Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager

Project Summary:   

Land O’Lakes Venture37 is recruiting for a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager for the Nourishing Prosperity Alliance (NPA), a five-year project (2023-2028) funded by the Gates Foundation in Ethiopia and Kenya. The purpose of the NPA project is to establish commercially viable and sustainable forage markets that equitably strengthen the regional competitiveness of the dairy industries in Kenya and Ethiopia. Forage markets will be developed through the implementation of integrated activities that drive demand for and use of optimized forage varieties among small-scale dairy producers, as well as improve the supply of climate-smart forage rations that are marketed to small-scale producers. Activities also aim to strengthen the enabling environment for forage market development over the life of the project. 

Position Summary: 

The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Manager will lead the development and implementation of a monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) system for the NPA project. Specifically, the MEL Manager will develop data collection tools and processes, documented in a MEL plan; train staff and partners on the MEL system; oversee all data collection efforts; ensure data quality; process and analyze the data for donor reporting, adaptive management and learning purposes; and provide oversight support to external evaluators/consultants. The MEL Manager will also lead significant learning and outreach activities, such as planning learning and adaptive management events, developing outreach materials and supporting program adaptation based on findings. 

Reporting and Supervisory Responsibilities: 

• The MEL Manager reports to the Program Director, also based in Addis Ababa, with technical support from the Land O’Lakes Venture37 home office Global MEL staff. This position will support one MEL staff member and oversee all MEL enumerators and consultants in Ethiopia. 

Primary Responsibilities: 

• Keep the MEL system up to date throughout the life of the project. 
• Implement activities to monitor, evaluate, and learn from project activities and results. 
• Train all project staff and key partners in their role in project monitoring and evaluation. 
• Manage a tablet-based data collection platform, including training staff and ensuring timely data entry and cleaning. 
• Select and manage appropriate consultants for evaluations and research, as required, including developing scopes of work, reviewing survey design, conducting quality control of the work, and reviewing final reports. 
• Regularly review data collection processes, including conducting regular visits to the field to support implementation of MEL and to identify where improvements are needed. 
• Organize and lead regular learning and adaptative management events, internally and externally. 
• Provide project reports on progress against key metrics to the Program Director for inclusion in donor reports, work planning and learning events, and assist project staff to use project data for reporting and broader communications.

Required Skills and Qualifications: 

• Bachelor’s Degree in economics, statistics, or related field. 
• A minimum of five (5) years of experience designing and implementing MEL systems for development projects. 
• Excellent quantitative and qualitative research, analysis and evaluation skills. 
• Computer literacy and competency in use of Microsoft Office software. 
• Proficiency in statistical software (e.g. Stata, SPSS). 
• Highly developed conceptual, analytical and innovative problem-solving ability. 
• Ability to establish priorities and to plan, coordinate and monitor tasks. 
• Ability to independently and proactively work as a team member with minimum day-to-day oversight. 
• Strong interpersonal, writing, and oral presentation skills in English. 

Preferred Skills and Experience: 

• Master’s Degree or equivalent in economics, statistics or other relevant area. 
• Minimum two (2) years of management experience. 
• Experience working with US government or other international funders.

How To Apply

Interested and qualified applicants should apply through this link: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager - Addis Ababa Ethiopia - Careers (avature.net)