Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (PMEL) Manager

This is a hybrid position which requires 8 days/month in the office. You can be based in our office in Washington DC, Nairobi, or The Hague. Existing work authorization is required at the time of application submission as WRI is unable to sponsor any visa work sponsorship for this position. To be eligible for this position in US, you must be a resident of DC, Maryland or Virginia at the start of employment.

About the Program:

World Resources institute (WRI) has set ambitious targets for the next several years to support a transition to a low-carbon economy that is good for people, nature and climate at the organizational and for our focus countries. As part of the department of Research, Data and Impact (RDI), the Managing for Results (MfR) team is integral to the successful delivery of WRI’s Strategic Plan, 2023– 2027: From Commitments to Impact. The strategy drives five major shifts in WRI’s approach:

• Shift 1: An integrated approach for People, Nature, and Climate.

• Shift 2: Focus on systems change.

• Shift 3: Emphasis on country transitions to deliver impact.

• Shift 4: A unified approach to measure success, including use of Theories of Change (TOC).

• Shift 5: Shaping the institution. This strategy reflects a new level of rigor in how WRIsets targets, creates theories of change, tracks progress, and evaluates and learns from the results.

The MfR team ensures WRI is equipped to understand if its work is contributing to the longer-term positive changes WRI intends to make in the world and fosters a culture of learning and accountability. Over the next several years MfR will accelerate a “step change” in PMEL practices and culture at WRI to enhance programmatic effectiveness and demonstrate impact. The specific goals of the step change in PMEL include having:    

• Robust, evidence- based theories (TOC) of change for programs and projects that are easily accessible for staff and partners to facilitate shared understanding, and ongoing testing, learning and improvements with regard to proposed pathways to change and learning;

• Relevant, verifiable quantitative and qualitative WRI results data that are easily accessible, useful, and where contribution is well understood and WRI’s commitment to address social inequalities is reflected in the results; and

• Intentional relevant evidence gathering, mixed-methods data analysis and visualization, and timely Pause and Reflect sessions across program cycles to review TOCs and M&E data, discuss learnings and changes needed to achieve the results in the strategic plan;

• Sufficient PMEL expertise and capacity across WRI country and program teams to support timely and evidence-based adaptive management;

• Iterative cycles of evaluation that support ongoing reflection and learning, systematization and publication of lessons learned.

Job Highlights:

Reporting to Senior PMEL Manager, MfR, you will integrate equity into your work. You will play a key role in ensuring that WRI programs and country offices put in place and maintain high quality planning, monitoring, evaluation and learning systems, anchored in robust TOC. You may have one or more direct reports, and you will be supervised by the Senior PMEL Manager for MfR. You will play an instrumental role in supporting WRI’s programs and country offices to deliver results against the organizational Results Framework. You will also work with the Global Director for MfR as well as colleagues across the Institute, including global programs and country offices. The position will require travel approximately 25% of the time.

What you will do:

MEL Standards and Guidance (40%):

• Contribute to the development and maintenance of WRI’s PMEL standards, guidelines, and best practices, ensuring consistency across the organization
• Lead and assist in the creation of resources and training materials that support the implementation of MEL standards, including the use of evidence gathering methods
• Assist the Senior PMEL Manager in setting and updating organization-wide standards for TOC and MEL practices based on lessons learned. Reduces to 25% after Year 1

Capacity Strengthening and Training (20%):

• Organize and facilitate training sessions and workshops on MEL planning and evidence gathering, analysis, synthesis and data visualization techniques for WRI staff
• Offer ongoing technical support and capacity strengthening to program and country teams to enhance their PMEL capabilities
• Support MfR in strengthening the PMEL Community of Practice to foster cross-team learning and knowledge sharing
• Provide trainings for WRI-wide PMEL capacity strengthening. Increases to 25% after Year 1

Data and Evidence Gathering (20%):

• Assist teams in developing methodology, sampling design, timing, collection, analysis, and reporting for use of data and evidence to inform programmatic decisions and improve the effectiveness of WRI’s initiatives, including to inform MfR initiatives
• Ensure the best use of traditional, mixed methods, and complexity-aware evaluation approaches in WRI’s evidence gathering practices
• Collaborate with program teams to synthesize and present data in a way that supports adaptive management and strategic decision-making
• Support teams in data quality assurance. Increases to 30% after Year 1

Theory of Change and MEL Plan Development (20%):

• Support teams in developing and implementing TOCs: Support the development, refinement, and implementation of robust Theories of Change (TOC) for WRI’s programs and projects, ensuring they are evidence-based and aligned with WRI’s strategic goals
• Assist in the creation of comprehensive MEL Plans that include utilization-focused methods – e.g., traditional, mixed methods and complexity-aware approaches
• Ensure that TOCs and MEL Plans are accessible and effectively utilized by program teams to guide use-focused assessments, evaluations and special studies to meet WRI, donor and programmatic needs

What you will need:

• Education: You have a completed Bachelor’s degree in international development, public policy, economics, environmental studies, systems modeling, MEL or a related field. Relevant work experience in lieu of degree is accepted
• Experience: You have a minimum of 7 years of full-time relevant experience in PMEL, with demonstrated expertise in TOC development, TOC-based MEL planning, designing, implementation of small and large evaluations, and the use of both traditional and innovative evaluation methods.
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in developing and using MEL frameworks, MEL plans, data collection, analysis, and visualization tools. Experience with complexity-aware evaluation and mixed methods
• Communication: Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly and effectively to diverse audiences.
• Project Management: Proven ability to manage multiple tasks and projects simultaneously, with attention to detail and a focus on results
• Cultural Competence: Experience working with multicultural teams and an understanding of the challenges and opportunities in global development contexts
• Values Alignment: Commitment to WRI’s mission and values, including integrity, innovation, urgency, independence, and respect
• Languages: Fluency in English is required; proficiency in French is strongly preferred
• Requirements: Existing work authorization is required where this position is based. WRI is unable to authorize visa work authorization

Potential Salary: US salary range is between 96,000 and 116,000 USD.  NL: 67K – 84K EUR. If located in another country office, salary will be determined by local market conditions.

Salary is commensurate with experience and other compensable factors.

How to Apply: Please submit a resume with a required cover letter by the date of 22 November 2024. We are unable to consider your application without a cover letter.

You must apply through the WRI Careers portal to be considered.

What we offer:

• Access to the WRI global network with the opportunity to exchange with and learn from passionate colleagues working at the cutting edge of their fields across Asia, Africa, Europe, Latin America and the US
• The chance to have an impact and to develop your career within a mission driven organization with access to varied learning and training opportunities. 
• A workplace that strives to put diversity and inclusion at the heart of our work
• The opportunity to join and get involved in different working groups and affinity groups to shape the future of WRI
• Commitment to hybrid working model with flexible working hours
• Generous leave days that increase with tenure

About Us:

Founded in 1982, World Resources Institute (WRI) is an independent, nonprofit global research organization that turns big ideas into action at the nexus of environment, economic opportunity, and human well-being. We are working to address seven critical challenges that the world must overcome this decade to secure a sustainable future for people and the planet: climate change, energy, food, forests, water, sustainable cities, and the ocean. WRI has a global staff of over 1,800 people with work spanning 60 countries. We have offices in Africa, Brazil, China, Europe, India, Indonesia, Mexico, Colombia and the United States, as well as a growing presence in other countries and regions.

The foundation of our work is delivering high-quality research, data, maps, and analysis to solve the world’s greatest environment and international development challenges and improve people’s lives. We work with leaders in government, business, and civil society to drive ambitious action and create change on the ground. Equally important, we bring together partners to develop breakthrough ideas and scale-up solutions for far-reaching, enduring impact.

Our mission and values:

WRI’s mission is to move human society to live in ways that protect Earth’s environment and its capacity to provide for the needs and aspirations of current and future generations.

Our values are shared ideals that bind us together: Integrity, Innovation, Urgency, Independence and Respect.

Our culture:

WRI is committed to advancing gender and social equity for human well-being in our mission and applies this principle to our organizational and programmatic practices. We are committed to providing equal opportunities in employment; we embrace all diversity and encourage women, the LGBTQ+ community, persons with disabilities, Afro-descendants, and Indigenous people to apply. Recognizing our strong commitment to gender equality, WRI has also been awarded EDGE certification.

Our team in Human Resources carefully reviews all applications.