M&E Specialist

Q2IMPACT; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Paid time off

Opportunity to work across development

Job summary

Q2IMPACT is seeking a Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist to serve as the task order's senior technical lead for M&E, research, and performance management. You will design evaluations, monitoring systems, data collection methodologies, and analytical products, ensuring methodological rigor and compliance with Department of State standards.

The role requires leadership of field teams and adherence to security requirements.

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field and 10+ years of progressively responsible experience in monitoring, evaluation, learning, research, performance management, or applied analytics.
• Demonstrated experience designing and leading complex evaluations, assessments, and performance monitoring systems for U.S. Government programs.
• Experience supporting Department of State, USAID, DoD, or other federal foreign assistance programs; DoS experience preferred.
• Significant experience leading multidisciplinary teams in international settings.
• Active Secret-level security clearance is required.

Responsibilities

• Serve as the task order's lead technical expert for M&E, performance management, research, and evidence generation.
• Lead design and implementation of evaluations, monitoring systems, data collection methodologies, and analytical approaches.
• Provide technical oversight and quality assurance for all M&E deliverables and learning products.
• Advise stakeholders on project design, logic models, performance measurement, and data quality.

Skills

M&E expertise

Data analysis

Technical leadership

Stakeholder engagement

Written & oral communication

Education

Master's degree in evaluation, economics, statistics, public policy, international development, international relations, public administration, social sciences, or related field

Job description

About Q2IMPACT

Q2IMPACT is a data-first organization known for delivering innovative, customized solutions in monitoring, evaluation, learning, digital transformation, and performance management for government, security, and development partners. Drawing on deep expertise in advanced analytics, digital platforms, and AI, we help clients solve their most complex data, knowledge management, and operational challenges. Our collaborative culture values curiosity, partnership, and technical excellence.

Description

About Q2IMPACT: Q2IMPACT is a data-first organization known for delivering innovative, customized solutions in monitoring, evaluation, learning, digital transformation, and performance management for government, security, and development partners. Drawing on deep expertise in advanced analytics, digital platforms, and AI, we help clients solve their most complex data, knowledge management, and operational challenges. Our collaborative culture values curiosity, partnership, and technical excellence.

Project Summary

The EAP Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Platform supports the U.S. Department of State’s Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs (EAP), Office of Regional Assistance and Security Program (RASP), and other Department bureaus, embassies, consulates, field offices, and EAP operating units that manage or oversee foreign assistance programs. The task order provides demand-driven MEL, project design, strategic planning, performance monitoring, evaluation, data management, learning, training, third-party monitoring, infrastructure monitoring, and surge technical assistance across Washington, DC and the East Asia and Pacific region. The platform is designed to strengthen evidence-based decision-making, align programming with DOS priorities and 18 FAM 301.4 requirements, and deliver timely, high-quality services through close coordination with the COR, EAP program offices, Activity Managers, posts, and technical teams.

Position Summary

The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Specialist serves as the task order's senior technical lead for monitoring, evaluation, research, performance management, and evidence generation activities. Working closely with the Project Director, the M&E Specialist provides technical leadership across all M&E assignments, ensuring methodological rigor, technical quality, and compliance with Department of State standards and 18 FAM 301.4 requirements. The M&E Specialist leads the design and implementation of evaluations, assessments, performance monitoring systems, data collection methodologies, analytical products, and evidence-based decision-making processes while providing technical oversight to project teams, consultants, subcontractors, and field personnel. This position is contingent upon award.

This position is contingent upon award.

General Duties And Responsibilities

• Serve as the task order's lead technical expert for monitoring, evaluation, performance management, research, and evidence generation, providing technical leadership across all M&E-related assignments.
• Lead the design and implementation of evaluations, assessments, monitoring systems, data collection methodologies, and analytical approaches that support evidence-based decision-making and comply with Department of State requirements.
• Provide technical oversight and quality assurance for all M&E deliverables, including evaluation reports, assessment reports, performance monitoring tools, learning products, dashboards, and other analytical outputs.
• Advise Department stakeholders and project teams on project design, theories of change, performance measurement, data quality, evidence utilization, adaptive management, and learning practices.
• Supervise and mentor technical staff, consultants, researchers, enumerators, and subject matter experts engaged in monitoring, evaluation, research, and third-party monitoring activities.
• Support the development of technical implementation plans, work plans, and strategic approaches for demand-driven assignments across the East Asia and Pacific region.
• Ensure all technical work adheres to 18 FAM 301.4 requirements, quality assurance standards, security requirements, and contractual obligations.

Requirements

Minimum Education and Experience

• Master's degree in evaluation, economics, statistics, public policy, international development, international relations, public administration, social sciences, or a related field.
• Minimum 10 years of progressively responsible experience in monitoring, evaluation, learning, research, performance management, or applied analytics.
• Demonstrated experience designing and leading complex evaluations, assessments, and performance monitoring systems for U.S. Government programs.
• Demonstrated experience supporting Department of State, USAID, DoD, or other federal foreign assistance programs. Department of State experience preferred.
• Significant experience leading multidisciplinary teams conducting evaluations, assessments, field research, and learning activities in international settings.
• Experience working in the East Asia and Pacific region strongly preferred.
• Experience working in conflict-affected, non-permissive, or politically sensitive operating environments preferred.

Required Skills And Competencies

• Advanced expertise in monitoring, evaluation, learning, performance management, and applied research methodologies.
• Demonstrated expertise in designing and implementing mixed-method evaluations and assessments.
• Strong understanding of Department of State foreign assistance programming and 18 FAM 301.4 requirements.
• Expertise in indicator development, performance measurement, data quality assessments, and evidence utilization.
• Experience supporting learning agendas, adaptive management processes, and organizational learning initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to synthesize complex findings into concise, actionable recommendations for senior decision-makers.
• Strong data analysis and interpretation skills, including experience working with multiple data sources and large datasets.
• Exceptional writing, editing, facilitation, and presentation skills.
• Ability to provide technical leadership across multiple simultaneous assignments and dispersed teams.
• Strong interpersonal and stakeholder engagement skills, including experience working with senior U.S. Government officials and implementing partners. Active Secret-level security clearance.

Required Security Clearance

Active Secret-level clearance required.

Location and Travel:

Washington, DC; international travel as required.

Benefits

Benefits of Joining Q2IMPACT:

• A dynamic group of professionals with diverse backgrounds and expertise, committed to delivering high-quality results and making a meaningful impact in communities around the world.
• An opportunity to lead and shape a growing firm that has a solid reputation in the industry and is poised for further expansion.
• A chance to work across development, diplomacy, and defense sectors, with a broad portfolio of projects and clients.
• A supportive and inclusive culture that values innovation, excellence, and collaboration.
• Competitive salary and benefits package, including health, dental, and vision insurance, and paid time off.

Working Conditions And Required Equipment

The incumbent in these positions will work in a professional office environment and will utilize thefollowing equipment when working

• Computer (laptop or desktop)
• Printer/Photocopier/Scanner/Fax
• Telephone
• Other (Specify if any)

The physical demands and work environment that have been described is representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of these positions. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions in accordance with the Americans with Disabilities Act.

These position descriptions provide an overview of the major functions and requirements of these roles. This document is not intended to be an exhaustive list encompassing every duty and requirement of the positions; the Employee’s Manager may assign other duties as related or as otherwise deemed appropriate and necessary within the general scope, without the need for additional compensation.