MEL Officer (ASCENDRW)

1. Project MEL Planning & Implementation (20%)

• Translate approved project MEL plans, results frameworks and indicator reference sheets into practical field monitoring schedules, assignments and data collection plans.
• Maintain project indicator trackers, data collection calendars, targets, disaggregation requirements and source documentation; flag gaps or inconsistencies for MEL Manager resolution.
• Organize field verification, participant follow-up, routine surveys and monitoring visits using approved sampling and measurement protocols.
• Ensure inclusion of relevant gender, age, disability and other approved disaggregations in field monitoring and analysis.
• Support project inception, implementation reviews, adaptations and closeout by ensuring MEL tools, staff and data processes are ready on time.

2. Field Monitoring, Data Quality & Digital Systems (30%)

• Coordinate daily collection, review, cleaning and reconciliation of participant, enterprise, savings group and activity data across assigned projects.
• Conduct routine data quality assessments, back-checks, spot checks and source verification; maintain issue logs and close corrective actions with field teams.
• Work with Systems and the MEL Manager to test and use approved TaroWorks forms, Salesforce records, dashboards and data flows; promptly report synchronization or configuration issues.
• Enforce approved protocols for data collection, informed consent, record identifiers, version control, secure transfer and documentation of corrections.
• Verify data completeness, accuracy, timeliness, consistency and validity before figures are used for performance reporting.
• Ensure participant feedback and complaints collected through MEL activities are handled confidentially and referred through authorized channels.

3. Analysis, Reporting & Performance Feedback (20%)

• Prepare timely project monitoring summaries, validated indicator updates, dashboards and evidence inputs for internal and donor reporting.
• Analyze field-level trends in targeting, enrollment, retention, training, coaching, business performance, savings, inclusion and other approved project outcomes.
• Present actionable findings to Program Officers and project teams during regular review meetings, and track agreed corrective actions and their completion.
• Investigate unusual results or reporting discrepancies, clearly document limitations and escalate material data integrity concerns to the MEL Manager.
• Maintain auditable supporting evidence and reporting files, with clear definitions, source references and disaggregation as required.

4. Evaluation, Learning & Adaptive Management (10%)

• Coordinate logistics, enumerator preparation, field protocols and quality oversight for baselines, endlines, assessments and external evaluations as assigned.
• Support research partners and evaluators in accordance with approved protocols, consent requirements, sampling rules and research ethics safeguards.
• Gather participant feedback, implementation lessons and qualitative insights using approved methods; distinguish findings from assumptions.
• Facilitate project reflection and learning sessions, document decisions and monitor uptake of agreed improvements.
• Escalate threats to evaluation integrity, including protocol deviations, sample contamination or inappropriate influence on data collection.

5. MEL Associate Supervision & Collaboration (15%)

• Supervise MEL Associates through work planning, task allocation, field accompaniment, coaching, performance feedback, and quality review.
• Train MEL Associates and program staff on approved tools, indicator definitions, field verification, and responsible data handling.
• Coordinate with Program Officers and Field Associates on data collection schedules and correction of implementation records; work with Finance and Systems where needed.
• Ensure enumerator and MEL Associate deployment, equipment, and field safety arrangements are coordinated within approved plans.
• Share practical field learning and system improvement proposals with the MEL Manager and contribute to organizational MEL standardization.

6. Compliance, Safeguarding & Resource Stewardship (5%)

• Track MEL field activities and use of approved survey resources, devices, and travel budgets; submit accurate accountabilities and forecasts.
• Maintain field-level MEL risk and data issue logs and promptly escalate material threats to data integrity, staff safety, or participant welfare.
• Follow donor requirements, approved research protocols, safeguarding procedures, and organizational information security and data protection rules.
• Ensure safe, respectful data collection and immediately refer safeguarding concerns through designated reporting channels.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Economics, Social Sciences, Development Studies or a related field; equivalent relevant experience may be considered under organizational policy.
• At least 3–5 years of relevant MEL experience in development programming, including field data collection and supervision or coordination of data collectors.
• Practical skills in indicator tracking, quantitative and qualitative methods, survey administration, data quality assurance, analysis, and reporting. Demonstrated proficiency in Stata is mandatory for data cleaning, validation, dataset management, descriptive and inferential analysis, and reproducible reporting using do-files.
• Experience using TaroWorks, Salesforce, mobile data collection tools, Excel and dashboards, or comparable systems; ability to troubleshoot routine data issues. Stata proficiency is an essential selection criterion and should be verified through a practical technical assessment.
• Experience supporting evaluations, field surveys, learning reviews and ethical collection of participant information is desirable.
• Strong supervision, analytical thinking, communication, and field coordination skills; ability to travel regularly and work across multiple projects.

Core Competencies

Key Performance Indicators



Application deadline: Apply Online by November 16th, 2026

• An attractive salary commensurate with your experience.
• Health Insurance Coverage
• Group Life Cover
• An opportunity to make a meaningful impact by lifting people out of extreme poverty through community mobilization
• Individual Pension Plan