Project Monitoring and Evaulation Specialist

Title:               Project Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist, Evaluation and Research Program

Reports to:     Director, Evaluation and Research Program

Location:         New York, NY

The Rainforest Alliance (RA) is an international nonprofit organization that works to conserve biodiversity and ensure sustainable livelihoods by transforming land-use practices, business practices and consumer behavior. Based in New York City, with offices throughout the United States and worldwide, the Rainforest Alliance works with people whose livelihoods depend on the land, helping them transform the way they grow food, harvest wood and host travelers.

Established in 2007, the Rainforest Alliance’s Evaluation & Research (E&R) program is responsible for monitoring results and examining the impacts of the Rainforest Alliance’s work over time. The E&R program is a specialized unit working through our forestry, agriculture, tourism and climate programs, employing three levels of analysis to achieve goals, including:

• Collecting standardized information from all Rainforest Alliance Certified™ farm and forestry operations, as well as from tourism operations participating in out Best Management Practices program;
• Monitoring the  impacts   of  technical assistance and capacity building initiatives, following  the Rainforest Alliance's  E&R policies and procedures  and donor requirements; and
• Participating in research initiatives composed of narrowly focused case studies and sector-wide studies, conducted through research partnerships with universities and other research institutes, with the goal of implementing collaborative and third party impact analysis.

Position Summary:

The Project Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist is responsible for guiding Rainforest Alliance’s strategy for project level monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and promoting a results–based approach, emphasizing outcomes and impacts.  S/he will lead development and implementation of Rainforest Alliance’s project M&E guidance materials, systematic tools and capacity development.  S/he will work closely with Rainforest Alliance project implementation teams to ensure design of project monitoring and evaluation activities meet Rainforest Alliance M&E and donor requirements, and oversee development of workplans to direct M&E implementation. S/he will also assists in the design and delivery of the E&R program strategic direction as well as the tactical use of data and information with the aim of improving project implementation across all divisions, programmatic initiatives and communication of Rainforest Alliance impacts.    

Responsibilities:

• Coordinate with Rainforest Alliance programs and project staff to ensure consistency in design and implementation of effective project monitoring for reporting results and impact of Rainforest Alliance field activities, with particular emphasis on new project start-up.  This includes:
• Guide Rainforest Alliance program staff and project teams in developing and implementing dynamic results-based project management and lessons learned.  This includes:
  • Lead formulation and implementation of strategy, policies and procedures for programs to improve project M&E design and execution;
  • Conduct readiness assessment regarding M&E program capacity;
  • Organize and conduct workshops/training programs on project M&E for Rainforest Alliance program and project staff; and
  • Manage the establishment and maintenance of a knowledge hub/virtual library of good practices in managing for results.
• Support E&R development activities including identifying and following up on new funding opportunities and proposal development;
• Support development and implementation of E&R research agenda; and
• Other tasks as assigned.

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  • Ensure realistic intermediate and end-of-project biodiversity and livelihood targets are defined;
  • Determine project level research design and implementation for specific studies and surveys; and
  • Provide leadership on development and implementation of consistent guidance and tools to project teams for their M&E components.

Qualifications:

• Degree in Natural Resource Management, Strategic Planning, Project Management or related field required; Advanced degree preferred or an equivalent combination of experience and training;
• Minimum of 5 years international experience in conducting monitoring and evaluation and/or impact assessments of programs and projects, with a demonstrated ability to identify obstacles for implementation and recommend solutions;
• Extensive knowledge of the principles, practices and methodologies of project monitoring and evaluation;
• Considerable knowledge of the techniques of strategic planning and program and project development, analysis and management;
• Excellent research, analytical and report writing skills; 
• Must have excellent verbal and written communication skills;
• Proficiency in Spanish preferred;
• Excellent track record in people and project management, and team building;
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail, and 
• Ability to travel a minimum of 25% of the time. 

Salary: 

Commensurate with experience. Competitive benefits package provided.

To apply:

Send resume, cover letter and salary history to Human Resources, Rainforest Alliance,  665 Broadway, Suite 500, New York, NY 10012; Fax: 212-677-2187; E-mail: Personnel@ra.org. If emailing, use the following format in the subject line: first name and last name, job title of position you are applying for.

The Rainforest Alliance is an equal opportunity employer.