Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning Specialist at Co-Creation Hub (CcHUB) Nigeria

Job Purpose

• The MERL Specialist will oversee the tracking, measurement, and reporting of program impact and outcomes.
• The role involves designing and implementing monitoring and evaluation frameworks, conducting research, and extracting insights to inform iterative improvements to program delivery.
• The MERL Specialist will play a key role in ensuring data-driven decision-making and fostering a culture of continuous learning and adaptation within the Nigeria GATEWAY Program.

Key Responsibilities
Monitoring & Evaluation System Design and Implementation:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive MERL framework to assess program impact and outcomes.
• Track key performance indicators (KPIs) aligned with program objectives, including participant progress, skills acquisition, employment outcomes, and inclusion metrics.
• Establish systems for effective data collection, validation, storage, and analysis, ensuring data quality and integrity.
• Train program staff and stakeholders on MERL tools, methodologies, and processes to build internal capacity.

Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting:

• Conduct regular data collection, validation, and analysis to measure program performance and track progress against goals.
• Prepare detailed reports and dashboards on program impact, outcomes, and key findings for both internal use and external stakeholders.
• Present data and insights in a clear and actionable manner to support real-time program decision-making.

Research & Insight Generation:

• Design and implement research studies to generate insights into program effectiveness, participant needs, and contextual dynamics.
• Identify emerging trends, challenges, and opportunities in the gig economy and within the implementation landscape.
• Provide evidence-based recommendations for program enhancements and strategic pivots based on findings.

Learning, Knowledge Sharing, and Adaptive Management:

• Facilitate the documentation and dissemination of lessons learned, best practices, and innovation opportunities across teams.
• Support adaptive management by ensuring program design and implementation remain responsive to data insights and participant feedback.
• Work closely with program teams to integrate MERL findings into program planning, delivery, and continuous improvement processes.
• Collaborate with teams across Training, Partnerships, Community Engagement, and Communications to align MERL efforts with broader program goals.

Stakeholder Engagement and External Learning:

• Engage with external partners, platforms, and stakeholders to share findings, contribute to sectoral learning, and support advocacy efforts.
• Represent the program in learning forums, evaluations, and discussions that enhance credibility and visibility.

Key Performance Indicators 

• Validation of Skills in Demand
• MERL System Design and Implementation
• Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting
• Research & Insight Generation
• Learning, Knowledge Sharing, and Adaptive Management
• Stakeholder Engagement and External Learning

Requrements
Educational Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Social Sciences, Economics, Development Studies, Statistics, or a related field. A certification in Monitoring and Evaluation, Data Analytics, or Research is an advantage.

Experience:

• At least 8-10 years of experience in monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning roles within development programs, especially those focused on youth and marginalized populations.
• Familiarity with data collection tools and platforms, as well as statistical software such as SPSS, Stata, Excel, Tableau, Power BI or R.
• Demonstrated leadership in designing M&E frameworks, impact evaluations, and adaptive learning systems.

Skills and Competencies:

• Strong knowledge of MERL methodologies, tools, and best practices.
• Strong leadership in guiding MERL teams and integrating learning into program delivery.
• Proficiency in data collection, analysis, and visualization techniques.
• Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills to interpret complex data and provide actionable insights.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to present findings to diverse audiences.
• Knowledge of the gig economy and digital inclusion is an advantage.
• Deep technical proficiency in quantitative and qualitative evaluation methods.
• Advanced knowledge of data systems, analysis tools (e.g., STATA, R, Power BI, or Tableau), and visualization.
• Excellent communication and reporting skills tailored to technical and non-technical audiences.
• Strong risk assessment and mitigation lens through performance monitoring.
• Proven ability to foster a culture of learning, accountability, and continuous improvement.