Senior MEL Specialist

Social Impact; Arlington (VA); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A global development consulting firm is seeking four full-time Senior MEL Specialists to provide monitoring, evaluation, and learning services to the U.S. Department of State. The role requires a Master's degree and over 7 years of M&E experience. Key responsibilities include supporting technical MEL activities, drafting reports, and leading capacity-building initiatives. Positions may be based in Kyiv, Ukraine or other priority countries. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and able to obtain SECRET clearance. The firm emphasizes a collaborative and inclusive workplace.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of M&E experience is required.
• Ability to work in politically sensitive environments.
• Willingness to travel to multiple areas/hardship zones.

Responsibilities

• Support technical MEL activities under this contract.
• Draft final reports for submission to EUR/ACE.
• Lead and support MEL capacity building activities and trainings.

Skills

Monitoring and Evaluation

Data Analysis

Technical Writing

Capacity Building

Education

Master’s Degree or higher in international development, MEL, or related field

Job description

Senior MEL Specialist, Department of State’s EUR/ACE MEL Services (Kyiv, Ukraine or regionally based)

Social Impact is a global development management consulting firm. We provide monitoring, evaluation, strategic planning, and capacity building services to advance development effectiveness. We work across all development sectors, including democracy and governance, health and education, the environment, and economic growth. Since 1997, we have worked in over 100 countries for clients such as US government agencies, bilateral donors, multilateral development banks, foundations, and nonprofits.

We believe Social Impact is a great place to work and are passionate in our efforts to ensure that this endures. We are proud of our diversity and actively seek to expand it as a way of improving our employees’ experience, our collective professional breadth and the quality of the work we do. We promote equity and inclusion through our policies and practices and build a culture of belonging for everyone where differences and authenticity are honored and embraced. We work hard to create opportunities for growth and ensure that our staff are fulfilled and engaged. We believe we are better when we collaborate, learn from one another and have fun while working hard.

Proposal Objective

This contract will support the U.S. Department of State’s Office of the Coordinator of U.S. Assistance to Europe, Eurasia, and Central Asia (EUR/ACE) with Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) support services to strengthen oversight and enable evidence‑based decision‑making for foreign assistance programs. Covering cross‑cutting sectors of EUR/ACE programming, this contract is expected to provide comprehensive MEL services, including project design support, developing and supporting outcome indicators, performance monitoring and third‑party monitoring, and planning and implementing independent external evaluations.

Services are expected to cover Central Asia, Central Europe, Eastern Europe, Eurasia, and Türkiye, the Balkans. The anticipated period of performance is Fiscal Year 2026 – 2030.

Position Description

SI is seeking four (4) full‑time Senior MEL Specialists, contingent upon award. Two positions will be based in Kyiv, Ukraine, and two will be based in other EUR/ACE priority countries, potentially Armenia, Moldova, Azerbaijan, or Tajikistan.

• Support technical MEL activities under this contract. This may include contributing to project design, conducting data collection, synthesis and analysis of monitoring data, and other tasks as required.
• Draft final reports for submission to EUR/ACE, ensuring clarity, quality, and usability.
• Support and contribute to presentations, reports, and other scheduled or ad‑hoc inputs focused on MEL requested by EUR/ACE.
• Support DQA activities.
• Lead and support MEL capacity building activities and trainings for EUR/ACE staff.

Qualifications

• Master’s Degree or higher in international development, MEL, or related field.
• 7+ years of M&E experience.
• Regional experience, preferred.
• Ability to work in a politically sensitive or conflict environment; ability and willingness to travel to multiple areas/hardship zones.
• Ability to obtain SECRET clearance required.
• U.S. Citizenship required.

Please submit your CV in English for best consideration of your candidacy. CVs must not exceed a maximum of 5 pages.

Please note: Two of these positions will be based in Kyiv, Ukraine, and two will be based in other EUR/ACE priority countries, potentially Armenia, Moldova, Azerbaijan, or Tajikistan. Only candidates with U.S. citizenship will be considered.

Come join our energetic and innovative team! We offer you the opportunity to play a leading role in the growth of our company, work as part of a creative and committed team, and make a difference in the well‑being of our world.

To learn more about Social Impact, please visit our website: http://www.socialimpact.com.

SI is an EEO/AA/ADA Veterans Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status.