Senior Consultant: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning

Role Overview

You will work as a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) consultant within a regional advisory team serving public-sector institutions, development agencies, and NGOs across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, and Zambia. Your day-to-day work involves designing and operationalising MEL systems, leading evaluations and verification assignments, transforming raw programme data into usable insights, and helping client teams embed learning into their decision-making. Your efforts directly shape how development programmes measure progress, prove impact, and adapt their strategies with credible evidence.

Key Responsibilities

• Design and implement MEL frameworks, theories of change, results matrices, indicator definitions, and learning agendas for client programmes and institutional partners.
• Set up practical monitoring and reporting workflows, including data collection protocols, quality assurance checklists, user guidance, and data governance rules that teams can actually follow.
• Lead or support baseline, midline, endline, process, and impact evaluations using mixed-method designs, sampling plans, survey instruments, and fieldwork management.
• Carry out independent verification exercises and data quality assessments, including validation visits, desk reviews, and technical audits of programme-reported results.
• Transform raw data into dashboards, visualisations, reports, and policy briefs using analytics tools, and present findings in clear, non-technical language for diverse audiences.
• Facilitate learning reviews, reflection workshops, and knowledge-harvesting processes that convert evaluation findings into concrete programme adjustments.
• Build the MEL capacity of client staff and implementing partners through training, coaching, and hands-on support with digital tools and reporting systems.
• Contribute to business development by identifying new opportunities, drafting concept notes and technical proposals, and representing the team in client meetings and technical working groups.

Requirements & Qualifications

• A Master’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Data Science, Economics, Development Studies, Public Policy, Applied Mathematics, or a closely related field.
• At least three years of hands-on experience in MEL, data analytics, or development research, ideally within development agencies, public-sector programmes, NGOs, or international financial institutions.
• Proven ability to design and deploy MEL systems in real-world institutional settings, including selecting indicators, setting baselines, and building reporting structures.
• Practical experience delivering evaluations and verification assignments, spanning evaluation design, fieldwork planning, data validation, and final reporting.
• Strong command of digital MEL and data tools, including at least two or more of the following: KoboToolbox, ODK, SurveyCTO, DHIS2, Power BI, Tableau, or Python.
• Experience applying AI-enabled or advanced data analytic approaches to improve monitoring efficiency and generate sharper insights from programme data.
• Familiarity with impact measurement frameworks such as IRIS+, GIIN IMP, ISEAL, or Gold Standard is an added advantage.
• Certification in MEL, data analytics, or digital M&E methods, or applicable training in using AI for evidence and learning systems.
• Demonstrated ability to facilitate stakeholder consultations, validation workshops, and learning sessions with diverse client groups.
• Strong analytical writing and presentation skills, with the ability to convert complex evidence into actionable recommendations for senior decision-makers.
• Excellent organisational skills and the ability to manage multiple assignments across different sectors and country contexts.