Senior MERL Specialist

Vital Voices Global Partnership is a leading international non-profit organization. We invest in women leaders who are tackling the world’s greatest challenges – from gender-based violence to the climate crisis, economic inequities, and more. We are “venture catalysts,” identifying leaders with a daring vision for change and partnering with them to make that vision a reality. What sets Vital Voices apart is that we make long-term, holistic investments in leaders with bold ideas for change — providing them connections, capacity, a network of their peers, financial support, and visibility for their work. We have provided early support for leaders who went on to become Nobel Peace Laureates, US Youth Poet Laureates, Prime Ministers, award winning innovators and breakthrough social entrepreneurs. Over the past 24 years, we have directly invested in more than 20,000 change-makers across 184 countries, who in turn have improved the lives of millions of people in their communities and countries.  

Today, Vital Voices has a staff of nearly 100 headquartered in Washington, DC. In the coming years we have a bold vision to dramatically scale our impact. In early 2022, we opened the first ever Global Headquarters for Women’s Leadership, a 30,000+ sq. ft. historic building just blocks from the White House on 16th Street. It is a hub of activity, events, and collaborations — bringing together women leaders and their allies to tackle the world’s greatest challenges. 

Mission 

Vital Voices invests in women leaders taking on the world’s greatest challenges and accelerates collective action towards an equitable and sustainable world.  

Organizational Goals 2030

1. Scale our proven investment model from 20,000 to 50,000 women leaders - who together will positively impact the lives of one billion people. 
2. Make a measurable impact on 1-2 of the greatest challenges as defined by the Vital Voices Global Network - proving the power of collective action.  

Summary 

The Senior MERL Specialist will work directly under the supervision and guidance of the VP, Tech & Data. This position will support a portfolio of federally funded programs under our Global Network and Regional Engagement team. This position will manage the implementation of monitoring and evaluation programs revolving around eradication of Gender Based Violence (GBV) on a global scale as well as supporting survivor centered approaches for conflict related sexual violence (CRSV) and transitional justice. The position will play a key role in building strategy and measures, including guidelines and tool development, data collection, analysis, and reporting for overall VV programs and strategic priorities. The Senior MERL Specialist directly manages the MERL Specialist. This position is based in Washington, DC with the option of a hybrid work schedule. We are not accepting remote candidates at this time.  

Additional responsibilities include: 

 Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.   

• Improving M&E systems: Support ongoing technical assistance to program staff, partners and sub grantees in M&E to strengthen program management and donor reporting while engaging in performance monitoring plans and work plans, including data quality controls.  

• Data Collection, Analysis & Reporting: Refine quantitative and qualitative data collection tools tailored to GBV and CRSV contexts, ensuring they are culturally sensitive, ethically sound, and aligned with project objectives by:  

• Coordinate field data collection processes, including surveys, interviews, focus group discussions, and participatory methods, ensuring the involvement of diverse and vulnerable groups. 

• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data using appropriate statistical and analytical software (e.g., Salesforce, Stata, NVivo), identifying key trends, patterns, and correlations related to GBV and CRSV. 

• Perform comparative and longitudinal analysis to assess changes over time, measure the impact of interventions, and evaluate progress against baseline data and project indicators. 

• Draft and compile high-quality monitoring and evaluation reports, including weekly, monthly, quarterly, and final reports, ensuring that findings are clearly presented, and recommendations are actionable. 

• Customize reports and data visualizations for different audiences, including donors, government agencies, and local partners, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and lessons learned. 

• Knowledge Management: Manage the organization's knowledge management efforts by documenting best practices, success stories, and innovative approaches to GBV and CRSV interventions. 

• Management: Provide direct supervision and mentorship to the MERL Specialist, fostering professional growth through regular feedback, tailored training, and opportunities for leadership development. 

• DE&I Commitment: Embrace and model the Vital Voices guiding principles, values, investment, and leadership models to support Vital Voices’ organization culture and success; 
• Other duties as assigned.   

Professional Qualifications:   

• Bachelor’s degree in international relations, data analytics, or a related field, plus 3-5 years of relevant work experience required;

• Candidates must have a minimum of three (3) years of demonstrable experience in managing or supporting projects funded by federal agencies (e.g., USAID, Department of State, or other relevant federal entities) within international development and gender studies; 

• Strong demonstrated experience in global women’s issues, refugee issues, and human rights;  

• Excellent oral and written communications skills in English; 

• Ability to prioritize tasks, swiftly shift priorities, and work in a dynamic environment with tight deadlines 

• Ability to work independently and as part of a dynamic team;  

• Previous management experience preferred;  

• Strong computer skills including MS Office applications (esp. Excel, Word, and PowerPoint), social networking tools, and database software (i.e., Salesforce). 
• Experience working cross-functionally to support key objectives and to help team members  

This position is a full-time exempt hybrid position based in Washington, DC with two days of required in person attendance at the Vital Voices Headquarters. If and when it is safe to travel, domestic and international travel up to 10% be required for the position.  

The starting salary range for this position is $76,000 – $93,500 based on experience and ability to have broad impact early.  

Benefits:  

At Vital Voices, we value our employees and their well-being. That's why we offer a competitive and comprehensive compensation package that includes medical, dental, and vision insurance, 401k match, short and long-term disability, life insurance, HSA, EAP, and more. But that's not all. We believe in giving our employees the flexibility and support they need to thrive in their work and life. That's why we provide generous PTO including wellness flex Fridays, parental leave, earned sabbatical time, and volunteer leave as well as a professional development stipend to support continuous improvement. Join us and be part of a global team that empowers women leaders to transform the world.   

--- 

Vital Voices provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, or genetics. In addition to federal law requirements, Vital Voices complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the company has facilities. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.   

Vital Voices expressly prohibits any form of workplace harassment based on race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, genetic information, disability, or veteran status. Improper interference with the ability of Vital Voices’ employees to perform their job duties may result in discipline up to and including discharge.   

Staff may experience secondary trauma due to exposure to descriptive and/or graphic gender-based violence content in their work on the urgent assistance program. Vital Voices does not provide work visa sponsorship or relocation assistance for this position.   
  
Applications will be accepted and reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. Only short-listed candidates will be contacted.