Virginia Tech

Feed the Future Bangladesh Integrated Pest Management Activity

Terms of Reference (TOR)

Position: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Specialist (MEL Specialist)

Project: Feed the Future Bangladesh Integrated Pest Management Activity
Work Site: Dhaka city and travel to project sites in Dhaka, Khulna and Barisal divisions,
Cox’s Bazar, and Bandarban
Report to: Country Program Manager
Supervising: N/A

Project Background: Feed the Future Bangladesh Integrated Pest Management Activity aims to
address current and emerging pest threats in Bangladesh; capacity building of agricultural
stakeholders such as academia, financial institutions, government, judiciary, media, civil society,
and value chain projects; and implementing and scaling up of IPM packages for rice, maize,
wheat, vegetable, mango, pineapple, and pulse crops.

Job Summary: The Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Specialist (MEL Specialist) will
report to the Country Program Manager (CPM) and Deputy Program Manager (DPM). The main
responsibilities of the MEL Specialist are to ensure relevant, timely, and accurate M&E data
collection, analysis and reporting, as well as leading and documenting reflective exercises to
promote project learning. The MEL Specialist will coordinate learning activities with the Gender
Specialist and Communications Specialist.

The MEL Specialist will maintain an indicator database and enter the required data online in the
FTFMS data management system. The MEL Specialist will work with project partners to assure
punctual data collection, management and analysis, and routine presentation of accurate
information in quarterly and annual reports.

The MEL Specialist will manage a set of Pest Management Activity monitoring forms used by
project team members during the implementation of their field activities. The MEL Specialist is
also responsible for training project team members in the use of these forms and for their
adaptation in collaboration with additional MEL Specialists from Pest Management Activity
project partners. The MEL Specialist collects data and analyzes performance information
monthly; results from these analyses and documentation from reflective sessions help to
determine annual workplan adjustments.

Duties and Responsibilities:

 Provide technical leadership, learning support, and assistance across Pest

Management Activity to promote quality MEL, planning, and implementation.

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 Support the development of appropriate technical standards, guidelines and curricula
for MEL, and research within Pest Management Activity program.
 Responsible for designing and executing different assessments and operational
research projects.
 Promote capacity development and exchange of skills in MEL for staff within Pest
Management Activity.
 Lead and document reflective exercises to promote project learning.
 Supervise/support the development of appropriate systems to collect, store, and
analyze data generated across all Pest Management Activity activities.
 Support the design, protocol development, and implementation of large surveys
including protocol development, sampling, data requirements, questionnaire
development, data management, data analyses, and report preparation.
 Support periodic reviews and data analyses to describe the achievements and impact
of Pest Management Activity across different technical areas and geographic areas
and disseminate the reports as appropriate.
 Responsible for all aspects of program activities, including routine data collection,
data quality assurance, analysis and reporting.
 Establish and maintain professional contacts in other organizations concerning MEL
practices, tools, and technical approaches. Monitor new donor and technical trends
and issues, and recommend Pest Management Activity project responses, as
appropriate. 
 Contribute to the development of strategies and multi-year and annual workplans to
identify and meet the technical needs of Pest Management Activity project activities
in MEL.
 Contribute to the development of Pest Management Activity MEL Strategy; oversee
the implementation of this Strategy building on the communications plans of other
projects working in the sector.
 Support the preparation of Performance Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Plans.
 Assist the CPM/DPM for the development and management of the annual workplan,
including the identification of opportunities for strategic studies, evaluations, and
operations research.  Ensure that MEL and communications management work is
integrated.
 Oversee and enhance an effective system to support project design, technical review,
work planning, program monitoring, evaluation, and routine reporting to USAID.
 Provide support in producing reports, papers, manuals, and training materials.
Oversee the preparation, finalization, and dissemination of periodic technical reports
to USAID, the public sector, and other project stakeholders.
 Assist in the preparation of USAID progress reports, including but not limited to
monthly, quarterly, and annual reports.
 Attend meetings as directed by the CPM/DPM, taking minutes and reporting back to
the CPM/CPM.
 Coordinate with MEL staff at USAID.

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Required Qualifications and Skills:

 Advanced degree in relevant social sciences and/or a minimum of 7 years work

experience in areas relevant to this position, specifically programmatic MEL,
strategic communications, operations or applied research, and capacity building in
MEL within a developing country context.
 Demonstrated experience with knowledge management and diffusion of knowledge,
new approaches, and tools.
 Demonstrated ability to work with diverse teams in geographically dispersed
locations and to produce results within specific timeframes to meet deadlines.
 Strong interpersonal and teamwork skills. Proven successful experience working in a
“centralized/headquarter environment.”
 Extensive experience with the use of measurement methods required for monitoring,
evaluation and learning of education in agricultural/rural development programs.
 Highly developed English-language writing and presentation skills.
 Experience using statistical software packages for data analysis and modeling.
 Strong scientific and technical writing skills.
 Experience with USAID reporting requirements and report writing.
 Familiarity with ArGIS software, QGIS, or an alternate open source GIS software
package.
 Demonstrated experience in areas related to leadership and management or
organizational development.
 Experience working with USAID’s FTFMS system and GFSS or Feed the Future
Indicators.
 Experience using mobile data collection applications and tools.

How to Apply
To apply, please send the completed application found at this link Application and resume/CV
by email to: FTFBIPMA.Employment@gmail.com, with “Pest Management Activity MEL
Specialist” in the subject heading. Applications will be reviewed beginning on 1 September
2020, and the position will remain open until filled. Only short-listed candidates will be
contacted. Recruitment is contingent upon successful award of the project; this document should
not be construed in any way to represent a contract of employment.
Virginia Tech is an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer. Women, minorities,
individuals with disabilities, and protected veterans are strongly encouraged to apply. Anyone
having questions concerning discrimination or accessibility should contact the Virginia Tech
Office for Equity and Accessibility.