Design Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist (25-030)
Description
Creative Corrections is actively recruiting exceptional candidates to be considered for a Design Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist position located in Washington, DC. This will be a contract role within the U.S. Department of State. The U.S. Department of State is the lead institution for the conduct of American diplomacy, and the Secretary of State is the President’s principal foreign policy advisor. The Department of State’s mission is to advance U.S. national security interests, fight terrorism, protect U.S. interests abroad, and implement foreign policy initiatives that build a freer, prosperous, and secure world.
The Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL) keeps Americans safe at home by countering international crime, illegal drugs, and instability abroad. INL helps countries deliver justice and fairness by strengthening their police, courts, and corrections systems. These efforts reduce the amount of crime and illegal drugs reaching U.S. shores.
INL’s Office of Results and Criminal Deterrence (INL/RCD) seeks to help INL programs demonstrate results and maximize effectiveness in a customer-focused manner. The position is located in the RCD Results team, which focuses on program design, monitoring, evaluation, and research.
This position is contingent upon award of contract for BPA Call.
POSITION OVERVIEW
TITLE: Design Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist
LOCATION: Washington, DC.
SECURITY CLEARANCE: A Secret security clearance is required for this position; however, the contractor may begin work with an interim Secret security clearance.
CLOSING DATE: September 11, 2025
CLOSING DATE: September 11, 2025
POSITION DESCRIPTION
The purpose of this Third Party Contract (TPC) is to provide one (01) Design, Monitoring, and Evaluation (DME) Advisor who shall be ready to 1) assist INL program teams and implementing partners in enrolling, reporting, analyzing, and visualizing performance data in INL’s performance monitoring database; 2) assist INL program teams and implementing partners in the design of programs and monitoring plans, and help them develop data collection and reporting processes; 3) analyze INL performance on design and monitoring, and advise on improvements to INL DME guidance and implementation procedures; 3) advise on evaluations of Bureau programs conducted by outside implementers; and 4) provide training and coaching on INL DME standards, database enrollment procedures, and data analysis techniques. The DME Advisor will participate in or lead INL’s DME-related communities of practice. The DME Advisor will focus on Western Hemisphere programs, but may assist with other regions or thematic areas as needed.
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE
The period of performance for this order will be one (01) year from the date of award with the option to extend for six (06) months subject to performance, need, and funding.
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Note: All duties below may need to be performed in Spanish as well as English
Program Design (25%)
- Advise INL program staff and leadership on application of the INL DME standards/requirements.
- Use data and provide analysis to inform design and monitoring advice to INL program teams and implementing partners, such as data from previous or related projects for lessons learned, or contextual data for root cause analysis.
- Assist with the development of, and/or provide technical review of program logic models, change maps, results frameworks, and/or performance monitoring plans.
- Review and provide feedback on DME elements of program solicitation documents, and advise program managers on the rigor and feasibility of project proposals.
- Ensure use of quality indicators and inclusion of appropriate INL measures for data verification and data quality assessments.
- Advise INL program staff on projects related to the collection of monitoring data and project evaluation.
- Conduct occasional evaluations of programs to inform future design and monitoring plans.
Data Management (40%)
- Assist INL program teams and implementing partners with enrolling, reporting, analyzing,
- and visualizing performance data in INL’s performance monitoring database
- Work with INL program staff and implementing partners to ensure outcome data is collected throughout the life of programs, and encourage them to set targets when applicable;
- Data entry and cleaning when necessary;
Data Analysis and Visual Storytelling (20%)
- Assist INL program staff with review and analysis of performance data, helping them to update monitoring plans, program designs, or implementation plans if needed.
- Use software such as PowerBI or DevResults to visualize reported data to inform program manager decision-making.
- Create knowledge products such as reports, presentations, memoranda, and infographics.
- Share and report data as requested by program managers and leadership.
Multiplying Effectiveness (15%)
- Develop or revise user guide materials, training materials, or other resources needed to address common questions or learning needs
- Provide training and mentorship on DME-related topics to INL program staff
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
- U.S. Citizen;
- A Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution;
- A Master’s degree from an accredited institution in the area of social science, education research, monitoring and evaluation, statistics, data science, or business administration
- Six to ten years’ experience in relevant field;
- Demonstrated knowledge of Federal regulations in regard to area of specific need (may be achieved by reading the Foreign Affairs Manual, section 18 FAM 300);
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite;
- Experience teaching and mentoring others in subjects related to design, monitoring, and evaluation;
- Demonstrated proficiency in Spanish (may be demonstrated through formal testing or professional references);
- Proficient in data collection, wrangling, and analysis
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Spanish Fluency- Comfortable working in Spanish at or above a level equivalent to a recognized foreign language proficiency measurement framework, such as the Foreign Service Institute’s defined 3/3 level, defined as General Professional Proficiency. Demonstrated prior work experience in a Spanish-speaking environment or proof of language capability required, unless the individual is a native Spanish speaker. The DME Specialist will work closely with Spanish-speaking staff and government officials, and must be able to converse fluently with them on DME- and INL-related topics on a daily basis.
- Active clearance or an active clearance within the last 12 months from the date of solicitation.
- A Ph.D. degree from an accredited institution in the area of social science, education research, or business administration
- Demonstrated experience conducting research in developing countries;
- Demonstrated experience writing about complex topics for a lay audience;
- Demonstrated experience presenting complex material to a lay audience in an engaging way;
- Demonstrated experience developing indicators or metrics, starting from a fuzzy concept.
LEVEL OF EFFORT
Hours for this full-time position will be the core hours of the INL/RCD office in Washington, DC: Monday through Friday, 8 hours a day, 40 hours a week.
TELEWORK
If applicable, telework is authorized only with prior INL Office Director, Contracting Officer, and Contracting Officer’s Representative approval, in accordance with Department of State and INL policies.
POSITION LOCATION
The physical work location is the INL/RCD’s office at State Annex-1 (SA-01), 2401 E Street NW, Washington, DC 20520.
CLEARANCE REQUIREMENT
A Secret security clearance is required for this position; however, the contractor may begin work with an interim Secret security clearance.
This position is contingent upon award of contract for BPA Call.
ABOUT CREATIVE CORRECTIONS
At Creative Corrections, we strive to create a culture where we are able to attract and retain highly talented and qualified individuals. These relationships are built on trust, respect, and an assurance each person feels valued. We offer a strategic Total Compensation Package for qualified employees. In the end, we recognize that our employees are the heart and soul of the Company and provide the services our customers rely upon.
In addition, we are honored to be a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business and are equally proud to be an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, committed to creating a diversified workplace where everyone feels valued and respected because of their differences.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, protected veteran status, or any other legally protected status or characteristics.