Under the supervision of the Project Director and the Americas Regional MERL Manager, the Monitoring, Evaluation, Research, and Learning (MERL) Officer will provide day-to-day MERL leadership for an expected regional media assistance project in Central America. They will work collaboratively with regional staff and Internews HQ teams to develop effective monitoring methodologies and tracking systems, ensure consistent and accurate data collection, and support effective analysis of and reporting on the overall impact and results of the project. They will also work with project staff to develop and improve their monitoring and evaluation capacities and ensure that organizational and project-level targets are met, with special attention to those related to the operational capacity of independent media partners, gender equity, and inclusion of marginalized populations. The MERL Officer will be a key member of the Central America and Mexico team within the Americas Program Management Unit (PMU) and provide critical input into the achievement of PMU MERL goals, including support on new business plans, regional MERL procedures and systems, and input to annual strategic planning processes. 

LOGISTICS

This position will be based remotely in Central America, with a preference for candidates based in Costa Rica, Guatemala, or Honduras. 
This is a limited-duration position with an expected end date in September 2027.
Note: Hiring of this position is contingent upon receipt of funding.

DAY-TO-DAY TASKS will include:

• Lead the planning and implementation of monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities for the project, making sure they are designed in a methodologically sound and feasible way, accurately implemented, and that the results are analyzed and reported appropriately. 
• Support the implementation of the project's performance monitoring plan, which will guide key activities, performance indicators, annual and life-of-activity targets, and learning that will take place during the life of the project.
• Advise on the design, development, and administration of resources and tools to evaluate and track project indicators, such as pre- and post-activity surveys, focus group questionnaires, uniform qualitative data collection, internal tracking systems, impact stories, etc. 
• Advise project staff on best practices to ensure activities and MEL efforts are integrated into all activities and consider inclusion of women and marginalized and vulnerable populations, including differentiated targets for men, women, and/or specific groups, including Indigenous, LGBTQ+, and other populations. 
• Coordinate the quarterly collection of indicator data and stories of change for both the project and Internews' overall monitoring and evaluation efforts, including use and management of program data in the internal ProgramSource database. 
• Ensure that data is verified, synthesized, and updated for inclusion in reports, briefings, and meetings for donors and project stakeholders and Internews materials.
• Propose and implement strategies for improved communications on project activities and accomplishments. 
• Provide technical support to local project partners in the design and administration of MERL systems in their subgrants and to local consultants to collect necessary data as part of their services. 
• In close coordination with the Project Director and Regional MERL Manager, facilitate regular pause and reflect sessions with project team and partners to inform project implementation and learnings. 
• Contribute to regional MERL initiatives and collaborate with MERL staff throughout the Americas region. 
• In all duties, uphold Internews' Core Values and demonstrate commitment to fostering a culture of Belonging.

QUALIFICATIONS WE'RE LOOKING FOR

Required

• University degree or equivalent lived/professional experience. 
• At least five years' experience in monitoring and evaluation of international programs, preferably with experience with USG donors and/or in the media development sector.
• Spanish and English fluency.
• Strong qualitative and quantitative research skills, and experience with designing and managing mixed methods research including the design of logical frameworks, indicators, and appropriate data collection methods.
• Knowledge of or aptitude for grasping common organizational methods such as social network analysis, Outcome Harvesting, organizational capacity assessments, and digital analytics.
• Experience of delivering research training and building research capacity to colleagues and local partners.
• Strong presentation and facilitation skills and experience with adapting oral and written research outputs to present in non-technical language to diverse audiences, including colleagues, journalists, consultants, and donors.
• Strong time management and organizational skills; ability to effectively manage a dynamic workload and shifting priorities.
• Proven ability to operate in a multicultural and remote work environment.
• Proven ability to work both independently and as an effective team member.
• Flexibility to travel periodically to other countries for meetings with colleagues, local partners, and donors.
• Flexibility to work outside traditional office hours as required.

Preferred
Note: Candidates who do not have these preferred qualifications, but who are interested and willing to learn, are encouraged to apply. 

• Familiarity with Central American media landscape and information ecosystem, including main challenges and opportunities for media and public access to information.
• Experience implementing US-funded projects a significant asset; experience with other government-funded programs, or other programs with significant reporting, evaluation, and compliance components, is strongly desired.
• Experience working for an international nonprofit or in the international development sector.
• Experience in developing or supporting projects in closed or hostile environments; knowledge of security risks and mitigation protocols.
• Experience with implementing projects in diverse information environments and training in technologies that support access to information, and experience with privacy, censorship circumvention, and anonymity tools.
• Familiarity with and experience in implementing projects to strengthen organizational capacity and inclusion of marginalized communities.

This position is being offered and hired by Internews Network. Benefits will be consistent with Internews Network's offerings and will be reviewed during the hiring process. Additional information can be found on our **Benefits **page. 
Internews Network is an EEO/AAP/OFCCP employer. Every qualified applicant will be considered for employment. Internews does not discriminate based on race, gender, gender identity or orientation, genetic information, age, national origin, marital status, disability status, political ideology, military or protected veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable law.