Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager

Education

• Master’s degree (required) in Monitoring & Evaluation, Statistics, Data Science, Economics, Environmental Science, Conservation Science, Development Studies, or an applied social science discipline.
  
• Advanced training in data analytics is a strong advantage.
  

Experience

• Minimum 8–10 years of progressively responsible MEL experience, with at least 3–5 years in a senior or managerial role within conservation, natural resource management, or international development organizations.
  
• Demonstrated experience designing and managing enterprise-level MEL systems, including institutional indicators and aggregation frameworks.
  
• Strong track record in data analytics, including use of statistical software, dashboards, and data visualization for decision-making.
  
• Proven expertise in data quality assurance, methodological integrity, and evaluation management.
  
• Experience supporting programme and project design, including results frameworks, theories of change, and MEL plans.
  
• Experience working in matrixed, multi-country organizations with decentralized implementation structures.
  

Standards, Methodology, and Data Quality Assurance (30%)

• Operationalize and steward AWF’s mission-level Theory of Change and Impact Framework, ensuring consistency across portfolios, landscapes, and countries.
  
• Manage the Mission Indicator Compendium and enforce indicator governance processes.
  
• Lead data quality assurance (DQA) processes, including routine data verification, spot checks, audits, and methodological reviews.
  
• Establish and enforce MEL minimum standards and mandatory design gates for all new projects and programs.
  
• Ensure compliance with institutional data governance, data protection, and ethical evidence-use protocols.
  

Systems, Analytics and Evidence Infrastructure (25%)

• Lead the management and continuous improvement of AWF’s data management platform.
  
• Ensure seamless integration of field data collection tools with institutional databases.
  
• Work closely with the GIS and spatial analytics team to align spatial data products with institutional MEL frameworks and mission-level impact reporting.
  
• Maintain institutional dashboards and visualization products designed for reuse and adaptation across internal management, governance, and external reporting needs.
  
• Ensure interoperability between project-level MEL systems and institutional aggregation frameworks.
  

Learning, Evaluation, and Knowledge Synthesis (25%)

• Support the implementation of structured learning and reflection cycles across the organization, ensuring evidence is synthesized and applied to adaptive management and decision-making.
  
• Produce clear, decision-oriented learning products, including briefs, syntheses, and analytical summaries that support evidence-informed management and strategic decision-making.
  
• Maintain the Mission Knowledge Repository as a structured, accessible system for curating institutional evidence, evaluations, and learning outputs.
  
• Coordinate high-quality internal and external evaluations and oversee management response processes to ensure accountability and closure of learning loops.
  

Capacity Building and Technical Advisory (20%)

• Provide technical leadership and advisory support to Landscape MEL Leads and Country Office MEL staff through a matrix management model.
  
• Lead MEL capacity strengthening initiatives for project teams, partners, and senior leadership, including training on analytics, adaptive management, and evidence use.
  
• Review and provide technical input into project MEL plans, logframes, and results frameworks during programme design and proposal development.
  
• Support teams in mapping project indicators to the Mission Results Framework and institutional indicators.
  
• Convene and facilitate communities of practice for MEL practitioners across AWF.