Senior Monitoring & Evaluation Specialist (ME IV) with DRL

About the job

Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist IV

U.S. Department of State | Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL)

Location: Washington, DC, U.S. Department of State Offices

Clearance: Must hold and maintain a Secret or higher security clearance.

About CRG

Contracting Resources Group, Inc. (CRG) is a mid-sized, woman-owned business supporting federal mission priorities through program execution, performance measurement, strategic communications, acquisition support, and digital transformation. Since 2002, CRG has provided high-quality solutions with a focus on reliability, agility, and operational excellence.

We offer a collaborative work environment, competitive compensation, and have been recognized for our strong workplace culture through awards such as Best Places to Work and the Department of Labor's HireVets Platinum Medallion.

Description

CRG is seeking an experienced Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist IV to support the U.S. Department of State's Bureau of Democracy, Human Rights, and Labor (DRL), specifically its Applied Learning and Evaluation (ALE) activities.

The Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist IV will provide senior-level technical expertise and strategic guidance in applied research, performance monitoring, program evaluation, and organizational learning for programs supported by the Human Rights and Democracy Fund (HRDF) and other DRL funding sources.

The successful candidate will collaborate with DRL leadership, program officers, Grants Officer Representatives (GORs), technical officers, grantees, and external evaluators to strengthen program effectiveness, improve performance measurement, and promote evidence-based decision-making across international human rights and democracy assistance programs.

This position supports the development and implementation of evaluation strategies, performance frameworks, learning agendas, and research initiatives. The specialist will also assist in managing DRL-commissioned evaluations, strengthening monitoring and evaluation practices, and incorporating lessons learned into future foreign assistance programming.

The ideal candidate will bring extensive experience in monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL), applied research, federal foreign assistance, and international democracy, human rights, and governance programming.

Job Duties

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Applied Research

• Support the development and implementation of DRL's applied research and evaluation strategy, including the bureau evaluation plan and learning agenda.

• Provide technical direction and guidance on monitoring, evaluation, and learning approaches for DRL-funded programs.

• Design, oversee, and implement qualitative and quantitative research, performance monitoring, and evaluation activities.

• Develop and refine short- and long-term performance measures, results frameworks, indicators, and data collection methodologies.

• Coordinate and manage external evaluations, including collaboration with evaluators, researchers, and implementing partners.

• Conduct literature reviews, desk reviews, applied research, and internal evaluations as needed.

• Analyze program performance data and synthesize evaluation findings to identify trends, lessons learned, and opportunities for program improvement.

• Promote innovative, ethical, and participatory approaches to monitoring and evaluation, incorporating perspectives from communities affected by democracy, human rights, and governance programming.

Strategic Planning and Performance Management

• Contribute to DRL's strategic planning activities, including the bureau's Functional Bureau Strategy, evaluation priorities, and relevant Department-wide strategic initiatives.

• Support the development of portfolio-wide results frameworks and learning agendas to strengthen evidence-based programming.

• Assist in preparing and updating performance planning and reporting documents required by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), Department leadership, and other federal stakeholders.

• Contribute to the Bureau Strategic Resource Plan, Congressional Budget Justification, Operational Plan, Performance Plan and Report (PPR), and other required performance documents.

• Support strategic planning and oversight of the ALE team's spending plan, including funding for applied research and evaluation activities.

• Assist in developing program goals, objectives, performance indicators, and evaluation requirements for DRL funding.

• Develop strategies to communicate and disseminate evaluation findings, policy updates, and best practices throughout the bureau.

Foreign Assistance and Grants Management

• Provide technical support throughout the federal assistance lifecycle, including pre-award, award, and post-award activities for grants and cooperative agreements.

• Assist in developing monitoring, reporting, and evaluation requirements for foreign assistance awards.

• Support the administration and oversight of applied research and evaluation grants.

• Track foreign assistance activities, funding, and program performance throughout the fiscal year.

• Coordinate with DRL leadership, program officers, GORs, and Grants Officers to support effective program implementation and oversight.

• Provide technical guidance to grantees on appropriate MEL tools, methodologies, reporting requirements, and data quality standards.

• Support program monitoring activities and analyze findings to assist government officials in evaluating program effectiveness.

• Liaise with offices responsible for administration, financial planning, and acquisition of program funding.

Data Management, Reporting, and Knowledge Sharing

• Support the administration and continuous improvement of DRL's project management database to strengthen data quality, reporting, and accessibility.

• Develop data collection instruments, analytical tools, and reporting approaches to assess program outcomes and performance.

• Prepare technical reports, research summaries, briefing materials, memoranda, and presentations for internal and external stakeholders.

• Translate complex evaluation findings into clear, actionable recommendations for program staff and leadership.

• Develop and deliver training on MEL methodologies, tools, and best practices for DRL staff and implementing partners.

• Facilitate collaboration and knowledge sharing across DRL portfolios, offices, and the broader monitoring and evaluation community.

• Support Congressional communications, briefings, reports, and strategic planning related to applied learning and evaluation activities.

Additional Responsibilities May Include

• Liaise with U.S. embassies, consulates, implementing partners, and other stakeholders regarding the monitoring and evaluation of foreign assistance programs.

• Participate in stakeholder workshops, conferences, training sessions, and technical working groups.

• Collaborate with external researchers, evaluators, and MEL professionals to strengthen evaluation methodologies and organizational learning.

• Assist in developing internal policies, guidance documents, and evaluation frameworks for DRL program officers.

• Support program monitoring visits to international project implementation sites, as directed by authorized government officials.

• Prepare monitoring reports and analyses to support GORs and Grants Officers in evaluating program performance.

• Maintain expertise in regional and thematic programming priorities, including democracy, human rights, governance, internet freedom, international religious freedom, transitional justice, gender, marginalized populations, and security and human rights.

• Safeguard sensitive and classified information in accordance with applicable federal security requirements and organizational policies.

• Perform other related duties in support of DRL's mission and program priorities.

Requirements

• Minimum of 12 years of professional experience designing, overseeing, and implementing program monitoring and evaluation activities.

• Demonstrated experience conducting monitoring and evaluation for U.S. federal funding agencies, such as USAID or the Department of State, and their implementing partners.

• Strong knowledge of U.S. Government and international funding agencies' evaluation policies, performance management requirements, and foreign assistance processes.

• Extensive experience in applied research, qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis, performance indicator development, and results measurement.

• Demonstrated ability to design data collection instruments, assess data quality, interpret research findings, and communicate results to program staff, partners, and donors.

• Experience with database management, online survey platforms, performance reporting systems, and data visualization techniques.

• International experience conducting program monitoring and evaluation.

• Working knowledge of foreign assistance and international human rights, democracy, and governance programming.

• Excellent analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and project management skills.

• Exceptional written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to prepare executive-level briefings, technical reports, and recommendations.

• Strong interpersonal, cross-cultural communication, and collaboration skills, with demonstrated ability to work effectively across multiple offices, agencies, and stakeholder groups.

• Ability to manage competing priorities, work independently, and meet challenging deadlines.

• Must be able to obtain and maintain the required security clearance.

Education

• Ph.D. with at least 10 years of relevant professional experience, or

• Master's degree with at least 12 years of relevant professional experience, preferred.

• Candidates possessing a bachelor's degree with at least 18 years of relevant experience will also be considered.

Salary Range

$140,000 and $150,000.

Benefits

Full-time CRG employees are eligible for a competitive benefits package, including:

• 401(k) and Roth retirement plans

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and eligible family members

• Supplemental insurance options

• 11 federal holidays

• At least three weeks of paid time off (PTO), including sick and personal leave

Equal Employment Opportunity

CRG is an equal opportunity employer. We make employment decisions based on merit, qualifications, and business need. All qualified applicants receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, status as a protected veteran, or any other state or federally protected category.