Human Rights Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist II, Advancement of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Office of Democracy, Human Rights and Labor

Location:U.S. Department of State Offices at 2201 C St NW, Washington DC (Harry S. Truman Building), or 2401 E Street NW, Washington DC (State Department Annex 1).

Clearance: Must be able to obtain/hold a Secret security clearance (U.S. Citizenship required).

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 a full-time a detail-oriented person with experience in performance monitoring, applied research, and/or program evaluation to join our Applied Learning and Evaluation (ALE) team as a monitoring and evaluation specialist II. Candidates should have experience working as an internal or external researcher/evaluator, and the ability to work collaboratively with a team, as well as colleagues across multiple offices and agencies. The contractors must have a working knowledge of foreign assistance and international human rights and democracy programming. In addition, monitoring and evaluation the specialists will provide technical support to target the development of assistance awards (grants and cooperatives agreements of selected foreign assistance).

Job Duties

• Remain informed on the changing political environment in the designated portfolio as well as global issues impacting the region by regularly meeting with grantees, human rights defenders, researchers, and other funders.
• Communicate program objectives to other State Department and U.S. Government offices involved in programming Democracy Fund and Human Rights and Democracy Funds (HRDF) and other transfer funding to include, but not be limited to, regional bureaus, Office of Acquisitions Management, Office of the Legal Advisor, Congressional Liaison office, Office of Management and Budget.
• Coordinate with policy colleagues to prepare papers and brief leadership for meetings on issues related to a specific region or thematic area.
• Prepare budget and programmatic reports that track grant obligation data and program successes for active grants.
• Review and provide analysis of program proposals to decision-making panels who will select grant recipients within available funding levels.
• Prepare responses to auditor inquiries on programs.
• Assist with responding to Congressional requests for information regarding programs and program objectives.
• Attend stakeholder workshops and conferences on topics related to their duties and responsibilities, provide program monitoring and technical assistance to grantees, while supporting the FTE.
• Assist in the coordination of foreign assistance funding throughout the federal assistance life cycle that include pre-award, award and post-award phases in grants and cooperative agreements.
• Coordinate and assist the Leadership in the administration and coordination of international human rights and democracy foreign assistance programs.

Additional responsibilities may include:

• Liaising with U.S. embassies and consulates regarding the award, management, and monitoring of grants
• Attend stakeholder workshops and conferences on topics related to their duties and responsibilities, provide program monitoring and technical assistance to grantees, while supporting the FTE
• Collaborating with M&E staff, professionals and the M&E community to enhance M&E methods
• Drafting reports and other documents for the team and program staff
• Drafting and clearing internal papers and memoranda regarding evaluations
• Working with external evaluators and trainers
• Organizing meetings and/or events

Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in designing, overseeing and implementing program monitoring and evaluation; experience evaluating democracy, governance, and human rights programming a plus.
• Knowledge of U.S. government and international funding agencies' evaluation policies
• Experience with applied research, qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis methods, and indicator development and tracking; Strong analytical skills, including advanced skills in Excel data management, as well as other quantitative and qualitative software packages
• Ability to prepare data collection and data quality instruments, summarize data, interpret results, and effectively present information to program staff, partners and donors
• Experience with database management, online survey platforms, and data visualization techniques
• Familiarity and experience with participatory research methods, advocacy evaluation, network analysis, or advanced quantitative techniques (experience in any of these areas is a plus)
• Ability to work under pressure and meet challenging deadlines
• International experience conducting monitoring and evaluation
• Excellent oral and written communication and presentation skills
• Excellent inter-personal, inter-cultural and teamwork skills

Salary Range $100,000-$120,000

Benefits

Full-time employees are eligible for 401(k) and Roth retirement plans, Medical, Dental, and Vision Insurance (for employees and families), Supplemental Insurance, 11 Federal Holidays, and at least three weeks of Paid Time Off (PTO), including sick and personal leave.

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.