Head of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning job at JM Education and Research Centre (JMERC)

1. Background

JM Education and Research Centre (JMERC) is a learning-focused non-profit organisation based in Uganda. Our work focuses on advancing equitable education, social-emotional learning (SEL), and adolescent empowerment. Through our programming, we combine evidence-based interventions, community engagement, and systems strengthening to ensure that all learners, especially girls and vulnerable adolescents, acquire the knowledge, skills, and agency to thrive in school, work, and life.

Our work is anchored in four core values:

• Hope: Inspiring optimism and certainty for a brighter future.
• Collaboration: Partnering with communities to build adaptive learning ecosystems.
• Dependability: Delivering on our commitments with reliability and dedication.
• Audacity: Embracing courage, passion, and vision to transform the present.

Our core programmes:

• Adolescent Resilience and Empowerment Programme (AREP): Enhancing adolescent girls’ resilience, wellbeing, agency, and informed SRHR decision-making through social-emotional learning, gender-transformative environments, and socio-economic empowerment.
• Foundational and Inclusive Learning Programme (FILP): Strengthening literacy, numeracy, and social-emotional learning among children through play-based, inclusive, and gender-transformative approaches.

2. Objectives of the Assignment

• Establish Data Leadership & Strategy: To design and lead a robust MEL framework that captures the impact of JMERC’s interventions across all the Programmes.
• Drive Evidence-Based Decision Making: To ensure that high-quality data is translated into actionable insights for programme heads, enabling JMERC to adapt and improve its "Learning through Play" and resilience models.
• Foster a Culture of Learning: To lead the "Learning" component of MEL by facilitating reflection sessions, documenting best practices, and positioning JMERC as a thought leader in the Ugandan education sector through rigorous research.

3. Scope of Work

• MEL System Design: Develop and standardize data collection tools, indicators, and databases for both AREP and FILP programmes.
• Supervision: To lead and guide the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officers, towards the right direction, and to influence
• Strategic Oversight: Supervise the collection of quantitative and qualitative data to ensure it meets international standards for education research.
• Impact Evaluation: Lead baseline, midline, and endline evaluations, as well as periodic impact assessments of JMERC’s pedagogical and social interventions.
• Quality Assurance: Conduct regular field visits and data audits to verify the authenticity and accuracy of reports coming from field officers.
• Research & Publication: Oversee the organization’s research agenda, ensuring data is used to produce high-quality working papers, policy briefs, and publications.
• Technical Support: Provide training and mentorship to programme staff on data literacy, reporting templates, and the use of digital data collection tools (e.g., Kobo Collect, ODK).
• Grant Support: Assist the leadership team in proposal development by providing historical impact data and designing logical frameworks (Log Frames).
• Reporting: Synthesize complex data into clear, compelling narratives for organizational Consumption, donors, the Board of Directors, and government stakeholders.

4. Deliverables

• Develop a comprehensive Organizational MEL Framework and updated Monitoring, Evaluation Accountability, Research and Learning (MEARL) strategy.
• Prepare quarterly and Annual Impact Reports that aggregate findings from both AREP and FILP.
• Organise bi-annual Learning Briefs summarizing key lessons learned and recommendations for programme adaptation.
• Clean, managed electronic databases for all project participants and interventions.
• Contribute to the preparation of final Evaluation Reports for all grant-funded projects within the fiscal year.
• Standardized Data Collection Toolkits for the AREP AND FILP Programmes.

5. Reporting & Accountability

• The Head of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)will report directly to the Executive Director.
• The role involves supporting, mentoring, supervising MEL Officers/Assistants and working in close collaboration with the Heads of the Programmes.
• Performance will be evaluated based on the timeliness of reports, the rigor of data collected, and the successful integration of learning into JMERC’s strategic growth.

6. Required Qualifications & Skills

• A Master’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Social Research, or a related field.
• At least 5–7 years of experience in MEL, with at least 2 years in a leadership or management role within the NGO sector.
• Advanced proficiency in data analysis software and digital data collection platforms.
• Strong understanding of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) metrics and educational assessment tools (e.g., EGRA) is highly desirable.
• Exceptional speaking and writing skills with the ability to turn raw data into "humancentered" stories of impact.
• Proven ability to lead a team and influence organizational strategy through evidence.
• High integrity, analytical rigor, and an "audacious" approach to solving data challenges in rural contexts.

7. Duration & Terms

• Contract duration: 1-year (renewable) contract, subject to a 6-month probationary period.
• Duty station: Kampala, Uganda, with occasional travel to field locations.

9. Why Join JMERC?

At JMERC, you’ll be part of a dynamic team dedicated to transforming lives through education, resilience, and gender equity. This is an opportunity to lead the evidence-building through Research-based interventions’ mission of an organization that values courage, collaboration, and the power of data to shape the future of Ugandan children.

10. Special Note

JMERC is an equal opportunity employer. All recruitment decisions are made based on qualifications and organisational needs.

• MEL System Design: Develop and standardize data collection tools, indicators, and databases for both AREP and FILP programmes.
• Supervision: To lead and guide the Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Officers, towards the right direction, and to influence
• Strategic Oversight: Supervise the collection of quantitative and qualitative data to ensure it meets international standards for education research.
• Impact Evaluation: Lead baseline, midline, and endline evaluations, as well as periodic impact assessments of JMERC’s pedagogical and social interventions.
• Quality Assurance: Conduct regular field visits and data audits to verify the authenticity and accuracy of reports coming from field officers.
• Research & Publication: Oversee the organization’s research agenda, ensuring data is used to produce high-quality working papers, policy briefs, and publications.
• Technical Support: Provide training and mentorship to programme staff on data literacy, reporting templates, and the use of digital data collection tools (e.g., Kobo Collect, ODK).
• Grant Support: Assist the leadership team in proposal development by providing historical impact data and designing logical frameworks (Log Frames).
• Reporting: Synthesize complex data into clear, compelling narratives for organizational Consumption, donors, the Board of Directors, and government stakeholders.

• Advanced proficiency in data analysis software and digital data collection platforms.
• Strong understanding of Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) metrics and educational assessment tools (e.g., EGRA) is highly desirable.
• Exceptional speaking and writing skills with the ability to turn raw data into "humancentered" stories of impact.
• Proven ability to lead a team and influence organizational strategy through evidence.
• High integrity, analytical rigor, and an "audacious" approach to solving data challenges in rural contexts.

• A Master’s degree in Monitoring and Evaluation, Statistics, Social Research, or a related field.
• At least 5–7 years of experience in MEL, with at least 2 years in a leadership or management role within the NGO sector.