Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager at Optimal Greening Foundation

Role Purpose

• The Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) Manager will lead the development and implementation of Optimal Greening’s monitoring, evaluation, accountability and learning systems across its project portfolio.
• The role is responsible for ensuring that the organizational and Program performance is systematically measured, implementation data is accurate and reliable, and evidence is used to improve decision-making, demonstrate impact and strengthen organizational effectiveness.
• The successful candidate will combine strong technical MEL expertise with practical field experience, analytical thinking and the ability to translate data into actionable recommendations.
• Beyond reporting project achievements, the role will help Optimal Greening understand what is working, why it is working, what needs to change and how successful interventions can be sustained and replicated.

Key Responsibilities

MEL Strategy, Systems and Framework Development

• Develop, strengthen and oversee the implementation of OPTIMAL Greening’s organization-wide MEL framework, ensuring alignment with its strategic priorities, Program portfolio and donor requirements.
• Design and maintain project-specific theories of change, logical frameworks, results frameworks, performance measurement plans, indicator reference sheets and MEL plans.
• Establish standardized tools, protocols and procedures for routine monitoring, data collection, analysis, reporting and learning across projects.
• Ensure that Program indicators are clearly defined, measurable and aligned with approved baselines, targets, outputs, outcomes and intended impact.
• Support project design and proposal development by contributing to needs assessments, situation analyses, baseline planning, results frameworks, evaluation approaches and realistic performance targets.
• Promote harmonized MEL standards across Optimal Greening’s projects while accommodating the specific requirements of individual donors and implementing partners.

Data Management, Analysis and Impact Assessment

• Establish and maintain robust systems for data collection, validation, analysis, storage and reporting, ensuring data accuracy, quality, timeliness and confidentiality.
• Develop and maintain indicator trackers, dashboards and performance scorecards, using appropriate digital tools such as Kobo Toolbox, ODK, Excel and Power BI.
• Lead or coordinate baseline, midline and endline studies, evaluations and other assessments to measure program outcomes, effectiveness, impact and sustainability.
• Analyze quantitative and qualitative data to identify trends, assess results and generate actionable insights for program improvement.

Infrastructure Sustainability and Community Accountability

• Develop and implement post-commissioning monitoring systems to assess the functionality, utilization, service quality and long-term sustainability of Optimal Greening’s infrastructure, particularly WASH facilities and solar-powered water systems.
• Monitor the effectiveness of community governance structures, operation and maintenance arrangements, technical support, spare parts availability and financing mechanisms for sustained service delivery.
• Track community participation, user satisfaction and feedback, ensuring that findings inform program improvements and that safeguarding concerns are referred through appropriate channels.
• Identify sustainability risks and recommend corrective actions to strengthen community ownership, service continuity and long-term program outcomes.

Reporting, Donor Accountability and Organizational Learning

• Lead the preparation and quality assurance of periodic MEL reports, donor reports, performance dashboards, management briefs and project close-out reports, ensuring all reported results are evidence-based and verifiable.
• Track donor reporting obligations and evaluation commitments, supporting program reviews, verification exercises, audits and donor visits.
• Facilitate program performance reviews, reflection sessions and learning activities to ensure monitoring and evaluation findings inform management decisions and adaptive programming.
• Document and disseminate lessons learned, good practices, case studies and evidence of impact to strengthen program design, organizational learning and the replication of successful interventions.

Team Leadership and Capacity Strengthening

• Provide technical leadership, supervision and coaching to MEL personnel, project teams, enumerators and implementing partners on monitoring tools, data quality, analysis and reporting.
• Strengthen staff and partner capacity to use evidence for decision-making, accountability and continuous program improvement.
• Promote collaboration between MEL, program implementation and other organizational functions to integrate performance monitoring and learning into routine project management.
• Contribute to organizational performance reviews and the continuous improvement of Optimal
• Greening MEL systems, policies and practices.
• Key Deliverables and Performance Indicators
• MEL Systems: An approved organization-wide MEL framework and standardized tools implemented across Optimal Greening program portfolio.
• Data Quality and Performance Tracking: Accurate, timely and verified program data, supported by functional indicator trackers, dashboards and documented quality assurance processes.
• Monitoring and Evaluation: Timely implementation of field monitoring plans, baseline studies, evaluations and outcome assessments, with identified performance gaps addressed.
• Reporting and Donor Compliance: Accurate, evidence-based reports submitted within agreed internal and donor deadlines.
• Evidence-Based Decision-Making and Learning: Documented use of MEL findings to inform management decisions, program adaptations, corrective actions and organizational learning.
• Community Accountability and Capacity Strengthening: Functional community feedback mechanisms and demonstrable improvements in staff, partner and community capacity to collect, interpret and use program data.
• Infrastructure Sustainability: Functional post-commissioning monitoring systems tracking infrastructure functionality, utilization, service quality and continuity against agreed targets.
• Community Ownership and Governance: Evidence of effective community management structures, operational maintenance arrangements, access to technical support and spare parts, and appropriate financing mechanisms for sustained service delivery.
• Risk Management and Corrective Action: Documented identification of sustainability risks, practical recommendations and follow-up actions to address infrastructure performance gaps and strengthen long-term service delivery.
• Specific targets, reporting frequencies and assessment methods will be established through Optimal Greening’s performance management processes and applicable project and donor requirements.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• A bachelor’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Economics, Development Studies, Public Health, Social Sciences, Environmental Sciences, Project Management or another relevant discipline.
• A postgraduate qualification in a relevant field will be an advantage.
• At least five years of relevant professional experience in monitoring, evaluation, research, data management or Program performance management, preferably within a nonprofit, international development or donor-funded environment.
• Demonstrated experience developing and implementing MEL frameworks, theories of change, logical frameworks, results frameworks, indicator tracking systems and evaluation plans.
• Proven experience conducting or coordinating baseline surveys, endline assessments, evaluations, field monitoring and data quality assessments.
• Experience managing and analyzing quantitative and qualitative data and producing clear, evidence-based reports.
• Demonstrated proficiency in Microsoft Excel and at least one digital data collection, statistical analysis, visualization or business intelligence tool.
• Experience supporting donor reporting, Program reviews and accountability requirements for donor-funded projects.
• Experience working with multidisciplinary teams, field personnel, implementing partners and community stakeholders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex findings in a clear and practical manner.
• Preferred Qualifications and Experience: The following will be an advantage:
• Experience in WASH, renewable energy, climate resilience or environmental sustainability programs, particularly infrastructure-based interventions.
• Experience assessing infrastructure functionality, service continuity, community governance, ownership and operation and maintenance arrangements.
• Proficiency in digital data collection, analysis and visualization tools such as Kobo Toolbox, ODK,
• Power BI, SPSS, Stata or R.
• Experience working with institutional donors, international NGOs, foundations or corporate-funded development programs.
• Relevant professional training or certification in MEL, results-based management, research, data analytics or program management.

Core Competencies

• The ideal candidate will demonstrate:
• Analytical Thinking: Ability to interpret data, identify trends and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Attention to Detail: Strong commitment to data accuracy, evidence integrity and quality documentation.
• Strategic Thinking: Ability to link program performance, sustainability and organizational priorities.
• Communication: Strong written and verbal skills, including the ability to present findings to
• leadership, donors and community stakeholders.
• Leadership and Collaboration: Ability to provide technical guidance and work effectively across teams and with external partners.
• Problem-Solving and Adaptability: Ability to identify implementation gaps and recommend evidence-based solutions.
• Integrity and Accountability: Commitment to ethical research, confidentiality, transparency and credible reporting.
• Learning and Inclusion: Ability to promote continuous improvement, participatory approaches and the meaningful inclusion of underserved communities.