Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Specialist

Job Title:      MONITORING, EVLUATION AND LEARNING (MEL) SPECIALIST
Project:        USAID Sustainable Forest Management
Reports to:   MEL Director
Location:      Hanoi
Date:            November 2021

DAI Organization and Values

DAI is a global development company with corporate offices in the United States, the United Kingdom, EU, Nigeria, Pakistan, and Palestine and project operations worldwide. We tackle fundamental social and economic development problems caused by inefficient markets, ineffective governance, and instability. DAI works on the frontlines of global development. Transforming ideas into action—action into impact. We are committed to shaping a more livable world.

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.

Overview of the Position

Forests are important in the global carbon cycle, carbon sequestration and storage. Although Vietnam increases in overall forest cover, there has been a reduction in both total hectares of natural forests and forest quality. To contribute to reducing land-based emissions and increasing forest carbon sequestration in Vietnam through reduction of deforestation, natural forest degradation and poor timber plantation management practices, USAID Vietnam initiated and implement the USAID Sustainable Forest Management Project (the Project) in seven provinces in Vietnam (Lao Cai, Son La, Hoa Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Quang Tri, and Quang Nam) in the period of 2020 – 2025.

The overall goals of the Project are to (1) avoid carbon emissions from natural forest conversion; (2) Increase carbon sequestration through better management of plantation forests; and, (3) Improve quality, diversity and productivity of natural production forest.

The Project will implement a “Green Prosperity” approach that strengthens local communities’ ability to protect their natural resource base and reduce emissions while building a strong foundation for sustainable livelihoods and equitable economic growth. Engagement with the private sector and improved co-management by communities, local authorities, and the national government are at the core of Project activities.

The Project will focus on five main objectives:

• Improve and expand community forest management
• Increase conservation-friendly enterprises in forest-dependent communities
• Increase functionality of law enforcement system for forest crimes
• Improve production forest management practices
• Mobilize domestic resources for forest management and protection

The Project is seeking a full-time MEL Specialist to be based in Hanoi and will travel to the Project sites. The MEL Specialist will support monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities and report directly to MEL Director of the Project.

Roles and Responsibilities:

The MEL Specialist will be responsible for the following key tasks: i) support VNFOREST on national forest monitoring system; ii) support VNFF on the payment for environmental services (PFES) monitoring and evaluation platform and carbon PFES (CPFES) database system; and iii) implement the Project MEL system

National Forest Monitoring System

• Conduct review of the currently forest monitoring system in Vietnam (including legal documents, practical application such as the Management Information System for the Forestry Sector (FORMIS) and Forest Resource Monitoring System (FRMS), and gaps analysis) and application of remote sensing and satellite imagery on forest monitoring in the world and in Vietnam.
• Support VNFOREST for application of satellite imagery and remote sensing in analyzing and validating the forest data in seven project provinces to replicate nationally
• Design the application framework, develop SOW and work with vendor for development of the application.
• Coordinate with VNFOREST and PFDs to organize workshops and provide trainings for Project partners on applying the application in the forestry sector in the Project provinces and in Vietnam.

PFES M&E Platform and CPFES database

• Support Viet Nam Forest Protection and Development Fund (VNFF) and provincial funds to review the existing PFES M&E platform, work with vendor to upgrade the platform and provide training to VNFF staff and provincial fund staff on applying the PFES M&E platform into their work.
• Support VNFF for development of the forest owners’ carbon stock database for mainstreaming CPFES into carbon trading system
• Apply satellite imagery and remote sensing for development of CPFES maps in seven Project provinces

The Project MEL System

• Support to implement the monitoring, evaluating and learning plan (MELP) including designing studies analyzing information for learning and adaptive management. MEL Specialist will collaborate closely project partners, technical staff, and management team to ensure the Project targets achieved and data quality collected met with USAID’s requirement.
• Design and update MEL reporting system in the existing DAI platform
• Perform other duties as assigned by the MEL Director and/or Chief of Party

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a related field. Master’s degree preferred
• At least 5 years of progressively responsible experience in development/ management of database and monitoring system
• Proficient in database development and Geographic Information System (GIS)
• Experience in development of a natural resource monitoring platform (including database application design, particularly using spatial data from satellite imagery and remote sensing) with involvement of national and provincial stakeholders.
• Experience in conducting training for Project partners (conducted training for staff at national level is preferable)
• Demonstrated ability to work collaboratively with project partners at national, sub-national, and grassroot levels and with different background and personality.
• Excellent writing and organizational skills and experience preparing well-researched reports. Excellent writing, speaking, and reading skills in English

How to apply and requested documents:

Interested candidates are requested to submit:

• A CV in English
• A cover letter in English indicating why they are suitable for this position
• Scanned copy of related degrees via email to our recruitment team at [email protected]. Please quote the position title in the subject line: “Candidate’s full name _ MEL Specialist”

Deadline for application: 5.00pm (Hanoi time), November 30, 2021

To learn more about DAI, please visit our website www.dai.com.

DAI is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer with a commitment to diversity. DAI does not discriminate in employment on the basis of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy and gender identity), national origin, political affiliation, sexual orientation, marital status, disability, genetic information, age, parental status, veteran status, or other non-merit factor.