Evaluation Officer, NFWF- Washington DC

Organization: National Fish and Wildlife Foundation

Position Title: Evaluation Officer

Location: 1133 15th St. NW, Suite 1100, Washington, District of Columbia, 20005

Hours and Compensation: full time, commensurate with experience

Application Deadline: not given

Organization Overview

Description

The Evaluation Officer is responsible for working with the Foundation’s staff and Board, federal agencies and other conservation partners to develop and implement an outcome-based funding/investment and impact assessment (i.e. “evaluation”) strategy for the Foundation’s conservation programs, including the Gulf Environmental Benefit Fund (GULF).

The Evaluation Officer will apply existing NFWF processes and/or create new combinations of people, processes, methodologies, and ideas that will lead to effective approaches to measuring the Foundation’s conservation programs by working with partners to ensure a strong culture of conservation impact assessment “on the ground” in the Gulf and in other regions.  The Evaluation Officer will work closely with the Science Team, GULF Team and program staff to deliver measurable outcomes in accordance with the Foundation’s vision and strategic plan. The Evaluation Officer is expected to be and/or become a thought-leader in his/her respective field and position the Foundation as the convener of choice in the conservation community.

Responsibilities

Conceptualization and Prioritization

• Through engagement with staff and key partners, develop and build monitoring and evaluation as a core component of NFWF grant-making, particularly in the Gulf region, in order to assess the progress of NFWF’s conservation investments in achieving desired outcomes.
  • Collaborate in the continued development, implementation, and refinement of NFWF’s evaluation and monitoring strategy for use at both project and program scales of grant-making.
  • Work with the Science and Evaluation teams to advance the Foundation’s new conservation strategy framework and goals as well as develop and/or align existing monitoring methodology to ensure that relevant data are compiled for measuring progress on strategy implementation.

Planning Actions

• Assist in developing outcomes-based conservation strategies in the Gulf region based on mutual priorities and interest among NFWF, states and federal agencies, or otherwise contribute to similar efforts being led by others.
• Participate in various science and monitoring efforts underway in the Gulf and ensure appropriate integration of new findings within Gulf efforts, including identifying gaps in baseline information and formulating plans or projects to fill such gaps.
• Lead discussions among NFWF staff, award recipients, state and federal agencies, and/or other partners or otherwise contribute to similar efforts being led by others to develop common monitoring plans or protocols to effectively gauge progress and assess achievement of outcomes at both project and program scales.

Implementation and Monitoring

• Facilitate engagement and input from multiple stakeholders in the Gulf to assist in assembling a strong project portfolio.  Provide peer review and guidance to strengthen the technical merits of project proposals and coordinate technical input from other outside experts, as appropriate.
• Work with recipients to shape project monitoring requirements using protocols consistent with existing monitoring efforts.  Oversee project monitoring to ensure data quality.
• Help build Foundation staff and award recipient capacity for using monitoring and evaluation as a tool for learning and adaptive management.

Analysis and Adaptation

• In collaboration with NFWF Evaluation Team, program staff, and IT staff, compile and analyze data on project and program outcomes and help incorporate findings into future organizational and program improvements.
• In collaboration with the GULF staff, develop Request for Proposal (RFP) or other appropriate solicitation method for programmatic evaluation(s) of the Gulf Fund and other NFWF programs. In collaboration with appropriate NFWF staff, evaluate responses to RFPs for proposed methodology, staff expertise, analytical approach, and reporting procedures and make approval recommendations. Oversee and monitor evaluation(s) throughout the process to determine sufficient progress, quality and rigor of final products, and utility of recommendations.
• Conduct site visits in accordance with Foundation policy.

Capturing and Sharing Learning

• Communicate and disseminate data on project and program outcomes to both internal (staff, Board) and external (funding partners, grantees, etc.) audiences to ensure strong understanding.
• Assist in the preparation of briefing materials and recommendations to support decision making by the Foundation’s Board.
• Foster NFWF as a thought leader in the field of conservation evaluation. Disseminate results and lessons learned from assessments of NFWF programs through various media, such as NFWF’s website, conference presentations, publications and the Environmental Evaluator’s Networking forum or Conservation Measures Partnership, as appropriate.
• Represent the Foundation at appropriate meetings, conferences, etc.

SECONDARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Contribute to team effort by accomplishing special projects as assigned by the Director of Strategic Planning and Evaluation or the Executive Vice President of Science, Evaluation, and Programs.

Qualifications

• PhD or Master’s degree with equivalent experience.  At least five years professional experience in monitoring, evaluating, and reporting program or project effectiveness is required. It is desirable that this experience be in a natural resource-oriented organization.
• Demonstrated knowledge of contemporary evaluative theories and techniques, quantitative/statistical analysis, and adaptive management.
• Ability to independently organize and prioritize work and meet deadlines.
• Strong speaking and writing skills.
• Strong interpersonal and facilitation skills.
• Computer proficiency.
• Willingness to travel.

How to Apply

To apply, please send an e-mail, with attachments in Word format, containing your cover letter describing your interest and qualifications, resume, three professional references and your salary requirements to Marla Carter, Human Resources Manager, at [email protected]. National Fish and Wildlife Foundation is an equal opportunity employer.