Sr. Lead, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL), Forced Labor Slavery Hub (FLS Hub), Asia Pacific

Who We Are

International Justice Mission (IJM) is the global leader in protecting vulnerable people from violence around the world. Our team of over 1,200 professionals are at work worldwide in over 30 offices. Together we are on a mission to rescue millions, protect half a billion, and make justice unstoppable.

We are a global community that cares for one another. We believe that the way we work is as important as the results we achieve. We provide professional excellence with joy and celebration to all those we serve.

The Need

For over 25 years, IJM has pioneered the work to protect vulnerable people from violence. 9 out of 9 times in the last decade, IJM’s Justice System Strengthening Projects have reduced slavery and violence between 50 and 85% for very large populations of people in poverty. As we grow to expand our impact to protect 500 million people from violence, we are seeking a Sr. Lead, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning to provide strong technical support to IJM’s forced labor program in Southeast Asia in the areas of monitoring, evaluation, research and data analysis.

This position is based in Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia or Cambodia and reports to the MERL Specialist, FLS Program and is only available for candidates with the right to work in the above-mentioned countries.

This position is hybrid work arrangement. (will follow office days of the host office depending on location)

Responsibilities

Program Impact, Quality, Evaluation, and Learning (50%)

• Support development and implementation of methods, systems and tools to monitor and evaluate IJM’s Asia Pacific Forced Labor Slavery programs including:
• Collaborative casework targeting forced labor and labor trafficking crimes;
• Trainings, technical consultation, advocacy and awareness raising activities conducted by IJM and partners;
• The performance of justice system agencies in responding to forced labor and labor trafficking;
• Key stakeholders’ confidence in the justice system’s response to forced labor and labor trafficking;
• Support the design of priority interventions of FLS program and lead the measurement;
• Ensure IJM’s data collection methods will produce useful data and visualization that meets minimum quality standards;
• Lead ongoing analysis of both quantitative and qualitative program data and support program leaders and staff in interpreting the findings;
• Produce data analysis and visualization products for internal and external dissemination;
• Proactively identify gaps or needed changes in program design and MERL plans;
• Facilitate, and provide the necessary data and analysis for, regular program learning activities to support the program in achieving demonstrable, meaningful impact;
• Appropriately incorporate survivor voice into MERL;
• Support country teams in assisting host governments’ data management systems, data sharing, and learning, as applicable;
• Support the preparation for internal and external evaluation(s); and
• Contribute to the development of IJM program quality standards.

Leadership, Collaboration, and Strategy (30%)

• Support development of innovative partnerships with government and non-government partners to increase IJM and stakeholder ability to collect, share and analyze data, and measure impact;
• Work closely with the MERL Specialist to equip IJM’s forced labor programs and partners in research, learning, innovation, program design, monitoring and evaluation activities to regularly review and facilitate improvement and development of Field Office programs;
• Develop, maintain and disseminate guidance, advise on the development of tools, plans, and instructions for IJM’s Asia Pacific FLS programs and partners;
• Provide ongoing leadership, training and guidance to relevant non-MERL staff on how to participate in data management and interpretation processes;
• Work with regional Field Office Directors, regional and country MERL staff, relevant regional staff, and IJM Global teams to develop MERL goals and objectives;
• Determine priorities for impact measurement, data collection, analysis and interpretation to ensure timely reporting and sustainable workloads amongst competing efforts;
• Keep leadership and global colleagues apprised of M&E learnings;
• Collaborate with IJM’s FLS MERL Specialist and IJM’s Global Measurement Team staff to share knowledge, obtain needed support, and obtain and share resources;
• With the MERL Specialist, facilitate a cross-office MERL team that ensures close coordination and collaboration to solve regional/hub MERL challenges and develop MERL staff capacity;
• Represent IJM in relevant MERL forums, networks, and events;
• Manage FLS MERL projects as directed by the MERL Specialist, including budget, consultants and service providers as needed; and
• Contribute to the program design process for new FLS projects.

Impact Measurement Research and Partnerships (20%)

• Provide technical input to, and otherwise support IJM’s targeted and large scale, quantitative and qualitative research efforts to assess targeted crime prevalence, justice system effectiveness and the impact of well-functioning justice systems on individuals and communities;
• Develop, gain requisite approval/clearance for, and execute on assigned research projects in coordination with other program leaders and external consultants;
• Develop research scopes of work, objectives, project charters, and project plans;
• Propose, review, and recommend effective methodology options;
• Develop feasible, plausible, and implementable plans for research team staffing; research budget; research schedule; instrument development, testing, and finalization; data collection; data quality control; data analysis; and data dissemination & use;
• Ensure development, dissemination, uptake of, and adherence to research guidance, including study staff training manuals and data quality assurance plans;
• Ensure compliance with IJM security, financial, staff care, ethical research, data security, and other internal policies and procedures;
• Lead on the implementation of assigned work packages and activities;
• Provide technical support and leadership to other leaders on the research project;
• Identify strategic program components for internal and external evaluation or research; direct, design and conduct evaluations/research
• Participation in IJM’s community of spiritual formation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (Master’s degree preferred) in International Development, Public Policy; Economics; Data Science; Applied Statistics, Analytics, Public Health, Criminal Justice, or another related field;
• At least 5 years of experience in monitoring and evaluation and data use, applied research, program design, as well as program management experience;
• Proven leadership experience, including managing teams, in data analysis or M&E activities;
• Strong experience in qualitative and quantitative methods, data collection, database development and management, and analytics;
• Professional certificate related to MERL is an advantage;
• Membership of a professional society on MERL in Southeast Asia is an advantage.

Critical Qualities

• Eager commitment to IJM’s Core Values: Christian, Professional and Bridge-Building;
• Self-starter with strong initiative;
• Disciplined with priorities;
• Strong interpersonal skills and self-awareness;
• Exceptional verbal and written communication;
• Flexible, collaborative and eager to support others;
• Effective team player who fosters collaborative environment; and
• Adept at creative problem solving.

Technical Competencies

• Ability to design and validate data collection tools, such as surveys and interview guides, that require minimum staff time and effort;
• Proven ability to communicate and collaborate with multi-disciplinary program teams to understand goals and activities, balance staff time and competing priorities, and translate data into programmatic recommendations;
• Proficient in group facilitation with demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with partners, staff, and colleagues with a high level of tact, diplomacy and confidentiality;
• Strong computer skills, including functional knowledge of quantitative and qualitative data analysis software – Expertise in statistical analysis software (such as Stata, SPSS, SAS, R, or NVivo) and associated descriptive, prescriptive, and predictive analytics techniques;
• Strong verbal and written communication skills in English (including both strong scientific writing skills and for lay audiences);
• Expertise in all areas of quantitative and qualitative methodologies (including sampling, implementation guidance and oversight, data collection and analysis ethical approvals and procedures, as well as quantitative and qualitative data analysis techniques)
• Expertise in staff training and management and change management around MERL/data-related initiatives
• Expertise in data visualization and the design, creation, and promotion of data products (e.g., dashboards, technical reports, data briefs, and presentations)
• Knowledge of standards relating to design, planning, monitoring/measurement and program evaluation;
• Knowledge of forced labor issues, anti-forced labor programming and government engagement in Southeast Asian countries preferred.

Non-Technical Competencies

• Strong analytical skills
• Team player and team oriented across multi-disciplinary teams
• Demonstrates servant leadership and the values of IJM
• Self-starter with strong initiative
• Proactive, creative problem-solver
• Extremely high levels of honesty and integrity
• Ability to work well under stress and deadline pressures with a sustained positive attitude
• Attention to detail; organized and disciplined with priorities
• Passionate to combat human trafficking, rescue victims and hold offenders accountable
• Exceptional collaborator with diverse teams from various backgrounds – including technical and non-technical staff

Other Duties

This job description is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive list of activities, duties or responsibilities for the position. Duties, responsibilities and activities may change at any time with or without notice. All positions are required to perform any additional tasks assigned by the supervisor.

Travel

Potential travel up to 20% of time (subject to travel restrictions and pandemic situation)

Application Process

Please submit Resume/CV and Cover Letter in one document to apac_recruiting@ijm.org.

IJM holds strict safeguarding principles and a zero tolerance to violations of the Safeguarding Policy, Protection against Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment Policy, and Code of Ethics. Candidate selection is based on technical competence, recruitment, selection and hiring criteria subject to assess the candidates value congruence and thorough background, police clearance, and reference check processes.

IJM requires a background check, police clearance and thorough review of references with an employment offer and/or employment contract.