Project: Leveling the Playing Field for American Workers in U.S.–Mexico Trade
Funding Source: U.S. Department of Labor (USDOL)
Duty Station: Mexico
Level of Effort: Full-time (100%)
Leveling the Playing Field for American Workers in U.S.–Mexico Trade is an international technical cooperation project funded by the United States Department of Labor (USDOL/ILAB) and led by Partners of the Americas. The project aims to strengthen the Mexican labor justice system at the state level through a tripartite model that brings together labor authorities, employers, and unions. Through various integrated activities—including the development of technological platforms, the training of labor stakeholders, the generation of open data, and the promotion of union exchanges—the project fosters the full implementation of the 2019 Labor Reform and compliance with the labor commitments of the USMCA in priority states with high integration into bilateral trade between Mexico and the United States.
Position Summary
The Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Director will lead the design, implementation, and management of all monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) activities for the USDOL-funded Leveling the Playing Field for American Workers in U.S.–Mexico Trade project. The position is responsible for ensuring that high-quality data are collected, analyzed, and used to track progress, inform adaptive management, and meet USDOL reporting and performance requirements throughout the project lifecycle.
Working in close coordination with the Project Director, program staff, partners, and USDOL counterparts, the M&E Director will ensure that monitoring systems are robust, compliant, and effectively support evidence-based decision-making and learning.
Key Responsibilities
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Leadership
- Design, develop, and implement a comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Plan, including the Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP), aligned with USDOL requirements and project objectives.
- Ensure systematic tracking and documentation of project outputs, outcomes, and perceived impacts, including those related to media and communications campaigns.
- Develop and refine project indicators, targets, data sources, and data collection methodologies from project start-up through closeout.
Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting
- Develop, test, and maintain data collection tools, instruments, and protocols to ensure data quality, consistency, and reliability.
- Manage project databases and information systems to support monitoring, reporting, and learning needs.
- Collect, analyze, and synthesize quantitative and qualitative data to inform program decision-making and reporting.
- Ensure timely availability of accurate data for donor reports, internal reviews, and external evaluations.
Learning, Adaptation, and Knowledge Management
- Facilitate learning and adaptation processes, including cross-team learning sessions, reflection meetings, and sensemaking workshops.
- Develop and use tools to capture lessons learned, best practices, and emerging evidence.
- In collaboration with communications staff, document and disseminate project-wide best practices and learning products.
Evaluation and Research Coordination
- Serve as the project liaison for externally managed evaluations, assessments, or research initiatives.
- Support the design, coordination, and implementation of midterm and final evaluations, ensuring alignment with USDOL expectations and timelines.
- Coordinate access to data, stakeholders, and documentation required for external evaluators.
Capacity Building and Technical Support
- Provide ongoing training and technical support to project staff, field teams, sub-awardees, and local implementing partners on MEL tools, systems, and compliance requirements.
- Strengthen partners’ capacity to collect, report, and use data for performance monitoring and learning.
Donor Compliance and Coordination
- Collaborate closely with the Project Director to ensure all data collection and reporting meet USDOL MEL and performance requirements.
- Maintain coordination and technical communication with USDOL M&E staff, as required.
- Ensure MEL activities comply with Partners of the Americas’ policies and donor standards.
Organizational Responsibilities (Partners of the Americas – Mexico Team)
- Demonstrate a clear understanding of and compliance with Partners of the Americas’ and donor policies and standards across programmatic, financial, administrative, procurement, logistics, human resources, security, and safeguarding processes.
Required Qualifications
Education
- Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in statistics, demography, public policy, international development, economics, social sciences, or a related field.
Professional Experience
- Minimum of five (5) years of professional experience in a senior Monitoring and Evaluation role for international development or donor-funded projects.
- Proven experience designing, implementing, and managing project M&E systems from project initiation through closeout.
- Demonstrated experience in strategic planning, performance measurement, indicator design, target setting, and reporting.
Technical Skills
- Strong experience developing and refining data collection tools and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data.
- Demonstrated ability to facilitate learning and adaptation processes and lead cross-team learning initiatives.
- Familiarity with USDOL or other U.S. government donor MEL requirements is highly desirable.
Contextual Experience
- Experience working in or supporting projects in Mexico is preferred.
- Experience related to labor rights, labor reform, social dialogue, or trade-related programming is an asset.
Language Requirements
- Fluency in spoken and written Spanish (required).
- Professional proficiency in spoken and written English (required).
To apply, please submit your curriculum vitae to the following email address: mxadmin@partners.net using the subject line “M&E Director – Candidate’s First and Last Name.” We kindly request that only one email per candidate be submitted. Please refrain from sending multiple emails for this position. Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis.