Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

Education

• Master’s degree in Statistics, Demography, Economics, International Development, Environmental Sciences, or a related field preferred.
  
• A bachelor’s degree with substantial additional professional experience may be considered.
  

Professional Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning within large-scale NGO, development, or environmental programs.
  
• Demonstrated experience as the senior MEL lead across multiple regions or dispersed field operations.
  
• Proven experience strengthening or reforming MEL systems, including data quality assurance, documentation standards, and reporting workflows.
  
• Experience collaborating across functions (e.g., Program, Training, GIS, IT) to improve data systems and drive implementation improvements.
  
• Experience supervising and developing technical MEL staff.
  
• Experience engaging donors, investors, or auditors on technical data systems and reporting standards.
  
• Experience in agriculture, environmental, climate, or natural resource programs preferred, but not required.
  
• Experience with carbon-related standards is an asset, but not required.
  

• Lead Kenya’s MEL Systems Transformation
  
• Oversee the overhaul and strengthening of Kenya’s MEL systems to ensure data accuracy, integrity, and verifiability in alignment with carbon reporting requirements.
  
• Partner with Central Office to implement and refine global MEL tools, systems, and QA/QC protocols.
  
• Identify system gaps in data quality, documentation, and audit trails and drive practical improvements in coordination with Central Office.
  
• Ensure reliable tracking of farm-level data, including spatial data and farmer identification systems, in alignment with evolving organizational standards.
  
• Support preparation for carbon validation, monitoring, and verification processes, and confidently represent Kenya MEL systems during investor and auditor site visits.
  
• Build and Lead a High-Performing Distributed MEL Team
  
• Directly supervise the MEL Officer, GIS Officer, and have secondary oversight of regional MEL Assistants across three regions, with anticipated team expansion.
  
• Strengthen team capacity in data quality assurance, problem-solving, and adaptive management practices.
  
• Establish clear quality standards, accountability mechanisms, and documentation expectations across the MEL function.
  
• Support recruitment, onboarding, performance management, and professional development of MEL staff.
  
• Foster strong collaboration between MEL and Program leadership, particularly the Director of Field Programs and Program Managers.
  
• Drive Country-Wide Transition Toward Evidence-Based Adaptive Management
  
• Lead an country-wide transition toward evidence-based adaptive management, ensuring data is understood and used as a tool for program improvement rather than performance policing.
  
• Design and facilitate practical learning loops that translate monitoring data into actionable program adjustments.
  
• Strengthen understanding among field staff, Lead Farmers, and managers regarding the purpose, standards, and value of high-quality data collection.
  
• Promote a culture of data integrity, transparency, and continuous improvement across regions.
  
• Ensure Field-Embedded Quality Assurance
  
• Conduct regular field visits (approximately 20%) to directly observe field implementation, data collection, shadow MEL Assistants, and identify quality risks.
  
• Review and strengthen data quality assurance protocols, including spot checks, verification procedures, and documentation practices.
  
• Work hands-on with field teams to correct inconsistencies and reinforce standards.
  
• Ensure monthly and quarterly reporting processes are timely, accurate, and aligned with internal and carbon-related requirements.
  
• Contribute to Global MEL Strategy and System Design
  
• Serve as a senior thought partner to Central Office MEL leadership during TREES’ global MEL systems redesign.
  
• Provide structured feedback on pilots and iterations of Salesforce, TaroWorks, GIS integrations, and reporting frameworks.
  
• Help ensure that new global systems are practical, field-ready, and scalable across country programs.