Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning, and Adapting (MERLA) Specialist, Kenya

JOB SUMMARY:

NORC is seeking an experienced  MERLA Specialist (Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, Learning, and Adapting) in Nairobi, Kenya

The Kenya Primary Literacy Project (KPLP) is a five-year activity that will assist the Kenyan Ministry of Education (MOE) in delivering reading interventions at scale as well as piloting and expanding new innovations to address the language and literacy needs of primary grade learners while building more inclusive, accountable, and resilient education institutions and systems. Funded by the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and implemented by Education Development Center (EDC) in partnership with the MOE, KPLP has three overarching objectives:

Improve education services and student learning outcomes, including for vulnerable populations; Strengthen education institutions and systems to become more accountable, self-sustaining, and resilient; and Empower local youth organizations to strengthen and sustain community and family support for student learning and wellbeing.

As EDC’s research partner, NORC at the University of Chicago will develop and lead Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) work under KPLP, including designing and implementing CLA activities around KPLP pilot programs, building an Activity-level learning agenda, and supporting CLA activities related to policy, system-strengthening, and/or scale-up efforts. Drawing on the learning agenda, NORC will also design and lead embedded studies examining the efficacy of pilot project models and model “ingredients” as well as develop low-cost continuous assessments to track and use student learning data and support research activities.

DEPARTMENT: International Programs

 was established in 2005, and works with government and other organizations throughout the world to strengthen the effectiveness of international development assistance via design and implementation of rigorous impact and performance evaluations, surveys, qualitative data collection, statistical and qualitative analysis, and a range of related research and assessment activities. Our research spans a range of sectors including education and training, child and youth well-being, land and resource governance, environment and climate, democracy and governance, agriculture and food security, water and sanitation, infrastructure, housing, finance, and health. Since its establishment has implemented projects in more than 100 countries.

RESPONSIBILITIES:

To support these activities, NORC is seeking full-time MERLA Specialist who will be embedded in EDC’s Nairobi office. Under the supervision of NORC's Project Director and with guidance from EDC’s field office leadership, the MERLA Specialist will serve as NORC’s local point of contact and in-country liaison with EDC and the Government of Kenya (GOK) including MOE, Teachers Service Commission, relevant Semi-Autonomous Government Agencies (SAGAs). Key responsibilities include:

Organize and coordinate meetings and workshops with NORC, EDC, USAID, and/or GOK stakeholders, including CLA planning workshops, learning agenda workshops, pause-and-reflect sessions, and dissemination events. Under the guidance of the Project Director, CLA Expert, and Senior Advisor, facilitate monthly pause-and-reflect sessions with implementing partner staff and prepare monthly learning and adaptation reports. Support the development of low-cost continuous assessments including co-facilitating trainings of teachers and field pilot enumerators; supporting the production of instructional videos on assessment administration; and collating feedback from teachers on areas for improvement. Support development, translation, and/or testing of data collection instruments including assessments, surveys, classroom observations, and data quality monitoring tools. Conduct primary qualitative data collection including Key Informant Interviews (KIIs) and Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) with children, parents, community members, community leaders, teachers, county-level education officials, and national stakeholders. Co-facilitate enumerator trainings and travel to schools and communities throughout Kenya to monitor data quality during field periods. Contribute to internal and external knowledge products including evaluation reports, results/policy briefs, and quarterly narrative reports. Complete other tasks as needed, by request of NORC’s Project Director or Senior Advisor.

REQUIRED SKILLS: At least 7 years of experience in monitoring, evaluation, research, learning, and adapting in Kenya’s education sector, preferably for USAID-assisted projects. Bachelor’s degree in social sciences such as education, sociology, development studies, or a related field. Excellent written and oral communication skills in English and Kiswahili (fluency in both languages is required).

  Preferred Qualifications:

Graduate degree in social sciences such as education, sociology, development studies, or a related field. Experience liaising with high-level GOK stakeholders is strongly preferred. High digital literacy/comfort in tablet-based technologies including EdTech and survey/assessment platforms. Experience conducting primary quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. Primary school teaching experience will be an asset. Fluency in additional Kenyan language(s) will be an asset.

WHAT WE DO:

NORC at the University of Chicago is an objective, non-partisan research institution that delivers reliable data and rigorous analysis to guide critical programmatic, business, and policy decisions. Since 1941, our teams have conducted groundbreaking studies, created and applied innovative methods and tools, and advanced principles of scientific integrity and collaboration. Today, government, corporate, and nonprofit clients around the world partner with us to transform increasingly complex information into useful knowledge.

WHO WE ARE:

For over 80 years, NORC has evolved in many ways, moving the needle with research methods, technical applications and groundbreaking research findings. But our tradition of excellence, passion for innovation, and commitment to collegiality have remained constant components of who we are as a brand, and who each of us is as a member of the NORC team. With world-class benefits, a business casual environment, and an emphasis on continuous learning, NORC is a place where people join for the stellar research and analysis work for which we’re known, and stay for the relationships they form with their colleagues who take pride in the impact their work is making on a global scale.