerin collecting, cleaning, verifying, tracking, and reporting on program data so that it enables capturing program results and outcomes as well as supports enhanced decision making through data-driven insights.Data may include sales data from private sector partners and their suppliers; survey responses from various stakeholder feedback exercises; or web traffic and other program communications-related data. The ideal candidate brings technical skills in data quality and analysis, has strong attention to detail, is curious about the 'why's behind data, and is inspired by the opportunity to collaborate with a range of stakeholders - from small, private firms in emerging markets around the globe to USAID staff to the internal MSP program team - to enhance greater effectiveness and impact from international economic development initiatives. This is an ideal role for an individual in the early stages of their career in data science with an interest in the international development field.

Overview of the Data Quality Associate's Tasks: The primary goal of this engagement is to support efficient collection, cleaning, verification, tracking, analysis, and reporting of program data for a USAID-funded global initiative focused on two areas: (a) private sector partnerships (grantees); and (b) learning within the international development community around several key approaches to economic development. The Data Analyst will play a crucial role in ensuring the accuracy and reliability of program data, contributing to evidence-based decision-making and ongoing program improvement.

Responsibilities:

Data Collection:
- Collaborate with relevant program stakeholders to design and implement data collection methods and tools.
- Carry out the systematic collection of quantitative data from various sources.
- Ensure compliance with data collection protocols and standards, including MSP's approved MEL Plan and relevant USAID rules and regulations.
- Other tasks, as delegated.
Data Cleaning:
- Employ data cleaning techniques to identify and rectify errors, inconsistencies, and missing data. Raise issues of concern for senior manager review.
- Work closely with program teams to validate and clean data collected from the field/local grantees.
- Implement data quality checks to maintain high standards of accuracy.
Data Verification:
- Conduct rigorous data verification processes to ensure the reliability and validity of collected data. Raise issues of concern for senior manager review.
- Collaborate with private sector partners based overseasto verify data accuracy and resolve discrepancies.
- Develop and maintain a system for routine data quality assessments and present a methodology to the MEL Manager.
Data Analysis:
- Collaboratively with MEL Manager, proactively and reactively analyze data to explore trends and patterns in disaggregation, their causes, and support refelctive conversations with program team on the findings.
Data Tracking:
- Maintain centralized databases for tracking program-related data and provide quarterly readouts to the MEL Manager.
- Maintain existing data tracking mechanisms to monitor the progress of program indicators, and suggest improvements.
- Generate regular reports on program performance based on tracked data.

Reporting:

Contribute to the preparation of regular and ad-hoc reports for internal and external stakeholders.
Work closely with the MEL team to analyze data and provide insights for programmatic decision-making.
Ensure timely submission of accurate and well-documented reports in collaboration with the MEL Manager.

Capacity Building:

Provide occasional training and support to program staff on data collection tools, quality assurance, verification and methodologies, working collaboratively with MEL Manager.

Required Qualifications:

Bachelor's degree in statistics, mathematics, computer science, information management, or similar/relevant certifications or training.
Approximately 2-3 years of experience in data quality validation and analysis.
High level of proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerBI or similar data visualization software
Ability to identify time sensitive demands & inquiries and respond effectively; and,
Sound problem solving and decision-making skills, including in a multi-faceted, fast-paced environment.
A curious and collaborative nature.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience working with international development and economic growth style research or implementation programming preferred.
Experience supporting small-scale firms or organizations to self-collect, analyze, and use their own data, and an appreciation for the realities these firms and organizations face in data collection, analysis, and use.
Familiarity with USAID data quality standards.
Familiarity with AirTable.

Place of Performance: This position is remote but must be based in a time zone that supports collaboration and at least a partial overlap in work schedules with a supervisor based in US Mountain Standard Time (MST).MSP has staff based around the world, with roughly half of the team based in Washington, D.C. (EDT). Preference may be given to applicants located in the Washington D.C. region, but this is not a deciding factor. Staff based in the Washington D.C. region will have a remote/hybrid arrangement and will follow project hybrid work guidance.

Supervision: The position will report to the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Manager.

Work status: This position is open to individuals with the ability to work in the U.S. (e.g. U.S. citizens and those with U.S. work visas). DAI will not sponsor work visas under this position.

Compensation & Benefits

For regular positions (includes US based LTTA)

For employees working the United States, the full-time equivalent annual base salary for this position is expected to be between $60,000 to $75,000. Salary for part-time employees will be prorated based on actual hours worked. Actual offers will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, qualifications, relevant education, experience, skills, seniority, performance, and business or organizational needs.

Eligible U.S. based employees will be able to enroll in medical, dental and vision insurance, plus a 401(k)-retirement plan with a company match. Additionally, employees will be eligible for company-paid annual leave (vacation & holidays), sick leave, and parental leave, as well as short- and long-term disability coverage. Detailed information will be provided at the time a formal offer is extended.

For employees working outside of the United States, compensation and benefits will vary based on location.

Equal Employment Opportunity

DAI and its employees are committed to confronting racism and holding ourselves accountable for positive change within the company and in the communities, cultures, and countries in which we live and work.DAI is committed to attracting and retaining the best employees from all races and backgrounds in our continued effort to become a better development partner.

DAI upholds the highest ethical standards. We are committed to the prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment as well as other ethical breaches. All of our positions are therefore subject to stringent vetting and reference checks.

DAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.

DAI requires COVID-19 vaccinations subject to accommodation required by law.

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