Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership and Innovation

• Lead the evolution from MEAL to METAL, embedding technology and innovation at the core of IRC Kenya’s evidence and learning systems.
• Ensure the country program’s measurement and learning agenda aligns with IRC’s Strategy100 and Kenya’s Strategic Action Plan (SAP).
• Champion the use of data-driven and technology-enabled decision-making, ensuring that insights from data are translated into adaptive programming.
• Champion client centered design approaches into our sectoral strategies and critical proposals
• Lead and enhance outcome level analysis for the purposes of evidence driven programming throughout the strategic plan cycle
• Lead independent research, learning and evaluation to position IRC as a thought leader in its core sectors
• Cultivate and manage strategic research and learning partnerships with universities, research institutions, and innovation labs to enhance evidence generation and thought leadership.
• Represent IRC Kenya in national and regional research, M&E, and innovation forums.
• Embed client accountability, inclusivity, and data ethics across all technology and learning initiatives.

Technological Leadership and Data Systems

• Lead the design and deployment of digital data systems and ensure interoperability across programs and platforms.
• Promote advanced analytics and data visualization (using Power BI, Tableau, and GIS) to strengthen strategic insights, outcome-level analysis, and operational efficiency.
• Integrate AI and automation tools into data collection, cleaning, and interpretation processes where appropriate and ethical.
• Oversee data quality assurance and lead data audits to ensure validity, reliability, and compliance with IRC standards.
• Strengthen the use of digital feedback and client-responsive systems to ensure accountability and real-time program adaptation.

Research, Evidence, and Learning

• Lead the country program’s research and learning agenda, ensuring all studies and evaluations meet high methodological standards.
• Commission and manage independent and collaborative studies that assess program outcomes and explore emerging humanitarian and development questions.
• Translate research and evaluation findings into strategic recommendations, publications, and advocacy products.
• Facilitate learning events, brown-bag discussions, and peer-to-peer exchanges to ensure knowledge sharing and institutional learning.
• Ensure evidence is systematically used to inform proposal development, strategy updates, and innovation design.

Capacity Strengthening and Team Leadership

• Provide strategic direction and mentorship to the national MEAL teams, fostering a culture of curiosity, innovation, and excellence.
• Conduct regular capacity assessments and develop learning pathways for IRC and partner MEAL staff.
• Build technical capacity in digital data systems, statistical analysis, AI-supported analytics, and visualization.
• Lead recruitment, supervision, and professional development of METAL team members, ensuring a diverse and high-performing unit.

Key Working Relationships

• Reports to: Deputy Director for Grants and Accountability (DDGA)
• Direct Supervision: MEAL Technology Manager, Client Responsiveness Manager
• Internal: Program Coordinators and Managers, Regional Measurement Advisors, Grants, Finance, and Technical Coordinators
• External: Universities, research institutions, government counterparts, partner NGOs, and innovation collaborators

Qualifications and Experience

• Advanced degree in data science, statistics, public health, social sciences, information systems, or a related field.
• Minimum 6–8 years of experience in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning in humanitarian or development contexts, including at least 3 years in a leadership capacity.
• Demonstrated experience in research design, implementation, and dissemination, including collaboration with academic or research institutions.
• Proven expertise in data management systems, mobile data collection platforms (CommCare, ODK), and data visualization tools (Power BI, Tableau).
• Understanding and experience with AI, machine learning, or digital transformation tools applied to M&E, learning, or operational efficiency is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of client accountability mechanisms and participatory approaches.
• Excellent interpersonal, presentation, and leadership skills, with the ability to manage multidisciplinary teams and cross-sector collaboration.
• Ability and willingness to travel to field locations as needed.
• Fluency in English required; Kiswahili proficiency is an asset.