Results for Development (R4D) is a leading non-profit global development partner. We collaborate with change agents around the world — government officials, civil society leaders and social innovators — to create strong systems that support healthy, educated people. We help our partners move from knowing their goal to knowing how to reach it. We combine global expertise in health, education and nutrition with analytic rigor, practical support for decision-making and implementation and access to peer problem-solving networks. Together with our partners, we build self-sustaining systems that serve everyone and deliver lasting results. Then we share what we learn so others can achieve results for development, too.
We have a unique and vibrant culture at R4D. Diversity, equity and inclusion are at the heart of our work environment and help advance our mission. Diversity—of ideas, identities, perspectives and backgrounds—is vital to who we are and what we do. We seek people who embrace these values and will help reinforce them. Our work culture is collaborative, creative and entrepreneurial. We operate based on trust and respect. Teams across the organization frequently collaborate on programmatic work and support each other in continuously building a better R4D.
About the Innovation Practice
Finding innovative solutions to complex development challenges is essential to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and enable billions to overcome hardship. Innovations in health, education, agriculture, finance, and other sectors have been vital in driving the life-saving and life-improving breakthroughs of recent times. Where inadequate practices slow progress, more effective approaches need to be found.
Through R4D’s wider programming, our Scaling Innovation practice connects with a wide diversity of actors at global, regional and country levels committed to doing development differently. In partnership, we facilitate the design, testing and scaling of new solutions to complex challenges.
On programmes such as the Frontier Technology Hub, we work at the intersection of technology, international development, and innovation to explore and scale cutting-edge tech solutions for global development challenges.
We also provide thought leadership through our unique position managing highly respected global innovation initiatives such as the International Development Innovation Alliance (IDIA) a collaboration platform which brings together the innovation departments of leading development agencies, and the Million Lives Collective, a global, multistakeholder network of actors committed to promoting proven, impactful innovations and supporting their further scale-up to address development challenges.
Opportunity
R4D seeks a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Officer within our Scaling Innovation practice to take ownership over critical elements of our work, managing MEL systems for innovation programmes. This individual must have experience establishing and managing MEL systems for complex programmes. They must also have expertise and experience in integrating gender equality, disability and social inclusion (GEDSI) principles and considerations into MEL systems. This individual must be comfortable managing diverse perspectives and facilitating relationships with multiple partners including consortium partners, bilateral institutions, multilateral institutions, government stakeholders, and local implementing partners. Experience working in the fields of technology innovation, scaling innovation and/or innovation ecosystems strengthening is required.
The Scaling Innovation practice operates a matrixed resourcing structure, with team members feeding into different programmes and projects in line with their expertise and programme resourcing needs. An integral member of the Innovation Team, the MEL Officer will therefore be responsible for leading MEL activities across several projects within the Innovation portfolio. This role will primarily support across the following two programmes:
· The Frontier Technologies Hub - a consortium of partners that works with the UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) to explore the use of frontier technology by working with partners all over the world to test and scale tech with the potential for positive social impact.
· Innovation Coalitions to Drive Health Reform in Ethiopia – a partnership with the Ethiopian Ministry of Health (MOH) working to enhance public sector scale-up of health innovation in Ethiopia.
This role may based in London, UK, or within any other R4D country office (will require availability during standard business hours within the GMT to GMT+3 time zones) and will report to a Senior Program Officer. This role is a hybrid position, with a mix of remote work and in-office days and some international travel will also be required.
Responsibilities
· Lead and manage monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) components of Innovation team projects.
· Provide technical guidance on best practices for monitoring innovation projects and portfolios to other R4D teams, and consortium partners.
· Lead the development of programme theories of change, learning agendas, and MEL frameworks through engagement with diverse stakeholders.
· Diagnose limitations of existing MEL systems, and identify opportunities for better integration of GEDSI principles within MEL systems – especially for innovation projects.
· Support programme teams to continuously learn and iterate on the basis of findings from ongoing MEL activities – including through facilitating review sessions and retrospectives with team leads and donor partners.
· Manage and undertake research initiatives – including data collection and analysis - aimed at surfacing learning and insights from across innovation portfolios, and supporting uptake of learning and evidence by different innovation actors.
· Establish learning networks for surfacing and sharing insights and learning about innovation – including peer to peer learning networks amongst innovation practitioners.
Communicate learning and insights in a digestible way to key stakeholders including programme teams, government stakeholders, and funders to promote evidence-informed decision-making
· Deliver high quality presentations, annual reports and other written products internally and externally to a variety of stakeholders, including non-technical audiences, identifying their specific needs and gaps to inform outputs
· Collaborate across multi-disciplinary and multicultural teams, establishing trusted and positive working relationships, including with high-level stakeholders
· Identify and contribute to opportunities to share R4D and program learnings, including social media posts and conferences
· Identify business development opportunities and contribute technical expertise to proposals
Qualifications and experience
Essential
· MA + 3 years of relevant professional experience
· Strong academic and professional record in international development, public administration, public policy, or related discipline
· Experience implementing MEL systems for complex programmes
· Experience integrating GEDSI considerations into MEL systems
· Experience on technology and innovation projects or programmes
· Strong understanding of innovation methods, gained through working on innovation projects or programmes that have adopted agile project management methodologies
· Knowledge of and experience with both quantitative and qualitative research methods
· Enthusiastic about joining a diverse and inclusive work environment
· Flexibility and willingness to work on projects across any of R4D’s disciplines (health, education, nutrition)
· Strong commitment to excellence and attention to detail
· Strong writer and oral communicator in English, with a proven track record of preparing presentations and reports as well as an ability to describe technical problems and solutions to a non-technical audience
· Ability to set priorities and handle multiple competing time and resource demands
· Knowledge of statistical software like SPSS, STATA, Atlas TI, QDA Miner Prior experience with international government and foundation donors, such as FCDO
· Willingness to travel up to 20%
Desirable
· Strong understanding of the innovation lifecycle, and of best practices for monitoring and measuring the progress and impact of innovations
· Understanding and experience working on projects that have adopted a user- or human-centered design approach
· Awareness of emerging trends in digital and technology and potential for impact for social good
· Fluency in another language
With many of the initiatives within our portfolio at an exciting stage of their development / implementation, we are eager to find someone who is able to start as soon as possible. As a result we will be interviewing candidates on a rolling basis as we receive strong applications.
\nResults for Development is an EOE/M/F/Vet/Disabled/Affirmative Action Employer committed to fostering
and nurturing an energetic, collaborative and diverse workforce. R4D provides market-competitive salaries and comprehensive employee benefits.