MEL - Senior Consultant

Edinburgh, Scotland, United Kingdom

Job title: Senior Consultant - Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

Contract: Permanent (Full-time)

Salary: £40,550 - £50,688

Background to the role

NIRAS International Consulting (NIC) provides project management and consulting services across a spectrum of technical areas. Delivering both large and small monitoring and evaluation assignments across many sectors for diverse clients. Our evaluation services include: MEL systems design and delivery, planning and use of qualitative and quantitative evaluative research methods and statistical analyses, delivery of monitoring in long-term programmes and as a 3rd party monitor and evaluation quality assurance.

The jobholder will work alongside our team of project and bid managers to develop innovative and well-structured solutions to client needs. They will be expected to be accountable for the delivery of international assignments involving teams of in-house and external consultants. The jobholder will work with compliance staff across the NIRAS group to ensure projects are managed in line with integrity standards and with effective risk management.

Job Description

The postholder will provide high quality technical and project management inputs to support our existing portfolio of projects as well as our efforts to win new business.

You will have specific responsibility for:

Business Development (~40%)

As a Technical Writer provide technical inputs to tender strategy and the creation of technical proposals

As a Bid Manager oversee all aspects of the bid development process ensuring adequate resources are available to develop the bid and coordinating the selection of best fit partners and team members, the development of technical content and creation of technical and financial proposals.

Use an expand personal business networks to support in winning work

As a member of the UK office Market Team and the NIC-wide Sector Community, contribute to the management of the pipeline, development of marketing materials, presentations, market research and knowledge products to develop NIRAS’ technical offering and brand.

Project Management (~30%)

As a Project Manager, support and guide project personnel and take overall responsibility for contract management; risk management; financial management; and quality assurance.

As a project manager, coordinate all aspects of project delivery including personnel, financial and contractual compliance, adherence to workplans and budgets.

Develop strong client relationships and provide high level technical advice and analysis to project teams as required.

Consultancy (~30%)

Deliver all aspects of MEL consultancy work – developing monitoring systems, evaluation designs and coordinate/deliver data collection and analysis, produce persuasive reports and consult with and advise clients and stakeholders.

Deliver high quality, high value, consultancy as a team member or coordinator of a small team.

Adopt a client orientated approach that enables the identification of new business opportunities from existing work or client interactions.

Through work assignments and own research, build knowledge and expertise within identified areas of interest, in synchronisation with market trends and company priorities.

Person Specification

Our ideal candidate will be passionate about Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning, with experience of winning and delivering MEL assignments across a range of sectors and geographies. You will be able to effectively deliver a range of evaluation methods to respond to client requirements. You will possess proven experience in project and team management and in producing tenders to win public procurements. The successful candidate will need strong team and management skills and be a confident and effective communicator with the ability to work in a dynamic, fast paced environment.

Qualifications and experience Relevant Master’s degree. At least 6 years of experience working on Monitoring Evaluation and Learning in international development, ideally in a consulting environment.

Methods knowledge: Familiarity with qualitative and quantitative monitoring and evaluation methods and key donor MEL tools, familiarity with FCDO or UKAID approaches is an asset. This should include experience in theory of change, logical framework approaches, indicator development and formulation of evaluation frameworks. Experience of any of the following methods is desirable: survey management, statistical analysis, realist evaluation, utilisation-focused evaluation, portfolio evaluation and participatory evaluation.

Sector knowledge: Experience in MEL for biodiversity and natural resources management, climate change, energy, private sector development, fund management, agriculture, forestry, water or infrastructure, and peace and stability is desirable.

Business development experience: Experience in tender development and winning work from public procurements, especially for the FCDO or UKAID.

Analytical and commercial skills. Ability to quickly and effectively analyse large volumes of information. Demonstrated competency in analysing financial information and developing/managing project budgets.

Programme management: Ability to manage human and financial resources, coordinating teams to deliver against workplans is essential.

Communications. Excellent written and verbal communication skills in English and an ability and willingness to work effectively with colleagues with different skill sets and from different cultural backgrounds. Ability to negotiate effectively.

Team player. Willingness to support other areas of the business when required, and to support less experienced team members where appropriate.

Time management. Ability to think and work proactively, creatively and strategically under pressure or when faced with competing demands. Our work is often driven by client deadlines, so clear ability to organise, plan and manage your time and that of others to deliver to demanding deadlines will be necessary.

Information Technology. Competent user of Microsoft 365 applications, high level of Excel skills is essential. Experience of Maconomy or NetSuite/Oracle desirable but not essential.

Salary and Benefits:

In addition to a competitive salary, NIRAS offers a comprehensive benefits package including:

25 days paid annual leave plus public holidays.

Employee Life Assurance.

Employer pension contributions, and optional salary sacrifice arrangements.

Company Sick Pay available from day one of your employment.

24/7 access to our Employee Assistance Programme.

Enhanced provisions for family-friendly leave/pay.

Paid time off for dependents and emergencies.

Cycle to Work scheme.

Flexibility over your working hours.

How to Apply:

To apply for this position, please submit your CV at your earliest convenience. Cover letters and any relevant portfolio or project examples are not essential, but will be reviewed alongside CVs if submitted

Please do not hesitate to email Grace Hodgkinson (Assistant Talent Acquisition Partner UK) at [email protected] should you have any questions.

NIRAS is an equal opportunity employer with a focus on Sustainable Development Goals. We value diversity in all its forms and welcome and encourage applications from all backgrounds. We look forward to receiving your application.

Note: Due to time and workload constraints, only shortlisted candidates will be contacted, and should you not receive feedback within two weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful on this occasion. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence.